The Return of Felipe?

He’s had an eventful career, has Felipe Baby Massa. Brazil 2008, the accident, the constant burden of being number two and the controversy that comes with that, let alone his inability to drive in any sort of moisture. It’s far to say I’ve never really rated him.

But this year, he’s impressed me.

Just thinking of rain hasn’t made him throw his car cartwheeling with his rear-end always wanting to exit the corner first. He’s (just about) excelled in it. Think back to Hamilton’s sublime wet-weather drive at Silverstone in 2008, Massa lost control five times. Five.

This season? He was more than competitive in the Silverstone rain in Practice and Qualifying. Granted he floundered a touch in the race but instead of crumbling at simply hearing of rain, he excelled in changeable conditions.

Sure he hasn’t won a race since that Brazilian Grand Prix, but his career since can’t have been easy. I maintain this has seen a return of sorts for Massa. Whether his best is really good enough for Ferrari is another matter, mind.

To say he’s only there still because of a certain rule, well let’s say twinge would be too easy and harsh on the little Brazilian. But you could also argue there aren’t many that are obvious candidates for his seat with Kubica’s future up in the air.

Comparing him to Alonso would be unfair too, few can handle being in the same team as him and still harbour ambitions to race at the very front. Yet this sesason he’s seemed more pacy – maybe not racy- and the unforced errors have crept away a touch. But he’s improving race by race.

Alex, doesn’t agree.