Ferrari Says Zorro Likely as Second Driver

FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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appears to be sick of the speculation about who the team's second driver will be for the 2013 season, or at least their racing PR department is. It has just released a rather humorous but clearly barbed press release saying that literally anyone could fill the second spot in the team next season including Massa or the swashbuckler Zorro. 

"Yesterday, one absolute certainty of the past few months was washed away, as we now know Webber is staying put. Now the most vociferous and qualified rumormongers are taking it for granted that Felipe will be confirmed, these generally being the same voices that, not only had him down as being out of the running for 2013, but would have had us believe he would not even see out the season. Now coming into bloom are a whole list of possible and potential replacements, with a list of names from A to Z, something Ferrari is well used to. In truth, one letter, the “Z,” seems yet to be uncovered, or quite possibly it’s Zorro…unmasked," said Ferrari in their statement. 

More realistically, Massa is definitely on the bubble for next season. The F2012Ferrari F2012Italy, 2012 > 201214 photos
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can clearly be fast in the right hands and those hands are not Massa. If he could get more fourth place or better finishes like at Silverstone last weekend, then his spot would probably be guaranteed. He is sitting in 13th place in the driver's championship, which is below drivers from Force IndiaForce IndiaIndia, 2007 > present8 models
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, SauberSauberSwitzerland, 1970 > present21 models
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and WIlliamsWilliamsUnited Kingdom, 1977 > present37 models
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. 

If there is a most likely candidate for Massa's spot, it is probably Sergio Perez. He races for Sauber, which is a Ferrari engine customer. And Perez is a member of the Ferrari Driving Academy. Perez is in eighth place in the drivers' championship. Perez has had two podiums this season compared to Massa's none. 

The other possibility is Jules Bianchi. He is also a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and is the test driver for Force India. He does not have all the F1 experience that Perez has, but he would likely be cheaper. 

The dark horse possibility is Kimi Raikkonen. He has driven for Ferrari in the past, but the problem is he is completely unpredictable. Like the cliché says, "The devil you know is better than the one that you don't."

If Ferrari cannot find a 2nd driver, there is always Zorro. He would match Alonso well.