Speculation Runs Rampant About Who Will Take Massa's Spot

It has become a foregone conclusion in the Formula 1 world that Felipe Massa will not be driving for FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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next season. He has repeatedly underperformed this season and is hurting the team in the constructors' championship by not finishing in the points. He has scored 25 points this season. That has led to speculation all season about who will take Massa's place, and that speculation is heating up even more now that the season is on its month-long break. 

Team principal Stefano Domenicali is hinting at Ferrari's plans for its second driver next season. 

"It has always been Ferrari's philosophy to have a great champion and then a very good driver who is close to him," said Domenicali.

The team has been rumored to be courting LotusLotusUnited Kingdom, 1952 > present68 models
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driver Kimi Raikkonen and McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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driver Jenson Button. When asked about whether the team is considering either driver, Domenicali responded: "I think these drivers have contracts with other teams. And we are not in a rush."

Most drivers' decisions will likely come before the next race at Spa at the beginning of September. It will not be long until we know who will be in Ferrari's second car. 

It begs the question, though, if Ferrari is creating these situations for itself when it admits that it will favor one driver the other. As a driver, how interested would you be in a team that is going to treat you like an afterthought. 

Source: Motorsport