[zU8KbeIU]

So, which will earn the rights to be Top Donkey this year.

Massa showed great form in the early part of the season and looked a shoe-in to take the Donkey of the season crown but has really messed up in the last few races whereas Maldonkeyado has really shown his calibre recently with some incredible driving.

Forget team mate battles, this one could go to the wire in Brazil. Can Massa regain his natural form or can Pastor build up an unassailable lead before being banned?

[freddystone]

Button

[Clolmemaexata]

yep. Button.

[pobrierce]

I think lately Ferrari has been able to setup the car better for Massa as he doesn't seem so hopeless anymore.

altough today's race is over for him according to one finnish news site, gotta love that photo though.

"Massa already given up"
Massa antoi jo periksi - MTV3.fi - Urheilu - F1 - Uutiset

[QbCp7LaZ]

Button

Want to reconsider after Germany

[freevideom]

So far, it's Maldonado. He has been great at times, but he's also had quite a few moments of lunatic self-destruction. Massa has been nowhere in much more races than he should have, but his poor performances haven't been as spectacular as Pastor's. Being slow is too mainstream - being reasonably fast and then crashing into something or someone is much more interesting for viewers and makes Pastor a much more appropriate candidate IMHO.

[addifttiest]

So far, it's Maldonado.

Interestingly I would vote for Massa. Sure it is difficult to compare them, because they are lacking in different areas - speed v racecraft. However, we can take another criteria. Maldonado still has more points than Massa, despite the latter being in a car, which is clearly leading the WDC.

[Bromikka]

Germany was a draw, they were both ****e

[VastDrura]

Massa mnaged to screw up Lewis's race in Germany where at least Pastor managed not to bash anyone off and just screwed himself.

[secondmortgagek]

Button

yep, then he goes and blows it.

if he had not (well according to Whitemarsh) started running low on fuel, he might have taken Alonso

[sadgpokx]

Button for donkey!

[KellyMP]

Interestingly I would vote for Massa. Sure it is difficult to compare them, because they are lacking in different areas - speed v racecraft. However, we can take another criteria. Maldonado still has more points than Massa, despite the latter being in a car, which is clearly leading the WDC.

I agree. Massa about 158 gp's vs about 27.

[mobbemeatiedy]

I'm going for Massa on this one. Much as I don't like Pastors stupid maneuvers and inability to be consistent, he did win a race this year at least. I doubt Massa will do the same. Not good considering the experience deficit. But despite his lack of intelligence I guess Pastor does have potential, Massa doesn't really. Congratulations to Massa for messing up again this race.

[Fuerfsanv]

It should be easier to calm aggression, than to strengthen a weak mind.
My vote goes to Massa.

[brurdefdoro]

Obviously it is Jean-Eric Vergne.

[Rinkeliacasse]

Here's a frightening thought: Massa and Maldonado could be teammates next season.

[kasandrasikl]

They've both got donkeyesque traits but for different reasons. Maldonado is clearly a fast and fearless driver who needs to channel his aggression, the fact that he won a race in a midfield car is clearly proof that he has speed, but his numerous clashes over the past couple of years have marked him out as being far from the finished article. There's defiantly potential there, mind, if he can stay out of trouble long enough.

Massa just looks like a broken man. I don't think it's entirely down to his accident, I just think he's been so comprehensively beaten by Alonso that he's lost all confidence in himself. Even when he did show the occasional flash of his former self his team made it abundantly clear where he stood, which can't have helped his mindset. He was the last man outside of the new teams to get onto the scoreboard this year, while Alonso leads the championship. He's fighting for his career, and can't seem to handle the pressure. I was genuinely surprised he kept his seat for this year, never mind having a future at Ferrari. If he's still in F1 next season he should consider himself a lucky man.

[zttrftwsq]

Massa: I won't stay in F1 to make up numbers | F1 News | Jul 2012 | Crash.Net
Felipe Massa has said he won't compete in F1 next season if he cannot secure a competitive drive. the worst drivers would have to be the hrt drivers

[rhybrisee]

The Hungarian GP did nothing to help choose between them. Maldonado forced Di Resta off track and picked up a justified penalty, and Massa limped home quarter of an hour behind his team mate.

Apparently there's a paddock whisper that Massa's been told his services will no longer be required for 2013, and I can't say I'm totally shocked.

[Uplillacype]

It would be incomprehensible if Massa kept his seat for 2013. He's already kept it at least one year too long. Ferrari need to be more ruthless. I'd argue replacing him now, with Trulli or Sutil, who in my opinion are better drivers without race seats.

He needs a fresh start, a move to Williams might see him back on the podium. The car is capable of much more than it is delivering at the moment, Maldonado is quick but very erratic and Senna is steady, Massa would be a likely improvement.

I expect Kovalainen to go to Ferrari next year, considering recent rumours, as a stopgap for Vettel in 2014.