Massa: Alonso Struggling to Admit McLaren Move Was a Mistake
Felipe Massa says Fernando Alonso left Ferrari for McLaren at the wrong moment, arguing the Spaniard is unwilling to admit the decision has backfired as Ferrari resurges.
Felipe Massa believes Fernando Alonso is finding it hard to admit he made a mistake by leaving Ferrari for McLaren, as the Italian team shows clear signs of progress while McLaren-Honda continues to struggle in Formula One. Massa, who drove alongside Alonso at Ferrari until the end of 2013, told Brazil's Globo Esporte during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend that Alonso's move has so far been "more negative than positive" for the Spaniard.
Alonso left Ferrari at the end of 2014, seeking a fresh challenge with McLaren and the returning Honda partnership. At the time, Ferrari was in a period of transition, with changes at the top including a new president and team principal. Alonso argued that joining McLaren-Honda was necessary to mount a future challenge to the dominant Mercedes team, describing it as an "innovative long-term project."
Massa, however, disagrees with Alonso's assessment. He said Ferrari's recent improvements are clear and suggested Alonso is reluctant to acknowledge the misstep. "I think Alonso had to invent some reasons to justify a change that has certainly been more negative than positive," Massa said. He added that it can be difficult for a driver of Alonso's stature to admit a mistake, especially when the results have not matched expectations.
Ferrari's Progress and McLaren's Struggles
Ferrari has shown a marked upturn in form during the 2015 season, with Sebastian Vettel taking victory in Malaysia and the team regularly challenging Mercedes for podiums. The changes at Maranello have included a new leadership structure and technical direction, which Massa believes has made Ferrari a stronger contender. Alonso, meanwhile, has pointed to Vettel's Malaysia win as circumstantial, arguing that Ferrari still has ground to make up on Mercedes.
McLaren-Honda's return has been marred by reliability problems and a lack of pace, leaving both Alonso and teammate Jenson Button often outside the points. The team has struggled to extract performance from the new Honda power unit, and progress has been slower than anticipated. Despite this, Alonso has insisted publicly that he does not regret the move, framing it as a necessary step for long-term success.
Massa Content at Williams, Ferrari Eyes Bottas
Since leaving Ferrari, Massa has found stability at Williams, where he says he is happy to remain for several years. He acknowledged that Ferrari's overhaul could have changed his own fate at the team, but said he is satisfied with his current situation. Reports suggest Ferrari is interested in Valtteri Bottas, Massa's current teammate, for a future seat, but Massa believes Williams will retain Bottas for the next season due to a contract option.
- Felipe Massa: Williams driver, ex-Ferrari teammate to Alonso
- Fernando Alonso: Left Ferrari for McLaren-Honda in 2015
- Sebastian Vettel: Replaced Alonso at Ferrari, won 2015 Malaysian GP
- Valtteri Bottas: Williams driver, linked to future Ferrari move
As the 2015 season progresses, Ferrari appears to be closing the gap to Mercedes, while McLaren-Honda faces a long road to competitiveness. Massa's comments add to the scrutiny of Alonso's decision, but the Spaniard remains committed to the McLaren project for now.
