“We want to build with Felipe into the future,” said Domenicali, according to the aforementioned source, while pointing that the Brazilian has turned into a great driver in recent years. “We have the feeling that he has developed in recent years into a driver as good as any other in the field.”
The news comes under some interesting circumstances. First, Massa has climbed to the top of the drivers' classification following the Malaysian Grand Prix, leading teammate Fernando Alonso and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel by 2 points. Secondly – and more importantly, at least in our book – recent rumors have suggested that Robert Kubica has already signed a pre-agreement with Ferrari for the 2011 season.
The Pole signed a one-year contract with Renault at the end of last year – following Fernando Alonso's leaving for Ferrari – in order to have an open future in the sport at the end of 2010. With Felipe Massa's deal due to expire at the end of this season, the media started speculating about a potential Alonso-Kubica lineup starting 2011.
Last year, when Massa was forced to sit out half of season due to his head injuries in the Hungarian Grand Prix, it was revealed that Kubica was also on Ferrari's list to replace the Brazilian driver. At the time, he was competing for BMW Sauber and turned down the offer.
The 28-year old Massa has joined Ferrari at the end of 2005, after a fulfilling season with Sauber. In 4 years at Maranello, he partnered two world champions – Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen – and was close to grabbing a championship crown of his own in 2008.
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