UPDATE In recent days there have been reports in various countries suggesting that Robert Kubica could be moving to Ferrari in 2011, with Felipe Massa being farmed out to Ferrari customer Sauber. Such a move would require agreement from Renault and Massa himself. One can see that Renault might be happy to part with Robert if there was a big pay-off, as money remains tight. However, if the team did agree to release Robert there remains the question of whether or not there is a suitable replacement. Kubica is widely seen as being a bit special and selling his contract would inevitably leave the team with a bit of a vacuum. There are the rumors of Kimi Raikkonen, of course, but there is no reason why the Finn would be any more motivated than he was in 2008 and 2009 at Ferrari – and he has unfinished business in the world of rallying. Massa might agree to move to Sauber, if only to get away from the situation in which he is deemed to be a number two to Fernando Alonso (which is not a status that Robert Kubica is likely to accept). Having said that, a move to Sauber would provide a far less competitive car as Ferrari customers are rarely in a position to win races. Massa says that his goal is to win and so one must presume that he still sees Ferrari as his main chance, even if the team did instruct him to move over for Alonso. Sauber would welcome back Felipe, although it is not entirely clear who would pay him. This all adds to the belief that Sauber is on the verge of a big new partnership, probably with the Mexican businessman Carlos Slim. It has been suggested for some time that Sergio Perez might step up to F1 next year, but the team already has a deal with Kamui Kobayashi, so there is not room for everyone…
Joe Saward
09/22/10 (GMM) Rumors of driver movements within the top teams are yet again gaining traction.
Recently, a Spanish television station reported that, notwithstanding the existence of new contracts, Felipe Massa and Robert Kubica could be set to swap seats for 2011.
The Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell is now reporting a similar rumor, whereby Massa would leave Ferrari at the end of the season to make room for Pole Kubica.
But the report said Brazilian Massa would be accommodated not by Renault but by Ferrari powered Sauber, where he drove as a rookie in 2002 and again in 2004-2005.
"Of course I read all the rumors," Kubica said in an interview with spox.com, "but in the end the only thing is winning.
"We are all here because we want to win and you need the best car for that. Currently I'm at Renault and so I am focused on this team and on improving together.
"In 2011 we want to fight for the world title. We'll see what happens next," the 25-year-old added.
Kubica admitted that he would like to race for Ferrari one day.
"In karting, Formula Renault and F3, I've always been with Italian teams and I even lived for more than a year near Monza.
"Ferrari is a team unlike any other," he acknowledged. "The emotion and the history is unique. I think every driver would like to drive for Ferrari."
