Sauber - Ferrari: 'privileged relationship' could have been better

Both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa have their roots at Sauber, Ferrari doesn’t have a proper driver development system, and Sauber were contributing in one way or another. It could have been wise on Ferrari to infuse more support in a way to support the young drivers, which could have paved the way for more track time as it would be the right way to groom the young drivers.

Ferrari also has a certain bond with its ex-drivers, and Sauber could have acted as a tool to continue the bonding. So one seat could have been ideally reserved to young drivers, while the other could have been handed over to those with experience.

In the case of Felipe Massa, who according to many isn’t the same driver as before that accident, Sauber could have been an ideal platform for him to reacclimatise to his former self. Massa could have been given an year to forget the pressure of Ferrari while that Ferrari contract would have ensured his motivation right throughout the season. While Sauber is still being tipped as the likely homecoming for this Brazilian, it could have been far more different than what could happen in the near future, considering the chances of Massa returning to Ferrari doesn’t seem to be a possibility at all.

Luca Badoer is another example of a talent being wasted at Ferrari. Despite being a test and reserve driver for almost a decade, Badoer was struggling on his return to racing duties, as he wasn’t ready enough to compete in Formula 1. Badoer was the same man who was given a due credit for the Ferrari’s Championship victory in 2000. Badoer completed several thousand kilometers for Ferrari over the years, before the testing ban was implemented which significantly halted his contribution.

In his comeback races in 2009, Badoer finished last of those drivers who finished the race. However, his performance improved from being the ‘slowest of all the drivers to being faster than the Toro Rosso guys’. Badoer ultimately blamed the negative media for Ferrari’s decision to replace him.

Marc Gene is another driver who was hired by Ferrari to assist them during their testing, Gene was hired by the end of 2004 and his contract was renewed in 2007. Gene’s last race was in 2004, and he was driving for Williams on more than one occasion. It was due to this reason that a wider audience was reported to have preferred Gene to drive as Massa’s replacement in 2009.

Another driver who wasn’t given his due farewell was Giancarlo Fisichella, who was roped in as Badoer’s replacement for the rest of the 2009 season. Fisichella wasn’t able to score points in his five appearances for Ferrari, but for someone who drove for Force India until then. These 5 races should have been treated as a test to get acclimatised to Ferrari. Fisi has been driving for various sportscar events around the world ever since, but should have been given a proper farewell for his attempts in Formula 1.

All these experienced drivers deserved another attempt at the pinnacle of racing. It was such an irony that Ferrari decided to replace all three drivers with young Jules Bianchi, a future ‘Ferrari bound champion’ as predicted by one and all, could have been Massa’s replacement in 2009. Bianchi gained significant exposure while being the reserve for Force India in 2012. Bianchi’s performance at Marussia this year is hailed by Ferrari who are said to be looking for a seat higher up the grid. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a possibility unless Force India hires him back for the 2014 season.

A combination of Massa – Hulkenberg or Massa – Bianchi or even Bianchi – Hulkenberg at Sauber could have been mouth watering, Sauber has one seat left as Sergey Sirotkin would occupy the other. There is a little chance for Esteban to be dropped, due to his finances. It would be a heartbreak for Ferrari if none of its bonded drivers fails to get a seat at Sauber.

Things could have been so different if Ferrari hadn’t demanded more from Sauber in those years, or even now. Sauber could have offered both of its seats to Ferrari as they are known to groom talent, and a little favor from Ferrari could have helped the finances of this Swiss team. All the while, Ferrari has been demanding for the provision of fielding three cars per team, if only they supported Sauber, it would have been so different for one and all.