Felipe Massa on Fernando Alonso: “Same level of talent as Michael, but he splits a team”. Felipe was a teammate to two of the most respected Formula 1 drivers.

Former Scuderia Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, who has been a teammate to two of the most respected Formula 1 drivers of the past two decades, namely Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, both during their times at the Maranello team, comments on the similarities and differences of the two world champions. The Brazilian who retired from F1 at the end of the last season spoke about his two former teammates during the TV show “Conversa com Bial” and the comparisons provide some interesting insight to the two great drivers.

Felipe Massa spent 2006 as Michael Schumacher’s teammate before partnering Kimi Raikkonen from 2007 until the end of 2009. Alonso arrived at Maranello in 2010 where he spent four seasons as Massa’s teammate.
When asked to compare the two drivers during the TV show, Felipe said: “As for pure talent, I would put Michael and Fernando on the same level. Alonso has the gift, the ease, of understanding a race and driving incredibly fast. A highly intelligent driver with extensive skills and I would say all that also about Michael. I have to admit – it was not easy to live by his side. I had a close relationship with Michael. I was young and eager to absorb all the knowledge of a seven-time champion, and Schumacher treated me very well.” – the former Ferrari driver added.

“But I had to wrestle with Fernando in a different way. Outside of the race car, I had zero problems with Alonso, we have always maintained a healthy working relationship. With Fernando, that’s one thing. If he pulls down his visor, he becomes another person. He can split a team. We saw that in many racing teams he drove for. I see that as his problem. Maybe he could have made more of his talent without this trait” – concluded Felipe Massa, echoing the general consensus in the Formula 1 paddock.