Massa went on to secure podiums in 2006, at the European, American, French and German Grand Prix. Some were very impressive podiums, he then eventually took his maiden victory in Turkey.
He basically blew everyone away, showing everyone that he has the ability and the speed. He won another race that year, and with Michael Schumacher announcing his retirement at Monza that year, it seemed 2007 could Massa’s year to launch an assault on the championship.
He ended the season well, and took away another victory at his home race, Brazil. His total podiums for that season was seven, along with two race victories. His points tally was 80.
It was time for a new dawn at Ferrari then. Enter Kimi Raikkonen. I don’t think Massa really cared who his teammate was. He just loves driving for Ferrari, and that was all that mattered.
So 2007, the year in which Massa would stake his claim for the title?
It began well, season testing saw Massa and Ferrari on a good race pace, looking very quick. But when the F1 paddock arrived for the season opener at Melbourne, Ferrari hit reliability problems.
He had to take an engine change, which put him at the back of the field. He drove well during the race, showing maturity and good pace, he ended up finishing sixth.
With these well driven performances, he would surely challenge for the championship. All he needed was a little luck, and this came at Bahrain. Massa took Pole Position at the Bahrain Grand Prix and went on to win.
He also achieved the same feat in the following race in Spain. This was the performance level that would enable him to win the championship. All he had to do was remain consistent.
Unfortunately as the season progressed, some of the minor errors that have been associated with Massa crept in. At Canada, he drove through a red light in the pit lane and was black flagged from the race. Errors can be expected of course, but with Massa you seemed to be waiting for it to happen, and you thought it would happen.
Massa secured more podiums that year, and another victory came in Turkey. Quite a dominant victory too. Massa looked fast and at home in Turkey.
Still though, Massa did not have enough points to challenge for the championship in 2007. All he could do now was win his home Grand Prix and give something back to his home country.
Massa led the race, but Kimi Raikkonen overtook him during a pit stop phase during the race. This was obviously a bit of team play, as Kimi was on for the championship. Kimi eventually went on to win the championship for Ferrari.
In total, Massa scored 10 podiums that season, three of them standing on the top step, His points score was 94. I feel he could have won that year, but a few minor errors and bad reliability cost him dearly.
I still also believed Massa was still making errors that could and should have been ironed out a long time ago.
After watching Massa in the 2008 season, it looks like more of the same, Massa retired from the first two races of the season, not a great start at all.
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