‘Three on Ferrari shortlist’

Felipe Massa, Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta are the three men in the running for the second seat at Ferrari in 2013, according to a report…

Felipe Massa, Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta are the three men in the running for the second seat at Ferrari in 2013, according to a report.

Brazilian Massa’s current contract with the team runs out at the end of this season and initial reports suggested the Italian outfit would get rid of him, but his solid form during the latter stages of this campaign has seen his stock rise again.

Even Fernando Alonso has paid tribute to Massa saying “if the team decide to change Felipe, whoever [comes in] has to be better than Felipe”.

According to BBC Sport, Ferrari’s “intention is to retain” the Brazilian “but Force India drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta are options”.

The report adds that “Ferrari’s bosses want to wait a little longer before confirming Massa to be sure he can hold on to his current form.

“Meanwhile, the picture is complicated by a source with good knowledge of the driver market saying that a deal for Hulkenberg to join Ferrari next year is already done.”