Is NASA's time running out?

First, we hear that Rubens is being sidelined because of some back issues, and then suddenly Wilson is stuck in the cockpit for eight minutes because NASA pinched a nerve...

They’ll probably end up banning him pretty soon 😁

Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello might end up missing VN Brazil next weekend if the team can't figure out how to make the NASA safety device any less of a nightmare to wear.

Barrichello struggled immensely with the NASA system during the season opener, and his crash in Australia was blamed squarely on the intense pain caused by the gear. When the race rolled around in Malaysia, he didn't have to wear the NASA device because the FIA made an exception due to the physical toll it was taking on him. But don't count on them being lenient again; the FIA isn't interested in making exceptions anymore.
"If a driver can't wear the NASA device for health reasons or anything else, the team needs to find a replacement, because starting this season, we’re treating the NASA device with the same strictness as a helmet or seatbelts" — according to the official FIA statement.

Now Ferrari is stuck between a rock and a hard place since Barrichello clearly isn't up for dealing with the device.
"We've been testing this new safety system constantly and haven't run into major issues aside from what happened in Australia. Still, if one of our drivers can't handle the NASA device, we'll start bringing in a reserve driver for the races" — a Ferrari spokesperson noted.

Ferrari's usual third man is Luc Badoer. However, the Italian has dealt with two pretty nasty accidents during testing over the last month, so it looks like his fellow countryman, the young Felipe Massa, might be the one stepping in for Barrichello in Brazil.

(Source: "The Los Angeles Times")

Let Massa drive if he wants, or let them light a fire under Schumacher's feet instead. 🙂 🙂 🙂