Silly Season speculation

**jens** · 24th October 2015, 13:44

Actually Palmer is every bit of a paydriver, considering how influential his father is in the British motorsport scene. Palmer is a bit like Max Chilton with a GP2 title. And it was only 4th GP2 season in which Jolyon was finally competitive.

**rjbetty** · 25th October 2015, 06:11

Haas to confirm second driver in Mexico, also saying "I think you can work that one out".

http://planetf1.com/news/haas-to-nam...ver-in-mexico/

(The No.1 site for recycled F1 news)

And also, Gutierrez has been saying how Sauber was "wrong place, wrong time", basically sounding as though he's about to take on a new project.

This leaves just the 2 Manor seats then, with Pascal Wehrlein expected in one. Pity K-Mag or JEV probably won't get it as I'd love to see what Manor could do with an experienced driver. Would probably be the difference between a championship position, or even two. Shame about needing a driver with money (just to survive)...

**steveaki13** · 25th October 2015, 13:49

Good news for Palmer. Whether or not he will get anywhere is another thing.

I will be glad to see a new face and wish him well.

Nice to see drivers lined up early. As you say, just Manor to confirm and with Mercedes engines they may tag on the back of the field and have more fun.

**jens** · 27th October 2015, 15:53

Originally Posted by rjbetty

Pity K-Mag or JEV probably won't get it as I'd love to see what Manor could do with an experienced driver. Would probably be the difference between a championship position, or even two. Shame about needing a driver with money (just to survive)...

For me the biggest travesty is that Vandoorne is without a seat. If even the brightest talents of junior categories can't get seats any more, where have we got?

Meanwhile drivers like Räikkönen and Massa can basically hang onto top seats forever...

Needless to say, I am not a fan of such things at all.

There needs to be a bit of a clean-up during the next F1 silly season, whatever this clean-up contains.

**CNR** · 28th October 2015, 01:08

could redbull have a Ilmor engine
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/10045411/a
" Another British firm, Ilmor, is an obvious contender given they currently manufacturer a similar 2.2-litre unit in IndyCar. The company, co-founded by Mario Illien, originally produced Mercedes' F1 engines on the German manufacturer's return to the sport in the 1990s and have (more recently been used by Red Bull to try and help Renault find a still-elusive breakthrough in this latest era.")

**rjbetty** · 31st October 2015, 01:14

BREAKING NEWS!

John Booth and Graeme Lowdon resign from Manor.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121575
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/34682961

Grumpy Joe (lol) is reporting it too and goes into a bit more detail (speculation?)

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/

I'm absolutely gutted.

And in other news, Force India look set to become Aston Martin Racing in 2016! Only seeing it on Autosport at the mo tho.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121578

If you can't get past Auto's restricted views, planetf1 are doing their thing, posting it second-hand

http://planetf1.com/news/force-india...-aston-martin/

**jens** · 31st October 2015, 10:23

Aston Martin? Wow.

Reminds a bit, when Sahara became a sponsor and IIRC even co-owner of Force India back in 2012. It was expected to be a financial boost for the team, but Roy Sahara went to jail later on...

Anyways, I guess Aston Martin's sponsorship may be only kind-of-minor, but I guess any money helps Force India at this stage.