http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU8gvF6WCIkQuote:
Originally Posted by donKey jote
Best wishes,
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU8gvF6WCIkQuote:
Originally Posted by donKey jote
Best wishes,
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This is all getting rather confusing.
Massa to Ferrari in preference to Hulkenburg? Weird.
They suggested on Sky today it could be Massa & Hulkenburg and Grosjean out of Lotus, but surely they need some money coming in?
I thought McLaren were linked to Telmex sponsorship next year to replace Vodafone, thus securing Perez' seat, but with various rumours suggesting Perez might not stay maybe that's not accurate.
How about:
Lotus: Perez/Massa
McLaren: Button/Hulkenburg
It would be a travesty if Lotus took Massa and Hulkenburg ended up without a decent drive again.
That would be cool :cool:
Way cool man. #like
To be honest Hulkenberg needs a top drive now. He is ready and there are drivers (massa and Perez or Button) who could easily be replaced by their teams, so it needs to be now.
Red Bull: Vettel & Ricciardo
Mercedes: Rosberg & Hamilton
Ferrari: Alonso & Kimi
McLaren: Button & Hulk
Lotus: Perez & Grosjean
As the top teams would be quite exciting.
Looks like the exit door might be shown to Massa........
http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/stor ... MP=OTC-RSS
Looking at the drivers available, I am sure Hülkenberg is the kind of driver you would like to take gamble on if you actually had finances. Massa and Grosjean have both been left far behind their team-mates overall this year, so that if I was in Lotus' shoes and approached the 2014 season with such line-up, I wouldn't have confidence I would be getting satisfactory results. Sounds even less convincing than when before 2013 it was said Button-Pérez seemed a bit weak!
Hülkenberg is not proven yet, but there is a chance he could be pretty good. It has to be said Grosjean has seemed adequately fast from German Grand Prix onwards too, but as with many drivers, it is very much unclear if he can keep performing consistently like that over a full season. Alas I have lost faith in Massa with the exception of qualifying well on occasion.
Here's my dream driver line-up
1) Ferrari: Kimi/Fernando
Both drivers are evenly matched & considered as the best drivers & are at their prime in terms of skill albeit a fraction of a second off.
It was considered outrageous by most people until Ferrari actually signed Kimi.
2) Red Bull: Hulkenberg/Rosberg
Hulk was touted as the next big thing in F1, while Rosberg is perennially under rated even though he has comprehensively out performed the most successful driver statistically for 2 seasons and going toe to toe with the best thing ever happened to British Racing since Jim Clark.
If Red Bull remains dominant then we know by now this is a team sport & the driver is overrated.
3) Mercedes: Hamilton/Vettel
This is arguably the quickest pair of driver on the grid. This pairing gives the Vettel detractors to see his butt kicked. However, if Seb is able to win a WDC then this will disappoint most people he is the best there is.
Mercedes will be the best team to give both drivers the opportunity to settle the score. Lewis has a year head start but Seb is a German going to a German team. The car is the quickest in 1 lap so will be exciting to see who's on top Saturday.
4) Lotus: Button/Kubica
The Lotus is always gentle on the tires & this suits Button's smooth driving style. Button is untouchable when the car is on song . Every fan wants Robert to return to F1; just like Kimi, he has unfinished business in F1. Just like Kimi, he did his talking on the track & is an out & out racer.
5) Mclaren: Kevin Magnussen/Gary Paffet
Magnussen has a stand-out performance in Renault 3.5 series, IMHO, is the best feeder series to F1. Gary, just like Di Resta, is an accomplished DTM champion; he will be up to speed in F1 & may surprise a few.
6) Force India: Kobayashi/Bottas
I have a soft spot for Koba; he's not rated as a top line driver but he sure knows how to pass & brings excitement to the sport. Ban DRS & KERS & you will know what I mean.
Bottas shows glimpse of brilliance in Canada; he was pretty evenly matched with his more experience team mate but both failed to drive beyond the car's limit. The jury is still out on him & I'd like to see him in a more competitive machine.
7) Toro Rosso: Robin Frijns/Stoffel Vandoorne
Toro Rosso is essentially a junior team to RBR; the team's goal is to scout the future drivers for RBR. Therefore, it's important they do not limit their selection only to their junior program.
Robin Frijns is a classical case of a talent deprived of his opportunity due to lack of funding. Stoffel Vandoorne is equally impressive in his rookie season in Renault 3.5. Both drivers performed better than the RBR junior program driver of the likes of Antonio Felix De Costa & Carlos Sainz Jr.
8) Sauber: Bianchi/Pic
Bianchi has proven himself he deserves a more competitive car to showcase his talent. Pic, IMHO, is the best driver with sponsorship this season. He lacks the stand-out performance of Bianchi, Bottas & even Van De Garde. He does provide solid performance despite of the car's limitation. In any case, this duo is stronger than Gutierez/Sirotkin pairing in any given weekend.
9) Caterham: Rob Huff/Tom Chilton
Caterham has been over hyped & under achieved since it's incarnation. It's equally disappointing & painful to watch them slipped to the bottom of the pecking order & beaten by a 2-year old Marussia. For sure, they need money but more importantly, respectability for fans to take them seriously.
In my book, Tom is the more talented Chilton; both shares the equal love & financial support form the family so it's a no brainer. As for Rob, if you have to drive a crappy car scraping of positions in the middle of the pack, might as well do it in F1. F1 needs some real wheel to wheel racers & WTCC is the most competitive wheel to wheel series other than BTCC.
10) Marussia: Petrov/Sirotkin
It's a Russian team, there's a Russian GP next season & the team need Russian Rubles. A pair of Russian drivers will fit the bill & there's no two ways about it.
There you have it. My dream list for 2014. :lips:
longisland, I'm assuming the Williams team simply disappeared up Maldonado's butthole?
oops!
Yes. How can I forget Williams, the very team that brought the biggest anti-climax when Mansell's tire exploded in the final lap. It was like Massa crowned WDC for 15 seconds in 2007.
11) Williams: James Hinchcliff/Danica Patrick
Danica will be Bernie's wet dream & Hinch is currently the hottest Indy talent. Both drivers will attract great interest of the racing fans over the state side not to mention sponsors. They will definitely help to secure the Jersey GP & Danica might do a F1 version of Jersey shore.
A Go-Daddy Williams FW-36, sounds like a classic in making.
longisland,
Danica aint gonna happen. She's already ruled out F1. She's also getting a bit old for a debutant, even though women don't decline as fast as men.
Here's my dream grid:
Red Bull: Vettel/Hulk
That's not going to happen of course, but it would be good for Hulk. The problem is, that like Mark, he is considerably heavier and taller than Vettel, so he would suffer the same inherent disadvantage in car setup due to the lower amount of distributable ballast weight.
Merc: Hamilton/Rosberg
I think this combo should be kept. Both are very quick and we didn't have the sort of mud-slinging we saw with VET/WEB or ALO/HAM in 2007.
Ferrari: Alonso/Räikkönen
That one actually does happen, although I think Ferrari are window licking mad. They obviously lerned nothing from the Villeneuve/Pironi or the Mansell/Prost pairings. Two alpha dogs in the team has almost never worked since the 70s.
Lotus: Massa/Valsecchi
I'd really like to see Massa being given a late chance as the team leader. Also his experience would help the inexperienced Valsecchi. RoGro is out. He's done some decent races this year, but considering his obvious talent, I think it is a little to few and too late.
McLaren: Button/Vandoorne
Same combination as with Lotus. An experienced winner paired with a promising, but inexperienced upstart. For Perez it's the door. May it not hit him in the arse on the way out.
Force India: Sutil/Sam Byrd
I think, except for his brilliant drive in Canada, di Resta hasn't done much to set the world ablaze, so Merc could park their test driver in a Force India. Sutil has been with the team since they were still called Spyker. He deserves some loyalty and he usually puts in strong drives if the car isn't falling apart at the seams.
Sauber: Rubens Barrichello/Cyndie Allemann
Seeing Rubinho back on the grid would be great. Somehow it felt weird when Schumacher left and there was nobody left, who had actually driven in the same race with Senna. This could bring the warm fuzzies back for a year or two. I'm weird, I know ;)
As for Cyndie. Well, I think she's one of the women, who could have made it in openwheelers, if ever given top material. She used to beat the crap out of Buemi in their karting days. Everyone, who can drive an Indycar for a second-tier team to 4th in torrential rain is F1 material in my book. On top of that she's cute and her thick french accent is hillarious. (I'm shallow, sue me)
Williams: Glock/Wolff
With their recent string of crap seasons, Williams need a driver who has experience with wonky cars, not someone who perpetually wrecks them. That means - exit stage right: Pastor Maldonado. Except for the 3rd place at Canada qualifying, Bottas hasn't done much, so I think he should be Caterham-bound. Suzie has shown in the young drivers test that she isn't as slow as people think, so she should get a chance and the PR could create more funds.
Toro Rosso: Vergne/Sainz jr.
Nothing much to say. Just sounds right.
Caterham: Kovalainen/Bottas
An all finish lineup could help attracting funds from Finnland and both deserve to be in F1.
Marussia: Petrov/Sirotkin
I'm with longisland on this one. Russian team, Russian drivers, Russian coins.
Fantasy aside, one of the more interesting places in the silly season market could be the Force India team.
I am becoming increasingly disappointed in Paul di Resta. He left the low of the late 2012 behind him early this year and performed strongly, but looks like he has started to struggle once again and his long-term future in F1 may become questionable. Sutil, as solid as he is, always seems like a temporary solution.
Magnussen may be in the running for the seat, maybe Bianchi too. And maybe Hülkenberg if there is no opening in Lotus/McLaren for him.
Hülkenberg reminds me a lot of Kubica's heroics in the 2010 Renault. Punching above his weight in the upper midfield. The car is not bad (any more), but obviously not a top car either, yet he keeps getting consistently good results in it. Just like in Force India in the second half of last year.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
I saw several news reports that Maldonado now fed up with the Williams car and wants to move up. There may be some discussion going with Lotus. However, Williams may disagree because his and PDVSA contract runs until 2015. Lotus would certainly like to have a pay driver. The Lotus team is for sale for 90million. But whoever buys it, will also be liable for the Lotus debt of 120million.
http://www.givemesport.com/389254-maldo ... s-deadline
With new politicians in Venezuela I think the PDVSA deal is going to end, leaving Maldonado without a drive. I wonder if Massa can get Brazilian oil giant Petrobras to sponsor him that maybe he signs with Williams? I was also thinking that maybe Peter Sauber still has a fondness for Massa and would want to sign him, if he can?
ANy word on who will replace Ricciardo at STR?
No. Danica should get a seat at RedBull to test the theory that anyone can win in Newey's cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by longisland
Quote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
Probably one of Red Bull junior drivers from World Series Renault Formulas. I kind of don't care since I have no idea who they are.
You forgot Banana:Quote:
Originally Posted by longisland
12) Banana Kia: Rollo / Sam Tordoff
http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/f1banana.jpg
The problem is that Banana ran out of funding to use the wind tunnel... and Kia won't supply the engines... and we can't raise the $48m that Bernie requires... BUT you did say "dream driver line-up".
I would have thought Antonio Felix da Costa would be a firm candidate.Quote:
Originally Posted by N. Jones
Is he a Red Bull prospect?
Is there any talk about Adrian Sutil? He is a candidate to be axed?
A dream grid would be Vettel and only his RB car off the grid on a sabbatical.
I am hoping against hope that the 2014 new engine regs mean a different look to the grid next year.
Not gonna happen though, because that's how life works.
The 2004 silly season might be pretty disruptive if you trust the rumors floating around the web:
1. Alonso may leave Ferrari after this or next year. He may be in talks with McLaren.
2. McLaren may have obtained the sponsors' permission to lay off Perez. One "insider" says Perez doesn't work well with the rest of the team, although an outsider may also call it throwing Perez under the bus for team's sins.
3. Maldonado and PDVSA may leave Williams after this season. Depending on their financial situation, even Lotus may be interested in hiring Maldonado.
4. Lotus, Force India, McLaren, and Williams may be interested in the services of Hulkenberg
5. McLaren wants Magnussen to be in F1 next year, possibly in Marussia or Force India.
Out of all the rumours I have seen I think Alonso going back to McLaren is the most far fetched at this point. Unless he has made peace with Ron Dennis I can't see this becoming a reality. Personally if I was McLaren, the opportunity to employ someone of Alonso's talent would be hard to pass, but then again his behaviour the first time around is practically unforgivable IMO. I think if he has trouble sharing wins with Kimi next season, then retirement would have to be a serious consideration. Alonso has made regular references to his differences with the McLaren management in recent years and it's not the best course of action for someone looking to maybe return at some point in his career. If it happens, the best of luck to him, but I would be extremely surprised.Quote:
Originally Posted by zako85
I can see McLaren ditching Perez. He's shown to be a feisty driver and at times a good overtaker, but not the quick learning, consistent driver they need during this difficult time.
I think McLaren would jump at the chance and maybe even shift their "letting the drivers race" policy.
From Mclarens point of view
Seb is signed for Red Bull, Kimi is going to Ferrari and Lewis is at Mercedes. These are 3 of the top drivers. If McLaren let Alonso stay at Ferrari or even go else where when they have a chance to sign him, they would kick themselves.
I mean there are 4 real top level champions in F1 at the moment and McLaren could have none of them and all there rivals would be in great shape. Meaning a possible return to the mid 90s kind of situation with no star driver and no decent car.
I agree on paper Alonso is perfect for McLaren as I already said. It's just a strange relationship full of negative history before it's even begun. McLaren either let Alonso come back and they bury the hatchet, or they invest in the next generation and look for the next Lewis Hamilton or Sebastian Vettel.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
3,5 Massa bringing big brazilian money in WilliamsQuote:
Originally Posted by zako85
True, I was just thinking McLaren might be panicking about the state of their line up (Perez never going to be the best and Button past his best and never out and out fast) and despite the history they might be desperate for a top line driver and so take Alonso despite all that has gone before.Quote:
Originally Posted by henners88
McLaren wanting Alonso just shows they were stupid to let him go first time.
How many titles have they lost since by not having a clear Number One?
It looks like Button is there until his pension is due, so that puts Perez at risk.
I always felt that, whilst he had some very good races in 2012, there must have been some reason why Ferrari declined his services, especially when they chose to keep Felipe-Baby.
I also think it was a knee-jerk reaction after Monza that year, knowing that Hamilton was going and desperate to try to show that McLaren were in control of the situation.
To be honest, I'm not sure McLaren have been in charge of a situation since the start of 2007.
too many and the worry for them is that they are falling away from actually being a title contender. So they need a big signing otherwise sponsor, money and the quality of their cars will suffer.
I am not including this season in that as it could be a one off dud. However it could also be the start of a downward spiral. Only time will tell.
Mclaren also have some history of employing the seemingly unemployable.
Mansell, who had been on the receiving end of a few Ron Dennis comments (and was once mocked as a Gorilla by the McLaren team), was employed at the behest of Marlboro.
Prost, despite infuriating Dennis at Monza 89, was practically begged to get in a McLaren in 94, going so far as testing for them.
Which goes to show that, just like any other team with sponsors to appease and major engi ne manufacturers to keep happy, will sign whoever they need to.
Alonso is just the next in a line.
Highlight of next year for me is the Ferrari line up. FINALLY, Alonso has some competition.
I hope it's a one off dud as it's sad to see them fall into another slump. For me growing up the essence of Formula 1 was captured by two teams. McLaren and Williams and I'd hate to see these two teams slip too far. Williams already far in decline but one hopes that break will come. McLaren have the advantage of larger funds but something very big is lacking. They've lost good technical personnel and one of the best drivers on the grid in the last 12 month, so there are problems on more than one front. Let's hope 2014 is kinder to the great team.Quote:
Originally Posted by steveaki13
Quote:
Originally Posted by zako85
1. I can't see it happening. At this point though Mclaren would like Alonso, he has said he will stay with Ferrari. I think they are smart enough to continue paying him to stay.
2. That could be interesting, though I think the car is lacking at this point. I don't know if they could get a driver at a reasonable price that is better than Perez, unless Hulkenberg would risk the move.
3. I think the only teams interested in Pastor would likely be cash strapped teams. People want their cars to finish races!
4. Any team with a brain should be at least interested in Hulkenberg IMO. In all fairness though the Sauber has done well mid to end of season, and people thought Perez was worth looking at when he was in the same car,
5. Haven't followed this at all.
With the new car and engine specs, I think we might see some strange changes in 2014 as far as how we rate drivers and teams. It is bound to shake things up some.
As for McLaren I think they need someone stronger than Jenson to lead the team. He is a solid driver but not known to get the best out of cars at times.
Just when the things couldn't weirder, there are reports that Petrov could oust Sirotkin at Sauber.
http://www.inautonews.com/kaltenborn-co ... ith-petrov
Petrov has experience and brings lots of Russian money. Has Sauber not just received significant investment from a Russian company too?
I think that would actually be a decent signing for Sauber coupled with the Russian money.
Maldonado in talks with Lotus: it'd be great to have him in a top car!
He was extremely erratic last time he had a half-decent car. I can't see why it would be different this time around.Quote:
Originally Posted by tjoepie
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger
I think Maldonado and Grosjean pitted against each other in the same car could be a very good show. Hulkenberg and Grosjean would be even better. In the end, money will decide everything. If Lotus finds a good external source for money (investors, sponsors, etc), then Lotus can afford to sign up Hulkenberg and Grosjean. But if the team is broke, they may sign Maldonado, Massa, or someone else with good financial backing. I don't see a big problem with this. In the current economy, every team besides McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes is broke. Even Kimi said that the reason for moving to Ferrari was quite simple, Lotus did not have money to pay him. A sensible strategy for a team is to sign a decent driver with good sponsors, and use the money to subsidize the second seat. What I don't like is when the team sells its soul and gives both of its seats to pay drivers.
Hulkenberg denied the talks with McLaren when EJ just suggested it, but I would love to see Nico join the team. I think its strange how he has missed out on a couple of previously available top drives considering his performances this and last season. He has an impressive CV pre-F1 and comes across as a very driven chap indeed. Its a shame he missed out on the Ferrari seat, but Kimi will no doubt provide us with the excitement we expect. If I was McLaren though, I would seriously be considering signing the Hulk if there is any hole on Sergio's contract.