Silly Season 2013
Discussion
Could have sworn we had a thread for this but my searching skills failed me.
There are discussions all over the place and plenty of moves still to make before 2014 gets going.
Red Bull have got themselves sorted with a clear 1/2 lineup and Mercedes seems pretty nailed on for drivers if not technical staff. We've got Kimi at Ferrari and Fred most likely too but with an outside chance of joining a fairly well set Button at McLaren. Oh and Roman seems pretty set at Lotus too.
Beyond that it appears there might be a lot of movement, Massa, Perez, Hulk, Paul would seem to be the prime movers and I'm sure a few paying new comers at the back end.
Thoughts?
There are discussions all over the place and plenty of moves still to make before 2014 gets going.
Red Bull have got themselves sorted with a clear 1/2 lineup and Mercedes seems pretty nailed on for drivers if not technical staff. We've got Kimi at Ferrari and Fred most likely too but with an outside chance of joining a fairly well set Button at McLaren. Oh and Roman seems pretty set at Lotus too.
Beyond that it appears there might be a lot of movement, Massa, Perez, Hulk, Paul would seem to be the prime movers and I'm sure a few paying new comers at the back end.
Thoughts?
EJ said a few times this weekend that Massa to Lotus would be difficult because Massa has support from Petrobras and Lotus have Total as a main sponsor. I didn't realise this about Petrobras and was thinking Massa to Lotus would be a good fit before then. Massa said he's talking to 3 or 4 teams, they would most likely be Sauber, Force India, Lotus or Williams (IMO). Toro Rosso will bring in another RB newbie to replace Ricciardo. This Russian kid is looking like he's in at Sauber.
What do we think about McLaren then ?
Button allegedly has a contract a sorted bar the shouting. Perez? not heard a peep.
Is Alonso a fixture at Ferrari or could he be on the move ?
What about Sutil & Di Resta ? Could someone like Pastor be looking at Force India & Sauber ?
Maybe James Calado gets a race seat with FI ?
I reckon Grosjean has done enough over the last couple of races to secure his seat. He's always been quick but his racecraft has improved after a tough start this year.
I'd like to see Bottas get another year in something half decent.
Will Kovalainen be back for Caterham ? it would appear they've missed an experienced hand and yet again haven't made a step forwards. Wouldn't surprise me to see them sold soon as I think Tony F is bored and has moved on to play with other toys.
I wonder if Sauber now have their financial issues under control. Seems to me there has been a bit of mismanagement since Peter stepped back. I can't see Peter would allow the Russian kid to drive if he was still in charge, given he held Perez back a few years ago.
ETA: Crofty posted this to twitter yesterday:
Hulk to Ferrari. Alonso to McLaren. Chilton to Force India. Magnussen to Marussia
Johnny Herbert replied saying he agreed, adding Massa to Lotus.
Raised an eyebrow here, although half of me thinks they are both on a wind up..
Button allegedly has a contract a sorted bar the shouting. Perez? not heard a peep.
Is Alonso a fixture at Ferrari or could he be on the move ?
What about Sutil & Di Resta ? Could someone like Pastor be looking at Force India & Sauber ?
Maybe James Calado gets a race seat with FI ?
I reckon Grosjean has done enough over the last couple of races to secure his seat. He's always been quick but his racecraft has improved after a tough start this year.
I'd like to see Bottas get another year in something half decent.
Will Kovalainen be back for Caterham ? it would appear they've missed an experienced hand and yet again haven't made a step forwards. Wouldn't surprise me to see them sold soon as I think Tony F is bored and has moved on to play with other toys.
I wonder if Sauber now have their financial issues under control. Seems to me there has been a bit of mismanagement since Peter stepped back. I can't see Peter would allow the Russian kid to drive if he was still in charge, given he held Perez back a few years ago.
ETA: Crofty posted this to twitter yesterday:
Hulk to Ferrari. Alonso to McLaren. Chilton to Force India. Magnussen to Marussia
Johnny Herbert replied saying he agreed, adding Massa to Lotus.
Raised an eyebrow here, although half of me thinks they are both on a wind up..
Edited by Crafty_ on Monday 14th October 19:50
McLaren are the key to the driver market, not Lotus.
McLaren have an interest in helping Chilton (Aon support) and Magnussen (future Development).They also provide technical support to Force India and Marussia. Both smaller teams would take on a McLaren favourite if it reduced the contribution they have to make to McLaren.
So, with Perez looking shakey, McLaren hold the key to at least four vacancies at the moment.
Although it seems likely that Hulkenberg will go to Lotus, the return to Force India rumour has some credence as a holding station until there's a McLaren vacancy
McLaren have an interest in helping Chilton (Aon support) and Magnussen (future Development).They also provide technical support to Force India and Marussia. Both smaller teams would take on a McLaren favourite if it reduced the contribution they have to make to McLaren.
So, with Perez looking shakey, McLaren hold the key to at least four vacancies at the moment.
Although it seems likely that Hulkenberg will go to Lotus, the return to Force India rumour has some credence as a holding station until there's a McLaren vacancy
Latest rumour - Maldonado to Lotus, Massa to Williams http://www.f1today.net/en/news/maldonado-has-run-o...
Personally I hope the 'Maldonado to Lotus' bit doesn't happen - I'd far rather see Hulkenberg there
Personally I hope the 'Maldonado to Lotus' bit doesn't happen - I'd far rather see Hulkenberg there
From the BBC website
Goddard said - It is a tricky situation. We're still under option - we haven't been told we're not going to be signed. But if the option lapses and doesn't get taken up, then it is a case of waiting to see if Force India come back to us
Is he saying that if FI don't make an offer, PDR has nowhere else to go, no other options, sounds like it.
It's difficult to determine because this last half of the season he [Di Resta] has been adversely affected by the tyres. He hasn't produced the results he would want to produce, but overall it is the team under-delivering on what it should have delivered
Think I might ask my manager to be a bit more "generous" towards the team while I was waiting to be offered a job.
Goddard said - It is a tricky situation. We're still under option - we haven't been told we're not going to be signed. But if the option lapses and doesn't get taken up, then it is a case of waiting to see if Force India come back to us
Is he saying that if FI don't make an offer, PDR has nowhere else to go, no other options, sounds like it.
It's difficult to determine because this last half of the season he [Di Resta] has been adversely affected by the tyres. He hasn't produced the results he would want to produce, but overall it is the team under-delivering on what it should have delivered
Think I might ask my manager to be a bit more "generous" towards the team while I was waiting to be offered a job.
Norfolkit said:
From the BBC website
Goddard said - It is a tricky situation. We're still under option - we haven't been told we're not going to be signed. But if the option lapses and doesn't get taken up, then it is a case of waiting to see if Force India come back to us
Is he saying that if FI don't make an offer, PDR has nowhere else to go, no other options, sounds like it.
It's difficult to determine because this last half of the season he [Di Resta] has been adversely affected by the tyres. He hasn't produced the results he would want to produce, but overall it is the team under-delivering on what it should have delivered
Think I might ask my manager to be a bit more "generous" towards the team while I was waiting to be offered a job.
Sounds very similar to the driver...everything is always the teams fault. As you say...not exactly saying the right things to try and get a job!Goddard said - It is a tricky situation. We're still under option - we haven't been told we're not going to be signed. But if the option lapses and doesn't get taken up, then it is a case of waiting to see if Force India come back to us
Is he saying that if FI don't make an offer, PDR has nowhere else to go, no other options, sounds like it.
It's difficult to determine because this last half of the season he [Di Resta] has been adversely affected by the tyres. He hasn't produced the results he would want to produce, but overall it is the team under-delivering on what it should have delivered
Think I might ask my manager to be a bit more "generous" towards the team while I was waiting to be offered a job.
Pastor to Lotus? Could be.
With Grosjean turning the corner, the number of front wing assemblies that need to be produced is much lower than last year. As you know, Lotus is a classic British marque dating back from the 60's / 70's - and therefore the unions might have a large amount of power.
In order to make sure that there are no layoffs (and therefore eliminate the risk of costly strike action), it would make sense to employ Pastor in order to ensure that the demand for front wings goes up, not down. As a service, rather than manufacturing group, the trophy cabinet polishing department has a far less powerful union, so the resulting cuts will be far less damaging to Lotus' operations.
In addition, there is the small matter of $35m from PVDSA contracted to Williams, and Massa only having a reported $6m dowry. I'm guessing Sir Frank will want to keep hold of the 35, and Total will probably not want to share the limelight with PVDSA. Could be a bit too much mess to smooth over for that move, IMO.
With Grosjean turning the corner, the number of front wing assemblies that need to be produced is much lower than last year. As you know, Lotus is a classic British marque dating back from the 60's / 70's - and therefore the unions might have a large amount of power.
In order to make sure that there are no layoffs (and therefore eliminate the risk of costly strike action), it would make sense to employ Pastor in order to ensure that the demand for front wings goes up, not down. As a service, rather than manufacturing group, the trophy cabinet polishing department has a far less powerful union, so the resulting cuts will be far less damaging to Lotus' operations.
In addition, there is the small matter of $35m from PVDSA contracted to Williams, and Massa only having a reported $6m dowry. I'm guessing Sir Frank will want to keep hold of the 35, and Total will probably not want to share the limelight with PVDSA. Could be a bit too much mess to smooth over for that move, IMO.
London424 said:
Norfolkit said:
From the BBC website
Goddard said - It is a tricky situation. We're still under option - we haven't been told we're not going to be signed. But if the option lapses and doesn't get taken up, then it is a case of waiting to see if Force India come back to us
Is he saying that if FI don't make an offer, PDR has nowhere else to go, no other options, sounds like it.
It's difficult to determine because this last half of the season he [Di Resta] has been adversely affected by the tyres. He hasn't produced the results he would want to produce, but overall it is the team under-delivering on what it should have delivered
Think I might ask my manager to be a bit more "generous" towards the team while I was waiting to be offered a job.
Sounds very similar to the driver...everything is always the teams fault. As you say...not exactly saying the right things to try and get a job!Goddard said - It is a tricky situation. We're still under option - we haven't been told we're not going to be signed. But if the option lapses and doesn't get taken up, then it is a case of waiting to see if Force India come back to us
Is he saying that if FI don't make an offer, PDR has nowhere else to go, no other options, sounds like it.
It's difficult to determine because this last half of the season he [Di Resta] has been adversely affected by the tyres. He hasn't produced the results he would want to produce, but overall it is the team under-delivering on what it should have delivered
Think I might ask my manager to be a bit more "generous" towards the team while I was waiting to be offered a job.
I certainly would not want to be one of his engineers!
LiamM45 said:
the more I hear Di Resta talk the less I like him, if I was in FI's shoes, I wouldn't be re-hiring him. I don't see what he brings to the team. He's a consistent yet unspectacular driver, I might be putting my neck out with this one but I think Bianchi or Chilton could do as a good a job if not better.
I certainly would not want to be one of his engineers!
Chiton better than PDR? I certainly would not want to be one of his engineers!
Specsavers required?!
Silent1 said:
LiamM45 said:
the more I hear Di Resta talk the less I like him, if I was in FI's shoes, I wouldn't be re-hiring him. I don't see what he brings to the team. He's a consistent yet unspectacular driver, I might be putting my neck out with this one but I think Bianchi or Chilton could do as a good a job if not better.
I certainly would not want to be one of his engineers!
Chiton better than PDR? I certainly would not want to be one of his engineers!
Specsavers required?!
Di Resta, 4 retirements, hasn't scored a point since Silverstone in a car that can score points and has been close to podium finishes, although he has got more points than Sutil at the moment.
I don't understand that Aon link with McLaren...can someone explain it to me?
Hulk to Lotus, Massa to Sauber, Perez stays at McLaren for one more year. FIF1 remains unchanged. Kovalainen and probably Pic at Caterham. Marussia lineup remains the same. Some bigger moves for 2015 season and of course Alonso may even leave Ferrari in the close season.
Hulk to Lotus, Massa to Sauber, Perez stays at McLaren for one more year. FIF1 remains unchanged. Kovalainen and probably Pic at Caterham. Marussia lineup remains the same. Some bigger moves for 2015 season and of course Alonso may even leave Ferrari in the close season.
No one expected Chilton to do much this year, but I'm impressed. If Bianchi is really the real deal, the much less experienced Chilton has run him close on several occasions. He's also usually had mistake free weekends too. I hope he gets another year ,at least. Maybe he's more Bruno than Ayrton, but he could be a useful no2 at Force India.
ThatsWhatShe said:
Just something I've thought. Not heard any rumours to substantiate this...
What about a swap between Hulk and Perez.
McLaren don't seem to be that keen on Perez, but Hulk would be worth fighting for. Perez would be welcomed with open arms back at Sauber.
Mclaren seem to be saying he's too big !!What about a swap between Hulk and Perez.
McLaren don't seem to be that keen on Perez, but Hulk would be worth fighting for. Perez would be welcomed with open arms back at Sauber.
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