Vettel-Ferrari 2014 discussion

[Morteza]

A thing that has kept me wondering is that whether Vettel is bold enough to leave Red Bull to an inferior team? (by that I mean Ferrari. What Hamilton did with leaving McLaren for Mercedes is a very very big risk) I agree with JimClarkFan that McLaren and Red Bull have got the best technical teams out there. We know that Ferrari can turn a not so good car to a good one with their great in-season development, but is that the kind of team Vettel wants to be in? It's been long since the last time Ferrari had a clear dominant car, you know.

[donskar]

It isn't Vettel that makes the difference -- it's Newey.

Any team that has Newey, reasonable resources, and decent drivers will at least contend (contend on their down years; dominate on their good years).

And I can't see Newey going to Ferrari. What Ferrari needs is not a better driver, or a program to develop drivers, but a much stronger program to develop technical talent. (I know they have at least a semblance of such a program now, but it needs to be made a high priority.

[Websta]

If Ferrari were able to poach Vettel, it would weaken the RBR team quite significantly. With Hamilton gone from McLaren as well, it would leave Ferrari with a significant driver advantage over their closest two rivals. I wouldn't be surprised if Ferrari had a hand in the Hamilton to Mercedes deal actually, or is that not how they do business in F1 ?

[CHT]

It isn't Vettel that makes the difference -- it's Newey.

Any team that has Newey, reasonable resources, and decent drivers will at least contend (contend on their down years; dominate on their good years).

And I can't see Newey going to Ferrari. What Ferrari needs is not a better driver, or a program to develop drivers, but a much stronger program to develop technical talent. (I know they have at least a semblance of such a program now, but it needs to be made a high priority.

Webber's car was designed by horner I supposed?

I think that Vettel will only make a decision on this future after the 1st season of 1.6L turbo era. To me it is not worth the risk of signing a long term mega contract when you have no clue of impact of the new engine. For Vettel, I think he can afford to spend one season just to wait out and see.

[AlpineF1]

I really hope not because i have become attached to Red Bull, So my support shall remain with them no matter where Vettel or Webber goes

[bhall]

If Ferrari were able to poach Vettel, it would weaken the RBR team quite significantly. With Hamilton gone from McLaren as well, it would leave Ferrari with a significant driver advantage over their closest two rivals. I wouldn't be surprised if Ferrari had a hand in the Hamilton to Mercedes deal actually, or is that not how they do business in F1 ?

Exactly. There's no other reason for Ferrari to sign him.

[raymondu999]

My thought on hearing of the Button-Perez pairing was that it didn't seem high enough profile for them. Then I thought it might be a transition stage preparing for a higher profile driver. Perhaps Vettel?

I honestly think this is more likely at this moment in time. Ferrari have a lot of ground to make up. I can see Ferrari going for a Force India driver. And button making way for Vettel in the future. That to me is more likely.

I think in a way this could play out too - really the scenario in the opening post could be done with any team in mind (not just Ferrari).

Both Button and Perez have 2 years "left" in their contract - taking them to the end of 2014., Vettel's last contract announcement was an extension with Red Bull that took him up to the end of 2014 with Red Bull.

[Vanja #66]

I think in a way this could play out too - really the scenario in the opening post could be done with any team in mind (not just Ferrari).

Both Button and Perez have 2 years "left" in their contract - taking them to the end of 2014., Vettel's last contract announcement was an extension with Red Bull that took him up to the end of 2014 with Red Bull.

2014. for Vettel in Red Bull is optional, if I'm not mistaken...

I'm surprised how few people take Perez not signing for Ferrari (vice versa actually) as a sign that they have someone big for 2014. Why else would every driver connected to the team this year, even Massa, is only mentioned with a possibility of a single-year contract? And, I'm sorry, but Webber being more likely than Vettel? It's almost like bringing another Massa to the team, but older and inexperienced with the team. Red Bull is a company based on energy drinks, they are mainly sponsors, not car manufacturers or something else. Vettel's Red Bull sponsorship is just that - sponsorship. They gave him money at first and directed him to right people in his younger days. Hamilton is connected to McLaren a lot deeper than Vettel to RB, and yet, we saw what was announced 3 days ago...

Red Bull is basing it's results on work of two man at most - Newey and Horner. Newey took first bigger chance with Red Bull he had in F1 (2009.) and current results are based on it. Horner is great with managing the team. Nobody is guaranteeing that Newey will nail it in 2014. again. Also, nobody is guaranteeing that he'll stay in Red Bull, money isn't everything to that man, a title with fourth different constructor is more likely to matter to a competitive perfectionist like him.

[timbo]

Well, there were reports of Alonso having a veto power over a team-mate choice. I think it is reasonable to factor him into considerations.
Would he welcome Vettel?

[raymondu999]

2014. for Vettel in Red Bull is optional, if I'm not mistaken...

I remember that too. I read that Helmut Marko said that Vettel's contract was up to 2013, and the 2014 announcement was a performance-based option, though I don't remember whose side the option is on.

[Pierce89]

Well, there were reports of Alonso having a veto power over a team-mate choice. I think it is reasonable to factor him into considerations.
Would he welcome Vettel?

I think Alonso has grown to be mentally strong enough that he accept any teammate without a hint of acrimony. He's developed complete confidence in his abilities. He would face down Vettel with no worries.

[timbo]

Well, there were reports of Alonso having a veto power over a team-mate choice. I think it is reasonable to factor him into considerations.
Would he welcome Vettel?

I think Alonso has grown to be mentally strong enough that he accept any teammate without a hint of acrimony. He's developed complete confidence in his abilities. He would face down Vettel with no worries.

You never know for certain. And I think there's something telling in a way he seems to support Massa.

[Nando]

What would be interesting is not how Alonso would handle it. But rather Vettel...

Alonso has already experience with a super strong teammate, Vettel only had that in F3.

[jdlive]

Ferrari know what they are doing, Alonso has been there for 3y now and has done basically nothing, he is no Schumacher-Senna-Vettel, no domination-material. Would Ferrari go for Vettel if he was? Of course not.

Just look at what is about to happen. If Ferrari saw Fernando Alonso as a heir to Schumacher, they would never get Vettel. He's a hard worker but lacks the pure talent Vettel, Schumacher and Senna had.

[jdlive]

Ferrari know what they are doing, Alonso has been there for 3y now and has done basically nothing, he is no Schumacher-Senna-Vettel, no domination-material. Would Ferrari go for Vettel if he was? Of course not.

Equal machinery, Alonso will destroy Vettel. (Im a Hamilton fan, so its not like I like Alonso)

If Ferrari were convinced of this, they wouldn't go for Vettel. And I think the people at Ferrari know more about F1 than you and Nando here