Vettel-Ferrari 2014 discussion

[jdlive]

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?

Of course. We all knew this already no? Just look at Vettel's results compared to Webber's, they are clearly not in the same car

[Vanja #66]

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.

Vettel's, if the article I read is true. It was said that that is precisely why Ferrari want to offer him a contract ASAP so he wouldn't activate it. Alonso was also supposed to come in 2011, but Montezuma made it a bit quicker. This also goes with Scuderia's strategy mentioned before - they want to have high-profile drivers sorted preferably 18 months before they come...

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

Only for next year...

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

Ferrari wants a WCC with a style. Nor Massa, nor Webber can provide that. Hamilton is out of the question, Button has a contract he was not willing to let go (understandable), with Kimi - story has ended a long time ago. Who is left?

No one can say for sure what will happen when those two enter the same car. And I don't think that Montezuma will care, as long as they take WCC with 3 races to go tops...

[Nando]

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.

But Vettel thing is only thin air, it doesn't exist.

Sure they have some agreement but it's just that, an agreement.
Alonso has saved Ferrari from embarrasment he's well deserved to taking over the crown from schumacher.
Schumi is a driver, not god.

[raymondu999]

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

I think for the first few races, or even the first year, Vettel could compartmentalise in his head that Alonso still has home turf advantage.

What in my view would be interesting is to see what happens in the hypothetical situation where Vettel outqualifies and outraces him 2 times in a row, especially if those two races are the first two of the season.

I think Alonso will pop a vein - but what in my view would be interesting to look at is how he would react to it.

But Vettel thing is only thin air, it doesn't exist.

Given what the thread is discussing, I don't think it's fair to immediately assume it's just a rumor.

[Nando]

Given what the thread is discussing, I don't think it's fair to immediately assume it's just a rumor.

But it´s at best an agreement. 2 years away. Lots of things can happen during that time.
It might not even be true for all we know.

Vettel himself denies everything surrounding Ferrari.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ma ... i-red-bull

Basically if RBR again builds a somewhat competitive car and Vettel stays competitive he will stay for 2014 as well.
Same deal as Kimi has.

[JimClarkFan]

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.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19789183

My prediction may come true.


*looks round for high fives*

I think if either driver goes to Ferrari Alonso will have his hands full. I think both of these guys, DiResta and Hulkenburg, are two future WDCs. I rate them very very highly.

Looking at the whole situation in the hindsight of this recent Ferrari revelation brings several things into view. The contract given by Mclaren for both Perez and Button is up at the end of 2014, as is Vettel's, and I don't see this as being a coincidence. If any new contract at Ferrari for Massa's replacement is a two 2 year contract as well (and I bet it is) you can be sure that they also have one eye of taking Vettel at the end of 2014 if their current drivers don't perform.

In other words I see both Ferrari and Macca already in open competition for the potential to take Vettel. Which team feels most dissatisfied with their driver lineup in two years time is likely to be the team making the greatest push for him.

That at the moment, makes most sense to me.

[shelly]

This summer rumors about a precontact between Vettel and Ferrari have grown; and Ascanelli is now a on the market.
The two men have worked together wonderfully in 2007-2008.
Many doubt that Ferrari would put together two no1 drivers; and many (including me) find strange that Ascanelli would embark in a third Ferrari campaign.
But maybe Vettel has asked for Ascanelli to be hired to have at least one ally in an Alonso oriented environment, and Ascanelli would find motivation in working again with Vettel.
To me, the two hires of Ascanelli and Vettel are closely linked - one won't happen without the other.
What do you think?

[WhiteBlue]

I would think that working with Ascanelli would mean a lot less to Seb than working with Newey. So the Ascanelli question is more like a side show if it matters at all.

[shelly]

it is very difficult to imagine Newy coming to ferrari. For Vettel, Ascanelli could be the best reference point.
Fry and Ascanelli have been collegues in Mclaren in early 90s. I disagree in Ascanelli's hire being a side issue.

[Just_a_fan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/19941541

If Ferrari meet certain performance indicators then Seb and Fernado will be team mates in 2014.

Should be fun to watch...

[Websta]

How long did Hamilton sign with Mercedes for again? He would look nice in navy blue overalls

[Hangaku]

So Alonso doesn't want Hamilton as his team mate, but he doesn't mind having Vettel. This means that Alonso regards Vettel as "another Massa"? Don't know how long Fred will be at Ferrari, but if this does happen, I fully expect him to be #1 driver until his contract expires, by which time Vettel will have been brain-washed enough to be their next #1 driver.

[beelsebob]

So Alonso doesn't want Hamilton as his team mate, but he doesn't mind having Vettel. This means that Alonso regards Vettel as "another Massa"? Don't know how long Fred will be at Ferrari, but if this does happen, I fully expect him to be #1 driver until his contract expires, by which time Vettel will have been brain-washed enough to be their next #1 driver.

It'll be very interesting to see Alonso and Vettel at the same team... My bet, Vettel outqualifies Alonso reasonably regularly, but Alonso beats him in race results.

[raymondu999]

The key IMO will be the first 3 races. If Vettel can outqualify and outrace Alonso for the first 2 or 3 races in a straight fight (without mechanical issues for Alonso, etc) then IMO Alonso will pop a vein.

If the car is dominant - or at least a competitive frontrunner - and we have the two in a showdown, I think it tips the scales to Vettel - IMO he will have more poles and romp off into the distance.

If we have a Ferrari that's slow, but not malhandling, I think it'll be close between the two. If it's a car with handling issues and steps out of line in the corners a lot, I think Alonso will have the upper hand.

[MarkedOne8]

I think there is no point for Vettel to team up with Ferrari.
About factory teams-engines, Renault doesn't have factory team right now.They probably won't have it in near future either.So, they are equaly dedicated to all of their four teams.Maybe Lotus F1 and Red Bull are just little bit favored, but what I want to say that Red Bull is safe when it comes to factory engines.That is the possible problem for McLaren.We have 5 top teams right now: Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus.Only McLaren is in bad shape because of engines.