Silly Season 2012/2013

[Slife]

If the rules allowed for multiple driver's throughout the season, would Williams accept lots of pay drivers to give them something like a 5 race drive each ?

[LHamilton]

My predictions for 2013:

Red Bull: Vettel, Webber
Ferrari: Alonso, Massa
McLaren: Button, Perez
Lotus: Grosjean, Raikkionen
Mercedes: Hamilton, Rosberg
Force India: Di Resta, Hulkenberg
Williams: Maldonado, Sutil
Sauber: Alguersuari, Kobayashi
Toro Rosso: Verne, Ricciardo
Caterham: Kovalainen, Senna
Marussia: Glock, Chilton
HRT: DLR, Pic

Reason for my choices;

- RB, McLaren & Mercedes are done and dusted. Confirmed, nothing more to say really.

- Ferrari thinking of Kubica and with Massa recent form, he will get another year. I think the rumours of Vettel pre-signed contract with Ferrari is just rumours, nothing more.

- Lotus is happy with their driver lineup despite Grosjeans mishaps during the season. They might think that he has learned his lesson coming into next year, at least.

- With the top spots being already taken, Di Resta and Hulkenberg will stay put. Dont think they will leave for a team that is more or less as good as them. Personally, I wouldve picked Hulkenberg for McLaren, but there you go.

- Williams. There were rumours last year of Sutil might getting a place at Williams wasnt it? Well, I think he will get that spot this time around with Senna already been given the chance and Sutil has proven hes getting the job done.

- Sauber; I can see Kaltenborn(?) really enjoy having Jaime in the team. He showed some good pace last year AND more importantly, he gives very good feedback. THIS is why I can see Kaltenborn wanting him on the team. Just a gut-feeling. Jaime also brings a few bucks into the team if im not mistaken. Would compensate for the lose of Perez money. Kobayashi says he works best under pressure. Well, he will have 1 season to prove that. All eyes on him from Kaltenborn.

- Toro Rosso is happy with their lineup. Red Bull rate them highly. Getting the chance, hopefully for their sake, to race a more respectable car next year.

- Caterham: Kovalainen does it well. Senna brings som cash and getting some solid race finishes. (Mostly )

- Marussia; Think Glock is highly rated at Marussia. Wasnt to long he signed a contract with them. Think Chilton will make the last spot due to the rumours floting around.

- HRT; DLR - Experienced, Pic - Having money and more exciting than Karthikeyan.

[Trailer23]

If Hugo Chavez dont win the elections at Venezuela, Maldonado is out of Williams and maybe his dream with F1 is over. I dont necessarily want Maldonado out of F1, but i do hope Chavez not to win (for the sake of the people there in Venezuela).

Chavez wins third re-election:
http://news.yahoo.com/chavez-wins-third ... 51482.html

Well that settles that debate, so I guess we'll be seeing some more crashes next year courtesy of Maldonado.

[Undead_Mud]

Just came across these by chance:
It's an old Shell ad campaign titled:" What will Schumi do next"? If there is any relation to Kimi's website countdown is of course pure speculation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFIzhHT9 ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2msnefDU-V4&feature=plcp

[Trailer23]

Well, Jaime Alguersuari has stated that he has concluded his duties as Pirelli's Test Driver and will very soon announce his BIG plans for 2013.

INAUTONEWS:
http://www.inautonews.com/alguersuari-p ... ge-in-2013

I get the feeling that he's already been tipped off by Sauber or Force India. The knowledge he would bring to Sauber would enhance their chances for better points now that Perez has moved on.

[raymondu999]

I've been in the last 3 paddocks (Sgp - Korea) and while I didn't take note in Singapore, Alguersuari is very very good buddies with the Force India mechs. Not to mention he started following Force India on twitter (he doesn't follow any other team)

Make of it what you will.

[Nando]

So...Bianchi another year of being outside F1?

[Phil]

Sadly, I have my doubts that Kobayashi will retain his seat at Sauber. I think Hulkenberg is likely and a strong contender for Perez seat and I think there are some rumours that suggest Esteban Gutierrez is also likely due to his mexican ties. I think Kobayashi's problem that he may not bring enough sponsors to the table, which Sauber could do well with.

Maybe I'm wrong and we'll see Kobayashi with Gutierrez or Hulkenberg. It would make sense to at least keep one of their drivers as the more experienced team-member along side who ever will take Perez's seat.

[Nando]

The thing with Kobayashi is he´s got the speed, he is undoubtedly quicker over a lap then Perez.
I think everytime the car has been legitimately quick, he´s the one who´s put it further up the grid.

His best Q-positions have been 3rd 2nd and 3rd while the best Perez have managed has been 5th 4th and 5th.
Both have done identical in terms of getting into Q3, Q2 and Q1.

He´s had some bad luck in SPA, China i believe he simply did not have the pace to be up there in the race.
Remember he was shark food basically. Or did something happen to him in T1? Maybe he got a slow start?

[Phil]

The thing with Kobayashi is he´s got the speed, he is undoubtedly quicker over a lap then Perez.
I think everytime the car has been legitimately quick, he´s the one who´s put it further up the grid.

His best Q-positions have been 3rd 2nd and 3rd while the best Perez have managed has been 5th 4th and 5th.
Both have done identical in terms of getting into Q3, Q2 and Q1.

I'm not sure anymore. At least Kaltenborn mentioned in one of the last interviews that they were aware that Kobayashi had some bad luck, while Perez had some extraordinary on his side. Even if she didn't mention it, it's clear to me that she was thinking of the podiums that Perez achieved and they were all through very strong races, but also races where he started outside the top-10 and had the freedom on tyre-choice - where as in those races Kobayashi, qualified better and into Q3, but because of that, couldn't chose his tyres which left him vulnerable and on pretty much the same strategy like everyone in front of him. Perez had some very fortunate races where taking the 'alternative' strategy gave him an edge and turned out brilliantly. All respect to him for accomplishing that, which I'm sure wasn't easy on itself, but IMO it also flatters his results this year compared to Kobayashis.

Kaltenborn's interview, unfortunately, also implyed to me, that if Kobayashi weren't retained for next year, it's not because of his driving...

[scuderiafan]

I think Senna will be in at Williams next year. I don't see a reason to get rid of him honestly. He's quite consistent, though he needs to up his qualifying game. He also brings some sponsor money to the team. The only driver I CAN see replacing him is Bottas.

[ESPImperium]

I think Senna will be in at Williams next year. I don't see a reason to get rid of him honestly. He's quite consistent, though he needs to up his qualifying game. He also brings some sponsor money to the team. The only driver I CAN see replacing him is Bottas.

Williams may need Sennas money next year as Maldanado and Petrol De Hugo Chavez SA will be away to Force india as Malya has just had a arrest warrant issued against him. And many on other forums think this will impact on Force India.

[stewilkinson]

I think Senna will be in at Williams next year. I don't see a reason to get rid of him honestly. He's quite consistent, though he needs to up his qualifying game. He also brings some sponsor money to the team. The only driver I CAN see replacing him is Bottas.

I agree with this, although I don't think Senna's spot is a certain as his sponsor money would justify. Either way, if he does go I can only see Bottas replacing him.

[marcush.]

Ms Kaltenborn put things straight and stated Kamuis seat was NOT depending on him finding sponsorship. So either they would like to retain his services or they want a step up in his performance of some kind.

[WhiteBlue]

Sadly, I have my doubts that Kobayashi will retain his seat at Sauber. I think Hulkenberg is likely and a strong contender for Perez seat and I think there are some rumours that suggest Esteban Gutierrez is also likely due to his mexican ties.

The talk in the paddock according to Marc Surer is that the team wants Hülkenberg. There are some issues with the Mexican sponsorship but it looks like they are going to sort them out. It could mean that Sutil may get his seat back at Force India. Kobayashi is getting some pressure to bring in sponsorship. I don't know how to read that. Not sure who would be on pole to take that seat if it is taken away from him. Gutierrez probably.