Silly Season 2012/2013

[raymondu999]

I'm hearing from various sources that Hulkenberg-Sauber is a done deal, to partner Gutierrez.

[ESPImperium]

I'm hearing from various sources that Hulkenberg-Sauber is a done deal, to partner Gutierrez.

Massa at Ferrari deal is done from what im hearing, a 1 year deal.

And rumors were floating arround that this was Kobas last race for the team as they did plan to "retire" the car today. The reason for this is so that Guiteriez can do the next 2 GP at India and Abu Dhabi, and then be able to do the Young Driver Test as he hasnt done more than 2 GP in the last 2 years, take 2 days there, then go to Austin and Interlagos and do both races there. However i think he will do 2 FP1 sessions, young drivers test then go and do the last 2 GP of the year in order to get a propper baseline and handle on what F1 is all about before attacking 2013 full on.

Kimui will be gone before the end of the year sadly.

As for other seats, i am hearing that Heikki is gone at Caterham, and i think that Van Der Garde is coming to that Caterham, hence his FP1 appearances in the last 2 GP, he will do India and Abu Dhabi FP1 then the Young Driver Test and then posibly do one more FP1 this year. As for his driving partner, its either going to be Alguersauri, Pic or Buemi from what is coming out.

As for Williams i heard a rumor that Senna and Bottas may be the line up as Force India may be talking the PDVSA petrodollars for a Maldanado drive due to Malyas financial situation, as Force India may be sold to Sahara and be renamed Sahara F1 Team for 2013, Di Resta will stay at Force India.

Lotus are keen to keep Grosjean, and Kimi will be staying. However i also belive a name change is on the cards to cut ties with Lotus as they arnt paying the €15m for the title sponsorship for the next 5 years, thet only paid the initial €5m of the €80m deal.

As for Marussia, Glock and Chilton, as Chilton will get 1 FP1 session at Abu Dhabi, and may get one more before the end of the season. HRT will have De La Rosa and whoever has sponsorship or whoever is a jilted bride and wants to stay at the alter of F1 for 2013 from the drivers leaving F1 in this silly season.

[RB7ate9]

If all of this turns out to be true, then next year may be between Lotus (er...Ex-Lotus) Ferrari and Red Bull as they are the only ones with the advantage of driver continuity. Everyone else has shaken up their driver line-up (which is probably a good thing, to settle the team for the 2014 change over).

Based on the seasons starting with the new rule changes in 2009, I predict that Red Bull, or someone, will run away with the title.

2009: Brawn GP
2010: Fight down to Abu Dhabi
2011: Red Bull
2012: Fight down to ???
2013: Red Bull/Lotus/Ferrari (most likely Red Bull)

[ESPImperium]

You may be right, however Hamilton will drag the F1 W04 to places Schumacher and Rosberg couldnt, and McLaren will be going on attack mode with the least aggressive drivers on the grid!

However, lets see what the cars are like first, considering there are going to be almost zero tech changes for 2013, for the first time in god knows how many years there will be technical changes to the regulations. All thats changing is the modesty cover.

[RB7ate9]

You may be right, however Hamilton will drag the F1 W04 to places Schumacher and Rosberg couldnt, and McLaren will be going on attack mode with the least aggressive drivers on the grid!

However, lets see what the cars are like first, considering there are going to be almost zero tech changes for 2013, for the first time in god knows how many years there will be technical changes to the regulations. All thats changing is the modesty cover.

And D-DRS (sigh. Pretty sure they got rid of it once they got wind Red Bull were using it more effectively...)

If the silly season goes as mentioned above, I'll be watching Perez, Hulk, and Hamilton with great interest.

Can Perez make up the aggression deficit? Will Hulkenberg give Sauber it's long-dreamed win? Will Hamilton prove his salt to MILLIONS and work his magic in the Mercedes? Exciting times for these drivers, even though we may get a snoozer for the WDC (hopefully not, though).

[ESPImperium]

Seemingly Hulk hasnt been paid for most of the season so far as FI has been in poor financial shape!

[Nando]

Yea i think Massa stays now, he´s driving really well now!

[marcush.]

You may be right, however Hamilton will drag the F1 W04 to places Schumacher and Rosberg couldnt, and McLaren will be going on attack mode with the least aggressive drivers on the grid!

However, lets see what the cars are like first, considering there are going to be almost zero tech changes for 2013, for the first time in god knows how many years there will be technical changes to the regulations. All thats changing is the modesty cover.

The imperial 4 tenth per lap...we have still to find out the conversion formula to catalan units, but ,honestly speaking this speed advanatge does not exist in reality.I look forward to eyeopening moments .
Does BAR-Honda BRAWN/MGP respond well to divas? ok ,one has to admit most of their drivers were nice guys -Schumi,rosberg,Barrichello Button ,Sato,Davidson,Panis,Zonta all are not really ever loud in public methinks...and Villeneuve seemed always his own man mainly...
For sure the team will find itself with a completely new challenge.

As for Massa /Smedley....I´m relieved to see Felipe back in business and would not be surprised to see him win a race soon.

[Trailer23]

I´m relieved to see Felipe back in business and would not be surprised to see him win a race soon.

I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. If Massa ever had a shot of winning a race, it would've been earlier this year when anyone and everyone was winning by the weekend.

I think Ferrari are making a mistake in resigning him for next year. Had his performance of been better through the first half of the season, Ferrari would've been locked for the Constructors. Instead, Alonso has had to carry the burden of both Championships.

Yeah, sure he's been doing well as of late..., but then its too little - too late.

Positions in 2012: Retired, 15th, 13th, 9th, 15th, 6th, 10th, 16th, 4th, 12th, 9th, 5th, 4th, 8th, 2nd, 4th.

Surely, Ferrari can find a better driver than Massa.

[Trailer23]

I thought Alguersauri & Buemi were fighting for a spot with Force India (soon to be SaharaF1).

When did CaterhamF1 get in the picture?

Petrov could be considered with Marussia. Russian Driver - Russian Team - Russian Race (in 2014).

[marcush.]

I´m relieved to see Felipe back in business and would not be surprised to see him win a race soon.

I don't think that will be happening anytime soon. If Massa ever had a shot of winning a race, it would've been earlier this year when anyone and everyone was winning by the weekend.

I think Ferrari are making a mistake in resigning him for next year. Had his performance of been better through the first half of the season, Ferrari would've been locked for the Constructors. Instead, Alonso has had to carry the burden of both Championships.

Yeah, sure he's been doing well as of late..., but then its too little - too late.

Positions in 2012: Retired, 15th, 13th, 9th, 15th, 6th, 10th, 16th, 4th, 12th, 9th, 5th, 4th, 8th, 2nd, 4th.

Surely, Ferrari can find a better driver than Massa.

Who?

The single guy who is really refreshing in his easy going delivery of fab results is Hulk ..but then ..the guy has nothing to lose and is gaining experience.

[godlameroso]

Yea i think Massa stays now, he´s driving really well now!

If Massa knows this is his last year at the Scuderia I expect him to smack Alonso around next year on pure merit. The Brazilian is fast, and he has been holding back to make Santander's puppet look good. Rest assured there will not be a 6 tenths deficit next year for the Brazilian.

[marcush.]

I believe in massa /Smedley as a combo.

[LHamilton]

BBC seems confident that Vettel will sign for Ferrari in 2014. They are refering to "Sources inside Ferrari". Where does that leave Red Bull, if that were to happen? Webber to stay for sure. So who would take the last spot? Are the likes of Ricciardo or Verne ready for a drive in a Red Bull? Or are Red Bull looking at Di Resta, Hulkenberg or even try to pursude Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join them? I think the later one is definitely on the cards, but a whole another question if they manage to sign him. Your thoughts?

[Cold Fussion]

BBC seems confident that Vettel will sign for Ferrari in 2014. They are refering to "Sources inside Ferrari". Where does that leave Red Bull, if that were to happen? Webber to stay for sure. So who would take the last spot? Are the likes of Ricciardo or Verne ready for a drive in a Red Bull? Or are Red Bull looking at Di Resta, Hulkenberg or even try to pursude Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes and join them? I think the later one is definitely on the cards, but a whole another question if they manage to sign him. Your thoughts?

Ricciardo and Hulkenberg at Red Bull sounds interesting.