Silly Season 2013/14

[iotar__]

Reports in Finland believe that Kimi is going to choose Ferrari.

http://f1pulse.com/news/201308137/raikk ... ish-report

Very interesting.

I always go to Ilta-Sanomat for my reliable F1 news so it must be true. At least it's not one of those rumours where tweeter or facebook are the sources. This time unless it's all made up, they must be getting the news from Raikkonen's side or Ferrari, I wonder which one it is, hmm? I'd say the same source "basically signed for RB" info came from.

In AMUS they claimed that Ferrari rumours were invented by Kimi's management to have a leverage in Lotus negotiations in case RB chose Ricciardo. I have no opinion about it but true or not I don't think there's a need for that. Lopez is eating out of Raikkonen's hand and is so gullible that threat of leaving F1 as the greatest loss to the team and motorsport would be enough to get anything from him.

[iotar__]

Interesting myth about Ricciardo is how 'fast' he is.

I would not be so absolute into saying his speed is a "myth" some of his qualifying performances this year have been outstanding, like the one that got a veteran like Button to say "wow" in disbelief.

You could argue that there is a myth that he is consistently fast.

See above, the qualifying performances have routinely been Vergne making mistakes or overworking the tyres rather than Ricciardo showing the mythical speed.

Arguably the fact Vergne has been in a different league to Ricciardo in wet/mixed condition qualifying, along with him ending the overwhelming majority of practice sessions faster show he is the quicker driver.

Although without proper team mate benchmark, Ricciardo speed over one lap is far from "mythical". It takes a lot of bias and bad will to dismiss it just like that. He really nailed several qualifying laps. With Vergne, as I said, he had the right to defend himself and mention his good performances, pity he did it in such selective and dishonest manner. "In all races when I didn't have problems...". So you can be out-qualified by seven tenths, run six positions behind (let's say) and if you have DNF this result doesn't matter? Give me a break.

[sennafan24]

I always go to Ilta-Sanomat for my reliable F1 news so it must be true. At least it's not one of those rumours where tweeter or facebook are the sources. This time unless it's all made up, they must be getting the news from Raikkonen's side or Ferrari, I wonder which one it is, hmm? I'd say the same source "basically signed for RB" info came from.

It could be.

But at this point I think Kimi could end up anywhere at of RB, Lotus and Ferrari. Kimi has the world at his feet, its a bit like having all the top cars available on Gran Turismo for him at the moment.

[CBeck113]

Pablo Montoya will be available next year
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/racing ... t=rc_t2_a1

[sennafan24]

Pablo Montoya will be available next year
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/racing ... t=rc_t2_a1

Well he is mates with Vettel.

I love JPM, but I fear there is more of a chance of me pulling Kate Moss than him turning back up in F1.

[raymondu999]

Given the scope of this discussion, I'd like to put forward the motion of renaming this thread to silly season 2014.

[f1universe]

I think this is nothing but Kimi's way to get what he wants from RB or Lotus.

I find hard to believe that Ferrari will hire Kimi again but even more harder to believe is that RB wants to pair Vettel and Alonso and pay Alonso's contract.

[adrianjordan]

Given the scope of this discussion, I'd like to put forward the motion of renaming this thread to silly season 2014.

Seconded

[piast9]

I doubt in Petrov. Lotus needs top class driver. Grosjean has his good moments but I think Lotus will try to find someone else than Petrov.

[Racer X]

Silly season biggest rumor I find funy is Alonso to RedBull. Mostly because Ferrari wont let him go.

Kimi to RedBull or a TR Driver promotion seems morw likely.

McLaren will stay put I see Massa being evaluated. Who knows if replaced.

[raymondu999]

Silly season biggest rumor I find funy is Alonso to RedBull. Mostly because Ferrari wont let him go.

Whilst I agree that Alonso to Red Bull is a silly rumor, I'm not sure it's entirely up to Ferrari as to whether their Spaniard goes or not

[WhiteBlue]

Silly season biggest rumor I find funy is Alonso to RedBull. Mostly because Ferrari wont let him go.

Whilst I agree that Alonso to Red Bull is a silly rumor, I'm not sure it's entirely up to Ferrari as to whether their Spaniard goes or not

It is very easy to get out of a Ferrari contract in a big hurry. Alain Prost demonstrated it. You only have to mention in an interview that he car is rubbish and the Italians will fire you.

That is not to say Alonso will quit Ferrari this year. But if the engine is as bad next year as rumor has it, I can believe he will pull the plug. So it is interesting to see how long the contract for Webber's replacement will be.

[sennafan24]

Silly season biggest rumor I find funy is Alonso to RedBull. Mostly because Ferrari wont let him go.

Whilst I agree that Alonso to Red Bull is a silly rumor, I'm not sure it's entirely up to Ferrari as to whether their Spaniard goes or not

James Allen believes that Alonso will have a get-out clause in his deal if the car does not perform to a certain level. I think he will stay at Ferrari, but stranger things have happened.

[Kiril Varbanov]

Ferrari told BBC that RAI is not under radar. Nor any other driver. Not yet.
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2013/08/f ... t-hots-up/

[Websta]

James Allen believes that Alonso will have a get-out clause in his deal if the car does not perform to a certain level. I think he will stay at Ferrari, but stranger things have happened.

Assuming such a clause exists, I wonder if it would refer to constructors standings or what position Alonso himself finishes in the championship, or if it would just be based on a benchmark number of race wins in the season. Anyway, unless the 'certain level' the car has to perform at is very high, I suspect Alonso/Ferrari will meet it based on Alonso's current championship position and number of podiums. So if such a clause exists, I doubt Ferrari's/Alonso's performance this season will be below the level set.