siskue2005 wrote:SectorOne wrote:Massa on form in a confidence inspiring car is hard to beat for anyone.
He´s not necessarily downing Kimi but rather informing the public that Massa contrary to popular belief is one of the quickest drivers in F1.
It´s consistency that´s his main issue. As far as the statement, Kimi knows that already.
This comment from Alonso
"So if we have a competitive car we will enjoy the season and do very good things. If not, it will be very similar to this year."
It doesn't look like he is praising Massa, he is saying next year he will beat Kimi with the same way he is beating Massa now.
No - he's saying results depend on a car.
One more thing about weight and Perez, Hulk. Why is it always one-sided, McLaren (Ferrari, RB everybody or no one really) don't sign NH only because he's heavy but Perez's future earlier "wasn't good" despite being light? Probably because we have only German press sources and not Mexican
. I don't recall anyone raising weight as a reason for not signing or for results in 2008-2009 when in 2009 Kubica couldn't even think about running KERS because of weight. These days we know how much Gutirerrez gains over Hulkenberg by being lighter, imagine that.
So let's again fill the blanks of journalism: since Perez is around Button's level in his first McLaren season, with more experience in a big team, knowledge of extracting performance and weight advantage in 2014 he's going to outperform almost elite driver JB and his position is certain and future bright. That's the rub, you can't push "your" driver during silly season into the seat occupied by someone else, therefore Perez is out in theory, weight or no weight. McLaren's "internal" games are another side and failed season doesn't help, it's not like these stories are leaking themselves "they're not happy" "he's not signed".
More seriously and speculative, the tyres worked in favour of McLaren signing SP, they expected top car and tyre management being crucial (like it was in the first half of 2013), Perez had genuine talent to tame them so that was supposed to balance any one lap deficiencies. Car was bad and after all the lobbying and problems Pirelli changed direction into conservative so now Perez might be less attractive for the future. Only one angle of course, it doesn't change the fact that getting rid of him would be another McLaren failure.
I liked how Force India responded to McLaren's attempts to put Magnussen there: if he's so good why don't you hire him yourself? We have plenty of options. What about Calado, Frijns?
. May I suggest headline for dying silly season: "Massa in a pole position for Lotus seat thanks to watch maker connection" [And low weight of course, unless it works only against, never for, and only for one driver]
