Silly Season 2013/14

[Pup]

Maybe. There's also the argument that not enough young drivers get a chance at F1. There are only so many seats, and money and politics and luck have always played a role in getting them.

As for Hulkenberg - like I said earlier, he might be better off not going to Lotus. With their financial issues, loss of talent, and no guarantee that Renault will have the best engine next year.

Hulkenberg reminds me a little of Fisichella. Always considered a wasted talent, a driver's driver, never given the chance he deserved, etc. Of course, with Fisichella, he eventually got that chance, and sorta sucked, but still.

Among other news, TJ13 is peddling the rumors that Fernando is staying at Ferrari (believable), that someone high up in Ferrari is leaving but that it won't be a surprise (Fry? Smedley? Again, believable), and that Flavio is shopping for a golden chariot upon which he will make a grand return to F1 (entertaining, however unlikely).

[antiuser]

Among other news, TJ13 is peddling the rumors that Fernando is staying at Ferrari (believable), that someone high up in Ferrari is leaving but that it won't be a surprise (Fry? Smedley? Again, believable).

Smedley already announced weeks ago that he was going to Williams - even before Massa signed with them (and likely Smedley's move was one of the factors that persuaded Massa to head over there too). I wouldn't be surprised to see Domenicali go.

[Pup]

To my knowledge there's been no announcement on Smedley, only rumors. Decent rumors, but rumors all the same.

[i70q7m7ghw]

I think Smedley might work well with Kimi, it would be a shame if he left, unless he went to Williams with Massa.

[antiuser]

I stand corrected. I thought there had been an announcement as Sky and BBC commentators were talking about it so matter-of-factly as early as the Indian GP.

[Pup]

I think it's a sure thing, personally.

[antiuser]

Interesting info from Massa's interview in São Paulo. He was talking to four teams: Lotus, Williams, McLaren and Force India. Williams told him from the beginning that they wanted him in the team and would do anything they could for him to sign with them because they knew they were not going to keep Maldonado. McLaren told him their intention was to renew with Pérez, while Lotus already had Hülkenberg in mind so talks didn't really go anywhere.

He also said Ferrari gave him one of the 2008 cars as a parting gift.

[godlameroso]

If anyone high up in Ferrari is leaving I'm guessing it's Dominicalli

[Gerhardsa]

Nah, I dont think it will be Dominicalli...
Will probably be Smedley

[turbof1]

Interesting info from Massa's interview in São Paulo. He was talking to four teams: Lotus, Williams, McLaren and Force India. Williams told him from the beginning that they wanted him in the team and would do anything they could for him to sign with them because they knew they were not going to keep Maldonado. McLaren told him their intention was to renew with Pérez, while Lotus already had Hülkenberg in mind so talks didn't really go anywhere.

He also said Ferrari gave him one of the 2008 cars as a parting gift.

Awesome gift. There are things money can't buy; I believe this car being one of them. Shows how loved Massa was at Ferrari.

Autosport reporting that Maldonado is getting closer to a Sauber deal. It seems that the issues Lotus is having with Quantum, puts them on risk on loosing out on both the deal and Maldonado's sponsor backing.

[Jonnycraig]

Perez was interviewed earlier about 2014 and said 'things are looking better than a few days ago'. Personally I'd imagine he'll be back at Sauber.

As a sidenote, Sky confirm Calado is buying his Friday drives at FI.

[SectorOne]

Not sure where to put this but it´s probably the highest level of silly season talk there ever will be
Basically Bernie is saying he would like to see Christian Horner take over his role.

Bernie Ecclestone believes Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would be the "ideal" person to succeed him as Formula 1 chief executive.

Ecclestone, 83, has been in charge of F1 for 40 years and enjoys a close friendship with Horner, who has overseen Red Bull winning the constructors' and drivers' titles in the last four seasons.

"Christian would be ideal," Ecclestone told British media at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. "I would be happy to hold his hand. We could have a transitional period. It needs someone who knows the sport.

"If someone comes in from the outside, a corporate type, I don't think I could work with them. They wouldn't last five minutes."

Ecclestone's position has come under scrutiny as he faces up to $140 million worth of damages in London's High Court, as well as a pending case in Munich, for bribery charges relating to the sale of a stake in F1 in 2005.

The decision of who eventually takes over rests with the series' owner, CVC Capital Partners, who have said they would remove Ecclestone "if it's proven he has done anything that's criminal or wrong."

The private equity firm added that the allegations and Ecclestone's age make a clear succession plan "very important."

http://www.f1pulse.com/news/2013112247/ ... -successor

Not sure what to think really.

[turbof1]

Christian Horner? A very good and very social person, in other words by no means the guy for succeeding Ecclestone.

[Jonnycraig]

Not sure where to put this but it´s probably the highest level of silly season talk there ever will be
Basically Bernie is saying he would like to see Christian Horner take over his role.

Bernie Ecclestone believes Red Bull team principal Christian Horner would be the "ideal" person to succeed him as Formula 1 chief executive.

Ecclestone, 83, has been in charge of F1 for 40 years and enjoys a close friendship with Horner, who has overseen Red Bull winning the constructors' and drivers' titles in the last four seasons.

"Christian would be ideal," Ecclestone told British media at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo. "I would be happy to hold his hand. We could have a transitional period. It needs someone who knows the sport.

"If someone comes in from the outside, a corporate type, I don't think I could work with them. They wouldn't last five minutes."

Ecclestone's position has come under scrutiny as he faces up to $140 million worth of damages in London's High Court, as well as a pending case in Munich, for bribery charges relating to the sale of a stake in F1 in 2005.

The decision of who eventually takes over rests with the series' owner, CVC Capital Partners, who have said they would remove Ecclestone "if it's proven he has done anything that's criminal or wrong."

The private equity firm added that the allegations and Ecclestone's age make a clear succession plan "very important."

http://www.f1pulse.com/news/2013112247/ ... -successor

Not sure what to think really.

Taking personal opinions out of the equation, Horner has built up the best team in F1 in a short period, has been a racing driver, team owners & team boss, works within the feeder series', is young, has a good commercial head on his shoulders, can politic with the best of them, very media friendly.

What reasons, other than fear that he'd be RB biased, are there for him to be a bad suggestion by Ecclestone?

[Pup]

Bernie and Horner are pals of a sort - Horner vacations with him and stuff.

I've always thought that was a bit weird, but Horner plays the politics as well as any team principal in the sport, present or past. It's served him well, and looks like it might continue to do so.