Silly Season 2016/2017

[WaikeCU]

Losing Vandoorne to get Perez sounds like a pretty bad trade to me.

That's amusing Mclaren thinks he's ready. Also, they might prefer a driver with more f1 millage under his belt, to help develope the car before they bring Vandoorne in.

Question is how much of Mclaren's improvement is due to Fernando? If he's mainly the reason, then there's your driver with more F1 mileage under his belt.

[Manoah2u]

I might suspect a Honda engine deal for Sauber or Force India next year, which would accompany either: Nobuharu Matsushita for example, or a year longer with Button at MCL and VanDoorne alongside a Hulkenberg @ FI-Honda

[Jolle]

Losing Vandoorne to get Perez sounds like a pretty bad trade to me.

That's amusing Mclaren thinks he's ready. Also, they might prefer a driver with more f1 millage under his belt, to help develope the car before they bring Vandoorne in.

Question is how much of Mclaren's improvement is due to Fernando? If he's mainly the reason, then there's your driver with more F1 mileage under his belt.

Most of the pre-season development work is been done in the sim these days, so I guess VanDoorne knows the '17 best at the moment. A driver like Alonso comes handy when you're up front, fighting for a win, just having that edge and experience (and knows how to score with a not optimal car).

Marketing wise a young new star might just what McLaren needs at the moment.

[Vasconia]

I might suspect a Honda engine deal for Sauber or Force India next year, which would accompany either: Nobuharu Matsushita for example, or a year longer with Button at MCL and VanDoorne alongside a Hulkenberg @ FI-Honda

They must be desperated to change to a clearly worse PU.

[Manoah2u]

Not really, the Merc engine was the best and cheapest still untill now, but who's to say it's the same next year? What prices will be held for the PU's coming year?
I can imagine Honda giving a discount to the team going for their PU if they adittionaly take 'their' driver, AND get updates along the way.
It would be smart for Honda to spread their chances, and try certain updates on their 'customer' team and other (safer) on the Works team (MCL).
They'd develop much faster, get much more intel and better results, lower certain costs, and by supplying a backmarker team they won't engage in the wrath
of Dennis.

If your current engine deal with Merc will cost you 10 million, and the competition (Manor) has the same engine is going to be able to beat you, and you are able
to get a competetive engine from another supplyer for 7 or 8 million, house one of their drivers for that discount, and still have room for a paydriver, then those
3-4 millions you can spend in another department for example on aero advancement benefit. Which will in the end see you in FRONT of that competitor that still
runs those Merc engines and YOU then get the bigger prize share money.

[Vasconia]

I can see your point but its still a highly risky movement. I have no doubts that Mercedes will also have the best PU next season.

For Honda is a very interesting movement and something they need in order to receive more data. So they should give a good price for the PU and make sure that the other teams will receive the latest updates as soon as posible.

[Manoah2u]

Indeed that is the point. I agree it is a highly risky movement, and Mercedes will definately have the best PU next season, BUT a thing could be said for having the def best PU for their own outfit, and possibly a B-spec for the 'customers'. Point is, Honda does really start to look like they finally took the right turn and are now on a up. Renault made drastic improvement from 2015 to 2016, so frankly, i dont see why Honda (and Renault too) aren't able to make another good leap next year.

The question is, how far is Mercedes able to further the development of their engine on the level they're on now, and how much are Ferrari, Renault and Honda able to improve?
I think knowing Honda is the shortest while in the scene compared to the other ones, probably will have the biggest capability to 'improve'. Seeing they're 'suddenly' coming towards
the front of the midfield, i think there's huge potential there so that's why i think Honda is an interesting thing to concider. And as you understood, Honda would benefit from more feedback,
so I think that there is potential there to unlock, and Sauber could be a good candidate to go for that treatment.

Sauber - Honda
Nobuharu Matsushita
Sergey Sirotkin

Not inconcievable actually, but probably more due for 2018 then 2017 lol.

I just think we really need yet another team added to the F1 field. Haas proved it worked,
so just follow that recipe! There's Mercedes, Renault for example to go with.

[ChrisDanger]

BBC Radio 5 just interviewed Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer who guaranteed that Perez is all signed with them for next year. He basically said Perez was talking rubbish about moving. (Actual quote was something like "Yes, well drivers like to talk themselves up around this time of the year.")

[Manoah2u]

Perez indeed has a contract with FI for 2017, has had that all year long already, nothing 'new' signed.
However, if i understand correctly, there is a clause in there which gives him a certain freedom to go to another team
if that gets him 'forward'. Force India probably will be less happy with losing Carlos Slim money. who will they find to
find the money if that goes out the window?

so Sergio having a FI contract is nothing new, actually.

[NAPI10]

During qualifying commentary they confirmed Perez to stay on with FI for 2017.

[Samraj_official]

if we see Pirelli change the tyre construction from Sepang onwards, which teams do you think will take a hit in their cars performance???

[Jolle]

Just read, Vandoorne 2017 racing driver and Button as a test/third?

[Jolle]

So, with Button and Massa out, Perez at FI, it suddenly becomes very interesting who Renault think to get to be their "star driver" for next year. Magnussen looks to make a very good chance now, but I don't think he's the leader they are looking for.

At this rate, drivers like Buemi and Vernge make a good chance again to be on the grid next year!

[Jolle]

So far:

Mercedes: Hamilton, Rosberg
RedBull: Riccardo, Verstappen
Ferrari: Vettel, Raikkonen
McLaren: Alonso, VanDoorne
Renault: TBC, TBC
Williams: Bottas, TBC
Force India: Hulkenberg, Perez
Toro Rosso: Sainz, TBC
Haas: Grosjean, TBC
Sauber: TBC, TBC
Manor: TBC, TBC

Still nine seats available!

[Manjhi]

Sainz looks like the best bet for Renault, he will be a star at Renault. The silly season looks like coming to an end.Wait , we still don't know who will get that 2nd seat at williams, if not Button & Perez then who is the 2nd driver at williams Nasr is still struggling against Ericcson, so Nasr is definitely not the best choice available.