Silly Season 2016/2017

[Facts Only]

I dont see why its a big deal that there wont be a brazilian in F1 next year. 20 years ago Brazilian F1 drivers meant something but since then we've had Barrichello; meh, Massa; yawn & Nasr; who? and probably some others who where so brilliant I cant remember them.

[ChrisDanger]

https://twitter.com/andrewbensonf1/stat ... 4986796033

[Manoah2u]

I dont see why its a big deal that there wont be a brazilian in F1 next year. 20 years ago Brazilian F1 drivers meant something but since then we've had Barrichello; meh, Massa; yawn & Nasr; who? and probably some others who where so brilliant I cant remember them.

Barrichello meh? are you serious? Barrichello has always been wrongly put in the negative light because he was 'partnered' to be the 'slaveboy' of 'Der Michael'. We all know the clauses where he must pass the WDC to Schumi. The fact he was seriously close in the championships, and frankly, had won many races more - many many, actually - if he had not needed to give it to Schumacher, then there is a seriously wrong image to Rubens. The only 'mistake' you may say Rubens made was that he stayed 'too long' in F1 or 'too long' at Ferrari. It's sad he got a similar treatment at Brawn. He could have had that championship. [ i wont delve into how i do feel bad for Bruno Senna getting dumped in favor of Rubens, we might have seen a Senna being WDC immediately, who knows, and funny enough, Brazilian ].
He has been fast always and one can't forget his near-fatal crash in that horrible Imola weekend where we lost the greatest F1 driver ever.
He recovered and was still blazingly fast, whereas another brazilian [possibly hurt physically harder] did never 'recover'.
Barrichello was a great driver.

Massa similar, he was absolutely on fire when he was 'stolen' the WDC by just 1 point. He took a hit there mentally, but the next year was still superbly fast and strong despite a crappy Ferrari. He was unfortunately struck by the helmet incident and that really took it's toll, and then the Barrichello treatment to Alonso further ruined it for him. He has a bit of a crybaby whiner attitude that makes people respect him less ( i didnt think he was like that before losting the WDC and the accident, atleast not su frustrated). But Massa was great and fast.

Nasr - yeah, disappointing definately. Mediocre potential, so forgettable and replaceable.

Nelsinho Piquet [Nelson Piquet Jr.] was rather good imho, but he was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and made a really really bad decision in all those circumstances. I think he was better than most remember or want to remember him.
Perhaps not as good as his father, but I don't think he does any under for Britney Rosberg, another 'son-of' spoiled br*t, and look how he's fighting for the WDC and gets 'praise' nowadays.

Bruno Senna [Lalli] as mentioned above, was respectably good and fast, but i've always felt there was lost potential there because of a few ingredients; people not taking him serious period because of his 'heritage'. the hype around him due to the 'heritage' causing unreasonable expectations. and lastly; the hurt and shatter of losing both his great legendary uncle Ayrton Senna, and his father in a motorcycle accident and then staying out of racing for what, a decade? Facts are he beat current F1 drivers before they entered F1 fair and square, including some big names. Also, for somebody being 'out' so long he achieved rather spectacular results. Last nail to the coffin imho was his sister being his manager. It's a nice gesture, but it takes away a lot of professionalism. He lacked the ferocious hunger to win [ride or die] his uncle had. It's partially in his character i think - he really is a great bloke - and secondary exactly due to the deaths in the family him 'naturally' holding back. A shame, as i do think there was potential there and we did see flashes of it that got punished by the modern rules, and car fragility and playing undoubtedly contractually enforced second fiddle to money-carrying Maldonado.

I've always been curious about Tony Kanaan, would have liked to see him try F1 but never happened.

Digrassi, Pizzonia, Bernoldi, Marques, forgettable names (including Nasr).

Brazil has a wealthy motorsport history, and a great fanbase and heritage. Brazil GP is one of the classic and absolute legendary tracks. Brazil belongs in F1, and therefore it's sad to see it go.

There is simply a lack of decent Brazilian drivers right now, unfortunately.

[Facts Only]

Talk about clutching at straws!

How could I possibly forget about Bruno Senna? The only person to be hammered by Maldonado. Or Piquet jr, a driver so mediocre even his cheating was forgettable.

Brazil does have a great Motorsport heritage and a great track (one of the best) thankfully we will be keeping those and not the drivers.

One genuinly good thing about not having a Brazilian driver for a while is the next one might finally be able to drive without endless Senna comparisons.

[PlatinumZealot]

Piquet junuor was actually decently quick next to Fernando looking back on it.

[WaikeCU]

Speaking of Brazilians, I've always wondered how Bruno Junqueira would have panned out in that Williams, if the seat hadn't been given to Jenson.

[godlameroso]

So now all that's left is to see who fills out Sauber #2 and the two Manors, everyone else is accounted for.

Ros/Ham
Ric/Ves
Vet/Rai
Per/Oco
Bot/Str
Alo/Van
Gro/Mag
*Sai/Kyv
Hul/Pal
Eri/Whe?
Har? Gut? Gio? Sir? Ros?

[Phil]

Is Kyv confirmed already for another year at TR?

[ChrisDanger]

Is Kyv confirmed already for another year at TR?

Yes.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/head ... -2017.html

[iotar__]

So now all that's left is to see who fills out Sauber #2 and the two Manors, everyone else is accounted for.

Ros/Ham
Ric/Ves
Vet/Rai
Per/Oco
Bot/Str
Alo/Van
Gro/Mag
*Sai/Kyv
Hul/Pal
Eri/Whe?
Har? Gut? Gio? Sir? Ros?

-Brazilian bank is not inclined to throw money at F1 which puts Nasr in danger, trend that might explain Massa's retirement and Williams needing Stroll's money.
- Ecclestone used to say Brazilian driver is needed in F1 which I thought was one of the reasons for Sauber's double contracts mess (they both had money) so we'll see.

To summarize all the shocking developments of '16/17:
- Buemi didn't go to Renault (although keeping Palmer is very close and Raikkonen as bad )
- Wehrlein didn't replace Rosberg (really?)
- ...and neither did Alonso
- Rosberg didn't retire, Ricciardo didn't leave RB
- McLaren wasn't close to podiums (Alonso) challenging Merc (Alonso) nor beating them (Alonso)
- BMW didn't come back to F1 building engine out of thin air in 2 months
- Button's retirement is more retirement than not retirement

Hamilton might still retire since he's not taking defeat well.

[PABLOEING]

¿Tomorrow all the teams test the 2017 tyres?

[Manoah2u]

Talk about clutching at straws!

How could I possibly forget about Bruno Senna? The only person to be hammered by Maldonado. Or Piquet jr, a driver so mediocre even his cheating was forgettable.

Brazil does have a great Motorsport heritage and a great track (one of the best) thankfully we will be keeping those and not the drivers.

One genuinly good thing about not having a Brazilian driver for a while is the next one might finally be able to drive without endless Senna comparisons.

lol, for somebody with the username 'facts only' i have yet to read a single fact presented

[Manoah2u]

I read in several sensation stories that seem to have some base that there's a possibility Hamilton will get fired from Mercedes for his actions in Abu Dhabi.
very interesting. Ted Kravitz mentioned after spain Lewis was intending to leave the team after all that happened, and that's why Wehrlein was ready to step in.

I do believe the team did all they could this year to get a german winner. it doesnt take a conspiracist to see there was some serious foul play at work. amazing really that
despite all of that Lewis managed to still fight for the title. I hope to see Lewis' book soon. real soon.

So let's go for the most insane scenario;

Mercedes 'suspends' lewis for the first race - leaving Hamilton to point to his contractual clause and say 'scr*w you guys' and leaves Merc. he will be without a seat then for 2017.
Or, Mercedes just 'fires' him and replace him with Wehrlein - which could actually explain why Wehrlein has not been confirmed at all in any way and why he didn't go to Force India.

Lewis certainly made no fans at Mercedes with his statements on the briefing and interviews, and i think he did what he needed to during the race, but the team is making way too
big a deal out of it which only raises suspicion, honestly.

SO

lets just expand on this scenario:

Mercedes 2017:

1) Nico Rosberg
2) Pascal Wehrlein

all-german wet dream of Zetche and co.

Lewis Hamilton : OUT of Mercedes.

What options does Lewis have RIGHT NOW?

Is there a possibility Ferrari would replace either driver with Lewis?
Is there a possibility Mclaren would replace either driver with Lewis?
Is there a possibility Renault would replace either driver with Lewis?
Is there a possibility RedBull would replace either driver with Lewis?

I think Renault would be the 'easiest' entry.
Ferrari probably would be the most desireable option, but Vettel and Raikkonen's contracts probably make it difficult, but Ferrari has shown they just slam money around and done.
RedBull would be incredible, but Verstappen is safe, and Daniel surely doesnt want to go right now, so unlikely.
Mclaren would be the last interesting solution, they can dump Vandoorne just as easy i think, he's been there before, Ron is 'gone', and Honda MIGHT be in good shape next year, and perhaps lewis would have interest in the legendary Mclaren-Honda combo?

go at it boys!

[godlameroso]

What actions? Getting pole? Winning the race? Being world champion 2/3 times and regularly being faster than Nico? Oh yeah excellent idea from Mercedes, let's dump our strongest driver, so we can have a national team.

[Manoah2u]

There's talk about taking disciplinary measures because he backed Rosberg into the competition, which was not taken lightly by Mercedes.
They're dutch reports - except the comment of Kravitz on spain - but they're all over the place and seem to have some base to it. I'll see if i can find some english sources.
perhaps it's just sensationalism, which could be just as well, but there might be more to this. if there is more to it, then expect all hell to break loose in the coming weeks.