Silly Season 2016/2017

[Sevach]

The team changed the chassis. From the European GOP to the Italian Grand Prix (7 races), Nasr outperformed Ericsson in qualifying and race in almost all of them, and was still able to achieve very good results in at least 4 of these races.

In the last three races, Ericsson returned to ouperform Nasr in qualifying. In the Singapore GP, he was able to outperform Ericsson in the race. In the Malaysian GP, ​​he retire and in the Japan GP, he was outpoformed by Ericsson in the race.

So if you want to say Nasr is worse than Ericsson you must take into account these details. I always warn of the risk of evaluating a driver taking into account only the results of his last races.

The fact is that Ericsson has improved in his second season much more than Nasr has done(in comparison to 2015). So now, their peformance is quite similar which are bad news for Narr. Because if he is a pretty good driver he should perform much more than Ericson, a driver who almost no one rates as a "very good" one.

Actually Ericsson ran for Caterham in 2014 so 3rd year for him.

And honestly the fact that his investors saved Sauber and all of a sudden he's doing much better doesn't trigger any alarms?

[Manjhi]

Force India not looking very pleased with Hulk's decision, B Fernley said it was a surprise and now they have not posted Hulk's preview on Twitter. Looks like some rift in relationship there. Hulk did the same in 2012, lets see what happens this time, I hope he repeats the 2012 Brazil performance once again.

Plus I don't see Nasr getting FI seat, coz there is no place for sponsor on the current FI chassis, if all the current backer are retained then Banco do Brazil will have no place on the chassis. So I think it will be whether Ocon or Wehrelin with discount of around 8-10 million $.

Other wise I support Kevin Magnussen, for his experience with Mclaren and Renault, he is a point scoring driver. And FI has kept only one pay driver and the moment their pay driver is the leader and scoring regular points, so I am expecting a new driver on merit. [-o<

[hemichromis]

Force India not looking very pleased with Hulk's decision, B Fernley said it was a surprise and now they have not posted Hulk's preview on Twitter. Looks like some rift in relationship there. Hulk did the same in 2012, lets see what happens this time, I hope he repeats the 2012 Brazil performance once again.

Plus I don't see Nasr getting FI seat, coz there is no place for sponsor on the current FI chassis, if all the current backer are retained then Banco do Brazil will have no place on the chassis. So I think it will be whether Ocon or Wehrelin with discount of around 8-10 million $.

Other wise I support Kevin Magnussen, for his experience with Mclaren and Renault, he is a point scoring driver. And FI has kept only one pay driver and the moment their pay driver is the leader and scoring regular points, so I am expecting a new driver on merit. [-o<

Of course they won't be pleased. They behaved very honourably by not causing a problem for him.

Hope Perez doesn't end up regretting his decision.

[Vasconia]

The team changed the chassis. From the European GOP to the Italian Grand Prix (7 races), Nasr outperformed Ericsson in qualifying and race in almost all of them, and was still able to achieve very good results in at least 4 of these races.

In the last three races, Ericsson returned to ouperform Nasr in qualifying. In the Singapore GP, he was able to outperform Ericsson in the race. In the Malaysian GP, ​​he retire and in the Japan GP, he was outpoformed by Ericsson in the race.

So if you want to say Nasr is worse than Ericsson you must take into account these details. I always warn of the risk of evaluating a driver taking into account only the results of his last races.

The fact is that Ericsson has improved in his second season much more than Nasr has done(in comparison to 2015). So now, their peformance is quite similar which are bad news for Narr. Because if he is a pretty good driver he should perform much more than Ericson, a driver who almost no one rates as a "very good" one.

Actually Ericsson ran for Caterham in 2014 so 3rd year for him.

And honestly the fact that his investors saved Sauber and all of a sudden he's doing much better doesn't trigger any alarms?

True. I had forgotten his first year.

Well, a little bit but I havent seen Nasr complaining too much about this aspect. But you are right, its supicious though I find hard to believe that a team can make this, really.

[Vasconia]

Of course they won't be pleased. They behaved very honourably by not causing a problem for him.

Hope Perez doesn't end up regretting his decision.

Both Perez and Sainz have taken some risks. The Mexican because he really hopes to join Ferrari in 2018(perhaps he has signed something). And Sainz because he wanted to join Renault but RB hasnt let him go. With a little bit of bad luck all the interesting doors for Sainz could be closed in 2018.

[Sevach]

True. I had forgotten his first year.

Well, a little bit but I havent seen Nasr complaining too much about this aspect. But you are right, its supicious though I find hard to believe that a team can make this, really.

I don't think Sauber would actively sabotage Nasr, they are desperate for a point no matter what.

With that said with Ericsson's sponsors so deep into the team i can see him getting newer parts(this is a team that can't afford 2017 engines afterall) and better treatment, more attention.

Nasr's complaints have stopped after making a big fuss early on in the season, but of course he's in contract negotiations (and Sauber is not discarded, even though he clearly wants out) so he may be thinking it's better not to rock the boat.

As for Perez he took a bet on himself getting to Ferrari, this is a dangerous one, he's hot right now, he might not be this time next year, "who's next in line?" keeps changing, it was Bottas, then Grosjean, now it's Perez... who nows who it may be next year?
And then there's always the possiblity of "sideways movement", Ricciardo, Rosberg, Hamilton...

Sainz... it's impossible to know, he may want out of Toro Rosso(because Red Bull looks closed for the next couple of years), but for now his options were closed.

[Vasconia]

I don't think Sauber would actively sabotage Nasr, they are desperate for a point no matter what.

With that said with Ericsson's sponsors so deep into the team i can see him getting newer parts(this is a team that can't afford 2017 engines afterall) and better treatment, more attention.

Nasr's complaints have stopped after making a big fuss early on in the season, but of course he's in contract negotiations (and Sauber is not discarded, even though he clearly wants out) so he may be thinking it's better not to rock the boat.

As for Perez he took a bet on himself getting to Ferrari, this is a dangerous one, he's hot right now, he might not be this time next year, "who's next in line?" keeps changing, it was Bottas, then Grosjean, now it's Perez... who nows who it may be next year?
And then there's always the possiblity of "sideways movement", Ricciardo, Rosberg, Hamilton...

Sainz... it's impossible to know, he may want out of Toro Rosso(because Red Bull looks closed for the next couple of years), but for now his options were closed.

Yes, you´re right. Ericson may have received the newer parts sooner.

I hope Perez can go to Ferrari because he is a truly great racer. It would be great to see him fighting in the front.

Renault was the natural evolution for Saiz, but RB acts on a very selfish way because they want to have a B plan if Ricciardo wants to go to Ferrari or McLaren.

[Manoah2u]

I can see Sainz go to Renault in 2018 though, so it's rather interesting to see what Renault ends up with as a second driver. If it's Bottas, then Sainz can kiss Renault goodbye.
Then again, depending on whom ends up @ Williams, he might find himself there, though i'm fairly uncertain whether Williams would be the way to go for him. If he'd be smart,
he'd go for Mclaren instead if Renault gets shut.

I do think it's a bit sad for him that you can bet your moneymaker he's not going to RedBull whatever happens, even if DannyRic would go to Ferrari/Mercedes/wherever.
odd enough, i can see Kvyat or Gasly going there before him, and that's mainly because of the stories about how the combo Verstappen - Sainz (Jr.) doesn't do well for the staff.

[FrukostScones]

That is silly bet at a bookie: neither Magnussen, Palmer or Wehrlein at Renault 2017 will triple your stake.

[Vasconia]

I can see Sainz go to Renault in 2018 though, so it's rather interesting to see what Renault ends up with as a second driver. If it's Bottas, then Sainz can kiss Renault goodbye.
Then again, depending on whom ends up @ Williams, he might find himself there, though i'm fairly uncertain whether Williams would be the way to go for him. If he'd be smart,
he'd go for Mclaren instead if Renault gets shut.

I do think it's a bit sad for him that you can bet your moneymaker he's not going to RedBull whatever happens, even if DannyRic would go to Ferrari/Mercedes/wherever.
odd enough, i can see Kvyat or Gasly going there before him, and that's mainly because of the stories about how the combo Verstappen - Sainz (Jr.) doesn't do well for the staff.

Yes, if Renault keeps Magnussen or Palmer he may have a chance. If they choose a "bigger" second driver the doors will be closed. This is the real danger for him.

I agree with the fac that RB is closed for him. The combo Max-Carlos didnt work because Max ignored the team orders several times which caused that the relation went worse and worse. I ask myself how much time will Ricciardo keep his smile if similar things happen.

[FrukostScones]

That is silly bet at a bookie: neither Magnussen, Palmer or Wehrlein at Renault 2017 will triple your stake.

oopsy:

According to Jean-Louis Moncet, KMag is set to remain at Renault while Ocon will probably go to Force India.



Ocon's status within Mercedes caused too much stir at Renault.

viryfan, autosport forums (always spot on with semi-inside info.)


good for MAG if true. would be justice to see him with Vandoorne on the grid.

If Ozon to Findia, what will Wehrlein do. Wolff playing dirty games?

[skoop]

That is silly bet at a bookie: neither Magnussen, Palmer or Wehrlein at Renault 2017 will triple your stake.

oopsy:

According to Jean-Louis Moncet, KMag is set to remain at Renault while Ocon will probably go to Force India.



Ocon's status within Mercedes caused too much stir at Renault.

viryfan, autosport forums (always spot on with semi-inside info.)


good for MAG if true. would be justice to see him with Vandoorne on the grid.

If Ozon to Findia, what will Wehrlein do. Wolff playing dirty games?

maybe williams?

[Vasconia]

Magnunssen at Renault
Occon to Force India.
Wehrlein to Williams.

It sounds ok to me. And this could keep the doors of Renault opened for Sainz in 2018.

But what will happen with Bottas?

[F1NAC]

Magnunssen at Renault
Occon to Force India.
Wehrlein to Williams.

It sounds ok to me. And this could keep the doors of Renault opened for Sainz in 2018.

But what will happen with Bottas?

What is so special about Bottas?

[Sevach]

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/kvyat ... at-840683/

Some speculation about the FI seat, Kvyat, Ocon and Palmer well regarded, Wehrlein not so much.

But what will happen with Bottas?

Bottas will either drive for Williams or Renault next year.