Silly Season 2013/2014 Speculation

[SilverArrow]

Kamui to Ferrari would make perfect sense; didn't really show he could be a serious title contender, so Alonso wouldn't be threatened too much, but did show he can be really quick and pulled some amazing overtakes, so Alonso would feel threatened enough!

I don't think so. What Ferrari need is a team player. Kamui is a great overtaker but he's got an air of unpredictability about him. He's not consistent, and he wouldn't help win a WCC as much as Massa.

I'd have to disagree with that. He had fewer non-scoring finishes than Perez last year, and overall I feel he had the better season. If Perez is good enough for McLaren, then I don't see why Kamui wouldn't at least be good enough to play a support role at Ferrari.

[scuderiafan]

Kamui to Ferrari would make perfect sense; didn't really show he could be a serious title contender, so Alonso wouldn't be threatened too much, but did show he can be really quick and pulled some amazing overtakes, so Alonso would feel threatened enough!

I don't think so. What Ferrari need is a team player. Kamui is a great overtaker but he's got an air of unpredictability about him. He's not consistent, and he wouldn't help win a WCC as much as Massa.

I'd have to disagree with that. He had fewer non-scoring finishes than Perez last year, and overall I feel he had the better season. If Perez is good enough for McLaren, then I don't see why Kamui wouldn't at least be good enough to play a support role at Ferrari.

Perez is good enough for McLaren but Ferrari is more conservative when it comes to selecting their drivers.

[CHT]

Both Massa and Kamui started their career with Saubers. If you look at their point scoring and DNF record in the first 2 seasons, I think they are pretty much of par with each other.

[Absolutelee]

I also see Ferrari as Kobayashi's ticket back, if he's coming back. He won't be in a Williams considering he's a Ferrari Pro and Test driver and Williams just signed a deal for Merc engines. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see Kobayashi back. I fear 2nd seat at Ferrari is his only chance

[scotty86]

Kobayashi suits the look of that Ferrari gear and i'd love to see him drive there, but i can't really see it truly happening unless there is a temporary driver injury or something. I have personally had Hulkenberg down for the long term second Ferrari seat for a while now, and i am not changing that view. The question there is when Massa will vacate, and that is a tough one. He is doing ok now and is relatively experienced these days, a driver asset that Ferrari seem to like to have.

Every year there's a 'key' to the silly season, and i think this year we can all agree that it is Raikkonen and these Red Bull rumours (or more to the point, Webber's future). Once we find that out, everything else will fall into place very quickly. Do i think he'll go there myself? I honestly daren't call it either way, although i can see logic in the rumours about Webber joining Porsche's LMP programme.

[Websta]

I also see Ferrari as Kobayashi's ticket back, if he's coming back. He won't be in a Williams considering he's a Ferrari Pro and Test driver and Williams just signed a deal for Merc engines. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see Kobayashi back. I fear 2nd seat at Ferrari is his only chance

The most prestigious team in F1 is his only ticket back? His "only chance"? No, it would probably be one of the best possible scenarios in his entire career to get a Ferrari seat, even if it is alongside de facto number 1 Alonso. But I really can't see that ever happening, there are many other drivers with better resumes for a Ferrari drive (Hulkenburg or Webber, if he is replaced at RBR, or Massa). I really can't see Ferrari wanting Kobayashi as a long-term number 2, especially now that Massa is holding up his end once again. If they are going to replace Massa, it will be with someone they think is a clear step-up performance-wise or that has significant experience that could be helpful to their 2014 car (Webber). I'm not the greatest judge of driver talent, but I don't think Kobayashi has either of these qualities.

Anyway, there are more likely opportunities for him to get back to F1. For example, he has a better chance of a return with Sauber if Hulkenburg moves.

[spadeflush]

Rosberg to Ferrari, Maldonado to Lotus, Raikkonen to Red Bull?

http://grandprix247.com/2013/06/08/sill ... -red-bull/

Rosberg to Ferrari IMO is highly unlikely but the other rumours do seem probable, although a Webber-Raikkonen swap will make things interesting.

[raymondu999]

Why not Lotus with Maldonado-Grosjean?

That would put Senna-Prost to shame in terms of teammate collisions.

[coaster]

Constructors championships need 2 driver talents hauling the cart (Vettel+Webber)(Schumacher+Barrichello),
Massa is clearly not doing as much haulage as Alonso, I can see Alonsos frustration with his teamate.
Webber was denied a win by his team and not offered a renewed contract, he is now marking time and not giving Vettel the 1st lap clear run he so often did (clutch trouble, I think not).
Alonso+Webber are mates of track and have history, I can see Webber towing the line for his mate at Ferrari, also taking up a highly sought after role as a test driver for Ferrari in his retirement after helping Alonso and Ferrari win their double championship.

I'm praying for anyway, Mark does not deserve a sh#t sandwich for his departure.

[spadeflush]

Maldonado to Lotus...

I'd find it hard to believe Lotus are that desperate for money.

Even I find it hard to believe but its probable, given how teams sometimes make stupid decisions just for money. Of course, a Maldonado-Grosjean team is impossible I am guessing Grosjean will be on his way out next year if his current form continues

[stefan_]

Why not Lotus with Maldonado-Grosjean?

I hope I will not see even Maldonado at Lotus, not talking about GRO-MAL pair.

[turbof1]

The crash bandicoot brothers .

[CHT]

Vettel just extended his contract with RBR till 2015.

[raymondu999]

I find it's very odd. When was the last time we saw a single year extension, 2 years before the year? It's like "I'll commit to you for a longer time, but only for a year." Is he making himself available in 2016?

[WhiteBlue]

It makes sense all-round. Vettel can still jump ship to Ferrari if things go wrong with the turbo V6. He just has to sit out some time in an uncompetitive car IMO.
Red Bull IMO, have signalled to Webber and the driver market that their main objective is Vettel and they have tied him down.
For Webber, I think it means he will be handed an almost empty bag when he starts negotiations on contract renewal in Silverstone as he usually does. So it is an early indications that Red Bull is willing to swap him for Kimi unless he starts playing ball.
Beyond this I think there is little significance in all of this.