Silly Season 2013/14

[slimfitcasual]

He´s more then then ready for the big league imo. He´s even proved it and he´s been so close to grab points for Williams this year on a number of occasions.

Yes but...

[Pup]

I suspect that McLaren are still looking at a big name for 2015 and beyond, and so they really want to just sign someone to a single year deal. And I'd also be willing to bet that they were hoping to put Hulkenburg in that seat, thinking that if his Lotus deal didn't materialize that he'd be willing to accept a single year contract. So with The Hulkenburg/Lotus deal looking like it has happened or will happen shortly, I can see how Magnussen's managers would think that he has a renewed shot at the McLaren seat.

On the other hand, Autosport are saying that Perez is about to have his contract extended. Perhaps both Perez and Magnussen have been holding their breath over Hulkenburg.

[SectorOne]

He´s more then then ready for the big league imo. He´s even proved it and he´s been so close to grab points for Williams this year on a number of occasions.

Yes but...
http://i.imgur.com/vxWfPB6.gif

If you can find those for his other three 11th places i´d be happy to look at them.

[langwadt]

Many rumors now that Magnussen will replace Perez at McLaren. He was pulled out in the last minute of a GP2 test by his management. This could indicate that he is in serious negotiations with at team. Don't really believe he will replace Perez. But i sure do hope so

The story is very strange as DAMS stated it wasn't McLaren who pulled him out which you would expect if he was either lined up for a McLaren drive or the Marussia seat. The cynical suggestion would be that fresh off a WSR title, there is little to gain from the GP2 test and a poor showing would be more detrimental than a good showing would be positive.

yeh, and who knows how he would do first time in a car he has never tried before, did very well first time in an F1 but there he had time in the simulator

I read that what they would lose in sponsorship money from not having Perez they would mostly save in the much lower salary for Magnussen, so him getting a seat might not be totally impossible

[mikeerfol]

https://twitter.com/MonsieurF1/status/3 ... 8736524289

[SectorOne]

I read that what they would lose in sponsorship money from not having Perez they would mostly save in the much lower salary for Magnussen, so him getting a seat might not be totally impossible

I´m a bit confused by this.

[oT v1]

Edit:^^^^^^ isnt Perez on roughly 1.5m?? The wage/sponsorship ratio is probably HUGE in favour of Maclaren


Well done Pastor! If sauber had 'ramped' early in the season then maybe they could be fighting with FI and Maclaren in the WCC, not a bad promotion from Williams!!! Glad for sauber that they'll get some cash.

[munudeges]

A smart move by Sauber. They have some Russian money but they're not stupid enough to completely rely on it.

[antiuser]

Word is Massa has signed a 5 year deal with Williams, not bringing any sponsorship to the team and actually receiving a salary from them. Not entirely impossible since Rob Smedley is heading to Williams next year anyway.

The following is speculation, but if you couple that with the rumours that Ross Brawn might take the team boss role at Williams, the prospects are either great or rather grim. If Williams have the money to pay Massa and Brawn and are still able to invest in car development, it could signal a return to form of sorts. In reality though, unless they have some massive sponsorship deal in the works, they will be struggling with their budget.

[Aesto]

They will get a nice payoff from PDVSA, so in a way, by hiring Smedley, Massa and Brawn (though it's a little premature to say he'll go there) they'd gamble on returning to form while they still have some of that money left and make up for the lost sponsorship with FOM price money.

[langwadt]

I read that what they would lose in sponsorship money from not having Perez they would mostly save in the much lower salary for Magnussen, so him getting a seat might not be totally impossible

I´m a bit confused by this.

They are from danish press so obviously pro Magnussen they maybe not taking Telmex into account
only Clarovideo of which perez appparently get mosts of the money

[ringo]

Maldonado is a good enough driver. I don't think there are really any bad drivers in F1.

What i can say though, is that Maldonado has the sport in his hands. His move will determine where the pieces fall.

Alguashari is nowhere near Maldonado in terms of talent. We need to remember that Pastor is a race winner, on merrit.
He's also pretty good on street circuits and qualifying. Alguashari hasn't done anythin in my point of view to justify that he's better than Pastor, and i couldn't care less about personality or appearance. Pastor is maybe not likable or as media friendly but his speed can be put to use.

Hulk will get the Lotus seat hopefully; he deserves it. Pastor would work nicely in Di Resta's seat. Di Resta needs to leave the sport, he's a prima dona who thinks he's too good to be in mid pack car. While at the same time he can't get any decent results. He's always blaming the team as well so i don't think he's good to have around in the long run. Pastor would be a nice addition to the team.

Di Resta is a prima dona and Maldonado isn't? I must be watching a different series to you!

Maldonado is a race winner in a car that hasn't won in years. You all seem to be skirting around that fact. He is within his right to want a top car.
Trying to make maldonado look like a crap driver is pretty difficult. As much as we don't like his personality; he is in fact a better driver than jaime, Bottas, and whoever is down in the doldrums looking for a race seat. Di Resta is a prima dona, kid is ok, but he's not good. 5 retirements in 6 races aint good.

[ringo]

He´s more then then ready for the big league imo. He´s even proved it and he´s been so close to grab points for Williams this year on a number of occasions.
Four 11th positions and one 10th.

Bottas has one 11th position.

Maldonado has in total gained 31 positions on lap 1 this year, that´s more then anyone else.
He gains on average almost 2 positions on lap 1 every race.

Bottas despite better qualifying performance has dropped 14 positions this year on lap 1 and drops on average about 1 position per race on lap 1.

Don't let facts get in the way.
He's not a European driver, so he's primitive as Stefan says.

I can't see how a race winner, who battled Alonso for the win, is somehow not ready for F1. That makes no sense whatsoever.
If the guy has money to get a seat, good for him. Which top driver in a top car doesn't?

[zeph]

I always liked Maldonado. I am not as certain that he is a top driver, but I do think that he deserves a shot, sponsor money or not.

[Racer X]

Madonado is not bad at all he and Grosjean have both grown out of their rather wreck less side. Also their both quite fast. I like them both.