2014/15 Silly Season

[ParkerArt]

Would be nice if the rules say that the third car can only be driven by a rookie.

...Bernie wouldn't have to go to Azerbijan for a GP...

I know it's a necro of sorts but I've been to Baku. It's a gorgeous city and while being Islamic, they don't have Sharia Law/alcohol bans/human rights issues like Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

My take on the 2015 driver market is that Ferrari wants more than a single year extension with Alonso but he doesn't want to commit to more than that just to see how the Honda McLaren car starts to unfold. That being said, I think Ron (or someone else at McLaren that Freddy doesn't want to stab) has been doing what Ross did when Hamilton was courted by Mercedes. Basically; "This years' car is going to be okay but we want to show you the developments and engineering processes for the 2016 car..."

That being said, I expect no real movement at the top but it all depends on Alonso. He could pull a Hamilton and go from a team that could/should have won the 2012 WDC to the 5th place WCC team. I don't know about you guys but everyone though Hamilton made a huge mistake for the 2013 season but he was lured by the prospects of the 2014 car.

2015

Mercedes ROS/HAM
RBR VET/RIC
Williams MAS/BOT
Ferrari ALO/RAI
McLaren BUT/MAG
Force India HUL/PER
Toro Rosso KVY/VER(stappen)
Lotus GRO/MAL
Sauber GUI/???
Marussia BIA/CHI
[s]Caterham[/s] N/A

[Phil]

Well, if I was Alonso, I would be looking to get into a Mercedes, that's for sure. Which actually makes me wonder how safe Hamiltons seat is, either for 2015 or 2016 (doesn't Hamiltons contract expire at the end of 2015?). Either the team is waiting with prolonging his contract to see how managable both he and Nico remain towards the end of the season or they might really be looking at other options?

With Nico's recent contract extension, I think it's pretty clear he is good to stay. Not so sure about Lewis...

[FW17]

Do you think Lotus has to pay RG when they can get JEV for nothing

RG is good but has stayed in one place for too long

[prince]

Well, if I was Alonso, I would be looking to get into a Mercedes, that's for sure. Which actually makes me wonder how safe Hamiltons seat is, either for 2015 or 2016 (doesn't Hamiltons contract expire at the end of 2015?). Either the team is waiting with prolonging his contract to see how managable both he and Nico remain towards the end of the season or they might really be looking at other options?

With Nico's recent contract extension, I think it's pretty clear he is good to stay. Not so sure about Lewis...

After what happened in Spa, it was Lewis who postponed the contract talks and not Merc. That could be due to he being disturbed and feeling the team isn't behind him. Of late, things have changed and there seems to be more backing from Toto and Lauda towards Lewis. Being in management, one would know where there strengths are and Lewis is definitely a strength for them and they would not want to lose him. If you think they cannot manage the situation between Nico and Lewis, do you think they can manage with Alonso?

In his own admission, Lewis has never demanded No. 1 status in either McLaren or at Merc; Whereas Alonso has and he has a history of that sort of demands in McLaren too. Aldo Costa in his interview, which was published sometime back, didn't gave a great feedback about Alonso in terms of his involvement with Engineers. So, there is a lot of baggage if Merc has to hire him. If Lewis chooses to leave, then Merc would definitely eye Alonso and not that they will fire Lewis and hire Alonso.

[mkelly]

https://twitter.com/Lotus_F1Team/status ... 4903848960

[turbof1]

I would seriously doubt that there's talks between Lotus and Alonso; looks much like the typical twitter/fb style of Lotus to jokingly act on a situation outside their own business. I wouldn't be surprised though if F1 sites make a news item out of this, with Lotus suffocating of laughing that it's taken serious.

[SectorOne]

It says TBT = ThrowbackThursday.
No different to Mclaren posting wins of Hamilton on certain days even though he´s at Mercedes.

Except that they missed the date by one month and one day. He won it the 24th of August.

[turbof1]

It says TBT = ThrowbackThursday.
No different to Mclaren posting wins of Hamilton on certain days even though he´s at Mercedes.

Except that they missed the date by one month and one day. He won it the 24th of August.

I was wondering what TBT meant. Thanks for that; though again: knowing Lotus liking to raddle the cages, they choose this to, excuse my worduse, to 'troll'.

[Bob Brown]

Apparently my post about Alonso leaving Ferrari was not considered appropriate for the Scuderia Ferrari thread by an Alonso fan mod LOL, but here is even more information about the deal.

From PitLaneTalk, "We hear from various sources that Fernando Alonso has signed for McLaren-Honda in 2015. He's leaving Ferrari at the end of the year. The penalty of €30 million for leaving Ferrari has been paid by Honda and an announcement is expected at the Japanese GP"

"Mattiacci and Alonso negotiated a deal yesterday but couldn't come to terms on a mutual future.Ferrari wanted long-term commitment but Alonso refused to commit beyond 2016. Ferrari have already been paid the €30 mill. which is the early contract exit penalty."

According to Autobild's Bianca Garloff, Fernando Alonso has been rejected by both Red Bull and Mercedes.


Would be interested in seeing if it will be Alonso-Button there, since Button has been all happy about his situation with McLaren lately. Although I think Magnussen is the better driver so far this season there, but with the typical rookie mind and mistakes.

Driver market is such a mess.

[Shrieker]

It's very wishful thinking on Alonso's part that the McLaren-Honda will be any better than Ferrari in 2015 and '16, especially if the engine freeze is loosened a bit and the Scuderia has a chance to rework some parts of their PU package. McLaren got a Merc. PU which isn't bad but the chassis they've produced is woeful especially if you compare with Williams. Even if Honda is on a par with the Merc. PU (long shot) i can't imagine McLaren coming up with a chassis that will allow them to challenge Red bull or Merc.

[TechAddict]

They are also tweeting that he will be replacing Magnussen!

Beeing a fellow Dane it sucks offcourse but either him or Button has shined especially and you can argue both ways! And Buttons links to Japan can tip the scale then.

Is there any chance for magnussen elseware ? Force India if Hulkenberg goes to Ferrari?

[Thunder]

While i think that Magnussen definitely deserves a Seat in F1 i think Ferrari will go for Bianchi, not Hulk or any other external Driver.

[Mattyw]

We all know honda will copy mercs engine and develop on that (politics or not it will happen) so itll come down to aero, if mclaren can sort that alonso would be making a good move going there!

[mikeerfol]

They are also tweeting that he will be replacing Magnussen!

Beeing a fellow Dane it sucks offcourse but either him or Button has shined especially and you can argue both ways! And Buttons links to Japan can tip the scale then.

Is there any chance for magnussen elseware ? Force India if Hulkenberg goes to Ferrari?

Where did you see this?

[TechAddict]

PitLaneTalk 3hours ago. Not directly but that Button is set to retain his seat!