The F1 Thread

[Deutsch Wolf]

I know he's blatantly only there to buffer for Vettel's planned 2014 arrival but it still baffles me that they re-signed him. I'd back someone like Kovalainen or Glock to do a much better job in the same car.

 

[Nando]

I doubt it, that car was an absolute mess to drive until recently. When he's confident in the machinery underneath him he's unbelievably quick. Heikki's done himself over by staying at Caterham too long and subsequently been usurped by the increasing swathes of young talent.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

The thing is, who is going to sign a one year deal at ferrari when you know vettel is coming? Unless you had an amazing season, that red bull seat won't be available and the chances of that happening as number 2 to alonso are slim indeed (think Eddie Irvine benefiting from schumi breaking a leg slim).

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If the alternative is one year at Ferrari (where, let's face it, you should do well) or the same length deal in a Caterham or a Marussia...

The back-end teams don't ever give any longer than a year anyway and you're always vulnerable to a pay driver coming in so there's very little security there anyway.

Alternatively give someone out of GP2 a go.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I see that, but are ferrari going to be happy taking a driver from those teams? I would have thought as a minimum they would want somebody like Di resta, and he won't sign a one year that may fuck his chances of battling for a red bull seat when vettel moves and webber jacks it in. The other possibility was trying to get a last swansong from raikonnen but I don't know how his relationship with ferrari finished up.

 

[Nando]

There's not much in GP2 right now, Valsecchi looks decent but probably not as good as the recent graduates. Bianchi and Frijns look the best of the next generation from Formula Renault, although it seems that Max Chilton will be driving for Marussia next season after a decent ish season in GP2.

If Vettel does go to Ferrari, where does that leave Red Bull? Hamilton is tied up and the other two would be at the same team.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If they decide to bin off Toro Rosso then the clock will be ticking on them pulling out. With the emphasis on in-house engines coming in soon they're going to have to change their current strategy at any rate.

Pad: I think they just chucked him because there were better alternatives available, I don't think it was bad terms. Him >>>> Massa though.

In fact I'd have taken a punt on Kubica for a year rather than retain Massa, he wouldn't turn it down.

 

[Nando]

I see that, but are ferrari going to be happy taking a driver from those teams?.

No, and Massa has shown that he can operate at the very highest level. Kovalainen was poor at McLaren and none of the others at the back are good enough. Hulkenberg seemed like the only alternative to Massa before his new deal was announced, and as he's moved to Sauber, it's pretty evident why he was considered.

Di Resta doesn't seem like he'll have much of a shot at a Mercedes drive which is surprising considering they've been with him all the way. Maybe he'll have a shot at the Red Bull drive?

 

[Nando]

Massa destroyed Kimi in 2008 and Ferrari wanted a team leader and weren't happy with Kimi's contribution outside of race weekends. He's not popular amongst the Tifosi on the Ferrari forum I frequent.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think Di resta to red bull could happen, but dans point about in house engines does colour that a bit. Could they really turn it in with two drivers leaving and their engines becoming works ferrari or Mercedes or whomever.

 

[Nando]

They'll just stay with Renault, there's no ruling on in house engines that I've seen. It will just end up being Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault as PURE and Cosworth seem like they're buggered. That's unless McLaren develop their own, there's been rumours circulating again that they might, or that they'll switch from Merc.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Ah, so it is a Bernie preference rather than a ruling. Makes sense with keeping the cost down, but it won't be strictly enforced I guess.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

This looks tasty - approach into the first corner at Austin:

 

[PuntsWolf]

How wides the track?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

This is America remember, they don't understand the concept of steering wheels...

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Wider than Spa. Otherwise, it sort of reminds me of coming out of Eau Rouge and into Radillon

 

[Tom Hark]

That's a Scalextric car, right?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

It's actually Mario Andretti testing in his 1978 Lotus championship winning car, no less.

 

[Nando]

It's brilliant to drive on the F1 game.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

Red Bull were dominant in practice. What a time for everything to come together.