Vettel to replace Alonso at Ferrari

Vettel to replace Alonso at Ferrari

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Likes Fast Cars

2,769 posts

164 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Derek Smith said:
Now I'm a big McL fan so there might just be a bit of bias here, but the McL will have an engine that will be built alongside the car. So the package will be designed as a unit, just like the Merc. I doubt that Honda will not have been studying the various layouts of all the engines and will have come up with something a bit different.

I reckon that there is a chance that the McL will be class of the field. The personnel changes at McL might make a big difference: they did at Ferrari, twice in fact, up then down.

I reckon McL could come up with the business. Money will be less of a problem than it has been in the past.
+1 I'm keeping my fingers, toes and other parts crossed smile

RemarkLima

2,366 posts

211 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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It would be great to see McLaren at the sharp end again!

As it stands tho I can't see any big moves.

Hamilton and Rosberg will stay at Merc as it'll be the team to beat next year, their best title hopes again lay there.

Vettel will stay at Red Bull for the same reason, his best bet for a fifth WDC would be with Merc, but no seats available the only possible title contender will be RBR given their form this year. Easily the best chassis, and next year the Renault engine will be closer.

Alonso therefore is stuck with Ferrari, given he's been a close 2nd in the WDC a couple of times, if they can get a final few parts of the puzzle together they could mount a challenge. McLaren are just too great an unknown, and given even when they've had a fast car they keep cocking up the pit stops, strategy etc... It'd be a leap of faith!

Williams will hopefully continue to impress, but not enough recent history of success to lure the real big names!

All IMHO :-)

Exige77

6,518 posts

190 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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It's being reported Alonso to Macca is a done deal.

Announcement soon.

Could be interesting.

Maldonado to Fezza ? Worst driver in worst car ?

onyx39

11,109 posts

149 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Exige77 said:
It's being reported Alonso to Macca is a done deal.

Announcement soon.
What source?

Does that leave JB out on his ear then?

Agent Orange

2,194 posts

245 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Exige77 said:
It's being reported Alonso to Macca is a done deal.

Announcement soon.
Reported where?

FW18

243 posts

140 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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The word on the street is that the Alonso/McLaren deal is done with Honda stumping the €30 million exit clause in his contract. Button looking to be retained for experience too with the new power unit.

Apparently Ferrari are looking for either Hamilton or Vettel to replace Alonso. But after the announcement at Suzuka expect the silly season to go into overdrive!

THX

2,348 posts

121 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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If Vettel moves to Ferrari, what Alonso said about his four titles will really sting; that it's what happens after you step out of the fastest car, and into a dog, that people will judge you. Presuming that Ferrari continue to churn out crap (for their pedigree) cars.

Alonso with Button??? I'll become a McLaren fan again; even if the car is rubbish. Button stood Hamilton up straight and everyone loved him, but now he's enduring a terrible couple of seasons in a crap car with a rookie driver and he's all of a sudden 'average'. Fickle be F1 fans... I'd love to see Button match Alonso, especially given their (reportedly) opposite driving styles (I never know how much stock to put into 'driving style'. At this level of professionalism, you'd imagine they're fairly adaptable)

If Vettel thinks he's Schumacher, I think he's in for a shock. He doesn't have the gravitas. Schumacher was a force of nature, Vettel is a swift little boy. I could end up eating my words, obviously, but it'll be fun watching it all unfold!

Derek Smith

45,512 posts

247 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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If 'the word' is right:

LH is in a difficult position. If he accepts the money and signs for Ferrari then there's no way Merc will let him win the WDC. If he stays and, for whatever reason, fails to take the WDC then his value will plummet.

On the other hand, he might well approach his contract negotiations with a bit of spring in his step. If Ferrari are after him then Merc might be willing to give him something extra to keep him. Such as uncontested #1 status?

Interesting times.

If true.

SmoothCriminal

5,047 posts

198 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Would love to see Hamilton at Ferrari I reckon he could drag even a mediocre car to wins.

Also the way he seems to have been adopted and has the support of the tifosi these days (but if you believe nico its the british fans) and the reports merc arn't prepared to offer him even the same terms it MUST be highly tempting for him.

Oh and he's said on numerous occasions he has never asked for or stipulated in his 8contract no1 status.

If Nico wins the wdc I can see his stay and merc being untenable.

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Derek Smith said:
LH is in a difficult position. If he accepts the money and signs for Ferrari then there's no way Merc will let him win the WDC. If he stays and, for whatever reason, fails to take the WDC then his value will plummet.
I don't think so. I suspect Lauda and Woolf know full well at this point that he has had slightly worse reliability. It is evening up, but still I think (might be wrong) there is one DNF due to Nico to even it up and if that happened Lewis would be 20 points ahead.. Oh, and one more failure in Quali so Nico has to start from the back of the pack and work his way onto the podium as Lewis did.

I believe Lauda even stated after the last race "He's worth his money, I'll tell you that"......

onyx39

11,109 posts

149 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Jasandjules said:
I believe Lauda even stated after the last race "He's worth his money, I'll tell you that"......
I heard that too.

Exige77

6,518 posts

190 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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onyx39 said:
Jasandjules said:
I believe Lauda even stated after the last race "He's worth his money, I'll tell you that"......
I heard that too.
Lauda is a Racer and sees Hammy as the same.

I think they have bonded. Some outstanding drives from Hammy this year.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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If true, realistic contenders for the Ferrari seat, in no particular order:

Grosjean
Magnussen
Sutil
Vergne
Bianchi
Ricciardo
Chilton
Ericsson

Both Vettel and Hamilton are contracted for 2015, yes they could be bought out, but would either go ?
Merc is the car to beat, I don't think it matters who wins the WDC Lewis will be there next year
RBR taking control of the Renault engine program might just mean they have a good car next year, Vettel will want to find out.

Ferrari are in disarray at the moment with Stefano and Luca gone, they haven't had a good car for years and the engine needs work. If you want to win a WDC its the wrong place for 2015.

So, Grosjean and Ricciardo at the top of the list, but I have a sneaking suspicion they might go for Hulk or maybe Perez. Why ? they want someone for a one year contract to be replaced by Vettel/Hamilton in 2016 alongside Bianchi. Both Hulk & Perez know its pretty much last chance saloon to break in to the top flight, plus they'll be cheap and are more than competent - perfect way to keep a seat warm for the incoming WDC.

Stack

795 posts

186 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Interesting read ..

http://adamcooperf1.com/

Muzzer79

9,806 posts

186 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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If Alonso leaves, Ferrari will give an open cheque book to either Vettel or Hamilton, most likely Vettel.

Anyone else will not be acceptable in Italy.

thegreenhell

15,111 posts

218 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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I'd love to see Alonso and Button at McLaren next year, with Hamilton and Kimi at Ferrari, and either Vettel or Hulk joining Mercedes.

Mini1275

11,098 posts

181 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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confucuis

1,303 posts

123 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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As a Ferrari fan, I really don't want to see Alonso go. I'd love to see him win a WDC with them but that doesn't look very likely for the next couple of seasons which probably means he's looking elsewhere. Don't very much like Hamilton and can't see myself being as behind Ferrari with him as a driver.

Deisel Weisel

2,519 posts

183 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Mini1275 said:
He could always earn a crust as a stunt-double for Sacha Baron Cohen, if he can't get a drive.

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Hamilton won't go to Ferrari. Look at his move to Mercedes - everyone was saying he was crazy, but in hindsight, it was pretty shrewed He wants another championship. Ferrari won't give him the platform of opportunity until, at least, 2016 unless something pretty radical happens to their cars.

I can easily see Vettel going there, though. The RB isn't suiting him at all and I would imagine he is looking to prove to both himself and his (many) detractors that he is quick. If he went to Ferrari and puts in the performances that Alonso is able to there, he will quieter a lot of his critics