Vettel to replace Alonso at Ferrari
Discussion
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 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.
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 :-)
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 :-)
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"......
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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