Clear the way for Ferrari

[Doink]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117210

So did he jump or was he pushed, can't see how he would of been pulled by Ferraris latest shenanigans, wonder how long any gardening leave if any will be?

[hdrflow]

One year although is rumoured Ferrari is negotiating with Mercedes for less.

Doubt he was pushed, more like the allure of Ferrari. He's meant to replace Pat Fry so rather senior position as well.

[Megaflow]

I very much doubt he was pushed. He has seen an opportunity to work for Ferrari, take a promotion and, hopefully, be recognised as the guy to turn them around.

[Chrisgr31]

The articles states "The move is the latest development in a major restructure at the Scuderia under new team principal Maurizio Arrivabene" however surely many of the moves must have been agreed prior to him taking over surely?

He can't have done all these deals in the time available can he?

[Schermerhorn]

They showed him a huge bag filled with Lira and and wooed him with pasta and wine.

[S0 What]

MB mentioned a while ago he was off to Ferrari so the deal was done before the new new boss arrived, pretty sure it was at the US grand prix, i watched the race weekend again last friday.

[SmoothCriminal]

Was mentioned in a bbc article that merc let him go as they couldn't offer him a role that matched the seniority of the role Ferrari were offering.

http://bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/30541422

Edited by SmoothCriminal on Tuesday 23 December 15:49

[Derek Smith]

An interesting move and a big test for the chap.

Ferrari seem to be going back to the Brawn days but is Clear the bloke for the job or is it that they could not get a better man?

It does seem likely that a lot of money was involved. There was an awful lot of money thrown at the problem in the late 90s, buying in top talent all through the team. Is that sort of money available to the Scuderia now? I thought I read that they were struggling a bit financially.

They've got Clear and Vettel. Are these top of the piles in their various specialties? If they throw bundles of Euros (I don't think Lira will attract the best) at their problem and it is not resolved then I could see the team imploding.

I thought their main problem was engine. Perhaps they see their main problem as engine and hope that Clear will be able to bring some, er, clarity to their situation.

Best of luck to him. I think he'll need it.

[Jasandjules]

Well, it will in theory take some time for Vettel to help develop the car. Interesting times ahead.

[rallycross]

Jasandjules said:

Well, it will in theory take some time for Vettel to help develop the car. Interesting times ahead.

Vettell is walking into a Team in a state of transition (ie total chaos!)

[Derek Smith]

Gaz. said:

According to Marchionne, Ferrari are in for a very difficult 2015 that will put an incredible amount of strain on the whole team. In essence Ferrari have already written off next year and are focusing on 2016.

That's what people say when they are starting a new job in order to take the pressure off them. That's what I used to do anyway. I doubt this will cut it with Ferrari though.

[Great Dane]

Schermerhorn said:

They showed him a huge bag filled with Lira and and wooed him with pasta and wine.

Euro's are used in Italy ;-)

[TeamSloth]

Great Dane said:

Euro's are used in Italy ;-)

Or Bunga Bunga, if you make it to the top of the political scene.

[carinaman]

'Starring Kimi Rӓikkӧnen as Steve Austin.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmOUR-te1O8


Once Clear is in his head he'll be able to cope with the Mickey Mouse tyres and a front suspension that he doesn't like and push on through the understeer barrier......

'We can rebuild him..........and the new version will be more media friendly

At least Kimi won in that Lotus.

[entropy]

carinaman said:

'Starring Kimi R?ikk?nen as Steve Austin.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmOUR-te1O8


Once Clear is in his head he'll be able to cope with the Mickey Mouse tyres and a front suspension that he doesn't like and push on through the understeer barrier......

'We can rebuild him..........and the new version will be more media friendly

At least Kimi won in that Lotus.

What Mickey Mouse tyres? If you remember in 2013 he was better with the MM tyres and then his form dipped when Pirelli switched to the harder compounds and construction.

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/kimis-struggl...

Derek Smith said:

An interesting move and a big test for the chap.

Ferrari seem to be going back to the Brawn days but is Clear the bloke for the job or is it that they could not get a better man?

It does seem likely that a lot of money was involved. There was an awful lot of money thrown at the problem in the late 90s, buying in top talent all through the team. Is that sort of money available to the Scuderia now? I thought I read that they were struggling a bit financially.

They've got Clear and Vettel. Are these top of the piles in their various specialties? If they throw bundles of Euros (I don't think Lira will attract the best) at their problem and it is not resolved then I could see the team imploding.

I thought their main problem was engine. Perhaps they see their main problem as engine and hope that Clear will be able to bring some, er, clarity to their situation.

Best of luck to him. I think he'll need it.

James Allison has been Technical Director for the past year

Edited by entropy on Tuesday 13th January 23:33

[carinaman]

Hopefully the 2015 tyre will suit Kimi's need for feel better? I hadn't thought Kimi's back may be a factor in how he feels and drives.

Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 14th January 14:54

[entropy]

carinaman said:

Hopefully the 2015 tyre will suit Kimi's need for feel better? I hadn't thought Kimi's back may be a factor in how he feels and drives.

Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 14th January 14:54

I doubt it. Hembrey admitted the cars will be quicker this year than last year. That's the nature of motorsport when regs are generally stable.

Naively, Pirelli didn't factor this in 2013 and certainly a major contribution (as well the working practices of teams) into their controversially crap tyres that year.

So Kimi's hopes rests on a car that is more reactive front end and more feel.

[carinaman]

Gaz. said:

Without wishing to sound like a troll, but shouldn't a WDC have a broader ability than to have to hope for a very specific trait?

Not trolling. That article on the Motor Sport magazine website contrasts how Kimi takes corners compared to Alonso and Massa. Part of me does wonder why Kimi can't switch part of himself off and just drive like Alonso's telemetry.

That article also talks about the problems with E-KERS whatever it's called and how it works with the brake by wire and brake temperature.

Clear may deal with the politics within the team. I wonder how the Ferrari spinning at Silverstone left Kimi's love for the team.

[entropy]

Gaz. said:

Without wishing to sound like a troll, but shouldn't a WDC have a broader ability than to have to hope for a very specific trait?

It's what separates the greats from the not-so-greats.

The true greats consistently get the best from the car.

A slightly lesser driver - WDCs of various numbers (usually one) would struggle more for one reason or another. Button struggles to get the best from tyres for various reasons and usually temperature related; Vettel looks to be in that bracket as his 2014 campaign was disastrous for someone who is 4x WDC and failed to adapt to his car.