Official 2016 Driver's Silly Season Thread; who'll be where?
Discussion
It seems the driver's silly season rumour mill has started. There's AFAIK not a single fact out there. But plenty of rumours about. Thought it'd be nice to have a separate thread - keep it out of the way of Dr Z's excellent race threads.
Rosberg's contract is up for renewal, rumours are that he wants big pay and a multi-year contract. Apparently Merc aren't offering either. Berger is negotiating for him.
Raikkonen's contract is up for renewal, Ferrari are supposedly making happy noises about keeping him. You can bet they're talking to everyone in the paddock. Bottas and Grosjean are most talked about.
Reb Bull seems closed.
The most widely expected change to happen is Button out of McLaren, Stoffel in. Where does that leave Button? Moving to Williams? WEC? Top Gear?
Torro Rosso, who've they got in their pipeline?
Can Massa really spend another year in F1?
So much speculation, so little fact. All tittle-tattle, gossip and misdirection is welcome!
Rosberg's contract is up for renewal, rumours are that he wants big pay and a multi-year contract. Apparently Merc aren't offering either. Berger is negotiating for him.
Raikkonen's contract is up for renewal, Ferrari are supposedly making happy noises about keeping him. You can bet they're talking to everyone in the paddock. Bottas and Grosjean are most talked about.
Reb Bull seems closed.
The most widely expected change to happen is Button out of McLaren, Stoffel in. Where does that leave Button? Moving to Williams? WEC? Top Gear?
Torro Rosso, who've they got in their pipeline?
Can Massa really spend another year in F1?
So much speculation, so little fact. All tittle-tattle, gossip and misdirection is welcome!
This thread is a good idea.
I don't think Williams will be a step forward for Button. I doubt he'd enjoy coming 5th/6th or occasionally getting on the podium. Alonso has said that he'll see where McLaren are next year before committing for more years or go elsewhere, so why not allow Button the same luxury? He's been very loyal to McLaren through the tough times. I won't be happy if McLaren push Button out for Vandoorne, a great talent though he is.
I don't think Williams will be a step forward for Button. I doubt he'd enjoy coming 5th/6th or occasionally getting on the podium. Alonso has said that he'll see where McLaren are next year before committing for more years or go elsewhere, so why not allow Button the same luxury? He's been very loyal to McLaren through the tough times. I won't be happy if McLaren push Button out for Vandoorne, a great talent though he is.
I wouldn't be suprised if the red bull "team mates" dont go supernova at some point either, regardless of contracts.
Merc- cant understand why they would acceed to rosbergs demands. Theres some very good drivers whod probably drive the thing for free
Vettel doesnt seem happy and raik just seems to have lost something.
Merc- cant understand why they would acceed to rosbergs demands. Theres some very good drivers whod probably drive the thing for free
Vettel doesnt seem happy and raik just seems to have lost something.
Rosberg's last two races have illustrated his weaknesses as a driver. He can put in the laptimes in quali and lead from the front but looks very outclassed when it comes to actually racing.
His move around the outside yesterday into a diminishing gap was just awkward and to hear his justification that he did it at Barcelona was ludicrous as the first corner there is completely different.
If I were the MB Board I would seriously question paying millions for Rosberg and slot in a relatively inexpensive young charger who has shown promise. RB probably has him locked in but someone like Sainz would be great. Verstappen/Hamilton would have been a very exciting pair but Merc and Ferrari dropped the ball with that one (and MB had him very close to signing in 2014 as a reserve).
His move around the outside yesterday into a diminishing gap was just awkward and to hear his justification that he did it at Barcelona was ludicrous as the first corner there is completely different.
If I were the MB Board I would seriously question paying millions for Rosberg and slot in a relatively inexpensive young charger who has shown promise. RB probably has him locked in but someone like Sainz would be great. Verstappen/Hamilton would have been a very exciting pair but Merc and Ferrari dropped the ball with that one (and MB had him very close to signing in 2014 as a reserve).
My silly prediction: Daniel Ricciardo out of Red Bull and either to take Rosberg or Raikkonen's seat.
His "whinging" at Red Bull is very much out of character and also reminds me of SV in his last season with them. The only thing SV did different was to underperform to make sure he finished low enough in the standings to trigger the release clause in his contract.
His "whinging" at Red Bull is very much out of character and also reminds me of SV in his last season with them. The only thing SV did different was to underperform to make sure he finished low enough in the standings to trigger the release clause in his contract.
Chris944_S2 said:
My silly prediction: Daniel Ricciardo out of Red Bull and either to take Rosberg or Raikkonen's seat.
His "whinging" at Red Bull is very much out of character and also reminds me of SV in his last season with them. The only thing SV did different was to underperform to make sure he finished low enough in the standings to trigger the release clause in his contract.
I was thinking similar actually. Verstappen made him look like the No.2 driver yesterday, better start, better tyre management (he was nursing tyres when Daniel got close then immediately started putting in faster laps) and perfect racecraft against Rosberg. His "whinging" at Red Bull is very much out of character and also reminds me of SV in his last season with them. The only thing SV did different was to underperform to make sure he finished low enough in the standings to trigger the release clause in his contract.
We all know how good Ricciardo can be but if the kid gets beneath his skin and starts beating him regularly he will likely consider his options while his stock is still high. Max barely has his feet under the table yet too but clearly has a lot of support from Horner and Marko (rightly so I should add).
cgt2 said:
If I were the MB Board I would seriously question paying millions for Rosberg and slot in a relatively inexpensive young charger who has shown promise. RB probably has him locked in but someone like Sainz would be great. Verstappen/Hamilton would have been a very exciting pair but Merc and Ferrari dropped the ball with that one (and MB had him very close to signing in 2014 as a reserve).
I'm pretty sure that Wherlein is the Mercedes protégé and next driver in waiting. Completely agree about Rosberg though.suffolk009 said:
I'm pretty sure that Wherlein is the Mercedes protégé and next driver in waiting. Completely agree about Rosberg though.
Yes I know he is, but I'm not convinced by his relative showing against Haryanto, though it is hard to judge in a Manor, perhaps we have not seen his ability yet?Chris944_S2 said:
My silly prediction: Daniel Ricciardo out of Red Bull and either to take Rosberg or Raikkonen's seat.
His "whinging" at Red Bull is very much out of character and also reminds me of SV in his last season with them. The only thing SV did different was to underperform to make sure he finished low enough in the standings to trigger the release clause in his contract.
The team dynamic at RBR is starting to look like a repeat of the Webber/Vettel years.His "whinging" at Red Bull is very much out of character and also reminds me of SV in his last season with them. The only thing SV did different was to underperform to make sure he finished low enough in the standings to trigger the release clause in his contract.
I would love to see him go to Mercedes, I think he could give Lewis a real run for his money, he's a much better racer than Rosberg (IMO)
that would be fun to see. I think it will be fairly boring with both Kimi and Rosberg staying put, but lets run with it..
The only destination that makes sense for Rosberg is Ferrari. I don't think Vettel is particularly friendly with him, but wouldn't be worried about having him as a team mate.
I think Kimi if not at Ferrari would retire. The only possible destination is Williams and I doubt they'd pay enough.
Massa & Bottas ? this is tricky. Whilst Massa is getting on a bit he's been keeping Bottas honest for the most part, difficult to split them to be honest. A while ago Williams were suggesting Bottas was a future WDC, I wonder if they still rate him as highly ?
They have Alex Lynn waiting in the wings, could one seat come down to money ? I expect Lynn would race for peanuts.
As with Rosberg, if Ricciardo doesn't stay with Red Bull, the only seat that makes sense is Ferrari. Some issues here though - do they want a hungry driver in the second seat ? traditionally they've employed a solid #2 driver to bring the points home. Would they want the headaches of battling drivers ? Would Vettel veto him, given their previous partnership ?
Sainz could well be a target, from what Franz Tost said at the weekend he still has some sort of contract with Red Bull (via the YDP), so should he want to leave does he need to buy himself out ? I can believe Williams would be taking a look. If Ricciardo leaves RBR he is surely #1 candidate ? If not, I am sure the STR seat would be offered again.
I've read that Renault may be interested in him, but he'd need a good reason to go to the back of the grid.
Kvyat - I think he'll be re-signed at STR. Partly because they haven't got anyone else to fill the seat and partly because Tost has given him much support this year. He's having a pretty dreadful time of it at the moment, but if he can go back to the form he showed when originally at STR (and RBR) he's worth signing. Potentially a Williams target too ?
Magnussen - I'm not sure what to think to be honest. When he was at Mclaren he did show flashes of talent but he was awful in Canada with incidents in every session. The car looks pretty rubbish at times which makes it difficult to assess performance but I have a bit of an uneasy feeling..
Palmer - Off to Sauber, who will only be too glad of his money, I don't see any other reason he'd be in F1.
It seems Renault have aspirations (see Sainz rumour, they are also rumoured to be trying to tempt James Allison back to Enstone too). Could this mean they have some budget and will be looking for strong development drivers ? Massa ? even Button ?
Williams have several people they can look at. Button going there has been suggested since last season, I think money could be an issue. Whilst they would be happy to have him it doesn't make sense for Ricciardo to go there from RBR. I wonder if Wehrlein could go there ? same deal as manor - cheaper engines and he gets a second season in a faster car ?
It seems Vandoorne is heavily tipped to have a race seat at Mclaren. The only way for this to happen is Button leaves, I suspect Alonso has a tight contract.
Should Rosberg leave Mercedes I can see them going for Ricciardo. I don't see them putting Wehrlein in the car just yet. Wolff suggested that he had other drivers knocking on his door when Hamilton's contract was being renewed last year, the suggestion is it was Alonso, who I assume needs to be bought out of the Mclaren contract - with the availability of cheaper talent I don't see why they'd do it.
I wonder about Gutiérrez at Haas, he's had a moan here and there and is some way behind Grosjean for a number of reasons. Who would they target if the decsion is taken to replace him ?
I think Grosjean has his feet under the table there, possibly in line for the Ferrari seat should it become available but other than that he'll be staying put.
The only destination that makes sense for Rosberg is Ferrari. I don't think Vettel is particularly friendly with him, but wouldn't be worried about having him as a team mate.
I think Kimi if not at Ferrari would retire. The only possible destination is Williams and I doubt they'd pay enough.
Massa & Bottas ? this is tricky. Whilst Massa is getting on a bit he's been keeping Bottas honest for the most part, difficult to split them to be honest. A while ago Williams were suggesting Bottas was a future WDC, I wonder if they still rate him as highly ?
They have Alex Lynn waiting in the wings, could one seat come down to money ? I expect Lynn would race for peanuts.
As with Rosberg, if Ricciardo doesn't stay with Red Bull, the only seat that makes sense is Ferrari. Some issues here though - do they want a hungry driver in the second seat ? traditionally they've employed a solid #2 driver to bring the points home. Would they want the headaches of battling drivers ? Would Vettel veto him, given their previous partnership ?
Sainz could well be a target, from what Franz Tost said at the weekend he still has some sort of contract with Red Bull (via the YDP), so should he want to leave does he need to buy himself out ? I can believe Williams would be taking a look. If Ricciardo leaves RBR he is surely #1 candidate ? If not, I am sure the STR seat would be offered again.
I've read that Renault may be interested in him, but he'd need a good reason to go to the back of the grid.
Kvyat - I think he'll be re-signed at STR. Partly because they haven't got anyone else to fill the seat and partly because Tost has given him much support this year. He's having a pretty dreadful time of it at the moment, but if he can go back to the form he showed when originally at STR (and RBR) he's worth signing. Potentially a Williams target too ?
Magnussen - I'm not sure what to think to be honest. When he was at Mclaren he did show flashes of talent but he was awful in Canada with incidents in every session. The car looks pretty rubbish at times which makes it difficult to assess performance but I have a bit of an uneasy feeling..
Palmer - Off to Sauber, who will only be too glad of his money, I don't see any other reason he'd be in F1.
It seems Renault have aspirations (see Sainz rumour, they are also rumoured to be trying to tempt James Allison back to Enstone too). Could this mean they have some budget and will be looking for strong development drivers ? Massa ? even Button ?
Williams have several people they can look at. Button going there has been suggested since last season, I think money could be an issue. Whilst they would be happy to have him it doesn't make sense for Ricciardo to go there from RBR. I wonder if Wehrlein could go there ? same deal as manor - cheaper engines and he gets a second season in a faster car ?
It seems Vandoorne is heavily tipped to have a race seat at Mclaren. The only way for this to happen is Button leaves, I suspect Alonso has a tight contract.
Should Rosberg leave Mercedes I can see them going for Ricciardo. I don't see them putting Wehrlein in the car just yet. Wolff suggested that he had other drivers knocking on his door when Hamilton's contract was being renewed last year, the suggestion is it was Alonso, who I assume needs to be bought out of the Mclaren contract - with the availability of cheaper talent I don't see why they'd do it.
I wonder about Gutiérrez at Haas, he's had a moan here and there and is some way behind Grosjean for a number of reasons. Who would they target if the decsion is taken to replace him ?
I think Grosjean has his feet under the table there, possibly in line for the Ferrari seat should it become available but other than that he'll be staying put.
It would actually be a great pairing. We know from their time at McLaren that Button pushed Hamilton and there was mutual respect between them. I'd stick my neck out and say Button is a far better racer than Rosberg too, for all the years he has been in F1 I struggle to think of a single memorable pass Rosberg has executed on a top driver.
Crafty_ said:
I think it will be fairly boring with both Kimi and Rosberg staying put, but lets run with it..
The only destination that makes sense for Rosberg is Ferrari. I don't think Vettel is particularly friendly with him, but wouldn't be worried about having him as a team mate.
I think Kimi if not at Ferrari would retire. The only possible destination is Williams and I doubt they'd pay enough.
Massa & Bottas ? this is tricky. Whilst Massa is getting on a bit he's been keeping Bottas honest for the most part, difficult to split them to be honest. A while ago Williams were suggesting Bottas was a future WDC, I wonder if they still rate him as highly ?
They have Alex Lynn waiting in the wings, could one seat come down to money ? I expect Lynn would race for peanuts.
As with Rosberg, if Ricciardo doesn't stay with Red Bull, the only seat that makes sense is Ferrari. Some issues here though - do they want a hungry driver in the second seat ? traditionally they've employed a solid #2 driver to bring the points home. Would they want the headaches of battling drivers ? Would Vettel veto him, given their previous partnership ?
Sainz could well be a target, from what Franz Tost said at the weekend he still has some sort of contract with Red Bull (via the YDP), so should he want to leave does he need to buy himself out ? I can believe Williams would be taking a look. If Ricciardo leaves RBR he is surely #1 candidate ? If not, I am sure the STR seat would be offered again.
I've read that Renault may be interested in him, but he'd need a good reason to go to the back of the grid.
Kvyat - I think he'll be re-signed at STR. Partly because they haven't got anyone else to fill the seat and partly because Tost has given him much support this year. He's having a pretty dreadful time of it at the moment, but if he can go back to the form he showed when originally at STR (and RBR) he's worth signing. Potentially a Williams target too ?
Magnussen - I'm not sure what to think to be honest. When he was at Mclaren he did show flashes of talent but he was awful in Canada with incidents in every session. The car looks pretty rubbish at times which makes it difficult to assess performance but I have a bit of an uneasy feeling..
Palmer - Off to Sauber, who will only be too glad of his money, I don't see any other reason he'd be in F1.
It seems Renault have aspirations (see Sainz rumour, they are also rumoured to be trying to tempt James Allison back to Enstone too). Could this mean they have some budget and will be looking for strong development drivers ? Massa ? even Button ?
Williams have several people they can look at. Button going there has been suggested since last season, I think money could be an issue. Whilst they would be happy to have him it doesn't make sense for Ricciardo to go there from RBR. I wonder if Wehrlein could go there ? same deal as manor - cheaper engines and he gets a second season in a faster car ?
It seems Vandoorne is heavily tipped to have a race seat at Mclaren. The only way for this to happen is Button leaves, I suspect Alonso has a tight contract.
Should Rosberg leave Mercedes I can see them going for Ricciardo. I don't see them putting Wehrlein in the car just yet. Wolff suggested that he had other drivers knocking on his door when Hamilton's contract was being renewed last year, the suggestion is it was Alonso, who I assume needs to be bought out of the Mclaren contract - with the availability of cheaper talent I don't see why they'd do it.
I wonder about Gutiérrez at Haas, he's had a moan here and there and is some way behind Grosjean for a number of reasons. Who would they target if the decsion is taken to replace him ?
I think Grosjean has his feet under the table there, possibly in line for the Ferrari seat should it become available but other than that he'll be staying put.
Great post. Renault definitely has a huge budget and there is strong rumour circulating after Canada that James Allison is about to rejoin as he wants to relocate to the UK. The only destination that makes sense for Rosberg is Ferrari. I don't think Vettel is particularly friendly with him, but wouldn't be worried about having him as a team mate.
I think Kimi if not at Ferrari would retire. The only possible destination is Williams and I doubt they'd pay enough.
Massa & Bottas ? this is tricky. Whilst Massa is getting on a bit he's been keeping Bottas honest for the most part, difficult to split them to be honest. A while ago Williams were suggesting Bottas was a future WDC, I wonder if they still rate him as highly ?
They have Alex Lynn waiting in the wings, could one seat come down to money ? I expect Lynn would race for peanuts.
As with Rosberg, if Ricciardo doesn't stay with Red Bull, the only seat that makes sense is Ferrari. Some issues here though - do they want a hungry driver in the second seat ? traditionally they've employed a solid #2 driver to bring the points home. Would they want the headaches of battling drivers ? Would Vettel veto him, given their previous partnership ?
Sainz could well be a target, from what Franz Tost said at the weekend he still has some sort of contract with Red Bull (via the YDP), so should he want to leave does he need to buy himself out ? I can believe Williams would be taking a look. If Ricciardo leaves RBR he is surely #1 candidate ? If not, I am sure the STR seat would be offered again.
I've read that Renault may be interested in him, but he'd need a good reason to go to the back of the grid.
Kvyat - I think he'll be re-signed at STR. Partly because they haven't got anyone else to fill the seat and partly because Tost has given him much support this year. He's having a pretty dreadful time of it at the moment, but if he can go back to the form he showed when originally at STR (and RBR) he's worth signing. Potentially a Williams target too ?
Magnussen - I'm not sure what to think to be honest. When he was at Mclaren he did show flashes of talent but he was awful in Canada with incidents in every session. The car looks pretty rubbish at times which makes it difficult to assess performance but I have a bit of an uneasy feeling..
Palmer - Off to Sauber, who will only be too glad of his money, I don't see any other reason he'd be in F1.
It seems Renault have aspirations (see Sainz rumour, they are also rumoured to be trying to tempt James Allison back to Enstone too). Could this mean they have some budget and will be looking for strong development drivers ? Massa ? even Button ?
Williams have several people they can look at. Button going there has been suggested since last season, I think money could be an issue. Whilst they would be happy to have him it doesn't make sense for Ricciardo to go there from RBR. I wonder if Wehrlein could go there ? same deal as manor - cheaper engines and he gets a second season in a faster car ?
It seems Vandoorne is heavily tipped to have a race seat at Mclaren. The only way for this to happen is Button leaves, I suspect Alonso has a tight contract.
Should Rosberg leave Mercedes I can see them going for Ricciardo. I don't see them putting Wehrlein in the car just yet. Wolff suggested that he had other drivers knocking on his door when Hamilton's contract was being renewed last year, the suggestion is it was Alonso, who I assume needs to be bought out of the Mclaren contract - with the availability of cheaper talent I don't see why they'd do it.
I wonder about Gutiérrez at Haas, he's had a moan here and there and is some way behind Grosjean for a number of reasons. Who would they target if the decsion is taken to replace him ?
I think Grosjean has his feet under the table there, possibly in line for the Ferrari seat should it become available but other than that he'll be staying put.
Right, continuing my theme of Button to Mercedes...
Hamilton is obviously going nowhere, and McLaren will promote Vandoorne, so we have
Mercedes - HAM, BUT
McLaren - ALO, VAN
This leaves Rosberg at a loose end. If he's still a strong contender for the title towards the end of the season then he might be attractive to Ferrari, just for the potential to get the #1 on their car. Otherwise I think he'll end up at Williams alongside Wehrlein with Bottas moving to Ferrari. Either way Massa will be retired and Raikkonen will move on.
Ferrari - VET, ROS/BOT
Williams - ROS/BOT, WEH
I don't see any changes at the Red Bull teams, for the simple fact that neither the teams nor drivers have any better options at the moment.
Red Bull - RIC, VES
Torro Rosso, SAI, KVY
Renault will keep Magnussen for continuity, but ditch the underperforming Palmer in favour of Raikkonen's experience. Force India will be unchanged.
Renault - MAG, RAI
Force India - HUL, PER
Palmer will go to Manor alongside Eriksson, Sauber will retain Nasr and take Gutierrez back from Haas, who will replace him with Alex Rossi, fresh from his Indy 500 win.
Haas - GRO, RSI
Sauber - NAS, GUT
Manor - PAL, ERI
Hamilton is obviously going nowhere, and McLaren will promote Vandoorne, so we have
Mercedes - HAM, BUT
McLaren - ALO, VAN
This leaves Rosberg at a loose end. If he's still a strong contender for the title towards the end of the season then he might be attractive to Ferrari, just for the potential to get the #1 on their car. Otherwise I think he'll end up at Williams alongside Wehrlein with Bottas moving to Ferrari. Either way Massa will be retired and Raikkonen will move on.
Ferrari - VET, ROS/BOT
Williams - ROS/BOT, WEH
I don't see any changes at the Red Bull teams, for the simple fact that neither the teams nor drivers have any better options at the moment.
Red Bull - RIC, VES
Torro Rosso, SAI, KVY
Renault will keep Magnussen for continuity, but ditch the underperforming Palmer in favour of Raikkonen's experience. Force India will be unchanged.
Renault - MAG, RAI
Force India - HUL, PER
Palmer will go to Manor alongside Eriksson, Sauber will retain Nasr and take Gutierrez back from Haas, who will replace him with Alex Rossi, fresh from his Indy 500 win.
Haas - GRO, RSI
Sauber - NAS, GUT
Manor - PAL, ERI
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