Official 2016 Driver's Silly Season Thread; who'll be where?

Official 2016 Driver's Silly Season Thread; who'll be where?

Author
Discussion

MiniMan64

16,863 posts

189 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Well this thread just got interesting again!

ajprice

27,317 posts

195 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Hmm,

Wehrlein has to be in with a shout to replace Nico, and Fernando's agent is probably going to have a busy weekend hehe

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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If new Mclaren management decide they don't want to pay Alonso's wage, maybe he can negotiate his way out. Who would they replace him with ? Technically Button is still under contract as reserve driver so that would be an option...

By the same token, if they wanted a (real) German driver could Vettel do what he did at Red Bull, cite the poor car performance and ask to go ? From Ferrari's point of view you might say he under performed this year and his radio little out bursts aren't really team leader worthy ?

Ocon must be feeling a bit sick - Force India picked him over Wehrlein, but the latter now has a real chance of a top flight drive.

If Wehrlein does go there, I wonder who can afford the budget to get in to the Manor, Gasly wouldn't be allowed to so Giovanazzi?

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Crafty_ said:
If new Mclaren management decide they don't want to pay Alonso's wage, maybe he can negotiate his way out. Who would they replace him with ? Technically Button is still under contract as reserve driver so that would be an option...
I recall Ron saying that his contract was watertight, but I guess money talks and a buyout of £10M's would help McLaren do a lot of things.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Crafty_ said:
If new Mclaren management decide they don't want to pay Alonso's wage, maybe he can negotiate his way out. Who would they replace him with ? Technically Button is still under contract as reserve driver so that would be an option...

By the same token, if they wanted a (real) German driver could Vettel do what he did at Red Bull, cite the poor car performance and ask to go ? From Ferrari's point of view you might say he under performed this year and his radio little out bursts aren't really team leader worthy ?

Ocon must be feeling a bit sick - Force India picked him over Wehrlein, but the latter now has a real chance of a top flight drive.

If Wehrlein does go there, I wonder who can afford the budget to get in to the Manor, Gasly wouldn't be allowed to so Giovanazzi?
Gio relies on the largesse of Ricardo Galael. Naturally he'll want to spend that budget on Sean. Or fund Gio in a series that both boys can compete in together. My money is on WEC to continue the success they had at Macao. But Antonio has no manufacturer connections to the best of my knowledge.

Munter

31,319 posts

240 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Crafty_ said:
By the same token, if they wanted a (real) German driver could Vettel do what he did at Red Bull, cite the poor car performance and ask to go ? From Ferrari's point of view you might say he under performed this year and his radio little out bursts aren't really team leader worthy ?
That would be my first phone call if I was Merc management. Is the unhappy Vettel possible? Then go from there.

MiniMan64

16,863 posts

189 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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I can see Mercedes looking at someone young and talented rather than the experience of Vettel or Alonso. They've already got Hamilton but he won't be around forever and they need to start planning ahead.

Unless Max's contract isn't as tight as everyone thinks...

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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MiniMan64 said:
I can see Mercedes looking at someone young and talented rather than the experience of Vettel or Alonso. They've already got Hamilton but he won't be around forever and they need to start planning ahead.

Unless Max's contract isn't as tight as everyone thinks...
Contracts are normally pretty watertight.

The question is normally "how much compensation are you willing to pay for us to release them"

bristolracer

5,528 posts

148 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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We all know it will be wehrline but I'd like be to see kimi and Lewis beefing it out

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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bristolracer said:
We all know it will be wehrline but I'd like be to see kimi and Lewis beefing it out
Do we?

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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It will be Wehrlein. He has done many, many laps in testing for Mercedes over the past few seasons. He has stood in for Hamilton on at least two occasions.

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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HustleRussell said:
It will be Wehrlein. He has done many, many laps in testing for Mercedes over the past few seasons. He has stood in for Hamilton on at least two occasions.
I thought he had blotted his copy book?

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Friday 2nd December 2016
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Vaud said:
I thought he had blotted his copy book?
I've only heard of this on here. I'm not sure there's a credible source for it?

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
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HustleRussell said:
I've only heard of this on here. I'm not sure there's a credible source for it?
Joe Saward I think.

Something about his working style sending alarm bells.

Can't remember if it was the podcast or the blog.

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
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Allegedly that was also the reason for Force India taking Ocon over him...

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
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Crafty_ said:
Allegedly that was also the reason for Force India taking Ocon over him...
https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2016/11/10/ocon-si...

Some hints from Joe in the comments section.

If I recall correctly, there was very negative feedback on Wehrlein in his attitude to the team. He was quick, but bad to work with.

Ocon was apparently much more constructive, open, nice, less "entitled" and a joy to work with, as well as being fast.

At least, that is my recollection from a few sources, though all internet and all heavily caveated.