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

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

Author
Discussion

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Friday 8th July 2016
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Derek 111S said:
So Lewis to be in a red car in 2018?
Contracted to Mercedes through 2018. 2019 ? maybe.

In other news, Mallya has confirmed Perez and Hulkenberg for next year. He suggests that "games were played" regarding Perez and Ferrari, seems Perez's camp may have let the Ferrari rumours run rather than deny them, even though the Force India contract was signed, doesn't do your man any harm to be talked about with respects to top teams.

So whats left ?

Mercedes seat - can't see anyone but Rosberg getting it.
Sainz yet to be confirmed, but almost bound to be staying.
Question over Kvyat for the 2nd STR seat. Red Bull have Gasly on the books.
Both Williams seats open
Mclaren seat - most likely Button or Vandoorne
Haas - both seats open ?
Manor - both seats open ?
Sauber - both seats open ?
Renault - both seats open ?

Wherlein quite likely to be back somewhere, some suggest in a Williams with Mercedes help (reduced engines).

I think Haas are fairly content with Grosjean, he seems to be a good fit for the team. Gutierrez had a bad start to the season, mainly reliability issues and a few strategy cockups, but I think his pace is pretty close to Grosjean, so possibly he stays on too. Not sure if he still has Ferrari backing ? if so its beneficial to the team to keep him on.

Williams - As above, possibly Wehrlein in there in return for cheaper engines. Personally I am interested too see what he can do in a faster car.

A couple of years ago the team were praising Bottas, suggesting he was a future WDC. I don't think he's lived up to the hype personally, I thought the idea was he'd have some time to learn whilst handily beating Massa which hasn't really happened. Williams are not a sentimental team, why should they keep him ? On the other hand, who else is out there ?

Massa has probably been a bit better than they expected I reckon. Hes finished behind Bottas in the last couple of years but its not clear cut (extra retirements etc). I think Massa's future depends if Button joins.

If Williams see fit to pay what Button asks (I think he will demand more than Massa) then I think Massa is toast. This will have a direct effect on the 2nd seat I think, I don't expect them to sign Wehrlein and Button because they will want a constant for next year given the regulation changes.
So Bottas & Wehrlein, Bottas & Button, or Bottas & Massa, take your pick!
Where Alex Lynn fits in I don't know, maybe in a year or two ?

Mclaren - what a conundrum. I suspect Alonso's contract is tighter than a ducks arse, so he'll be staying. For the other seat, Mclaren will have to decide if they want a known value in the second seat to help push on car development to drag themselves to the front or if they think they can do that with a rookie (Vandoorne) in the second seat. Money will come in to it too I think. Although they do seem to be picking up a few sponsors.

Sauber - big question mark over everything isn't there. Over the past couple of weeks the Sauber employees have finally been paid their wages, the story is that an investor has been found and there will be a change of ownership for the team. There is a rumour that its Tetra Pak, they make foot packaging if the name seems familiar. They are apparently an Ericsson backer, so if true I'd say he was pretty safe. There are question marks over this though - why would an industrial company get involved in F1? where is the value to them ? and why would they write down 120m euro in debt that the team allegedly have?
Nasr brings fairly significant sponsorship, hence the liveries on the cars. Even if the team is sold, will the new owners rely on that money ? Very much determines his future imho.

Manor - If Wehrlein doesn't go to Williams then I see him staying. Haryanto finally seems to be finding a little pace, but given he's struggling to find the money to pay for the seat (despite the hoards of fanatical supports in Indonesia) its not clear he'll be there. If Wehrlein moves on, could Mercedes put Ocon there ?

Renault, I can't see them keeping Palmer who was signed by Lotus and came with the deal. he is clearly not as good as Magnussen and doesn't really have an impressive history to suggest he just needs a bit of time.
Magnussen I just can't judge. He gave Button a good run for his money on occasion but doesn't always seem to be at that level. I guess we need a good yardstick.
Ocon, although a Mercedes development driver is currently on loan to Renault, could they put him in instead ?
If Massa / Bottas / Button are available would they have the money to pay for an experienced hand to help with car development ? Renault also have their own development drivers - Oliver Rowland (WSR champ last year, GP2 this year), Louis Deletraz (yes, Jean-Denis's son) in WSR and Jack Aitken in GP3. Only Rowland might have enough points for a super licence and I don't see them throwing him in the deep end with a race seat, so I assume these guys are for 2018 onwards.

ajprice

27,317 posts

195 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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thegreenhell said:
Raikkonen confirmed at Ferrari for 2017.
They mentioned Raikkonen and the driver market on C4 this morning, he's been in F1 for a long time (plus a bit of WRC) and has driven many versions of F1 car engine and aero regulations. New rules next year, so they'll want experience in the car rather than a relative newbie. Seems fair enough.

Mr_Thyroid

1,995 posts

226 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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They also like a clear number 2. Not bad to have a world champ as no.2.

Derek 111S

103 posts

239 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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Mr_Thyroid said:
They also like a clear number 2. Not bad to have a their last world champ as no.2.
Fixed.

cgt2

7,093 posts

187 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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What are the thoughts about Sainz? I wonder if Red Bull will allow him to move to a bigger team as it's unlikely they will have a space for him in the A team for at least the next two seasons and it is a shame that such a talent be stuck in a Toro Rosso (even if James Key delivers a great car).

EnglishTony

2,552 posts

98 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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German Press think Vettel's on his way out at Ferrari - heading for Merc. I put that down to wishful thinking at present.

housen

2,366 posts

191 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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EnglishTony said:
German Press think Vettel's on his way out at Ferrari - heading for Merc. I put that down to wishful thinking at present.
where rosbulk go then ?

flat switch ?

nah


just got my german boss to read the german paper

says ferrai sacked vettals head engineer because they haven't won anything

and vettel is putting up a protest



Edited by housen on Wednesday 20th July 14:42

cgt2

7,093 posts

187 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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They just renewed Kimi because Vettel wanted it. He holds all the power in that team and is going nowhere.

suffolk009

Original Poster:

5,344 posts

164 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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Sauber have been purchased. So I guess their seats will be going to the highest bidders (3 or 4 of them since Monisha is still running the team). At least for next year.

How are Rosberg's negotiations coming along. Haven't heard anything for ages. Have they reached a hiatus or an impasse?

Lots of speculation that Allison is going to leave Ferrari - it's reported that Marchionne is now sitting in on meetings and micro-managing all that he can.

HustleRussell

24,602 posts

159 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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cgt2 said:
They just renewed Kimi because Vettel wanted it. He holds all the power in that team and is going nowhere.
Vettel trying to Schumacher.

cgt2

7,093 posts

187 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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HustleRussell said:
Vettel trying to Schumacher.
Exactly what he is doing. Peter Windsor I think it was made the comment over two months ago that if Ferrari ended up renewing Kimi it would be a measure of how much power Vettel holds, and exactly that happened. No one else in the team made a firm statement about wanting to keep him before the announcement other than Vettel.

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

173 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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cgt2 said:
Exactly what he is doing. Peter Windsor I think it was made the comment over two months ago that if Ferrari ended up renewing Kimi it would be a measure of how much power Vettel holds, and exactly that happened. No one else in the team made a firm statement about wanting to keep him before the announcement other than Vettel.
If this is true it would be a bit ironic if Raikkonen goes on to finish ahead of Vettel in the championship this year.


HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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cgt2 said:
HustleRussell said:
Vettel trying to Schumacher.
Exactly what he is doing. Peter Windsor I think it was made the comment over two months ago that if Ferrari ended up renewing Kimi it would be a measure of how much power Vettel holds, and exactly that happened. No one else in the team made a firm statement about wanting to keep him before the announcement other than Vettel.
I don't like it when drivers do this, if you are that good then you shouldn't care who your team mate is; let your superior driving do the talking, Hamilton manages OK.

EnglishTony

2,552 posts

98 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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suffolk009 said:
Sauber have been purchased. So I guess their seats will be going to the highest bidders (3 or 4 of them since Monisha is still running the team). At least for next year.
.
Ericsson is going nowhere. It's his people that have bought the team. Nasr might not even make the next race

cgt2

7,093 posts

187 months

Wednesday 20th July 2016
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HTP99 said:
I don't like it when drivers do this, if you are that good then you shouldn't care who your team mate is; let your superior driving do the talking, Hamilton manages OK.
To be fair, I think it's more to do with their friendship and the harmony within the team (which is not a bad shout with Ferrari's illustrious record of spontaneous combustion when things go wrong and everyone starts pointing the finger at each other).

Kimi used to be an absolute No.1 driver in his McLaren days, he pushed Schumacher in an inferior car, maybe that speed is still in there somewhere. I'd like to see it again. He was doing good things in a Lotus only 3-4 years ago.

suffolk009

Original Poster:

5,344 posts

164 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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Rumours of Button and Stroll at Williams.

Bottas to Renault? Massa to stay at home.

VolvoT5

4,155 posts

173 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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suffolk009 said:
Rumours of Button and Stroll at Williams.

Bottas to Renault? Massa to stay at home.
They should send Bottas home as well, he is massively underwhelming, I don't know what anyone sees in him really.

cgt2

7,093 posts

187 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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VolvoT5 said:
They should send Bottas home as well, he is massively underwhelming, I don't know what anyone sees in him really.
Toto manages him and carries a lot of weight as head of MB Motorsport so people want to be his friend. I agree, Bottas has not really shown much, and often been shown up by Felipe Baby who is well past his prime.

suffolk009

Original Poster:

5,344 posts

164 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Just seen an official Merc vid of Nico and Toto signing the new contract. Don't know for how long.

Vaud

50,289 posts

154 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Nico confirmed for 2 further years (bbc, etc)