The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*

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thegreenhell said:

Toto's statement about 2020 makes it sound like he's already signed Ocon to Mercedes.

I agree - otherwise why only sign Bottas year by year.

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Probably some horrific contract penalty as well to terminate his Merc contract, and cheaper to subsidise Ocon at Williams for a year.

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williamp said:

Ive never seen a pack of 555 cigarettes, but I still picture a scottish chap yomping a subaru at 110% effort and that was...20 years ago.?

It is still a big brand, mostly in Asia, especially in the China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

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Clockwork Cupcake said:

It's a pity, as Williams could really have done with a big-money Title Sponsor.

Depends how much they get for the Stroll exit clause and receiving Ocon with Merc funding? ...

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DanielSan said:

Merc won't be funding Ocon's drive, Williams have already said they can only get him in the car if they can find a sponsor to cover the costs.

Discounted engine + some informal advisory?

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thegreenhell said:

Also, Kubica in the frame as simulator driver for Ferrari, to replace both Kvyat and Giovinazzi who are leaving the red team to race for others next year.

Yes but only as simulator driver.

According to motorsport, Giovinazzi would be called up should either Sebastian Vettel or Charles Leclerc be unavailable (even though he is signed to Sauber)

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CedricN said:

The red ones are already dictating the the team, and have already taken over the sauber from longbow finance.

Was it confirmed that Islero Investments = Ferrari, or is it a private investor?

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FourWheelDrift said:

Islero Directors.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi - Lawyer involved with Nicolas Todt managing F1 drivers.
Pascal Picci - Longbow
Finn Rausing - TetraPak
Frederic Vasseur - Sauber
Ernst Joseph Walch - partner in the Liechtenstein law firm Walch & Schurti representing the unknown quantity that we all know anyway.

I often wondered if the stalking horse might not be Ferrari, but Bernie building a position with Ferrari to stir things up for the next negotiations.

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Clockwork Cupcake said:

He's contractually obliged to get in the car and drive it around a bit during FP, quali, and the race.

Contracts only go so far.

You cannot force a driver to get in the cockpit and race.
You can penalise them according to set penalties in the contract.
You can prevent them racing elsewhere.

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LaurasOtherHalf said:

Rob Smedley at Mercedes? Why?

Seems like a great bloke when interviewed but he’s hardly done anything of note has he?

I think he is viewed as a solid, experienced team player who is good at getting the best out of team members and drivers. Solid on detail and a good analytical mind.

OK, he is no Ross Brawn, but you don't want a team full of Ross's.

He is the kind of guy a mid-field team need. Or maybe he will go to Liberty or the FIA. Or do something different like endurance racing.

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DanielSan said:

Switch them round, could he be any worse?

Yes.

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Bullitt Five-Oh said:

Is the brother really that much worse than her? I take we're talking Jonathan here? He used to be responsible for talent management at Williams (e.g. development and subsequent signing up of Montoya).

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/claire-...

Worth a read of the comments.

As Joe Saward said, "Are you aware that he has two sons and has chosen his only daughter? What does that tell you? It is not about nepotism… Put yourself in his position…"

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Gaz. said:

They'd be last last?

Claire seems to be a pretty switched on negotiator at the commercial level (see Toto/Bottas) and is media savvy. They clearly need more technical leadership, but that isn't a TP role.

Small pool of resources in F1 with long lead times on their contracts.

Also I think that the team at the back at any point in the season should be allowed additional CFD compute time to help close the gaps.

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Maybe he just has got tired of the grind and not seeing his wife and family. F1 is a major cause of divorce.

He won’t struggle to get a job...

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Still stroll. They had a long term contract as I understand it, so he will still be paying either a termination payment or paying an annual fee.

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StevieBee said:

Worth remembering that not too long ago, under Claire Williams, the appeared to be in the ascendency. The appointment of Paddy Lowe seemed a smart move to maintain this.

My understanding on the performance of this year's car is rooted in a mis-correlation between CAD/Wind Tunnel/Reality (not uncommon even amongst the leading teams) - a fact spotted way too far into the season to effect any meaningful change.

I heard rumoured that the wider cars and wider tyres had caused unexpected issues in some windtunnels but I don't know how true that is

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rdjohn said:

I don’t believe that Stroll has become so successful in business by acting dumb. I am certain there will be a performance clause in there. And Williams have certainly failed to perform.

It won't be public domain yet but will get reported in some form in Williams accounts next year as it will be a material disclosure for a listed company.

I would lay money on them having to reach a settlement figure. It may not be 3 years of sponsorship, but as Stroll are the exiting party Williams will have a strong case. I doubt there is a performance clause for what was already a 2nd division team. They are reserved for the front few and for leading drivers.

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Tripe Bypass said:

Paddy Lowe's move to Williams was part of the Bottas to Mercedes deal.

That's not what I have heard. As I understand it he felt the top of Mercedes was too crowded and jumped (and was given a share of Williams).

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ralphrj said:

At Williams, SFW and Patrick Head failed to understand that casting Damon Hill aside would annoy Newey enough that he would move on.

I recall that he approached them and asked for equity, believing that he brought as much value to the team as Head. They disagreed, perhaps with a mindset that engineering had more impact than design/aero. Arrogance?

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andburg said:

think you're both agreeing here that the arrogance of Williams and Head caused their downfall not Neweys arrogance

Yes