Jensons future

[rubystone]

lee_fr200 said:

Jenson will stay at mclaren

Vandoorne to Renault or sauber

That's what will happen (probably Renault)

Why do you think Stoeffel will go to Renault or Sauber? Neither uses Honda power and the former definitely isn't going to! Honda is free next year to supply another team; McLaren's veto only held for the first 2 years, but they'll not want to give the engine to Sauber, unless their new owners will splash the cash?

[rubystone]

lee_fr200 said:

I've heard that but I heard end of 2017

That would square with the contract discussions with Rosberg.

[cgt2]

HTP99 said:

Can't see why they would want both Hamilton and Alonso.

Huge marketing appeal to a younger audience, guaranteed by the two biggest names (apart from Max who they can't have). The only reason any car manufacturer is in F1.

Although not so successful recently, Alonso still has a huge global following and is much more liked than he was in the late noughties.

Rosberg has zero appeal to this audience and I'm sure the MB board has an open chequbook for Nando.

[cgt2]

lee_fr200 said:

BUT in the f1 news this morning nando has said he's fully committed to mclaren for 2017

I think I have heard him say that he is with McLaren for 2017 at least 50 times over the past six months. I don't know how much clearer he can be, we know Sky are tabloid dimwits who don't understand this and like to create untrue headlines but he is not going anywhere for next year.

[Black_S3]

cgt2 said:

HTP99 said:

Can't see why they would want both Hamilton and Alonso.

Huge marketing appeal to a younger audience, guaranteed by the two biggest names (apart from Max who they can't have). The only reason any car manufacturer is in F1.

Although not so successful recently, Alonso still has a huge global following and is much more liked than he was in the late noughties.

Rosberg has zero appeal to this audience and I'm sure the MB board has an open chequbook for Nando.

Lewis and Fernando will never be team mates in F1 again. Besides it was Mclaren Mercedes that had their fingers burnt by the pairing in 2007... Repeating the pairing would be hugely expensive with to much risk of creating chaos.

[cgt2]

Black_S3 said:

Lewis and Fernando will never be team mates in F1 again. Besides it was Mclaren Mercedes that had their fingers burnt by the pairing in 2007... Repeating the pairing would be hugely expensive with to much risk of creating chaos.

I thought so too for a period, but looking how chummy they appear to be these days anything is possible. They basically spent the whole of the Spain Thursday Press conference giggling in the back row like a pair of best friends.

[thegreenhell]

Alonso never had an issue with Hamilton, it was the team management he fell out with. Obviously he didn't like being beaten by a rookie, but it was the way the team dealt with the situation that caused all the friction.

Anyway, even if they're thinking of a deal (Mercedes and Alonso) for 2018, I don't think it makes sense on either side at the moment. Mercedes need to be wary that Alonso will be 37 years old by then, and is already talking about possible retirement after his current McLaren adventure. Alonso meanwhile would be better off seeing how the big 2017 rules change pans out, along with the removal of the engine development restrictions. Mercedes may not be quite the dominant team by 2018. I think everyone will be sitting tight and seeing what 2017 brings before making any big plans for 2018 and beyond.

[lee_fr200]

I hope he stays at mclaren I think it would be sad after helping develop a car then it comes good and they dump him off! He should be given the chance to fight for a wdc after helping this new project for the last 2yrs

If stoffel walks in and the car is now competitive I think that's wrong and not fair

Also Interview on planet f1 with Alonso has stated he's falling out of love with formula 1 if the 2017 regs don't yield anything then he's off to pastures new

Surely mclaren won't be stupid to bin Jenson then possibly lose Alonso after next season having no wdc drivers would surely bring down their sponsorship value

I do reckon Hamilton will eventually drive for mclaren again as he always said its his dream to emulate Senna and drive for mclaren Honda but I don't see that happening yet

Am I the only one that can see this issue if they lose jb and Alonso?
I mean I don't see vettel going mclaren
Who else are wdc drivers depart from Hamilton vettel Alonso and Jenson as I don't see Kimi going back to mclaren either

[The Moose]

lee_fr200 said:

If stoffel walks in and the car is now competitive I think that's wrong and not fair

When was the last time life, let along F1, was fair?!

[lee_fr200]

Well I know that f1 is quite brutal look at how mclaren got rid of k mag I doubt they will get rid of Vandoorne but I'd hope they wouldn't be stupid enough to do it in 2017,

I honestly think he would do well for a year with Renault (his gp2 boss is in charge there apparantly who rates him highly) or with sauber

[Vaud]

Given the engine tokens free up I think 2017+ is far from a simple analysis as to who will dominate or have the best car, though clearly the momentum is with Merc.

[rubystone]

lee_fr200 said:

Well I know that f1 is quite brutal look at how mclaren got rid of k mag I doubt they will get rid of Vandoorne but I'd hope they wouldn't be stupid enough to do it in 2017,

I honestly think he would do well for a year with Renault (his gp2 boss is in charge there apparantly who rates him highly) or with sauber

Firstly, Vandoorne is under RD's wing. Secondly, McLaren paid for his seat at ART, so naturally Fred will say nice things about him. Finally, Renault won't take a Honda contracted driver into their F1 team.

It remains to be seen what Sauber will do. If Ericsson has connections with Sauber's new owners, as it suggested, and if BdB continue to bankroll Nasr (they may be more encouraged to do so if/when Williams replace Massa) then I can see Sauber's line up remaining the same for next year.

[thegreenhell]

rubystone said:

Renault won't take a Honda contracted driver into their F1 team.

Why not? They have a Mercedes driver there now (Ocon).

[rubystone]

thegreenhell said:

Why not? They have a Mercedes driver there now (Ocon).

That deal was signed before Renault bought the team. If you recall, they used Mercedes engines? That'll be about the time they did the deal of the century with Palmer. Both deals had one thing in common.

[Chrisgr31]

thegreenhell said:

Why not? They have a Mercedes driver there now (Ocon).

Don't Mercedes and Renault have some commercial connections? Wasnt this one of the reasons given for Mercedes bit giving Red Bull engines?

[majordad]

Chrisgr31 said:

Don't Mercedes and Renault have some commercial connections? Wasnt this one of the reasons given for Mercedes bit giving Red Bull engines?

Renault have a 3% shareholding in Daimler who are Mercedes parent company.

[carinaman]

Rosberg has renewed his Merc. deal.

[rubystone]

carinaman said:

Rosberg has renewed his Merc. deal.

I'd love to know whether there are any performance conditions on the team's side that would allow them not to honour the second year. I'd imagine that Berger will have ensured that by conceding to the 2 year term, no such exit clauses exist. If so, it would seem that Alonso won't be in a Merc in 2017...

[Muzzer79]

cgt2 said:

HTP99 said:

Can't see why they would want both Hamilton and Alonso.

Huge marketing appeal to a younger audience, guaranteed by the two biggest names (apart from Max who they can't have). The only reason any car manufacturer is in F1.

Although not so successful recently, Alonso still has a huge global following and is much more liked than he was in the late noughties.

Rosberg has zero appeal to this audience and I'm sure the MB board has an open chequbook for Nando.

So, you're saying that Rosberg (aged 31) has zero appeal to a "younger audience" in comparison to Alonso (aged 34)?



Rosberg is still relatively young, has won two-thirds of the number of races Alonso has, is pushing his team-mate (rated as one of, if not the best current drivers) hard for the title and, perhaps most crucially, is German. I don't especially like the guy, but it's hard to build a convincing case against him against Alonso.

The bosses of the German F1 team he drives for will have been very keen to keep him. I suspect the only delay was the length of the deal, money and perhaps clauses in relation to his partnership with Hamilton.

[Crafty_]

Alonso doesn't need to go anywhere, I think the Mclaren could be right there next year, it was in the top three at the last race over a single lap, that suggests it has the raw speed and they need to work on race pace. With a big rule shake up next year there is potential to make big gains against competitors. With Allison allegedly leaving Ferrari and them having issues too its all to play for.

It will be very difficult to ignore the Red Bulls for next year, Newey might be taking a back seat nowadays but you can bet they will turn out a very aero efficient car. I kind of get the feeling the Merc domination may come to an end, but we'll see.

Far as Button goes, Ron has to make a decision between how seriously he takes his junior drivers (Vandoorne in this case) vs potentially being in a situation where an experienced driver might make the difference between a good result and a win or podium. He could put Vandoorne on ice for another year - unliley at this late stage he'd get a drive elsewhere that would be worthwhile - e.g. he might get a Manor / Renault drive but would you leave Mclaren for that ? don't think I would.

Potentially they could put him in the Manor etc next year, keep Button and then see what they want to do for 2017.