Discussion
Is this a man under pressure or is he just getting on with another year as a number two?
And ultimately do we think this is the final season for Webbers F1 career?
He has less than half the points of Vettel, received negative pre-season comments from within the team and Vettel has clearly laid down the pecking order in Malaysia. He continues to have poor race starts (4-5 positions lost on the grid in Spain), we still have Toro Rosso drivers beating down the door to take his seat plus Raikkonens name is also being mentioned and he is out of contract at the end of this season.
We do know he is held in strong regard with Dietrich Mateschitz and he has been happy with taking the one year contracts plus he is solid enough to bring home good points, albeit not regular podium positions.
Either way, it's Monaco next, he shows some true Aussie grit around the streets.
And ultimately do we think this is the final season for Webbers F1 career?
He has less than half the points of Vettel, received negative pre-season comments from within the team and Vettel has clearly laid down the pecking order in Malaysia. He continues to have poor race starts (4-5 positions lost on the grid in Spain), we still have Toro Rosso drivers beating down the door to take his seat plus Raikkonens name is also being mentioned and he is out of contract at the end of this season.
We do know he is held in strong regard with Dietrich Mateschitz and he has been happy with taking the one year contracts plus he is solid enough to bring home good points, albeit not regular podium positions.
Either way, it's Monaco next, he shows some true Aussie grit around the streets.
Personally I can't see Kimi being interested in going to Red Bull as there's no way he'd settle for being number 2 in a team, and Red Bull have never demonstrated the ability to run two drivers as equals. I can't see Vettel being happy about such a move either, as he seems to like having the team built around him with his team mate as an afterthought.
Mark is still a very quick driver, and if he doesn't continue at Red Bull I could see him being snapped up by another team - maybe replacing Grosjean at Lotus or perhaps in a Force India ?
Mark is still a very quick driver, and if he doesn't continue at Red Bull I could see him being snapped up by another team - maybe replacing Grosjean at Lotus or perhaps in a Force India ?
He looks like he is done with F1- and I dont think he enjoys it any more with the tyres etc.
Many people are saying he is signed with Porsche, and I can see that.
Although I can see him heading back to Oz as well.
If he goes, F1 has been good to him & he has been good to F1.
Time for Riccardo to step up OR Kimi to his seat.
Many people are saying he is signed with Porsche, and I can see that.
Although I can see him heading back to Oz as well.
If he goes, F1 has been good to him & he has been good to F1.
Time for Riccardo to step up OR Kimi to his seat.
Grosjean on paper is still a quick driver and the all round potential is still developing. Boullier I expect would keep him as he's invested a lot of time there.
I think Mark has always said, Seb does a better job than most people and this year isn't much different. I can see him leaving at the end of the season personally, politics wears a man down and he's there to race.
I do how F1 would have shaped up if he hadn't crashed in Korea and quite possibly picked up the 2010 WDC. Would Seb still have had his own way for the past few years? He's too clever to be happy with parity in terms of resources and technical help, (look at his idol) and he is the Red Bull prodigal son which he can use, and push his boundaries with the media to get his way in the team, and he's also clever enough to adapt his driving style beautifully to the car / rubber combination, and a bit quicker than most on the grid. Still a nice guy though!
Afet all that, I think Mark will look for a new challenge next year, especially if Seb outscores him again.
I think Mark has always said, Seb does a better job than most people and this year isn't much different. I can see him leaving at the end of the season personally, politics wears a man down and he's there to race.
I do how F1 would have shaped up if he hadn't crashed in Korea and quite possibly picked up the 2010 WDC. Would Seb still have had his own way for the past few years? He's too clever to be happy with parity in terms of resources and technical help, (look at his idol) and he is the Red Bull prodigal son which he can use, and push his boundaries with the media to get his way in the team, and he's also clever enough to adapt his driving style beautifully to the car / rubber combination, and a bit quicker than most on the grid. Still a nice guy though!
Afet all that, I think Mark will look for a new challenge next year, especially if Seb outscores him again.
Also add into the mix that its been some time since a RB academy driver has been promoted to RBR. I honestly think Mark is quick enough to hold on for 1 more season unless Riciardo really dominates Vergne. Webber is a solid performer who has done a lot to aid RBRs constructors titles over the last 3 seasons, and as a man who came into F1 with no chances he has done very well. Another time or place he could be WDC, its just Vettel is that bit more special.
I reckon Mark will see how 2014 goes and then decide, at which point Riciardo will move up from Torro Rosso assuming he beats Vergnes replacement.
Kimi is the curve ball here which could really screw the market after Aliisons move.
I reckon Mark will see how 2014 goes and then decide, at which point Riciardo will move up from Torro Rosso assuming he beats Vergnes replacement.
Kimi is the curve ball here which could really screw the market after Aliisons move.
I reckon alsonso to retire at the end of 2014 (assuming his contract isn't longer) vettel to replace him at Ferrari, hammy to redbull, button to merc, kimi back to mclaren and piquet junior will make a shock return to Renault in the lotus.
Oh and mark will jump out of the car, stick 2 fingers up to them all and retire to the couch, with a can of fosters and a blow up kangaroo
Oh and mark will jump out of the car, stick 2 fingers up to them all and retire to the couch, with a can of fosters and a blow up kangaroo
37chevy said:
I reckon alsonso to retire at the end of 2014 (assuming his contract isn't longer) vettel to replace him at Ferrari, hammy to redbull, button to merc, kimi back to mclaren and piquet junior will make a shock return to Renault in the lotus.
Oh and mark will jump out of the car, stick 2 fingers up to them all and retire to the couch, with a can of fosters and a blow up kangaroo
I thought Alonso was signed till 2016 with Ferrari, may be wrong though. I wouldn't be surprised if Webber took Perez's seat at McLaren. Him and Button seem to get along pretty well too. Don't know how long Perez is signed to them though. Oh and mark will jump out of the car, stick 2 fingers up to them all and retire to the couch, with a can of fosters and a blow up kangaroo
Webber strikes me as being a bright cookie and knows which side his bread is buttered. Very similar to Irvine in this respect. If you're going to be a number 2 driver, be a number 2 driver in the best team on the grid, accept the situation, enjoy the racing and pick up the pay cheque. If a driver can accept this situation, then in many ways, there's no need for a team to ditch them as for them, it's a perfect situation.
I quite liked Irvine but would be the first to admit he's not likely to appear in any list of great drivers but at the time, that's not what Ferrari wanted of him and what they did want of him, he delivered very well.
I had thought last year that Webber would defect to McLaren. He and Button are great mates and McLaren seem to gel better of late with Anglo Saxon drivers rather than a mix. He also has the advantage of several years of 'Newey insight' that would be a premium to any team on the grid.
I quite liked Irvine but would be the first to admit he's not likely to appear in any list of great drivers but at the time, that's not what Ferrari wanted of him and what they did want of him, he delivered very well.
I had thought last year that Webber would defect to McLaren. He and Button are great mates and McLaren seem to gel better of late with Anglo Saxon drivers rather than a mix. He also has the advantage of several years of 'Newey insight' that would be a premium to any team on the grid.
Henry Fiddleton said:
I think Perez is going not leaving the Mac's.
He brings a lot of cash, and I think the team need it.
Yep...though I think his position there is likely to be more determined by his performance, the improvement in which seems to square each race. I suspect that unless they up their game soon, Ferrari may well come knocking sooner than they would like.He brings a lot of cash, and I think the team need it.
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