The Official 2018 F1 Silly Season *Contains Speculation*
Discussion
suffolk009 said:
You're probably right. I'd forgotten this was Ferrari we're talking about.
Upon reflection I can't see Alonso agreeing to have a gearbox seal broken - or heeding the radio message "Sebastian is faster than you".
Only situation I can now see Alonso back at Ferrari is if Vettel leaves. 10% chance?
Vettel being faster in the same car as Alonso would be very unlikely unless they forgot to fit the turbo to Alonso's car. Upon reflection I can't see Alonso agreeing to have a gearbox seal broken - or heeding the radio message "Sebastian is faster than you".
Only situation I can now see Alonso back at Ferrari is if Vettel leaves. 10% chance?
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Vaud said:
True, but I still can't see why they would want him unless Vettel left.
No I have to agree with you.Would love to see it though as having two top drivers in a team is very rare now
Managing high performing, selfish people is extremely hard.
Allyc85 said:
Kvyat to continue at Toro Rosso next year. Christ knows why they are bothering to fill a seat with such an average driver, with so many others on their books!
Surely he is not going to be in F1 next year.Red bull must have had to sign something crazy when he was demoted for Verstappen before he is still in the car.
I'm guessing if Kyvat is staying then its a done deal that Sainz is off somewhere else, as far as I know they only have one young driver competent enough to step into F1 with Gasly.
If they are keeping both for another year and leaving Gasly on the sidelines then that's a bit of a dick move.
If they are keeping both for another year and leaving Gasly on the sidelines then that's a bit of a dick move.
Kubica in for Palmer?
Seems he was right on the pace in his test, loved by the team and it is a huge PR win for them (providing he is indeed quick enough) by having the first 'disabled' driver in Formula One.
It may happen. I'd love it too.
Also Ferrari next year, Seb and A.N.Other. I am sure they wont keep Kimi. I'd like to see Wherlain jump over personally. Quick hungry driver. But Ferrari do have an issue, they want a very quick guy in the second car, but one who rolls over when asked? Tough choice.
Simon
Seems he was right on the pace in his test, loved by the team and it is a huge PR win for them (providing he is indeed quick enough) by having the first 'disabled' driver in Formula One.
It may happen. I'd love it too.
Also Ferrari next year, Seb and A.N.Other. I am sure they wont keep Kimi. I'd like to see Wherlain jump over personally. Quick hungry driver. But Ferrari do have an issue, they want a very quick guy in the second car, but one who rolls over when asked? Tough choice.
Simon
rubystone said:
I think with respect that this just will not happen. Alonso will very likely remain with McLaren when their Mercedes engine deal is announced; probably just after Spa. True, he might sign a 1 year extension leaving him free when (if) Verstappen does move to Ferrari to see what state the market is in then. If Ferrari re-sign Kimi for 2018 then it seems nailed-on that Max has a seat at Ferrari. The question is, who has the other?
There is a story in Italy (where else!) that McLaren have made a request to Ferrari to talk about engine supply...Mercedes have recently made it pretty clear they don't want to by "the other guy" in the McLaren-Honda divorce, they are happy to talk engines but once they have split from Honda.
Meanwhile (weirdly) McLaren have started being a bit more positive about Honda - Alonso was saying postive things last weekend and there was an article on racer.com quoting Boullier as saying they are "on the right path".
I reckon they will have Honda engines next year. Outside chance of a podium this year too I think.
Vettel will sign a multi year contract for Ferrari, he doesn't have any other choice really. At the least, it'll be a 1+1.
The other interesting thing with Ferrari is they have Leclerc, who is quite literally approaching at speed. He's making everyone else look daft in F2.
If he's not in F1 next year, what do they do with him ? it'd be a waste to have him sat around and you can bet others will approach him.
2 options:
Put him in the Haas for an engine deal. Problem is both Haas drivers have a year on their contract and they and the team are quite happy apparently. So Ferrari have to oust one of them for Leclerc.
Put him in the Sauber. No longer running Ferrari engines but they will welcome the money.
They could of course put him in their own car, but they haven't taken a rookie since Gilles Villeneuve.
snowen250 said:
Kubica in for Palmer?
The idea still doesn't sit quite well with me, for practical reasons really. He must do 300km in a recent car (2 years old or less) and then the FIA have to accept the situation (i.e. he doesn't actually qualify for one) and grant him the license. My concern is that he hasn't raced on a circuit since his accident. Driving a car fast is one thing, racing is another. The other thing is Renault want the second car to be scoring decent, consistent points. There isn't really any proof Kubica will be able to do that. If thats the aim they will want someone who can and is currently doing just that ? Comes down to how much of a risk they want to take.
Perez/Sainz could be a good option for them, maybe Grosjean/KMag if pushed out of Haas.
ZX10R NIN said:
I hear that it's looking much more likely that Mclaren will have an Alfa Romeo (Ferrari) engine for 2018 it suits Ferrari as they want all the allies they can get when the renegotiations for the F1 pie start to take place.
Not sure that will help Ferrari anymore, the Max and Bernie show is over, hopefully the days of teams going to the wall while Ferrari put out a dog of a car and still get the lion's share of the money are over.LDN said:
McLaren with a Ferrari engine?
Surely that's verging on blasphemy!
Hence Alfa? Surely that's verging on blasphemy!
If Ferrari control supply of say, 4 teams, it gives them strong bagaining power into 2020, if those teams also then lobby based on what Ferrari want (not a stripped down engine)
Arguably Ferrari have the most to lose in a simplified engine battle?
Vaud said:
LDN said:
McLaren with a Ferrari engine?
Surely that's verging on blasphemy!
Hence Alfa? Surely that's verging on blasphemy!
If Ferrari control supply of say, 4 teams, it gives them strong bagaining power into 2020, if those teams also then lobby based on what Ferrari want (not a stripped down engine)
Arguably Ferrari have the most to lose in a simplified engine battle?
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