The Official 2018 F1 Silly Season *Contains Speculation*
Discussion
If I were Valterri Bottas I'd be looking over my shoulder right now.
Mercedes had a long history with Rosberg. He was a very quick driver who could, on his day, push Hamilton- and Mercedes' performance advantage in 2014-16 was such that Rosberg could generally count on 2nd place if not the win.
In the end, several seasons after they were first paired, Rosberg was able to redouble his efforts, work his arse off and (with the help of good luck and gamesmanship in equal measure) beat Hamilton to the 2016 title.
I can't see Mercedes giving Bottas that long now that Ferrari and Red Bull are breathing down their necks.
Bottas is signed for 2018 but it's hard not to see Daniel Ricciardo in that seat in 2019.
Mercedes had a long history with Rosberg. He was a very quick driver who could, on his day, push Hamilton- and Mercedes' performance advantage in 2014-16 was such that Rosberg could generally count on 2nd place if not the win.
In the end, several seasons after they were first paired, Rosberg was able to redouble his efforts, work his arse off and (with the help of good luck and gamesmanship in equal measure) beat Hamilton to the 2016 title.
I can't see Mercedes giving Bottas that long now that Ferrari and Red Bull are breathing down their necks.
Bottas is signed for 2018 but it's hard not to see Daniel Ricciardo in that seat in 2019.
rdjohn said:
would make it look like F1 is too easy if you can effectively drive 1-handed.
I think that is a little unfair. The physicality of F1 is much more than that and they have had power steering for years... I'd far rather see it as a positive - like Zanardi - and F1 making adaptions to champion diversity.Topical as it is widely believed in the paddock that Kubica is hot favourite for the vacant Williams seat and apparently soon be confirmed for the end of season Abu Dhabi test.
I don't think anybody believes that the difficulty of F1 is man-handling the steering. Just look at Lance Stroll's onboard, it looks like he's sat behind the wheel of one of these
(A game which, by the way, was born in the same year as Lance!)
Kimi Raikkonen also favours very light steering which apparently, like the Sega game, can be flicked from lock-to-lock with a single finger.
There is a physicality in supporting your own weight in such a way that it doesn't compromise your use of the controls, and there is obviously an endurance aspect, but F1 is largely a brain sport and this is an area where Kubica apparently excels.
Vaud said:
rdjohn said:
would make it look like F1 is too easy if you can effectively drive 1-handed.
I think that is a little unfair. The physicality of F1 is much more than that and they have had power steering for years... I'd far rather see it as a positive - like Zanardi - and F1 making adaptions to champion diversity.(A game which, by the way, was born in the same year as Lance!)
Kimi Raikkonen also favours very light steering which apparently, like the Sega game, can be flicked from lock-to-lock with a single finger.
There is a physicality in supporting your own weight in such a way that it doesn't compromise your use of the controls, and there is obviously an endurance aspect, but F1 is largely a brain sport and this is an area where Kubica apparently excels.
REALIST123 said:
Though you should be right, in that a supposed up and comer, in his second season, should beat a journeyman who had his chance some years ago but I wouldn't be too sure.
Very disappointed by Williams' apparent lack of ambition all round, to be honest. They've been very mediocre with their car design and development in recent years, unadventurous with their drivers and have been punished for it.
Hopefully, Lowe might bring some change to the former but if they remain cash strapped then it'll be more of the same I guess.
hairyben said:
REALIST123 said:
Though you should be right, in that a supposed up and comer, in his second season, should beat a journeyman who had his chance some years ago but I wouldn't be too sure.
Very disappointed by Williams' apparent lack of ambition all round, to be honest. They've been very mediocre with their car design and development in recent years, unadventurous with their drivers and have been punished for it.
Hopefully, Lowe might bring some change to the former but if they remain cash strapped then it'll be more of the same I guess.
They need someone who has everything to lose and is willing to take some major risks. I don't think the drivers are the problem. Just look at what Ross Brawn did with Honda...
red_slr said:
I think the health of SFW is not helping matters. CW is obviously F1 through and through but she has had a baby and things are probably slipping. SFW was known for being pretty brutal which helped with the development and risk taking.
They need someone who has everything to lose and is willing to take some major risks. I don't think the drivers are the problem. Just look at what Ross Brawn did with Honda...
But... Ross had nothing to lose. And no money. And exploited a loophole. The others caught up.They need someone who has everything to lose and is willing to take some major risks. I don't think the drivers are the problem. Just look at what Ross Brawn did with Honda...
He did well, but it was circumstance and a loophole, not a brilliant development cycle.
I watched the Williams documentary last night. Whilst Frank is indeed ruthless and driven he is also a very closed book so hard to gauge what he might actually do here if the decision is indeed his to make. I would like to think that given his own brush with fate and attitude that ‘Racing is everything’ he might well look favourably upon Kubica.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Gary29 said:
I can't see Kubica getting a race seat for 2018.
Is he not getting a third test with Williams?That must mean something.
red_slr said:
I think the health of SFW is not helping matters. CW is obviously F1 through and through but she has had a baby and things are probably slipping. SFW was known for being pretty brutal which helped with the development and risk taking.
They need someone who has everything to lose and is willing to take some major risks. I don't think the drivers are the problem. Just look at what Ross Brawn did with Honda...
The biggest issue is the differences of opinion between the 3 siblings. Which is why the best thing that could happen is if Porsche pushed through the acquisition sooner rather than later.They need someone who has everything to lose and is willing to take some major risks. I don't think the drivers are the problem. Just look at what Ross Brawn did with Honda...
rubystone said:
The biggest issue is the differences of opinion between the 3 siblings. Which is why the best thing that could happen is if Porsche pushed through the acquisition sooner rather than later.
Is that an issue?It’s a publically listed company, the executive team and board of directors act towards the shareholders? Are the other siblings involved in Williams or are they just set to inherit?
Vaud said:
Is that an issue?
It’s a publically listed company, the executive team and board of directors act towards the shareholders? Are the other siblings involved in Williams or are they just set to inherit?
You should watch the Williams film. Claire and her older brother no longer talk. He seems very bitter that Claire was asked to take over the business when in his eyes it should have went to the oldest child. He has been given what seems like a really boring job in the heritage department. Its all quite sad really.It’s a publically listed company, the executive team and board of directors act towards the shareholders? Are the other siblings involved in Williams or are they just set to inherit?
red_slr said:
hairyben said:
REALIST123 said:
Though you should be right, in that a supposed up and comer, in his second season, should beat a journeyman who had his chance some years ago but I wouldn't be too sure.
Very disappointed by Williams' apparent lack of ambition all round, to be honest. They've been very mediocre with their car design and development in recent years, unadventurous with their drivers and have been punished for it.
Hopefully, Lowe might bring some change to the former but if they remain cash strapped then it'll be more of the same I guess.
They need someone who has everything to lose and is willing to take some major risks. I don't think the drivers are the problem. Just look at what Ross Brawn did with Honda...
Williams have been off the pace for a long time... Paddy is way ahead of where Williams are but knows what is needed to get them where the latest thinking is. Their biggest problem is budget, or lack of.
http://www.planetf1.com/news/lowe-williams-changin...
sandman77 said:
You should watch the Williams film. Claire and her older brother no longer talk. He seems very bitter that Claire was asked to take over the business when in his eyes it should have went to the oldest child. He has been given what seems like a really boring job in the heritage department. Its all quite sad really.
I should watch it, you are right.So he is an employee and may inherit depending on the will, etc.
rubystone said:
The biggest issue is the differences of opinion between the 3 siblings. Which is why the best thing that could happen is if Porsche pushed through the acquisition sooner rather than later.
Porsche are going to buy Williams? I thought all the rumours during silly season were that Red Bull were talking to Porsche. I don't remember a single story about Williams and Porsche.MissChief said:
Either they're sure. Or they're really not sure! Aren't the end of season tests exclusively for drivers who haven't driven this season? Does that count out Di Resta?
You would have to presume there are not sure or Kubica is not 100% confident on doing a whole season.Hence why he is getting a number of test days.
To be fair to Williams Kubica before his accident was a World Champion in the future "well in my head" so he would be 1st pick if I was wanting someone for 2018.
It is just his time away and his injury which casts the huge doubt.
I really hope he gets the nod. He was able to compete in the WRC which takes a lot of skill but obviously the loads are totally different.
thegreenhell said:
Porsche are going to buy Williams? I thought all the rumours during silly season were that Red Bull were talking to Porsche. I don't remember a single story about Williams and Porsche.
I had it on good authority for RB/Porsche as well. I suspect no-one will make a move until the regs are certain. Apparently they were sure Porsche were serious because several teams had key staff approached with generous offers.
Hence some paddock staff had contracts reviewed over the summer with much extended non-compete clauses (apparently).
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff