The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*

[Dermot O'Logical]

Daniel Ricciardo has other matters to concern himself with at the moment:

https://www.pitpass.com/65677/Court-documents-shed...

[CoolHands]

Can’t believe he wangled $55million + all that other stuff.

Also seems ridiculous that part of the contract is for Renault to provide a street car etc value up to $30,000! What’s the point when you’ve got millions coming in!

[Deesee]

Dermot O'Logical said:

Daniel Ricciardo has other matters to concern himself with at the moment:

https://www.pitpass.com/65677/Court-documents-shed...

Hmmm, you would think two UK residents, would not want that to end in the high court.. (nb, DR would be treated as an international sports person by the relevant tax authority/ies for sporting earnings).

& fancy having your super licence owned by a 3rd party (unless DR has a stake in the off shore company, which he has 100%)..

[TheDeuce]

Teddy Lop said:

TheDeuce said:

It's two fold. Firstly, you have to live sleep and breathe Ferrari culture - which would be tough on DR as he's so genuine and not naturally given to being 'the brand'. Secondly, I am an engineer (fluid dynamics) and I have worked with Italian crews, and you can't tell them they're wrong until it's been demonstrated and they proudly announce they have discovered they're wrong! So for any driver, I imagine feedback takes a long time to be accepted, which would be frustrating to say the least. Let's just say, you can't rock up day one and tell them the cars a bit of a turd. You would need to show how it wasn't working first, even if you knew why day one, and it took a few races for proof.

I don't know any of the above as fact in relation to Ferrari specifically. But that is my feeling based upon working with Italian teams on Italian lead projects. It's also broadly inline with what Ferrari drivers have elluded to over the years.

Im a nutshell, the Ferrari team is the outright boss of the driver, until such time the driver does enough for the team to accept they depend on the driver and must listen. One of Schumacher's greatest victories might have been getting Ferrari to change and do his bidding.

Rossi is supposed to have experienced similar with ducati, they got him in because he's the be-all end-all then when he wanted changes made it was all "we make da bike, you ride da bike, we don't tell you how to ride da bike..."

I expect the engineer v. driver rivalry/ego assertion is a problem of the ages but you do tend to hear more anecdotes featuring the Italians

My experience with Italians, that I referred to in the first place (and subsequently irked another member..) are of course only my experiences, as I made clear.

But it is definitely true that the stereotypes applied to various nations, including our own, are often founded in reality and it doesn't take very much exploration to find examples of those traits - not least if you're working with the people as opposed to being there on holiday.

They certainly take great pride and ownership of their creations, so I can well imagine it is tricky to tell the chaps responsible for 'perfecting' part of a car that it needs improvement, or worse that it's been developed in the wrong direction altogether. The biggest problem is that if said chaps were to agree, then they naturally worry they're admitting they got it wrong - quite a lot for anyone to take. Some teams have recognised this perfectly natural human response as problem that needs to be solved by removing the pressure associated with making a mistake or admitting something quite simply needs an expensive and inconvenient re-design. Basically, remove the temptations for anyone to cover up or pass the buck - in short, celebrate honesty when a mistake is made and accepted to the same degree they would celebrate someone who made no mistake in the first place. And beyond F1, it's an increasingly common way to get the most from your team in business in general.

From my experience in Italy, I struggle to imagine such radical new ways of dealing with failure/disappointment are very common. For all I know Ferrari could be an exception of course. But as you say, the stories (and sackings) don't help the case.

Could all be rubbish though, perhaps Ferrari are the nicest and easiest team to work for and get the absolute best from each individual as an indivual and as part of the team. If I had to bet I wouldn't go with that, but in the end we just don't know the reality..

[Europa1]

Re Daniel Riccardio's court case, I'm interested in "(iv) payment of the cost of a physiotherapist and medical expenses for DR up to an amount of £100,000 for the 2019 Formula One Championship season;" from the article.

I've meant to post before about Angela Cullen and how she fits into the Mercedes team: is she engaged by them (she wears team "apparel" as it it is called), or is she engaged by Lewis Hamilton (directly or via a corporate structure), and her cost is covered by Mercedes (either in what hey pay Hamilton gross or under expenses)?

[TheDeuce]

Europa1 said:

Re Daniel Riccardio's court case, I'm interested in "(iv) payment of the cost of a physiotherapist and medical expenses for DR up to an amount of £100,000 for the 2019 Formula One Championship season;" from the article.

I've meant to post before about Angela Cullen and how she fits into the Mercedes team: is she engaged by them (she wears team "apparel" as it it is called), or is she engaged by Lewis Hamilton (directly or via a corporate structure), and her cost is covered by Mercedes (either in what hey pay Hamilton gross or under expenses)?

I always assumed as an personal assistant/trainer/PR manager, whatever... the top drivers would employ their services directly. Not least because of the cross-overs between strictly work activity and managing their lives and well being around work. Also issues of trust and loyalty. If I was earning what Hamilton and DR do (for the sake of paying someone at most 1% of that pay), I think I'd want those closest to me to be only influenced by my requirements rather than a potential extension of team control in my life. That would become all the more important when moving teams..

It's a good question though. I'm sure someone will have some examples of known arrangements.

[RigbyE61]

So Grosjean stays for next year, Hulk out then it seems!

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/haas-f1-team-confi...

[rdjohn]

RigbyE61 said:

So Grosjean stays for next year, Hulk out then it seems!

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/haas-f1-team-confi...

Oh no!

[LaurasOtherHalf]

rdjohn said:

RigbyE61 said:

So Grosjean stays for next year, Hulk out then it seems!

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/haas-f1-team-confi...

Oh no!

Entertainment ensues I guess.

[vaud]

TheDeuce said:

It's a good question though. I'm sure someone will have some examples of known arrangements.

I think Fabrizio Borra, Alonso's long term physio and trainer was directly "controlled", if not paid by Alonso. He certainly wasn't controlled by the team (see Ron Dennis' reaction in that infamous Hungarian race)

[Steamer]

rdjohn said:

RigbyE61 said:

So Grosjean stays for next year, Hulk out then it seems!

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/haas-f1-team-confi...

Oh no!

As much as I like the line up I can only think Grosjean has the best manager in the world.... or some serious dirt on Steiner!

[RigbyE61]

Steamer said:

rdjohn said:

RigbyE61 said:

So Grosjean stays for next year, Hulk out then it seems!

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/haas-f1-team-confi...

Oh no!

As much as I like the line up I can only think Grosjean has the best manager in the world.... or some serious dirt on Steiner!

I'm more gutted about next seasons Netflix series, this would of made for amazing content.

[Leithen]

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Hulkenberg to Ferrari.

[HTP99]

Leithen said:

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Hulkenberg to Ferrari.

In 2020?

[Leithen]

HTP99 said:

Leithen said:

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Hulkenberg to Ferrari.

In 2020?

That's up to Vettel. If he doesn't have confidence with internal progress with next years car, why continue? If he does and regains some of his mojo in the rest of the season, then he might not hang up his boots.

If he does though, Hulkenberg is the obvious answer. Experienced, reliable, as quick as Bottas. Ferrari want constructor points and he'd deliver them.

[Petrus1983]

Leithen said:

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Hulkenberg to Ferrari.

Genuinely think Haas have made a terrible decision so I hope you're right.

[shirt]

Exige77 said:

The probably have the best canteen though.

I’m told the canteen at Maranello is indeed fantastic

[bobbo89]

Leithen said:

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Hulkenberg to Ferrari.

Think that's his only option now and I've got a feeling it could just happen. People were making a big deal about Vettel being 'broken' whereas I see it more as him knowing this is his final year and he's given in the fight. LeClerc is the teams new focus, Red Bull are closing the gap to them and I don't see him hanging on for the new regs so why stick about for another year essentially being a no. 2 driver...?

[shirt]

Leithen said:

I've said it here before, and I'll say it again. Hulkenberg to Ferrari.

I’m willing to bet that won’t happen. He’s a journeyman, always has been and always will
be

[LaurasOtherHalf]

shirt said:

I’m willing to bet that won’t happen. He’s a journeyman, always has been and always will
be

Like a lot, a great early career but that’s about it. GRO at least has some podiums to his name (as well as the penalty points and horrendous errors!).