Silly Season 2009
Author
Discussion

stifler

Original Poster:

37,069 posts

217 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
quotequote all
Ok, it seems to be bloody early this year but silly season is definitly here.

Driver changes seem to focus around Alonso being the king-pin in the driver market. So there is the possibility of two seats going at Renault (if the team enters next season).

Ferrari, if rumours are to be believed, will sign Alonso. This will oust at least one of the two current drivers, both would be a good catch for a smaller team.

Toyota look set to continue with Glock, so will Trulli be ousted or will they try and keep the team stable.

McLaren have had a torrid time recently, Kovaleinen woke up in China after being asleep for the first two races, will he keep performing at this level to keep his seat or will he fade into the background much like 2008? Hamilton has given signs that the McLaren love-in is over. Could he break the multi-year contract and move to a different team. How much will Max and Bernie help him get into a red car? So the possibility of two seats at McLaren going. Promotion for Di Resta?

Red Bull will be trying their hardest to keep Vettel on board. With Webber they have an experienced hand for testing duties, but if he doesn't win in 2009 could he make way for Buemi?

2009 seems to be a make or break year for Rosberg. After much hype when he entered F1 he has outperformed the car but the big results have not come. Lots of rumours about McLaren keep coming around. Nakajimas F1 career seems to be dependent on a Toyota powerplant in the back of the Williams. Williams have a very highly rated test driver in Nico Hulkenberg, who would fit right into the role of race driver if needed.

BMW have a proven race winner in Kubica and they have the ultra-consistant Heidfeld who has a wealth of experience under his belt. Heidfeld is getting on a bit now though, if he out-performs Kubica he will have a very strong case for BMW to keep him on.

Fisichella is sitting out his F1 career at Force India, it would be quite surprising not to see an Indian driver in the "indian" team at some point in the near future.
They have a very raw talent in Sutil. Could he be sought after by a German team to replace a German driver? He seems to put in giant killing performances but suffers from the same amount of bad luck as Mark Webber.
How long will STR keep Bourdais on the payroll for with no results. He has a very impressive CV but he has been outperformed by a rookie 3-0 so far this season. Buemi will be a sought after talent for 2010. Red Bull will have to up the wage packet if they are to keep him.

Brawn GP seems very happy with Button and Barrichello. But Barrichello is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career, rumours abound of Bruno Senna taking over his seat before the end of this season. You would get pretty short odds for him being in the team for 2010.

So, there are your runners and riders.

Make your predictions. It should be a laugh to look back at the start of next season and see how wrong (or right) we all were.

My predictions are:

Brawn GP/Virgin F1 wink

Button
Senna

BMW

Kubica
Sutil

McLaren

Hamilton (just)
Rosberg

Toyota

Glock
Heidfeld

Red Bull

Vettel
Buemi

Williams

Hulkenberg
Nakajima

Ferrari

Alonso
Raikkonen

Renault

Massa
Kovalainen

Torro Rosso

Loeb roflwink (pokes wasps nest)
A.N Other

Force India

Karthikeyan
Di Resta


Feel free to take the piss out of me for these choices. smile

AlpineWhite

2,164 posts

224 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
quotequote all
Wow, that is early.


Can see Piquet being replaced by Roman Grosjean for the start of next season, if not before.

If Alonso hasn't already signed for Ferrari, he may be rethinking those plans and commit to Renault for a while longer.

I wouldn't be surprised if Barrichello and Fisichella hang up their helmets this season. Rubens will likely be replaced by Senna, if he doesn't replace Kovy at McLaren. Equally, di Resta may be a shoe-in for that drive if it becomes available, or possibly at Force India now that they have the McLaren Mercedes partnership.

Will Bourdais be able to keep his seat? He'll certainly need to improve on the first three performances.

EDLT

15,421 posts

235 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
quotequote all
Brawn wouldn't replace Barrichello before the end of the season, if he keeps scoring a few points every race while button gets podiums then they will win the constructor's championship. Senna might not be that good, there are plenty of GP2 drivers who haven't worked out in F1; Piquet for example.

tmk2

708 posts

237 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
quotequote all
Red Bull will keep Vettel they have/and will throw lots of money until they win WDC and constructors

stifler

Original Poster:

37,069 posts

217 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
I have just had another thought that could add something into the mix for next year. Mark Webber is managed by Flavio. Would Flav try and get him in a Renault?

Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Cant see Hamilton going anywhere, has finished 4th,7th and 6th in a poor car. Give him the speed and he will do it again. Why anyone in there right mind would want to go to Ferrari at the moment is beyond me.

I cant see any changes apart from Piquet being shipped out. Spain is when we will know what the season has ahead of us, Ferrari have a new floor and a double diffuser due and Mclaren are already showing some speed.

More importantly - Brawn are "Not" getting faster.

As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10

jbudgie

10,035 posts

241 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Would like to see Loeb get a go in an F1--has he ever had a trial?

skinny

5,269 posts

264 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
can't see sutil ever going to BMW, i don't rate him at all.

i would be surprised if vettel doesn't go back, i can't imagine that dr t let him go that easily...

E30M3SE

8,493 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing
Care to point out the 'Hamilton bashing'....... or are you reading a different thread?

Wanta996Gotta said:
BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10
I'm here, haven't jumped on anyone's bandwagon.

Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing
Care to point out the 'Hamilton bashing'....... or are you reading a different thread?

Wanta996Gotta said:
BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10
I'm here, haven't jumped on anyone's bandwagon.
I meant Hamilton bashing in General - The liar gate scandal and the Ron leaves Mclaren post has allot of dubious info written in it. What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.

As for Ferrari fans? My point was that i have not heard anything from them? No info,no excuses,no praising of the "great" Ice Cream man....sorry Iceman Kimi smile

Lewis & Mclaren seem to be having alot of negative forum time when its Ferrari that are in complete dissaray - The team and its average drivers.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 11:55

Northern Munkee

5,354 posts

229 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Can I just who/what has prompted the talk of the silly season Stifler?

Or are you hoping to start it? This way too early were not even back from the fly away races, this string should locked until at least Monaco!

I think you are misintrepreting the start of the silly season, with volatility in the driver stock market, caused by the F1 team stocks, in much the same was the price of crude oil has affected stocks and shares recently, it could described as the Diffuser Crunch, in the same way scandals are always suffixed with "gate".

In that respect I will throw my two penneth into the battonage about driver stocks. And mid to long term investment.

If Alonso goes to Ferrari (not guaranteed, unless Ferrari sort out its disarray as team and show confidence that they can provide him with a winning car) then yes Alonso will go, because Ferrari will pay him a stload of wonga and its Ferrari, you don't turn the chance to drive for Ferrari. I think Ferrari have found out what McLaren found out, Kimi is not interested in anything other driving a race car (and a competitive one, and he doesn't seem that interested or willing or capable maybe of developing one) I think Kimi will retire rather than go anywhere else, unless someone throws money at him, say Red Bull or a desperate BMW. Massa why would he leave ferari, why would they want shot of him, he's probably on a fraction of Kimi and seems like a company man and a competent pedler.

Vettel will stay at red bull he's happy, he seems normal, he's been supported by red bull for sometime (incl contractually) through lower formula, quid pro quo, and they now appear to be able design a good car.

Webber well in these faster food times, he's in danger of being seen as yesterday's man and missed his window...He ought to be looking over his shoulder.

Renault I'm not sure if they might not pull out of F1, and/or just remain an engine supplier. economics...

Hamilton's going nowhere next season. Brawn outside bet at best, but Brawn needs to find a sponsor with big bucks, but its possible, that the box office drawer that is Hamilton might do that. I don't believe he wants to necessarily end his career with McLaren, he wants to win, so if Ferrari could give him best chance winning, he'd go there at some point in the future, its Ferrari! Kovaleinan better up his game, or he'll be jogged on. Can't see Di Resta or Paffet geting the gig, not necessarily on any lack of talent, but because they are british, sponsors dear boy!

BMW nothing wrong with Kubica, fickle lot you are, the cars a turkey. Heidfeld he's german, he only has to worry if a better german comes along, and BMW want to pay to get him.

Toyota who knows? Trulli's getting long in the tooth, Glock's stock's up, plenty of cash ay Toyota, car improving. Trulli needs to be looking over his shoulder.

Williams still little money. Toyota engines require a jap driver. Rosberg is a good public face for sponsors and competent peddler. Does Rosberg want out? Is the question. I wouldn't stop, who'd come have to be a works engine team.

Flavour of the month Brawn, well an Indian Summer for Rubens, this is his last season, Jensen this is it, no more talk of potential, he has to deliver, win the championship, not that he'll be out of job at the end of the season if he doesn't but it will effect who Brawn, and his status, in the team, bring in to replace rubens, either above, equal or under Jensen in the pecking order. As to who that will be, that is dependent on Brawn being able to sustain their advantage, to be able show and attract both driver, sponsors to fund it all.

All in my humblest opinion.


Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Northern Munkee said:
Can I just who/what has prompted the talk of the silly season Stifler?

Or are you hoping to start it? This way too early were not even back from the fly away races, this string should locked until at least Monaco!

I think you are misintrepreting the start of the silly season, with volatility in the driver stock market, caused by the F1 team stocks, in much the same was the price of crude oil has affected stocks and shares recently, it could described as the Diffuser Crunch, in the same way scandals are always suffixed with "gate".

In that respect I will throw my two penneth into the battonage about driver stocks. And mid to long term investment.

If Alonso goes to Ferrari (not guaranteed, unless Ferrari sort out its disarray as team and show confidence that they can provide him with a winning car) then yes Alonso will go, because Ferrari will pay him a stload of wonga and its Ferrari, you don't turn the chance to drive for Ferrari. I think Ferrari have found out what McLaren found out, Kimi is not interested in anything other driving a race car (and a competitive one, and he doesn't seem that interested or willing or capable maybe of developing one) I think Kimi will retire rather than go anywhere else, unless someone throws money at him, say Red Bull or a desperate BMW. Massa why would he leave ferari, why would they want shot of him, he's probably on a fraction of Kimi and seems like a company man and a competent pedler.

Vettel will stay at red bull he's happy, he seems normal, he's been supported by red bull for sometime (incl contractually) through lower formula, quid pro quo, and they now appear to be able design a good car.

Webber well in these faster food times, he's in danger of being seen as yesterday's man and missed his window...He ought to be looking over his shoulder.

Renault I'm not sure if they might not pull out of F1, and/or just remain an engine supplier. economics...

Hamilton's going nowhere next season. Brawn outside bet at best, but Brawn needs to find a sponsor with big bucks, but its possible, that the box office drawer that is Hamilton might do that. I don't believe he wants to necessarily end his career with McLaren, he wants to win, so if Ferrari could give him best chance winning, he'd go there at some point in the future, its Ferrari! Kovaleinan better up his game, or he'll be jogged on. Can't see Di Resta or Paffet geting the gig, not necessarily on any lack of talent, but because they are british, sponsors dear boy!

BMW nothing wrong with Kubica, fickle lot you are, the cars a turkey. Heidfeld he's german, he only has to worry if a better german comes along, and BMW want to pay to get him.

Toyota who knows? Trulli's getting long in the tooth, Glock's stock's up, plenty of cash ay Toyota, car improving. Trulli needs to be looking over his shoulder.

Williams still little money. Toyota engines require a jap driver. Rosberg is a good public face for sponsors and competent peddler. Does Rosberg want out? Is the question. I wouldn't stop, who'd come have to be a works engine team.

Flavour of the month Brawn, well an Indian Summer for Rubens, this is his last season, Jensen this is it, no more talk of potential, he has to deliver, win the championship, not that he'll be out of job at the end of the season if he doesn't but it will effect who Brawn, and his status, in the team, bring in to replace rubens, either above, equal or under Jensen in the pecking order. As to who that will be, that is dependent on Brawn being able to sustain their advantage, to be able show and attract both driver, sponsors to fund it all.

All in my humblest opinion.

Great sensible post. I can only honestly see Piquet getting booted out this season.

E30M3SE

8,493 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Wanta996Gotta said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing
Care to point out the 'Hamilton bashing'....... or are you reading a different thread?

Wanta996Gotta said:
BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10
I'm here, haven't jumped on anyone's bandwagon.
I meant Hamilton bashing in General - The liar gate scandal and the Ron leaves Mclaren post has allot of dubious info written in it.
Discuss that in those threads, why bring it to this one?


Wanta996Gotta said:
What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.
Finish behind his, lesser regarded by many, team mate who was using a McMerc fitted with the 'lesser' diffuser, after two spins and two off road excurions only one spin/excursion behind Massa's Silverstone display last year. scratchchin


Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Ferrari fans? My point was that i have not heard anything from them? No info,no excuses,no praising of the "great" Ice Cream man....sorry Iceman Kimi smile
It's early day's lets see what happens.

ETA; If you want to discuss where are all the Ferrari Fans start another thread, why hijack this one?

Edited by E30M3SE on Wednesday 22 April 12:12

Muzzer

3,814 posts

250 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
skinny said:
i would be surprised if vettel doesn't go back to BMW, i can't imagine that dr t let him go that easily...
He didn't. Vettel was already contracted to Red Bull when he drove for BMW. He was on loan to BMW and 'lucked' into the 1 drive he got in the U.S after Kubica got injured.

Dr T didn't have any choice but to let him go.

As for the rest. Far too early to say.

What I will say is that anyone taking on a rookie driver at the moment is either very brave or the driver has proved exceptional. There's simply not enough testing to let a driver get up to speed enough for a season.

A shame really - who's going to risk an unproven driver who has 5-odd days of F1 experience?

Bruno Senna has a little experience of F1 driving and he may be given a race or two depending on how the championship works out. If Brawn are still up there towards the end of the season he's got 2 hopes. And Bob's dead.

The Alonso/Ferrari debacle continues but I think this is very up in the air. Ferrari are in a worse position than Renault at the moment but undoubtedly have the finance to get out of it. They are also not going anywhere anytime soon - the same could not be guaranteed for Renault.

magic torch

5,781 posts

251 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
jbudgie said:
Would like to see Loeb get a go in an F1--has he ever had a trial?
Yes, Renault and Red Bull iirc.

Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing
Care to point out the 'Hamilton bashing'....... or are you reading a different thread?

Wanta996Gotta said:
BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10
I'm here, haven't jumped on anyone's bandwagon.
I meant Hamilton bashing in General - The liar gate scandal and the Ron leaves Mclaren post has allot of dubious info written in it.
Discuss that in those threads, why bring it to this one?


Wanta996Gotta said:
What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.
Finish behind his, lesser regarded by many, team mate who was using a McMerc fitted with the 'lesser' diffuser, after two spins and two off road excurions only one spin/excursion behind Massa's Silverstone display last year. scratchchin


Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Ferrari fans? My point was that i have not heard anything from them? No info,no excuses,no praising of the "great" Ice Cream man....sorry Iceman Kimi smile
It's early day's lets see what happens.

ETA; If you want to discuss where are all the Ferrari Fans start another thread, why hijack this one?

Edited by E30M3SE on Wednesday 22 April 12:12
Read the initial post! The poster comments on all teams and most of the drivers, this is not a Hijack. As for the spins? Yes, he spun and finished 6th? Kimi then being overtaken twice in 6laps? by Lewis after he spun is surely embarrassment enough for Ferrari so lets not go there.

And where did Massa finish in Silverstone after his spins? scratchchin

P.S. Comparing him to Heiki just sums up your mindset. Lewis is on a differnt planet to Heiki and remember they were both in the same Mclaren last year.





Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 12:38

FourWheelDrift

92,269 posts

313 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.
Finish behind his, lesser regarded by many, team mate who was using a McMerc fitted with the 'lesser' diffuser, after two spins and two off road excurions only one spin/excursion behind Massa's Silverstone display last year. scratchchin
Lets just look at some evidence, Hamilton's car was very stiffly sprung for qualifying, the inside front was at some points off the ground. Add this stiff setup to a wet race and you have a poor handling car. The reason for his spins. To finish in the points was a job well done, same as everyone else who did. The same can be said for Massa last year, have a stiffly sprung car and you can spin easily. Any help the diffuser would have given would be greatly reduced by the conditions too.

Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
FourWheelDrift said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.
Finish behind his, lesser regarded by many, team mate who was using a McMerc fitted with the 'lesser' diffuser, after two spins and two off road excurions only one spin/excursion behind Massa's Silverstone display last year. scratchchin
Lets just look at some evidence, Hamilton's car was very stiffly sprung for qualifying, the inside front was at some points off the ground. Add this stiff setup to a wet race and you have a poor handling car. The reason for his spins. To finish in the points was a job well done, same as everyone else who did. The same can be said for Massa last year, have a stiffly sprung car and you can spin easily. Any help the diffuser would have given would be greatly reduced by the conditions too.
Massa finishing 13th that day shows that the same cant be said for Massa.

E30M3SE

8,493 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
Wanta996Gotta said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing
Care to point out the 'Hamilton bashing'....... or are you reading a different thread?

Wanta996Gotta said:
BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10
I'm here, haven't jumped on anyone's bandwagon.
I meant Hamilton bashing in General - The liar gate scandal and the Ron leaves Mclaren post has allot of dubious info written in it.
Discuss that in those threads, why bring it to this one?


Wanta996Gotta said:
What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.
Finish behind his, lesser regarded by many, team mate who was using a McMerc fitted with the 'lesser' diffuser, after two spins and two off road excurions only one spin/excursion behind Massa's Silverstone display last year. scratchchin


Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Ferrari fans? My point was that i have not heard anything from them? No info,no excuses,no praising of the "great" Ice Cream man....sorry Iceman Kimi smile
It's early day's lets see what happens.

ETA; If you want to discuss where are all the Ferrari Fans start another thread, why hijack this one?

Edited by E30M3SE on Wednesday 22 April 12:12
Read the initial post! The poster comments on all teams and most of the drivers, this is not a Hijack.
Correct! With his predictions about who will be where and with who, NOT what they're doing this year.........


Wanta996Gotta said:
As for the spins? Yes, he spun and finished 6th? Kimi being overtaken twice in 6laps? after he spun is surely embarrassment enough for Ferrari so lets not go there. And where did Massa finish in Silverstaone after his spins? scratchchin
Yes, lets not go there hey. I would want to be accused of Hammy bashing......

Wanta996Gotta said:
P.S. Comparing him to Heiki just sums up your mindset.
Not comparing him to Heiki, simply pointing out the FACT that he finished behind Heiki in reportedly a 'superior' car.

End of! Argue with yourself.......


Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

236 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
E30M3SE said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Silly Season? Noticed the usual Hamilton bashing
Care to point out the 'Hamilton bashing'....... or are you reading a different thread?

Wanta996Gotta said:
BUT were are all the Ferrari fans this year? Either they are being quiet or have jumped on the "Anyone but Lewis" bandwagon.

Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 10:10
I'm here, haven't jumped on anyone's bandwagon.
I meant Hamilton bashing in General - The liar gate scandal and the Ron leaves Mclaren post has allot of dubious info written in it.
Discuss that in those threads, why bring it to this one?


Wanta996Gotta said:
What Lewis can do in an average car had allot of air-time although has recently gone quiet as it seems he can actually drive an average car.
Finish behind his, lesser regarded by many, team mate who was using a McMerc fitted with the 'lesser' diffuser, after two spins and two off road excurions only one spin/excursion behind Massa's Silverstone display last year. scratchchin


Wanta996Gotta said:
As for Ferrari fans? My point was that i have not heard anything from them? No info,no excuses,no praising of the "great" Ice Cream man....sorry Iceman Kimi smile
It's early day's lets see what happens.

ETA; If you want to discuss where are all the Ferrari Fans start another thread, why hijack this one?

Edited by E30M3SE on Wednesday 22 April 12:12
Read the initial post! The poster comments on all teams and most of the drivers, this is not a Hijack.
Correct! With his predictions about who will be where and with who, NOT what they're doing this year.........


Wanta996Gotta said:
As for the spins? Yes, he spun and finished 6th? Kimi being overtaken twice in 6laps? after he spun is surely embarrassment enough for Ferrari so lets not go there. And where did Massa finish in Silverstaone after his spins? scratchchin
Yes, lets not go there hey. I would want to be accused of Hammy bashing......

Wanta996Gotta said:
P.S. Comparing him to Heiki just sums up your mindset.
Not comparing him to Heiki, simply pointing out the FACT that he finished behind Heiki in reportedly a 'superior' car.

End of! Argue with yourself.......
hehe you made some great points there???? hehe

Surely the posters predictions about who will be where and with who is down to how they are performing???



Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Wednesday 22 April 12:56