The '13 driver transfer discussion/speculation thread op updated 16/10
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- rabbit_9-8
I don't think Hamilton would go to Williams, I know they have proved to have a reasonably competitive car, but I'm still pretty sure if he is going to move it'll be to one of the front running teams e.g - RedBull or ferrari. I know Williams and lotus have been up there plenty of times, but I just don't see it happening...
Carlos
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I thought Petrov is going to lose his money stream (Russian gorvernment(?)), don't think he can race without..
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- rabbit_9-8
Theres probably a space open at Mercedes because I doubt Schumacher will be continuing in formula 1. And Perez to Ferrari? I recon that could happen, I wonder weather Massa would swap with Sergio and go to Suaber...
Carlos
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Ferrari already said Perez needs more experience to get a seat with them.
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Why would Peter Sauber swap Perez for Massa? Massa is past it. Sauer could let Perez go and pick up Gutierrez instead.
Carlos
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And where would Perez go?
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- bramturismo
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- GTP_ZippyCat
Hamilton-to-Williams only makes sense if Maldonado goes. Bottas would likely displace Senna in that (or any) scenario as well. Lewis would certainly bring/attract enough euros to Williams that they could tell Maldonado and Chavez their money is no longer needed.
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- Blaze_409
Lewis doesn't really have sponsors paying to see him race. He is Mclaren's baby. Born and raised by Mclaren. I think his current contract actually forbid him from finding his own sponsors. Something he wanted to fix with the new deal. Williams needs Maldonado's money. If Maldonado was racing for another team we could add Frank Williams to the mix of team bosses who crucify Maldonado.
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- Ardius_
I'm unconvinced Gutierrez is that good. He's very erratic in GP2 both in speed and racecraft.
Most of this years GP2 drivers are pretty uninspiring bar Calado and Nasr. The rest of the top 10 drivers in the championship all have much more experience and have been unconvincing in previous seasons.
Personally I think Sauber are better off keeping Perez if possible and if not, I guess they don't have much choice really considering where the money comes from.
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- rabbit_9-8
Massa is past his best, is he? I didn't think he was that old...
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But he is that slow.
The elusive South American journalist who claims Williams is looking at Hamilton suggests that there is a sponsor out there who is willing to join the team, but only if they get Hamilton. Kind of like the talk of those Qatari sponsors who were only interested in Williams if they signed Kimi Raikkonen.
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He's hardly slow, he just looks slow compared to Alonso because he's not pushing the cars capabilities to the limit unlike Nando.
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So, he's slow, then.
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- Ardius_
Rosberg and Perez make sense. Hamilton and Schumacher do not. I'm sure Sauber would gladly take Hamilton...as would any team on the grid. But they don't have the money to pay the salary he demands nor do they have the resources to deliver the car he wants.
Schumacher is far too old for a team like Lotus to hire with any reasonable aspirations of championships. Why take him with his large salary over an upcoming talent like Grosjean, Hulkenburg..heck even the ex/current-Toro Rosso drivers would be cheaper and more worthwhile than Schumacher.
I agree though only in the sense that I feel Grosjean still has to prove himself. He has shown speed this season and at times much better application of that speed than in 2009. But most of the time its still been a little erratic or just too far off Kimi's pace.
I can see at another team, but only a smaller team willing to grab a potential WDC-in-waiting rather than a top team.
Hmm, but speed is not enough and he hasn't been consistent with that speed. He still has a lot to prove.
Yes he has been impressive this season, but not a dead-cert for a top seat or anything. I guess he's done enough to warrant "giving him a go" but personally I see drivers such as Perez or Hulkenburg much more safe hands but still having the speed.
And now he's been banned for a race it really doesn't look good even if we do have Maldonado out there smashing into everything. Imagine if Maldonado wasn't on the grid and the reaction and opinion on Grosjean then? I think Grosjean is a little lucky that Maldo is around to provide a "well at least he's not as bad as him!" effect.
Personally I think its going to be a pretty boring silly season for 2013 as the past couple. There is potential for some big movers in Hamilton, Schumacher and Massa but they can just as easily stick around for another season.
Hamilton especially has nowhere to go except maybe Ferrari or Lotus.
Schumacher is either driving for Mercedes or retiring. He probably only even agreed to come back because Ross was around. I can't see many teams wanting him over paying young drivers except maybe for desperate media coverage...and thats not worth much anymore thanks to his past couple of average years.
Massa is the same as Schumacher, its either Ferrari or leaving F1. He doesn't bring much money and he's had a few seasons now of pure mediocrity.
I think we're only really talking about who is going to be second driver at Mercedes and Ferrari next year. Seeing as Lotus seems to hire and fire like a machine gun we may as well be talking about them too - Kimi could feasibly be looking elsewhere though it would be stupid for Lotus to lose him.
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- Ardius_
Contracts have clauses though. Admittedly it does make it less likely than say Schumacher who doesn't have one..but even so Rosberg could have a contract which states that he needs to have X amount of podiums or X amount of points otherwise he can look elsewhere.
Considering Rosberg has waited a long, long time for his first win, it would be interesting to know what exactly he agreed to with his contract. If it was just getting a win finally, then he might have screwed himself considering Mercedes' latest run of form.
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It's almost a certainty that Lewis will stay with McLaren
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The french commentator during spa said that Lewis might take Michael spot after that rumor about Michael hanging the gloves. Then it would make a chain of event where lots of driver would change seat. We'll see I guess but I dont see Lewis going in a team where he's not sure to compete for the world title, so for me if he switch it's only to go to Lotus, Ferrari or Red Bull and we can scratch Ferrari because there's no way that Alonso or Hamilton share the same team again lol.
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What is he doesn't have a choice?
Right now, there is a whole lot of noise, but not a lot of movement at McLaren. Hamilton's recent antics have attracted a lot of criticism and controversy, and he is displaying a lack of common sense that is symptomatic of his troubles last year. Add to that the way Jenson Button dominated in Belgium and has now declared himself to be back in the title fight, and McLaren might just decide that Hamilton isn't worth it. And if he gets dropped late in the season, he may not have a lot of options for next year. He might want a car capable of winning the championship, but that doesn't mean he's going to get it.
A year in a second-tier team might actually do him some good. It would give him a chance to clear his head and undo the mental blocks he seems to be running into. And if it's a team like Sauber or Williams or even Force India, with plenty of potential but lacking that final push they need to be truly great - which Hamilton can deliver - he may just rediscover himself as a driver.
They have given no indication that either of their seats are available. They'll almost certainly keep Raikkonen and Grosjean next year.
Stefano Domenicalli's recent comments - about how Felipe Massa "knows what he needs to do" to keep his seat without actually giving any details of what he needs to do - suggest that the team is gearing up to keep Massa. Even if they don't, they may decide to take a chance on Perez or someone like Hulkenberg. They will have a very specific profile in mind for Massa's successor: someone who can help Alonso win the World Constructors' Championship, and will be ready to launch their own Drivers' Championship campaign if something should happen to Alonso/Alonso retires, but who won't actually challenge Alonso when Alonso is chasing the title himself. They want someone who is a second-tier driver, but can be moulded into a top-tier driver when needed. Hamilton doesn't fit that profile.
Both Red Bull seats are taken. Hamilton was tipped for the second Red Bull seat when Ferrari were sounding Mark Webber out, but Webber renewed with Red Bull. There is nothing to suggest that either Red Bull seat will become available for another year.
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- Blaze_409
Its hard to not have seen these blowups from Hamilton coming. The guy has been absolutely spoiled and had the Red Carpet laid out for him to get to Mclaren. This is what always happens with spoiled children whether it be in a family or a racing team.
Had this been some rookie fighting to keep there seat in Mclaren they would not do anything like what Hamilton has done. Look at Massa. He does not whine and whinge the way Hamilton does because he is driving for his seat. Hammy is spoiled so he can lash out and not expect any consequences.
Had this been some rookie fighting to keep there seat in Mclaren they would not do anything like what Hamilton has done. Look at Massa. He does not whine and whinge the way Hamilton does because he is driving for his seat. Hammy is spoiled so he can lash out and not expect any consequences.
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