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The '13 driver transfer discussion/speculation thread op updated 16/10
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- Peasantslayer
He was willing to give up his first podium of the year for Alonso, I doubt many driver's would do that. I think that unless there is someone out there who is a better driver than Massa, is willing/capable of joining Ferrari next year and willing to do something like that then I see Massa staying. Why upset the balance of the garage when Alonso is in the form of his life?
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- Peasantslayer
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Most of them. Even if they only score a 1-9 to Alonso, they're still doing a better job.
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- Peasantslayer
Everyone above him in the championship has either had a car which has been generally better or they are already signed up with the exception of Perez who is apparently "Not ready for Ferrari". If he does stay I expect to at least improve on this year in 2013 because this has been his worst season that I can remember.
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Contracts can be bought out. For instance, Force India has said that they would like to keep Hulkenberg and di Resta, but if either of them were to be offered a seat with a front-running team, then Force India will not try to stop them.
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- Peasantslayer
I'd go for Hulkenberg out of those 2 because he has shown a few signs in the past of having the potential to do well in a good car. I'd like to see a young driver given a chance but if Massa makes up a few places in the championship which he could with the car looking better than it has in previous races then I'd expect him to stay. Perhaps Monza wasn't a true reflection of how good the Ferrari is, we'll see in Singapore.
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McLaren have allegedly approached Sergio Perez to take Hamilton's place next year. The article in question implies that McLaren intend to be the ones to make a decision about whether Hamilton stays or goes, and sign someone else before he has the chance to make up his mind.
However, as much as I would like to believe this story, it's been printed by The Daily Fail.
However, as much as I would like to believe this story, it's been printed by The Daily Fail.
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- Small_Fryz
Could the first post be updated with what has been confirmed and what is still undecided?
Would make it nice to review for people like me who havnt followed all 490 posts.
Please
Would make it nice to review for people like me who havnt followed all 490 posts.
Please
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I can do it here:
Confirmed
Alonso (Ferrari), di Resta (Force India), Hulkenberg (Force India), de la Rosa (HRT), Raikkonen (Lotus), Glock (Marussia), Rosberg (Mercedes), Vettel (Red Bull), Webber (Red Bull), Maldonado (Williams).
Undecided
Hamilton (McLaren and Mercedes).
Unknown
Everyone else.
Confirmed
Alonso (Ferrari), di Resta (Force India), Hulkenberg (Force India), de la Rosa (HRT), Raikkonen (Lotus), Glock (Marussia), Rosberg (Mercedes), Vettel (Red Bull), Webber (Red Bull), Maldonado (Williams).
Undecided
Hamilton (McLaren and Mercedes).
Unknown
Everyone else.
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- Bye_Ya
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- F1fan1
Please
Only because you said please.
Not sure if this has been mentioned... The engine regulations are set to change in 2014 which will favour the Mercedes AMG teams engine therefore boosting their chances during the Grand Prix. Schumacher know's this and therefore isn't announcing anything to the press about leaving the sport. Hamilton also knows this will favour the Mercedes AMG and is also looking to get his dream of a £20 million per year contract. However he is in a situation now where Schumacher hasn't announced his 2nd retirement and Mercedes AMG will only offer Hamilton a contract if Schumacher leaves. McLaren have offered Hamilton a new contract and will be more than happy to try and give him his dream contract over a few years, but Hamilton is still waiting word from Mercedes AMG. McLaren also have Button who is paid less than Hamilton is but he is just set on winning races.
Segio Perez is on Ferrari's young driver course, like Red Bull are doing with Daniel Ricciard on J.E Vergne, but Ferrari have said he is not ready to be part of the team yet (Pah!) so where Perez will be next year is anyone's guess much like Hamilton. However he may jump on the fact that Ferrari will be looking for a new driver to replace Massa so Perez may sign a contract their before Hamilton makes a decision between Mercedes AMG and McLaren.
In my opinion I think Hamilton will remain at Mclaren especially as he as been part of the team for 15 or so years (including karting) and Perez will move to Ferrari to replace Massa. If Schumacher does leave then I reckon di Resta or somebody like that will take his seat in a 1-3 year contract to see how things go.
BUT the rumours that are running through the media are often completely different than what goes between the teams, often said by teams just to give them some breathing space and get the media off their back.
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May I just draw your attention to this that was said at the Italian GP:
Q: Sergio, we are in Italy and so it is natural that the rumours concerning your possible future with Ferrari have resurfaced. How do you feel about it?
Sergio Perez: Ah, of course this question had to pop up again. (laughs) To be honest I am fine with it. I am concentrating completely on the racing and giving 100 percent and more for my team and the rest we will see.
Q: But at some point in the next couple of weeks there has to be a decision
SP: No panic - there will be a decision. And of course it is coming nearer and nearer, but we are not there yet.
Obviously Ferrari haven't made their mind up yet whether he is ready or not...
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Luca di Montezemolo, the guy who runs Ferrari, has said on numerous occasions that Sergio Perez is not ready to race for Ferrari.
However, you're prepared to take Perez's word over it when he gives a vague and non-committal answer to a question about his future?
Surely you realise how preposterous that sounds.
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- GTP_Tyrrell
Or maybe he doesn't want to unsettle Massa even more and jeopardise this seasons constructors championship. Just because he's saying that doesn't necessarily mean he wholeheartedly believes that.
Well there is an article here that I am reading (from Sept 14th) and it says that Perez has been ruled out (as you said) but they are trying to find a new driver by doing at test at Maranello this week. It also says that Heikki Kovalainen is going, and is also one of the more likely contenders for the empty seat. The article about Heikki is found here.
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I can see Kovalainen going to Force India with at least one of the current Force India drivers moving onto bigger teams.
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Well if Heikki wants to move back to the front of the grid, he'd have to face dealing with big team atmospheres sooner or later.
It'd be awesome to see him back in a front-running car, especially after doing a solid job at Lotus/Caterham over the past few years, to see how he has improved with the experience he has accumulated at the back of the grid.
It'd be awesome to see him back in a front-running car, especially after doing a solid job at Lotus/Caterham over the past few years, to see how he has improved with the experience he has accumulated at the back of the grid.
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- bramturismo
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- Ardius_
I seem to remember Heikki saying he didn't like the environment at McLaren, not "big teams". After all, he was treated pretty poorly at McLaren, constantly being fuelled heavier than everyone else and hence falling backwards at the start of every race.
I never really understood why McLaren did that to him all the time. I mean, sure Heikki's qualifying speed always gave him the benefit....but he was stuck to one strategy every race.
The atmosphere would be different at Ferrari, whether its better for Heikki or not is up to him I guess. I would have thought the best atmosphere for Heikki though was back at Renault/Team Enstone. But that was back in the Briatore/Pay Fry days, things seem a bit different with that team now Boullier/Gravity are in charge.
I never really understood why McLaren did that to him all the time. I mean, sure Heikki's qualifying speed always gave him the benefit....but he was stuck to one strategy every race.
The atmosphere would be different at Ferrari, whether its better for Heikki or not is up to him I guess. I would have thought the best atmosphere for Heikki though was back at Renault/Team Enstone. But that was back in the Briatore/Pay Fry days, things seem a bit different with that team now Boullier/Gravity are in charge.
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Ferrari, at least, will make no secret of your team status... be it Number One or Number Two. While Alonso has been diva-ish in the past about being teamed up with drivers who can, on occassion, beat him... he seems in a good place right now, so teaming him up with a "possibly-still-very-fast-and-let's-not-forget-his-ROC-title" Hekki might work.
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I believe it is safe to say that we have now crossed from the silly season to the stupid season, with the latest rumour that I have heard:
Lewis Hamilton is not in negotiations with McLaren because he has already signed with them. The story goes that he signed a new contract back in Canada, at which point, the paddock decided that he was the favourite for the title. McLaren have not mentioned anything because they want to announce the new contract when he wins the title. Ever since then, his rivals have conspired to drive him to distraction by manipulating the media to affect his performance. However, McLaren are aware of this ploy and are playing up to it so that when Hamilton wins the title, it will go down as one of the greatest seasons in Formula 1.
Like I said, we're now in the stupid season.
Lewis Hamilton is not in negotiations with McLaren because he has already signed with them. The story goes that he signed a new contract back in Canada, at which point, the paddock decided that he was the favourite for the title. McLaren have not mentioned anything because they want to announce the new contract when he wins the title. Ever since then, his rivals have conspired to drive him to distraction by manipulating the media to affect his performance. However, McLaren are aware of this ploy and are playing up to it so that when Hamilton wins the title, it will go down as one of the greatest seasons in Formula 1.
Like I said, we're now in the stupid season.
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