The '13 driver transfer discussion/speculation thread op updated 16/10

[joetruckv8]

"Racing driver excuses" - quite common really and not exclusive to Paul di Resta.

Personally I think di Resta is just average and isn't very exciting. He isn't terrible and will bring the car home to decent results, but he doesn't do anything special.

If Force India bring Sutil back, it will officially be the most un-inspiring driver line-up on the grid. Both drivers are average.

I think Kobayashi and Bianchi would be the most interesting and entertaining line-up, but unfortunately I doubt silly season is going to be that silly.

Agreed!

 

[Tzun]

I want Sutil back!

 

[SagarisGTB]

I don't rate Di Resta. In another forum I posted: Is Di Resta a better option than Jamie? Jaime has actually beaten a teammate, and one that in turn beat Bourdais just as badly as a certain 3-time champ. Meanwhile, Di Resta has been beaten soundly by both of his teammates in both qualifying and points. And it's not like Sutil and Hulkenberg looked like world-beaters prior to joining Di Resta: Sutil was very even with a past-it Fisi and Nico was beaten in his rookie season (though to be fair, it was Rubens and I nevertheless rate the Hulk highly). Jaime is also much younger.

I guess a similar argument can be made for Buemi, admittedly Buemi looked faster than Jaime, on average, in their time together.

My preference for the FI seats are Koba and Algu, but I suspect it'll be Di Resta and Bianchi.

 

[astrosdude91]

I really dislike Di Resta's attitude. He acts like he's entitled to the best seat on the grid. And he waaay overrates himself. He still goes on about how he's better than even Vettel since he beat him one season in F3 eight freakin years ago.

 

[Brend]

There's no way di Resta won't be at F.I. this year. There's only one free seat.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

There's no way di Resta won't be at F.I. this year. There's only one free seat.

Actually, no:

www.yallaf1.com/2012/12/12/di-resta-hopes-top-team-will-come-calling-in-2014/

Force India driver Paul di Resta has admitted he is hoping to step up to a better Formula One team in 2014. Still yet to be confirmed by Force India for 2013, the Scot is however expected to stay with the Silverstone based squad for his third consecutive season on the grid.

 

[Brend]

Well, I should have clarified that thats what I believe....I highly doubt he won't not be there.

 

[Centura]

I really dislike Di Resta's attitude. He acts like he's entitled to the best seat on the grid. And he waaay overrates himself. He still goes on about how he's better than even Vettel since he beat him one season in F3 eight freakin years ago.

I lost a lot of respect for him when he said that last year.

“We had the same car, same engine, same tyres and I beat him,” said Di Resta. “I don’t want to diminish Vettel’s achievement (this year), but he won the championship because he had the best car. He did his job, but another driver in the same car would probably have achieved the same results. I hope one day to have the same opportunity.”

 

[Tired Tyres]

What exactly is wrong with that?

Put any top rated driver in the best car on the grid and guess what happens? World Champion. (reliability and screw up's not withstanding).

As for what he said about F3, is anything he said not factual truth?

Listen to what any race driver says. They all think they are the best. They just don't have the right car/team/anything else to explain any lack of success.

 

[Nismo34]

What exactly is wrong with that?

Put any top rated driver in the best car on the grid and guess what happens? World Champion. (reliability and screw ups not withstanding).

This. Look at the '12 season. First half, Vettel wasnt up there, then they come back from break and all of a sudden he's back to dominating races... Cant tell me thats a lapse in driver skill. Thats all car... I dont think Vettel would be a triple champ if it werent for that car. Di Resta's comment, I cant see anything wrong with. He spoke truth. And if Di Resta has beat Vettel before, who's to say it cant happen again? Honestly, Id love to see Di Resta along side Vettel in an RB. Di Resta, I think, could do a much better job than Webber with it.

 

[Centura]

Yes, it's not unusual for race drivers to talk like that, but Paul di Resta is a step above (or below?) others when it comes to things like this, in my opinion.

 

[Samus]

What exactly is wrong with that?

Put any top rated driver in the best car on the grid and guess what happens? World Champion. (reliability and screw up's not withstanding).

As for what he said about F3, is anything he said not factual truth?

Listen to what any race driver says. They all think they are the best. They just don't have the right car/team/anything else to explain any lack of success.

Don't entirely agree with that, not all drivers can handle the pressure and responsibility of a top drive. A race winning car guarantees you a chance at the title, you still have to go out there and do it.

 

[SagarisGTB]

This. Look at the '12 season. First half, Vettel wasnt up there, then they come back from break and all of a sudden he's back to dominating races... Cant tell me thats a lapse in driver skill. Thats all car... I dont think Vettel would be a triple champ if it werent for that car. Di Resta's comment, I cant see anything wrong with. He spoke truth. And if Di Resta has beat Vettel before, who's to say it cant happen again? Honestly, Id love to see Di Resta along side Vettel in an RB. Di Resta, I think, could do a much better job than Webber with it.

Senna wouldn't be a triple world champion if not for the car either.

And Vettel was up there all season, perhaps not winning but consistently picking up points when his car wasn't the best.

And that last bit. Webber would probably cream Di Resta.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Sergio Perez makes his McLaren debut!

 

[joetruckv8]

I hope he can handle the presure like Ron Dennis said. Ill be watching the difference between Sergio & Nico'

 

[Brend]

I really want to know the animation crew that decided that a company such as McLaren should have such a generic look to it's characters.

 

[Samus]

I really want to know the animation crew that decided that a company such as McLaren should have such a generic look to it's characters.

It's in the credits of each episode. I'm more curious why Jenson's head is considerably larger than Sergio's.

 

[Brend]

Then you've got Professor Pillhead stealing the show in the head size sweepstakes.

Framestore and CFC's achievements in film and television have been recognised throughout the industry, with CFC being awarded two Scientific and Technical Academy Awards, and 14 Primetime Emmys. In 2008, Framestore won their first Oscar for Best Visual Effects for the film The Golden Compass; they also won the BAFTA Award for that film the same year. Framestore was also nominated for Oscars in 2007 (Superman Returns), in 2009 (The Dark Knight) and again in 2010 (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1). In advertising the team has also won all the major awards including Cannes Lions, British Television Advertising Awards, Clios, D&AD and many more.

Wow, that's what I get for opening my big mouth. Either that or this was a slap-dash project they wanted out the door.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Vitaly Petrov's manager reckons that as many as seven drivers (including Petrov) are vying for the second Caterham seat:

http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?optio...013-formula-1-drive-nod&catid=1:f1&Itemid=157

Despite the vacancy created by Nico Hulkenberg, Petrov is not looking to join Force India.

And speaking of Force India, some rumours have popped up in the past two days linking Bruno Senna to the team, with this image floating around:

It is, however, a fake based on this image of Hulkenberg:

The poses are identical, and if you look carefully at the image of Senna, you can see that whoever made it hasn't removed some of the logos of Williams' partners from his helmet. Right now, it's believed that Senna will move to DTM, probably with Mercedes. Jaime Alguersuari has been linked to a move into the series with BMW.

 

[RTSolvalou]

I'm sure Petrov would have been in with a better chance than most of the contenders for the Force India seat, a shame he's not pushing for it.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Here's an interesting story: David Brabham reckons the Brabham name could return to Formula 1 in the not-too-distant future.

 

[Tom]

Here's an interesting story: David Brabham reckons the Brabham name could return to Formula 1 in the not-too-distant future.

Wasn't he linked with Prodrive, or was that another David?

 

[Samus]

Wasn't he linked with Prodrive, or was that another David?

Dave Richards.

 

[CinnamonOD]

Van de Garde's hopes for Caterham Formula 1 race seat "shrink" and Force India considering Mercedes power swap with Ferrari engines

 

[Tom]

It's between Sutil and Bianchi for Force India apparently.

http://www.planet-f1.com/driver/3213/8376745/It-s-between-Bianchi-and-Sutil

 

[astrosdude91]

Jumping ahead to the 2014 season. Helmut Marko is reportedly sizing up Nico Hulkenburg for a 2014 Red Bull drive. Apparently Helmut isn't happy with Webber, ever since his seeming disobedience in Brazil. So he's looking elsewhere on the grid for a possible replacement for the Australian. Whatever the case, I would absolutely love to see Hulk partner Vettel at Red Bull. IMO, Nico is the most deserving driver of a top drive who doesn't already have one. And if he impresses at Sauber this year, then a top drive the following year is an inevitability.

 

[Samus]

I didn't realise he only has a one year contract at Sauber, that does seem odd and that he very much sees it as a one year stop gap until one of the big three have a spare seat. Why else would you go to a new team but only sign for a year?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Nico Hulkenberg is also believed to be Ferrari's preferred driver for 2014. It's been speculated that he moved across to Sauber - with their Ferrari engines - to line up a move to Ferrari next year.

It will be interesting to see what Ferrari do next. If I were them, I'd approach Caterham, and try to sway them over to my side for 2013. That way, both Ferrari and Red Bull would be in a position to influence Antonio Felix da Costa. They'd never take him as a rookie, but they got caught with their pants down when McLaren got Hamilton and Red Bull got Vettel. They might have to take a chance on a driver in 2014.

 

[Ardius]

It will be interesting to see what Ferrari do next. If I were them, I'd approach Caterham, and try to sway them over to my side for 2013. That way, both Ferrari and Red Bull would be in a position to influence Antonio Felix da Costa.

I don't see the connection at all. Ferrari would have to give them a really great deal - currently Red Bull are supplying Caterham with gearboxes, KERS and money and team agreements in WSR 3.5.

I don't see Ferrari going to that trouble over 1 driver and they've typically preferred investing in proven drivers who have been in the sport a few years. Particularly as da Costa is very clearly a Red Bull driver...he is almost certainly going to get a Toro Rosso seat at some point. What can Ferrari even offer him?

 

[Centura]

Jumping ahead to the 2014 season. Helmut Marko is reportedly sizing up Nico Hulkenburg for a 2014 Red Bull drive. Apparently Helmut isn't happy with Webber, ever since his seeming disobedience in Brazil. So he's looking elsewhere on the grid for a possible replacement for the Australian. Whatever the case, I would absolutely love to see Hulk partner Vettel at Red Bull. IMO, Nico is the most deserving driver of a top drive who doesn't already have one. And if he impresses at Sauber this year, then a top drive the following year is an inevitability.

Ever since his contract with Sauber was announced, I thought he would go to Ferrari in 2014, but I would be extremely happy if he got a seat at Red Bull in 2014 with Vettel as his teammate.