The '14 driver transfer discussion/speculation thread

[prisonermonkeys]

Of all the women who have raced in the upper levels of motorsport in recent years - Patrick, Legge, Mann, Piria, Powell, Gomez Brianco, Frey, Gachnang and so on - Simona de Silvestro is probably the only one who could make it in Formula 1.

That is the inherent contradiction of women in Formula 1: people want to see women compete in the name of equality, but the next woman to compete has to be super-talented to demonstrate that women *can* compete in the first place.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Apparently it's never too soon to start speculating on 2015, because the rumour mill is already churning out some silly ideas - namely that Ron Dennis is looking to secure Sebastian Vettel for next year because Fernando Alonso will go to Mercedes, replacing Lewis Hamilton. The rumour seems to be coming from the guy who predicted that Eric Boullier would leave Lotus to join McLaren.

All of this is apparently moot, however, because Tobias Gruner claims that Nico Rosberg quietly re-signed with Mercedes before Barcelona.

Elsewhere, Simona de Silvestro is aiming for a 2015 seat with Sauber, and the crisis in the Ukraine is threatening the team's deal with the Russians, as the SMP Racing outfit that backs Russian drivers is run by a banker who is a friend of Vladimir Putin, and subject to sanctions. However, it does not seem to be having any effect on Sergey Sirotkin in Formula Renault 3.5 or Mikhail Aleshin in IndyCar, while Russian Time and Artem Markelov are racing unhindered in GP2, despite their backing from pro-Russian venture capitalists in the Ukraine and sponsorship from the state-owned Russian railways company.

 

[mister dog]

Fernando Alonso will go to Mercedes, replacing Lewis Hamilton. The rumour seems to be coming from the guy who predicted that Eric Boullier would leave Lotus to join McLaren.

I know it's just some rumor, but why would Lewis leave Mercedes seeing he finally got the championship winning car he needs under him? That would be downright silly.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Why indeed?

He has been signed for some time. And if you read my post, I never said that the rumour claimed Alonso would replace Hamilton. Only that he would join Mercedes. Since - publicly, at least - the only vacant seat for 2015 is Rosberg's, it's quite clear that the rumour suggests Alonso would replace him, not Hamilton. Which is further suggested by the way Gruner pours cold water on it by claiming that Rosberg has been quietly re-signed.

So I have no idea where you're getting the idea that Hamilton will leave Mercedes.

 

[Lizard]

Why indeed?

He has been signed for some time. And if you read my post, I never said that the rumour claimed Alonso would replace Hamilton. Only that he would join Mercedes. Since - publicly, at least - the only vacant seat for 2015 is Rosberg's, it's quite clear that the rumour suggests Alonso would replace him, not Hamilton.

So I have no idea where you're getting the idea that Hamilton will leave Mercedes.

Fernando Alonso will go to Mercedes, replacing Lewis Hamilton. .

There maybe?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Why indeed?

He has been signed for some time. And if you read my post, I never said that the rumour claimed Alonso would replace Hamilton. Only that he would join Mercedes. Since - publicly, at least - the only vacant seat for 2015 is Rosberg's, it's quite clear that the rumour suggests Alonso would replace him, not Hamilton. Which is further suggested by the way Gruner pours cold water on it by claiming that Rosberg has been quietly re-signed.

So I have no idea where you're getting the idea that Hamilton will leave Mercedes.

Yeah this time you actually made a mistake and did say that. You probably meant Rosberg, because it was confusing for you to say Hamilton and then talk about Rosberg signing as if he was under threat. And we know Lewis isn't because his deal with 3 or 4 years which many laughed at stupidly. So I feel it's a mistake you made or miscommunication as @haitch40 showed.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Time for another stupid rumour: McLaren have signed a title sponsor for 2014, which is somehow related to a now-extinct team and involves using their name. The delay in announcing it stems from a dispute with the drivers, with Jenson Button supposedly so disgusted with the planned livery that he has threatened to park the car at the first corner if it goes ahead. One assumes he would quit at the end of the year if he feels that strongly about it.

Of course, all of this comes from high level unnamed sources within the team that people claim to have a personal relationship with.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Reports out of Venezuela claim that Caracas is terminating all of the state backing for motorsports.

 

[GTPorsche]

McLaren title sponsor rumor? Anything I can think of wouldn't even make any legitimate sense in regards to extinct teams...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The part about Button threatening to park the car (reposts of the rumour have him threatening to crash) in protest over the livery shows the rumour to be rubbish. But assuming that there is a grain of truth to it, I'd say McLaren acquired the rights to the name and livery to cover off potential legal challenges. At a guess, I would pick Brabham as a possible candidate - the Brabham family have opposed moves to revive the team in the past.

As for Maldonado, the Venezuelans have confirmed that all state-backed motorsport sponsorship will end, but they haven't given a date for it, and it doesn't mean he will lose his seat. Gerard Lopez has endorsed him despite of this, and he does have a point - on his day, Maldonado can be extremely quick. It's just a question of getting him to focus.

 

[Samus]

Time for another stupid rumour: McLaren have signed a title sponsor for 2014, which is somehow related to a now-extinct team and involves using their name. The delay in announcing it stems from a dispute with the drivers, with Jenson Button supposedly so disgusted with the planned livery that he has threatened to park the car at the first corner if it goes ahead. One assumes he would quit at the end of the year if he feels that strongly about it.

Of course, all of this comes from high level unnamed sources within the team that people claim to have a personal relationship with.

I can't think of anything relating to an older team that would have Button so up in arms. Well I mean except for displaying dead drivers or something, but of course talking about realistic things McLaren might do, I can't think of anything. Especially not livery wise, what could they have done?

Sounds like complete nonsense to me.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Oh, me, too. I just posted it for the ridiculous narrative value.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Maldonado has denied that his funds are in jeopardy, saying that the deal between Lotus and PDVSA does not go through the Ministry for Sport. He also pointed out that similar rumours came up last year, to no avail.

 

[marco89IT]

Stefano Domenicali to Leo Turrini, an Italian journalist and long-time friend:
"The day of my farewell to Ferrari 3 drivers called me. In alphabetical order; Alonso, Raikkonen and Vettel. Fernando and Kimi are true friends for me. Why Sebastian called me? About this, you have to find the answer by yourself, sorry."

 

[Liquid]

The part about Button threatening to park the car (reposts of the rumour have him threatening to crash) in protest over the livery shows the rumour to be rubbish. But assuming that there is a grain of truth to it, I'd say McLaren acquired the rights to the name and livery to cover off potential legal challenges. At a guess, I would pick Brabham as a possible candidate - the Brabham family have opposed moves to revive the team in the past.

Well...

Incidentally, dat exposed cockpit.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Well...

Incidentally, dat exposed cockpit.

Eww a BT60 get it away

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Romain Grosjean is reportedly a man in demand - according to Gerard Lopez, at least one team has asked after him, and Grosjean himself hasn't ruled out leaving the team.

Here are some ideas on possible line-ups, based on various rumours:

Mercedes - Hamilton and Rosberg
Ferrari - Vettel and Grosjean
Red Bull - Ricciardo and Kvyat
McLaren - Alonso and Magnussen
Lotus - Maldonado and Vandoorne
Force India - Hulkenberg and Perez
Sauber - de Silvestro and Sirotkin
Toro Rosso - Sainz Jnr. and da Costa
Williams - Bottas and Nasr
Caterham - Kobayashi and Haryanto
Marussia - Chilton and Ellinas
Haas - Sutil and Rossi
Forza Rossa - Vergne and Gutierrez

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Romain Grosjean is reportedly a man in demand - according to Gerard Lopez, at least one team has asked after him, and Grosjean himself hasn't ruled out leaving the team.

Here are some ideas on possible line-ups, based on various rumours:

Mercedes - Hamilton and Rosberg
Ferrari - Vettel and Grosjean
Red Bull - Ricciardo and Kvyat
McLaren - Alonso and Magnussen
Lotus - Maldonado and Vandoorne
Force India - Hulkenberg and Perez
Sauber - de Silvestro and Sirotkin
Toro Rosso - Sainz Jnr. and da Costa
Williams - Bottas and Nasr
Caterham - Kobayashi and Haryanto
Marussia - Chilton and Ellinas
Haas - Sutil and Rossi
Forza Rossa - Vergne and Gutierrez

Vergne isn't bad though so why go to Forza...

Also Haryanto at Caterham, he hasn't even been that impressive. Vandoorne isn't too bad, Kvyat has done a good job this year so far so I respect that move. I don't take the Vettel switch to Ferrari seriously because he'd be taken out of his comfort zone and I think it would have only worked if Ferrari could actually have bagged newey and that's isn't happening.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Vergne is just treading water. I expect Toro Rosso will release him before long. I imagine he would be in contention for a Haas seat, but Sutil has more experience.

Haryanto got shafted by a bad move to Addax last year. Alejandro Agag was clearly more interested in Formula E, and the entire team was in freefall. Jake Rosenzweig was hopeless, but the team criminally underperformed. Based on Haryanto's pre- and post-Addax form, I think he could make it. He would certainly be better than Ericsson.

As for Vettel going to Ferrari, I think he has to do it. A lot of people ascribe his success to the team rather than natural talent. And I think that perception is what is holding him back as being recognised as a legend of the sport.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Rosberg has just signed a 2 year extension with Mercedes.

 

[Lizard]

Romain Grosjean is reportedly a man in demand - according to Gerard Lopez, at least one team has asked after him, and Grosjean himself hasn't ruled out leaving the team.

Here are some ideas on possible line-ups, based on various rumours:

Mercedes - Hamilton and Rosberg
Ferrari - Vettel and Grosjean
Red Bull - Ricciardo and Kvyat
McLaren - Alonso and Magnussen
Lotus - Maldonado and Vandoorne
Force India - Hulkenberg and Perez
Sauber - de Silvestro and Sirotkin
Toro Rosso - Sainz Jnr. and da Costa
Williams - Bottas and Nasr
Caterham - Kobayashi and Haryanto
Marussia - Chilton and Ellinas
Haas - Sutil and Rossi
Forza Rossa - Vergne and Gutierrez

So that is saying Kimi, Button and Massa are going. Maybe one of them but not all 3.

 

[TenEightyOne]

As for Vettel going to Ferrari, I think he has to do it. A lot of people ascribe his success to the team rather than natural talent. And I think that perception is what is holding him back as being recognised as a legend of the sport.

They might be iconic but the atmosphere within has never seemed more poisonous, there has to be an improvement coming (a la the similar promise of Williams and McLaren) but right now I can't see any driver going to a team that can't produce a consistent car, let alone a consistently fast one.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

So that is saying Kimi, Button and Massa are going. Maybe one of them but not all 3.

I see Button has a very fickle tool when it comes to car development, and Massa has worn out his stay. Kimi is just so so, a better return than Schumi but still not enough to give the top 3 or 4 drivers a run for their money often enough. I could see all three going but mainly Button and Massa or Kimi and Massa. But I really don't see a reason to keep Massa around compared to the other two, maybe it's my though on WDC get legacy rights in F1 (though that's not always fair) but that's just my feeling. Either way the past 2 years for team shake ups have been out of left field I don't expect that to stop now.

 

[SagarisGTB]

So that is saying Kimi, Button and Massa are going. Maybe one of them but not all 3.

I think Bianchi being out of F1 would be far more egregious and than those three finally hanging it up/stepping up to WEC.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Time for another hypothetical!

You're running Mercedes, and the relationship between Hamilton and Rosberg breaks beyond repair. You have to let one of them go at the end of the season, but neither of them is a clear title favourite.

Why do you keep, and why? Who do you replace them with, and why? And where will the driver you let go end up?

 

[Turbo_snail]

Keep Rosberg, let Hamilton go to red bull and fail.

 

[Samus]

Hamilton back to Mclaren Honda under Ron. Just as much a gamble as his move the other way.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

But who would you take in his place?

 

[Samus]

But who would you take in his place?

Hulk if they sort the weight issue.

 

[Tired Tyres]

Depends on who gets the other seat. I'd keep Hamilton and drop Rosberg. Straight forward performance decision.

The only way I'd drop Hamilton is if I could get Alonso. Then I'd keep Rosberg as #2.