The 2012 Driver transfer discussion/speculation thread

[hawkeye122]

Also, Alonso and Webber may have just switched teams:

Wheres Massa?
-Only 5 spots available-
"Feilipe, Alonso's Limo is faster than yours, can you understand this message?"

-Or-
Lewis rammed his G63 AMG/MP4-12C into the back of Massa's 458 on the way there...

On topic- I dont think Petrov will end up at HRT. The lowest he would go is Caterham, or maybe Marussia, which would make sense, Russian Team with a Russian driver. Well, not a Russian team in every sense, but the point remains...

 

[Sach]

So it's going to be Romain and Kimi at Renault. Go Gros!! Great GP2 season this year.

 

[Imari]

I'm entertained that JB is the one stuck taking the photo. Ever the nice guy.

 

[Prince.M5]

So, Sutil admits to have a talk with Williams and is expected to make a decision somewhere this month... I don't think he's going to Toro Rosso so I'd say Williams is his only chance. Nico Hulkenberg looks to be very likely to have a seat in Force India.

So far:

• Ferrari - Fernando Alonso | Felipe Massa
  
• McLaren - Jenson Button | Lewis Hamilton
  
• Red Bull - Sebastian Vettel | Mark Webber
  
• Mercedes - Nico Rosberg | Michael Schumacher
  
• Lotus - Kimi Raikkonen | Romain Grosjean
  
• Sauber - Kamui Kobayashi* | Sergio Perez
  
• Toro Rosso - Jaime Alguersuari | ---
  
• Williams - Pastor Maldonado | ---
  
• Caterham - Heikki Kovalainen | Jarno Trulli*
  
• HRT - Pedro De La Rosa | ---
  
• Marussia - Timo Glock* | Charles Pic
  
• Force India - Paul di Resta | ---

* - Drivers rumoured to be replaced.

So we ended up having 4 seats left with 3 other drivers rumoured to be replaced...

 

[F1 fan]

Well this is a bit of a surprise. Either way, at least a few drivers will be left unhappy.

 

[The Outlaw]

Well for that matter, yeah. I wouldn't want my seat taken either. But what is Grosjean going to do when Kubica does come back? Just out of luck then? It'll be back to the testing seat I presume..

There area lot of things that hinge on Kubica's return though. We can't just assume that once everything is healed up and he feels ready to make a return (mid season), that Boullier will just throw Grosjean to the back of the bus so Kubica can get back in the seat. Kubica will have to show the team that he's fully capable as a driver, and that he still has a good deal of potential. On top of that, if Grosjean and the team are doing quite well in the standings by the time Kubica is ready to try and make a return, surely LRGP will more than think twice than to risk screwing up a good situation, mainly for the benefit of one individual (Kubica).

 

[Jimlaad43]

What rumours suggest Glock will go?

 

[Prince.M5]

What rumours suggest Glock will go?

I have recently heard of rumours in Facebook, yes Facebook saying that Glock's seat might be filled by another pay driver from GP2 or by Petrov who have moved out of of Lotus. It seems likely because he's Russian and Marussia is a Russian car manufacturer so they could work on something. That said, Glock has actually signed a contract until 2014 but contract is a contract, things could still change....

We'll just wait and see what's going to happen...

 

[LewyOs]

I expect to see Petrov on the grid next year, either in a Williams or Virgin.

 

[F1 fan]

I'd bet Marussia are kicking themselves right now. They'd publicly stated an interest in Petrov, but want to provide him with a good car. They sign Pic, and suddenly Petrov becomes available and has quite considerable backing (although he'd probably bring a lot less to teams like Marussia than he would to Lotus).

 

[Tom]

Romain Grosjean will be filling the second seat for Lotus during 2012.

 

[F1 fan]

Not wanting to be rude, but we've already covered that.

 

[Tom]

Not wanting to be rude, but we've already covered that.

Oh 🤬. My apologies, have only just seen the story and decided to post it, should've looked back on previous pages I guess...

 

[F1 fan]

“First of all, I’d like to thank all our partners and fans for the support Vitaly received during those two seasons,” Oksana Kosachenko, Petrov’s manager, told Sportbox.ru. “I stress that we have an excellent relationship with the Lotus Renault team, and together with them we have now come up with another program for Vitaly. We’ll announce it before the New Year. So it's not the end of Petrov's career, but his transition into a new phase.”

Linked.

I wonder what Vitaly has up his sleeve? I'm guessing Williams will be salivating at the thought of that sponsorship cash. Force India and Williams are the key remaining announcements. When one of them makes an announcement, I expect the rest will quickly fall into place.

 

[Tom]

Linked.

I wonder what Vitaly has up his sleeve? I'm guessing Williams will be salivating at the thought of that sponsorship cash. Force India and Williams are the key remaining announcements. When one of them makes an announcement, I expect the rest will quickly fall into place.

Petrov and Maldonado at Williams? Where would Sutil go? And if Petrov signs for Maruissa, Sutil would again be out of a job, with Glock most likely going to Williams. I predict that Petrov may become a reserve driver for Lotus going by that statement..

 

[F1 fan]

Petrov and Maldonado at Williams? Where would Sutil go? And if Petrov signs for Maruissa, Sutil would again be out of a job, with Glock most likely going to Williams. I predict that Petrov may become a reserve driver for Lotus going by that statement..

Just a random guess. Petrov's backing is enormous. I wouldn't be surprised if Williams were writing up a hasty contract offer right now. Assuming they haven't already.

I have no idea what Force India are going to do, but I will make one prediction. I'm guessing that whoever loses out a Force India will either not get a seat for next year, or will end up at HRT. Barrichello's slim chances are now pretty much gone. My guess is that Liuzzi's definately out of a drive. As there'll probably be someone left kicking around with some sponsorship money at the end. They have De La Rosa to develop their cars. Liuzzi will not be driving for them next year.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Just a random guess. Petrov's backing is enormous. I wouldn't be surprised if Williams were writing up a hasty contract offer right now. Assuming they haven't already.

I have no idea what Force India are going to do, but I will make one prediction. I'm guessing that whoever loses out a Force India will either not get a seat for next year, or will end up at HRT. Barrichello's slim chances are now pretty much gone. My guess is that Liuzzi's definately out of a drive. As there'll probably be someone left kicking around with some sponsorship money at the end. They have De La Rosa to develop their cars. Liuzzi will not be driving for them next year.

I doubt that any of the drivers said in the past few post will be at HRT. I see Clos being picked because he's young and they can build a team around him. Being spanish doesn't hurt either and learning from a man like De La Rosa will only help. HRT seem to be thinking nationality wise these days.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Sutil's been in the team for 4 years, 5 years if you're willing to include his year at Spyker. It's obvious that his career doesn't seem to go anywhere, and compared to Di Resta I haven't really noticed him this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Sutil landed without a seat, as unfortunate as it may be.

 

[Tom]

Just a random guess. Petrov's backing is enormous. I wouldn't be surprised if Williams were writing up a hasty contract offer right now. Assuming they haven't already.

I have no idea what Force India are going to do, but I will make one prediction. I'm guessing that whoever loses out a Force India will either not get a seat for next year, or will end up at HRT. Barrichello's slim chances are now pretty much gone. My guess is that Liuzzi's definately out of a drive. As there'll probably be someone left kicking around with some sponsorship money at the end. They have De La Rosa to develop their cars. Liuzzi will not be driving for them next year.

I see. It would be nice to see Petrov at Williams next season as I think he and Maldonado could really help to develop the car. Barrichello I don't see as returning, which is a shame. And I think that Clos will end up at HRT with Liuzzi once again out of a contract. Any speculation on where Ricciardo will go? Toro Rosso or another season at HRT?

 

[F1 fan]

I see. It would be nice to see Petrov at Williams next season as I think he and Maldonado could really help to develop the car. Barrichello I don't see as returning, which is a shame. And I think that Clos will end up at HRT with Liuzzi once again out of a contract. Any speculation on where Ricciardo will go? Toro Rosso or another season at HRT?

There have been rumours about the possibility of him buying out Trulli at Caterham.

 

[Tom]

There have been rumours about the possibility of him buying out Trulli at Caterham.

Now that really would make things interesting. Trulli's heart doesn't seem to be in it, the power-steering problem in the Lotus really knocked his confidence this season which ultimately affected his performance, I wouldn't be suprised if Ricciardo bought his seat, he's obviously got the talent and the money.

EDIT: Also, where's Brendon Hartley gone, he nearly got a seat at Toro Rosso two years ago and no-one has heard anything since..

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Hartley was dropped from Red Bull's driver development program when he failed to meet their expectations in the Formula Renault 3.5 series. If he can start getting results again, they might let him back in.

 

[Tom]

Hartley was dropped from Red Bull's driver development program when he failed to meet their expectations in the Formula Renault 3.5 series. If he can start getting results again, they might let him back in.

I see, thanks for the information. 👍

 

[F1 fan]

Hartley was dropped from Red Bull's driver development program when he failed to meet their expectations in the Formula Renault 3.5 series. If he can start getting results again, they might let him back in.

The sad thing about Hartley is that he was STR/RB's reserve driver shortly before Bourdais was sacked but apparently relinquished that position of his own accord. I'm not sure whether that was the case or whether STR were just lining up Alguersuari, but if he really did give up that position, he must have been kicking himself.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

He gave up the position because he knew Bourdais was on the outer with Toro Rosso - there had been talk for some time that he was on the verge of being dropped - and felt that he wasn't ready for Formula 1.

 

[Crushed]

Wow lotus is going to have a really strong team this year!

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Oksana Kosachenko - Vitaly Petrov's manager - reckons that they already have a deal in place, and it will be annouced before the new year; they just need to hammer out the finer details:

Q: Out of three possible scenarios you were talking about some days before, only two are left: Petrov either goes to a team but LRGP, or leaves F1. Which one is the most possible now?

Oksana: "First of all, I want to thank everyone, who have supported us for those two years: partners, fans, press and the team. Those were two wonderful years in F1, during which Vitaly has learnt a lot. The situation now is that Vitaly has to move forward. There still are things he will have to acknowledge. Thats' why for him in the nearest time the new program will be announced, according to which he'll work. This program will be announced before the New Year, so I just ask everyone to be patient: we need time to work on some details. When we announce the program, I think, many people will understand, why we have decided to go this way."

Q: Does that mean the program is already fleshed out, but the time to talk about it didn't come yet?

Oksana: "Yes, of course. Simply I think we shouldn't make F1 lovers and media panic. We still have to sort some things out, that's why I'm again outside of Russia now. This week I've only passed eighteen hours in Russia. Now we're working at small details, then the plan will be presented to our partners in order to be approved, and after that we of course will announce everything and won't keep anything secret. I ask everyone to keep calm and keep supporting our Russian racer in Formula 1."

Her comment about "when we announce the program, I think, many people will understand, why we have decided to go this way" suggests that Petrov might be bound for Hispania.

Apologies for the dodgy translation - I picked it up from another forum.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Petrov's girlfriend weighs in - and pretty much lets the cat out of the bag:

STARlet_ES Elena ッ
Waiting on friday, December 16, will be information about Vitaly Petrov from Marussia #F1 team.

Though if Petrov is going to Marussia, he's going to have to replace someone. I'm sure Marussia love Elena right about now.

But it's not as bizarre as this post I spotted over at the Autosport forums ...

russian insiders says, that Vitaly can take a seat even in the middle of next season because of "not good enough" results of one of top team drivers. Thinking about Marussia`s anouncement next week and their contract with McLaren... who knows, who knows. Anyway, they promise huge experience for Vitaly.

in fact, Oksana spent last week in UK, but where certain it`s still a secret. Official anounce is dated on the end of the year, what`s opposite to Fomenko`s "next week Petrov anouncement"

I have no idea where this is coming from, but it insinuates that McLaren will drop one of their drivers (implied to be Hamilton) in the middle of the season and put Petrov in the car. Which quote possibly wins the award for 'Weirdest Thing On The Internet (This Week)'. I simply cannot see it happening, unless Webber or Massa is getting shafted and Hamilton is drafted in to repalce them, leaving McLaren needing a driver ... and taking Petrov? I'm a Petrov fan, and a JB-Petrov lineup at McLaren would make my year, but this makes even less sense than Tim Burton's films.

 

[Ardius]

Glock to Williams then? Surely Pic can't be the shortest-lived F1 hopeful ever?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Timo Glock apparently has clause in his contract that says he can leave Marussia if a front-running team makes him an offer - but it has to be one of the top four teams. And I seriously doubt Marussia would give up Glock so quickly for Petrov when they can have Glock and Petrov. Glock is far more likely to succeed than Petrov and Pic, and Petrov is far more likely to succeed than Pic, so when the music stops, I'm guessing Pic will be out of a seat. Unless the aforementioned insanity about a move to McLaren proves to be true (but pigs will fly first).