The 2012 Driver transfer discussion/speculation thread

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Holy Smokes. I didnt see that coming. Algersuari and Buemi both got booted.

And to think that a few days ago Alguersuari was told he had to win a race....
 
I've found the chassis designations for 2012:

Red Bull - RB8
McLaren - MP4-27A
Mercedes - F1 W03
Force India - VJM05
Sauber - C31
Toro Rosso - STR7
Williams - FW34
Caterham - CT01
HRT - F112

Ferrari, Marussia and Lotus still need to confirm theirs. Marussia will likely be the MR-03 (Marussia Racing) or MM-03 (Marussia Motorsport) or possibly even the NF-03 (Nikolai Fomenko). Lotus will probably go with the T134, since although the racing and road car divisions are separate, all of the cars have an internal chassis designation that begins with a T. The road cars go on to receive an official title, like the Evora, but the racing cars simply keep a number. Since the internal designation system has not changed since the days of Chapman, and because there have been five road cars launched since Tony Fernandes launched the T128 last year (which had Group Lotus' blessing) and they probably won't count this year's T129, the 2012 car will therefore likely be the T134. The Ferrari is much harder to pick.

tombrooks97
At the moment, don't forget Marussia's announcement about Petrov.
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As a Petrov fan, I haven't. However, I'm only counting the current state of the grid.

Sach_F1
Huh? :odd:
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When Petrov left Renault, someone very close to him (possibly his girlfriend, but the exact nature of the relationship has never been defined - but she posts dozens of pictures off him, so they're clearly close friends at the least) posted on Twitter that an announcement from Marussia regarding Petrov would be coming on the 16th.
 
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Blaze_409
Holy Smokes. I didnt see that coming. Algersuari and Buemi both got booted.

And to think that a few days ago Alguersuari was told he had to win a race....
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Sad right, he probably called up his mom, and said "I've found out how to get to RBR". His mother of course quite curious now. Jamie then says "Marko told me all I have to do is win a race". His mother asks "In the STR? That I'm afraid wont happen...especially not now with six WDCs on the grid". Basically ending the phone conversation.

Jamie right after gets the call that he wont be driving for STR and thus being told that Marko never said you'd have to win in an STR, hahaha.

So yeah. Can't wait for next week and the Force India chapter.
 
A poorly translated (thank you google chrome) message from Jaime Alguersuari's website.

Jalguersuari.com
At 17:32 minutes Scuderia Toro Rosso has issued a statement confirming the pilots Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne officers and pilots in World Championship Formula 1 2012.
This morning, first Franz Tost, and later, Helmut Marko, have called to tell Alguersuari that the surprise decision by group policy, Red Bull and all the grief of both, would not qualify with Jaime, nor Buemi in the World 2012.

Jaime wanted to express their feelings immediately to the surprising and unexpected statement.

These were his statements: "I am very surprised by the decision.


Just a week ago after winning the Challenge das Estrelas in Florianópolis talked with Helmut Marko and Franz Tost and they told me they had plans for me in 2012.

They did so with enthusiasm and showed me much confidence, was also asked me on Monday in Madrid, in a wonderful act of CEPSA crowded where I did insist on our project 2012 in F1.

So after talking with Franz Tost and Helmut Marko this morning, I thought of three things: First, I will not judge the situation because it seemed crazy if I did debut in 2009 with 19 years and three months without ever done a mile in F1 before, today's news seemed to be a major misunderstanding in the best moment of my sporting life, why not judge the decision, because Red Bull gave me everything from the 15 years I have made with them, and I did a full driver in F1 at age 21.

Second, I am not a victim because for seven years I have enjoyed the privilege of it! tar on the best team in the world and the best means, they brought me here, they won the British F3 International Series at 18 years and they have achieved the best results from a pilot of 21 years in Formula One in 2011. To fulfill the end of March 22, with 46 GP played. They have made ​​a decision that respect, but I am left with enviable training and emotional fitness level. Third, it is a drama, because I have many plans for present and future. At all levels: professional sports. The surprise has lasted me a couple of hours. The need to talk to my family, watching the street, was in Madrid, and realize that life is full of opportunities and challenges.


Back in the AVE and seeing the headlines I've come to realize that there are almost five million unemployed in Spain, and only prune! We return to this country the confidence and optimism, thinking to fight and improving every day. And that's what I'll do starting tomorrow, I promise to all the fans and I appreciate that. "
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prisonermonkeys
Well, you're going to be late to the party - I'm pretty sure the team has set December 15 as the date for the announcement.
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Then F1 fanatic was wrong, since they said earlier this week that it'd be next week. Either way I'll see it when it gets here. I only saw this thanks to Speed.com.
 
Here's my dark prediction for the week - Daniel Ricciardo is about to get screwed. Or, perhaps more accurately, he's about to get Marko-ed (formerly known as being Briatore-d).

Ricciardo and Vergne have had remarkably similar careers:

- Both won British Formula 3 (and both did it with Carlin).
- Both went into Formula Renault 3.5 (they were even team-mates at Tech 1).
- Both came very close to winning the FR3.5 title in their second year of competition.
- Both served as Toro Rosso's test drivers (though Ricciardo did more running in 2011).
- Both tested for Red Bull at the young driver tests (and both were fastest).
- Both are now racing for Toro Rosso.

But here's the major point of difference between the two: Daniel Ricciardo went to HRT in 2011, ostensibly for "evaluation" by the team (evidently impressing them). But Jean-Eric Vergne was promoted straight into Formula 1. Unless someone like Dietrich Mateschitz has put his foot down and told Toro Rosso that they can no longer send drivers to other teams for "evaluation", then I very much suspect that Vergne is going to be the favoured son at Toro Rosso next year. He was bumped up to Formula 1 straight away, while Riccirado had to go through an audition process, and I very much doubt that Red Bull placed him in the team simply becuse they were running out of things for him to do. Given the way Helmut Marko treats drivers, I think Vergne is being lined up as a replacement for Mark Webber, and Ricciardo will only get the nod if he humiliates Vergne on-track.
 
prisonermonkeys
When Petrov left Renault, someone very close to him (possibly his girlfriend, but the exact nature of the relationship has never been defined - but she posts dozens of pictures off him, so they're clearly close friends at the least) posted on Twitter that an announcement from Marussia regarding Petrov would be coming on the 16th.
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I hadn't heard that (obviously), but I've actually been wanting him to end up at Marussia, so that's interesting to know. 💡
 
Mike Rotch
Quite shocked too see them both out of a drive. Will be a pity if they have to fight over an HRT seat.
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I agree, that would be bizarre, considering Ricciardo, who has been in F1 for about half a year, would basically switch with one of the drivers who has been at Toro Rosso. I think both of them have performed relatively well in the past few years, and it is certainly a shock to see both of them ousted for some rookies to take their place.
 
I'm late to the party but as much as everyone right here I'm surprised that STR even dropped Alguersuari in which I thought he has been doing fine this season to the less fortunate Buemi. Signing both rookies could be a blow, at least they keep Alguersuari and sign Ricciardo which is safer in my opinion as Alguersuari has the experience rather than the fresh Vergne. However it will be interesting to how this pans out...
 
Unless Red Bull want Alguersuari to replace Webber, in which case they might pull a Massa and stick him in a test role for a year to work him into the team, since Toro Rosso is completely separate to Red Bull these days.
 
STR continue to be a pawn of Red Bull's junior programme and not a race team as usual. 👎

I'm quite glad that they didn't keep the name "Minardi", because this team isn't even given the chance to show anything like that kind of spirit. Every other team on the grid is there to win the WDC and WCC. STR are there just give Red Bull's junior programme some kind of purpose and reward.

I honestly don't see Vergne and Ricciardo doing that much better than Buemi and Alguesuari. It now looks very unlikely either ex-STR driver will find another F1 seat - what a crying shame as both a clearly decent F1 drivers.

I'd like to see Ricciardo do well but I don't like it being at the expense of two good drivers. And before anyone says it, no I'm not "surprised" that STR show their real purpose again, its just I guess I was vainly hoping maybe they would finally operate as a race team and stick with at least one of Buemi or Alguesuari.
 
Based on some of the rumours that I've been hearing overnight, here's how I see the last few seats playing out:

1) Sutil and di Resta to stay at Force India. Nico Hulkenberg may be retained as third driver, or he may cut himself loose - especially if he had a contract, and Mallya bought him out of it.

2a) Petrov in at Marussia, Pic out. Possibly to a test role.
2b) Petrov in at Marussia, Glock out. Possibly to Williams, or snapped up by Caterham.

3) Giedo van der Garde to HRT.
 
What? They got rid of both of them?

Unbelievable!

Can someone please buy out Torro Rosso before they destroy any other drivers' careers? This is just horrible for Buemi and Alguersuari.
 
I too am another that wasn't expecting both STR drivers to be dropped, I wonder if it's because they were both performing about the same, and in a sense they got each other booted.

Other subject, I'm adamant that Petrov is not in talks with Force India (I'm trying to figure out which other team he is in talks with) as they said a few days back that they would announce their lineup on the 15th, and Petrov's Manager said even more recently that his future would be announced as late as the end of the month, more or less.
It's starting to look like it may indeed be Williams that is the other team he is pushing for (the other is accepted to be Marussia), despite the comment he made (on the 17th Nov) about the long queue of people trying to get into Williams, and being glad he's not in it, because we all know he shouldn't have much trouble jumping to the front.

If not, I guess that only leaves.... HRT, and that ridiculous McLaren rumor, and I'm sure no one in their right mind would trade half a Renault seat for a whole HRT seat (continuing the story from Renault that Petrov got to make a choice).
 
prisonermonkeys
Unless Red Bull want Alguersuari to replace Webber, in which case they might pull a Massa and stick him in a test role for a year to work him into the team, since Toro Rosso is completely separate to Red Bull these days.
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Alguersuari will not be replacing Webber for 2013. Surely Red Bull could find someone with a bit more Go-power.
 
I'll reserve judgement until the 2012 season where I can compare pace with the ousted STR drivers. Shame for Buemi and Squire. Hopefully this won't spell the end for their respective careers in motorsport. If it is, at least Jaime has his dj career to fall back on. Buemi on the other hand, maybe he should learn to play the guitar.
 
astrosdude91
I'll reserve judgement until the 2012 season where I can compare pace with the ousted STR drivers. Shame for Buemi and Squire. Hopefully this won't spell the end for their respective careers in motorsport. If it is, at least Jaime has his dj career to fall back on. Buemi on the other hand, maybe he should learn to play the guitar.
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I just want to know why everyone thinks Buemi and Alguersuari were hard done by. I'm not convinced these were two great promising drivers who just needed more time...
 
hawkeye122
Alguersuari will not be replacing Webber for 2013. Surely Red Bull could find someone with a bit more Go-power.
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If there is one thing we have seen from Red Bull, it is that they like to keep their options open. Since Toro Rosso is basically a holding pen for upcoming talent, there is nothing more that another year at the team will do for Alguersuari. So Red Bull could pick him up as test and reserve driver, all the while evaluating Ricciardo and Vergne in the race seats.
 
Sach_F1
Why should it mean that? :odd: Motorsport extends beyond F1.
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Of course motorsports extends outside F1. I never said it didn't. I hope they can continue on with their careers. And I hope this doesn't spell the end of their careers in motorsport.
 
YellowG1
I just want to know why everyone thinks Buemi and Alguersuari were hard done by. I'm not convinced these were two great promising drivers who just needed more time...
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Well they have both had 3 years to prove themselves, that's enough time, surely?

astrosdude91
Of course motorsports extends outside F1. I never said it didn't. I hope they can continue on with their careers. And I hope this doesn't spell the end of their careers in motorsport.
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Of course it won't, they're both young and have got decent financial backing. Albeit Alguersuari will probably end up at HRT because of his nationality and sponsorship.
 
Buemi and Algersuari were both solid drivers. Over the past two seasons we have seen that they are relatively on par with eachother. I think picking just one driver to leave was a difficult decision for STR, getting rid of both was probably the fairest way (A bit of a cruel twist in my opinion).

I'm sure Ricciardo and JEV will do well. There may be teething problems as with most rookies but they should put in solid drives. The Toro Rosso was looking quite competitive towards the end of this season so they should be able to carry some of that momentum through to 2012 (Or do a Williams and jump to the back of the midfield).

In all honesty, I liked Algersuari more than Buemi, I thought he did more to earn his seat this year, but that was among a lot of bad luck and reliability problems for buemi (Though let's not forget Algersuari's epic qualifying in Spa where he was taken out at turn 1 aswell). Hopefully he will get a seat in the sport this year. HRT could be an option but I don't think there any any rumours linking him to the team.
 
I know Ricciardo was talking about possibly Red Bull buying Trulli's seat at Caterham if he didn't get the STR seat. So with Buemi and Squire getting ousted, perhaps Red Bull will offer a severance package and get one of them that Caterham seat.
 
Well, considering that Paul di Resta said he had no idea about what he was doing in 2012 just two hours ago, I'm not exactly treating that as serious.
 
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