The 2012 Driver transfer discussion/speculation thread
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RTSolvalou
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Ok there's a new tweet now:
This is not me! This is the phone itself .... Also going through
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- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
That's the problem with the Red Bull young driver program. It's like an overcrowded escalator with just a large drop at the top.
In theory it sounds like a great thing. You get picked up early in your career, get fully paid drives in top performing teams and progress up to the next step every couple of seasons or so until you get to the top (F1). Unfortunately, other younger drivers are also getting on behind you and shadowing your every move. Once at the top you either have to be good enough to push Vettel out of the way or fall off into uncertainty, probably without ever having the chance to have made the contacts within the sport you'd require to maintain yourself at it's pinnacle.
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- Houston, TX
- astrosdude91
Rumors floating around Twitter that in addition to a Hulkenberg/Di Resta lineup announcement, Jules Bianchi will apparently become Force India's reserve pilot.
I'm starting to think that perhaps Williams are waiting for FI to announce their lineup before they announce theirs. Perhaps they are ready to sign Sutil, but don't want to ruin Vijay's moment. So maybe a Sutil announcement in the coming days?
Just some crazy speculation from myself.
I'm starting to think that perhaps Williams are waiting for FI to announce their lineup before they announce theirs. Perhaps they are ready to sign Sutil, but don't want to ruin Vijay's moment. So maybe a Sutil announcement in the coming days?
Just some crazy speculation from myself.
- 10,373
- Manchester
- Ardius_
Not to mention that it effectively chains STR to a lower-midfield position and the team don't seem to have any real control over their driver choices. Its hard to imagine STR ever being given the funds and ability to challenge for the championship.
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- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
Agree with TheCracker and Ardius. I guess this is tolerated because it is just one team openly doing it. But what if Ferrari gets ideas and (Group FIAT) buys out Sauber? And we get Montezemolo publicly saying: "Sauber will from now on be a F1 testing ground for future Ferrari talents"?
I bet the whole world, save the tiffosi, would cry about the italian cheaters getting not only a 3rd car, but also a 4th car on the grid.
Since it's Red Bull doing it ... nobody cares.
I bet the whole world, save the tiffosi, would cry about the italian cheaters getting not only a 3rd car, but also a 4th car on the grid.
Since it's Red Bull doing it ... nobody cares.
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- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
It's maybe a bit different for RedBull. They have this massive worldwide youth/trend sports sponsorship going on. It has to be fed with new talent all the time to keep it looking 'of the moment'. Ferrari's image is that of great history and exclusivity. On face value, they'd only want to nail their colours to safe bets. If they do develop a young driver program, which i know they kind of do at the moment, i'm sure they'll offer the financial benefits but without all the obvious brand-connection that RedBull do.
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- GTP_Nissen
14-12-2011 - 'Alguersuari got booted from STR' this hit me really hard 
, hope he still makes the most out of hist career (Thanks Dietrich Mateschitz and Helmut Marko for ****ing the career of this great talent) hope he still makes it into Ferrari 2013 A & A Great Team!
, hope he still makes the most out of hist career (Thanks Dietrich Mateschitz and Helmut Marko for ****ing the career of this great talent) hope he still makes it into Ferrari 2013 A & A Great Team!
- 5,379
- Yokohama
- F1fan1
14-12-2011 - 'Alguersuari got booted from STR' this hit me really hard
Awesome avatar, but I don't think Mateschitz and Marko have necessarily 🤬 his career. They funded his drives since he was 15. He may not have have gotten this far without them and he made a good impression this season. All is not lost.
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- race_emhard
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- Lisboa
- FLAT_TWELVE
Hey let's leave cartoons out of this threadplease.
@F1 Fan: true but the way I see it the RB young driver program leads nowhere and in fact occupies two formula 1 seats. F1 isn't supposed to be for learner programs that's why I wrote about the Ferrari-Sauber situation. If this kind of nonsense spreads it will be apparent that it isn't good for F1.
I guess even GT Academy's own Lucas Ordoñez has more options after completing the "formation program" than a former young RB driver.
@F1 Fan: true but the way I see it the RB young driver program leads nowhere and in fact occupies two formula 1 seats. F1 isn't supposed to be for learner programs that's why I wrote about the Ferrari-Sauber situation. If this kind of nonsense spreads it will be apparent that it isn't good for F1.
I guess even GT Academy's own Lucas Ordoñez has more options after completing the "formation program" than a former young RB driver.
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Well, so much for an annoucement from Force India ...
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- tombrookscomms
I know, this is taking a painfully long time to announce. Maybe they're planning to spring a surprise...
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- Hammerhead Garage
Well, Vijay Mallya is currently tied up in trying to save Kingfisher. If they haven't made a decision about their drivers yet, then he could be in serious trouble - Subrata Roy and Michel Mol could form a minority partnership and force Mallya out, or at least marginalise his position within the team.
Of course, the team does have a habit of being one of the last to confirm their line-ups, and there's nothing to say that they don't already have contracts signed and are simply waiting for the opportune moment to annouce it.
Of course, the team does have a habit of being one of the last to confirm their line-ups, and there's nothing to say that they don't already have contracts signed and are simply waiting for the opportune moment to annouce it.
Former Driver Luis Perez-Sala Takes Over as HRT Team Principal
He was a decent driver during his brief F1 tenure, but that's about all I know of him.
He was a decent driver during his brief F1 tenure, but that's about all I know of him.
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- F1fan1
Yup. Been refreshing Autosport all day.
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It has been suggested by Nico Hulkenberg's press officer that an announcement will "probably" happen today.
I have to wonder: with the talk that Force India is perhaps stalling to try and keep Adrian Sutil in the seat, and Frank Williams' self-imposed deadline of Christmas for a decision by Christmas, could Jaime Alguersuari wind up at Grove? It appears a decision has been made at Force India, but even if Adrian Sutil is not racing for them, they were always his first choice. If they wanted to try and get him back, he would no doubt hear them out and Williams would be left with very few options. Alguersuari has backing from Cepsa, and while that would conflict with PDVSA's sponsorship, Cepsa is owned by an Emirati consortium that controls several companies, and so could easily arrange for another name to sponsor the team. It is also another link to the Middle East, and we know Williams has connections there.
I have to wonder: with the talk that Force India is perhaps stalling to try and keep Adrian Sutil in the seat, and Frank Williams' self-imposed deadline of Christmas for a decision by Christmas, could Jaime Alguersuari wind up at Grove? It appears a decision has been made at Force India, but even if Adrian Sutil is not racing for them, they were always his first choice. If they wanted to try and get him back, he would no doubt hear them out and Williams would be left with very few options. Alguersuari has backing from Cepsa, and while that would conflict with PDVSA's sponsorship, Cepsa is owned by an Emirati consortium that controls several companies, and so could easily arrange for another name to sponsor the team. It is also another link to the Middle East, and we know Williams has connections there.
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- Houston, TX
- astrosdude91
I'd rather see Squire at Caterham. He would fit in nicely there. I still think Sutil should go to Williams.
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In that case, he'd have to buy out Trulli's seat. And talk that it is still for sale has died down.
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- HamiltonMP427
I'm not convinced that when drivers are given the idea that their team is trying it's best to help them win, but in reality STR is just an over hyped GP2 team by what Tost said you have to wonder. They're not bad drivers and the idea of what STR runs on is quite stupid and only takes up room for a team that actually wants to beat RBR and not run behind them beacuse they have to. The STR team may build their own cars now, but they still take orders from big brother RBR. Also why not let the drivers know that they're leaving sooner not talk to them like they'll be racing in 2012, or tell Jamie (Marko did) how to get to RBR, then drop them like nothing.
Also I guess Button and Webber weren't all that promising either, they needed time too and with it one became a WDC and the other a respected RBR driver. I'm thinking that fans are forgetting that there use to be a time that drivers could move up the ladder and be given chances. It just seems that F1 gets more elitist every year and some fans follow suit. I don't think Vergne and Daniel will do anything that Jamie and Buemi couldn't do if left in the cars, but I could be quite wrong only time will tell.
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I agree. If Red Bull want to evaluate drivers, they should do it in GP2 and Formula Renault. at the very least, they'd save a ton of cash.
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- HamiltonMP427
I'm starting to think RBR are going to have their own nation soon, they have massive outfits in any thing that has an engine, and as a brand they're nearly everywhere. I think money to them in not an issue which is scary.
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Interesting tweet from @GrandPrixDiary:
I don't think there's too much too it - "di Rubles" sounds like it was added for the sake of a gag.
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- astrosdude91
Red Bull Racing had nothing to do with this move. It was a move done by Dietrich Mateschitz, Helmut Marko, and Franz Tost. Christian Horner or any other personel at RBR were not involved. Perhaps the shakeup was made with future inquiries at RBR in mind. But that's where the connection ends.
Though I agree with the general sentiment. STR did a very poor job breaking the news to the drivers. Buemi was in the middle of doing laps in the Red Bull simulator when he found out. I can only imagine how that went.
"Great job Sebastien! Some proper lap times. Oh by the way you're fired. KTHXBAI!"
Though I agree with the general sentiment. STR did a very poor job breaking the news to the drivers. Buemi was in the middle of doing laps in the Red Bull simulator when he found out. I can only imagine how that went.
"Great job Sebastien! Some proper lap times. Oh by the way you're fired. KTHXBAI!"
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