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The 2017 F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation threadFormula 1
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- psychoazubi
Actually, the deal is done, but the contract is not yet signed. Mercedes is holding Wehrlein back in case they will not sign Bottas - which is very unlikely by now, but in F1, you never know...
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That's my point, the deal between them is done as far as most analyst see it. Because Williams is getting a pretty significant chunk out of it that make it hard for them to disagree.
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- MRT_Cinnamon
Well, Manor is under administration now.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127651
It's a shame it happened.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127651
It's a shame it happened.
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When he took over the team, Stephen Fitzpatrick said that he wouldn't start a season if he couldn't guarantee that they would finish it.
It's plausible that the team will be purchased, but seems unlikely. Losing tenth place to Sauber seems to have sealed that coffin pretty furmly.
It's plausible that the team will be purchased, but seems unlikely. Losing tenth place to Sauber seems to have sealed that coffin pretty furmly.
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This.
Presumably Manor F1 tried to find buyers before they were wound up so the obvious options will have been exhausted. If a buyer were to step in now and take Manor GP (with the racing rights) they'd probably get the fruits of Manor F1's pre-January-2017 developments at a negotiable discount - to my mind that's the only way that Bernie or Liberty might persuade a new buyer into the paddock.
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It was believed that Tavo Hellmund was interested in purchasing the team. Investment from Asia was also being sought out, possibly as part of the proposed deal with Hellmund, or possibly as a separate negotiation.
I don't think anything is going to happen, the rumours are that design of the car was a long way behind, not even past that phase whilst other teams are already crash testing chassis and parts. If anyone bought them, they'd have have to bolt something together very quickly and endure a year of turmoil.
20, we only have 22 now including Manor.
20, we only have 22 now including Manor.
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So Gutierrez continues his career in Formule E
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It's pretty strange though. He's announced that he'll be racing at the Mexico ePrix but said he doesn't have a team yet... I'm not really sure what's going on there. Won't he need a team first before announcing his plans to race?
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Ah. I think on F1Fanatic it said he hadn't confirmed a team yet. I'd assume he's then taking Duval's seat as D'Ambrosio has brought the team its only two wins and has consistently outperformed Duval.
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Autosport are reporting that Manor has just one week to find a saviour.
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Is that even enough time to properly finalize a deal though? Aside from a Saudi oil baron or Chinese investment billionaire who wants a Formula 1 team as their personal playtoy, I don't see who would be able or willing to front them the money before the deadline.
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It's plausible that they are already talking to someone and have been for some time, or that the one-week deadline is self-imposed and they only need to enter - rather than resolve - negotiations by then.
Their main issue is that they just aren't going to have a 2017 car ready without a cash injection pronto. Even then it may not be enough and with the new regs it's not like they can just enter with the 2016 car. Who is going to invest in a team that can't race? I think sadly, there is no way back for the plucky Manor.
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If this BBC article that just went up is accurate, the deadline is the point where Manor's administrators would become liable for paying the salaries of all the team's employees. They've also had two deals fall apart at the last second under them, so I kinda doubt they have someone else waiting in the wings and even though they apparently found enough money in the couch cushions to pay everyone till the end of the month, they're more than likely going to shutter the whole operation without a lot of cash coming in fast.
Actually, according to the article I linked above they were given permission to use a modified version of their 2016 car to start the season off, should they find a buyer. The big issue is apparently whether they're going to get a backer to pay all the bills before the season starts.
Yeah I actually just read that after posting
I still think it seems unlikely someone is going to see that as a viable starting point for an F1 investment. You'd think starting from scratch for 2018 would end up being cheaper than buying Manor and running 4-6 seconds off the pace every race. They may not even qualify at many events.
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- pj-gm
- PJwasHere876
They had little issue qualifying last time they used the previous year's car. And that was with a weak engine and a worse chassis. They should be fine, albeit last, if they go through this year with the old car.
I dont see why they would ever think starting from scratch would ever be better than taking an experienced team and their facility. 2010 reminded us how bad a team can truly be starting from scratch, and how long it can take to be competitive.
I dont see why they would ever think starting from scratch would ever be better than taking an experienced team and their facility. 2010 reminded us how bad a team can truly be starting from scratch, and how long it can take to be competitive.
There wasn't a reg change with cars getting 4-5 seconds faster then, though. Sure, some of that is "free" time in the tyres but most of it is in the aero. Add on the 2 seconds they were already off the top pace and it's not going to be pretty, I'd have thought.
I'm no businessman but I'd think someone could acquire the factory and staff for less money if they wait until they go bust, instead of paying whatever they're valuing Manor at. Unless they do one of those nominal £1 purchases.
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An announcement on Bottas' future is expected some time this week:
http://www.speedcafe.com/2017/01/16/news-valtteri-bottas-future-expected-week/
In other words, "we've announced this announcement to announce that an announcement will soon be announced".
http://www.speedcafe.com/2017/01/16/news-valtteri-bottas-future-expected-week/
In other words, "we've announced this announcement to announce that an announcement will soon be announced".
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Announcement-ception.
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Wehrlein to Sauber is official now
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