The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1

[GTPorsche]

I don't think Vandoorne is an option for Manor at this point.

 

[mustafur]

Mclaren should put him in that seat if they can though, otherwise what else is he going to do next season?

 

[TRGTspecialist]

Mclaren should put him in that seat if they can though, otherwise what else is he going to do next season?

Super Formula, by the looks of it.

 

[twitcher]

Super Formula, by the looks of it.

I hope drivers like him can help elevate Super Formula a bit...at least to the point of getting some English commentary

It would be great to see the series expand a little bit to include a couple more Asian tracks, maybe one or two stops in Australia.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It would be great to see the series expand a little bit to include a couple more Asian tracks, maybe one or two stops in Australia.

Eastern Creek is probably the only circuit thst could handle it. But I expect that if it expands, it will probably go to China, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand first.

 

[twitcher]

Eastern Creek is probably the only circuit thst could handle it. But I expect that if it expands, it will probably go to China, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand first.

True I hadn't thought of that...Asian countries are way more likely.

Do you think they would ever run as a support race for F1 in either Malaysia or either of the China rounds? I think Singapore would be the number one candidate since it's a temporary track.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Do you think they would ever run as a support race for F1 in either Malaysia or either of the China rounds?

It could work. Super Formula needs to establish itself as a viable way into Formula 1, but it would take interest from the series itself to make it happen.

 

[SagarisGTB]

It would be great to see the series expand a little bit to include a couple more Asian tracks, maybe one or two stops in Australia.

Inje was on the preliminary calendar a few years ago, but it was cancelled prior to the event taking place because of organizational difficulties.

It could work. Super Formula needs to establish itself as a viable way into Formula 1, but it would take interest from the series itself to make it happen.

Why? Does Indycar need to do the same?

Super Formula is currently one of only three active non-junior internal-combustion single-seater series in the world. Why turn viable employment for drivers (which will continue as long as Honda and Toyota support the series) into another pay-driver-filled amateur-hour racing series at the mercy of the slowly dying F1?

 

[twitcher]

I was going to ask @prisonermonkeys a question that @SagarisGTB ended up sort of touching on.

Would Super Formula be better served being part of a path to F1, or as an alternative to F1.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Why turn viable employment for drivers (which will continue as long as Honda and Toyota support the series) into another pay-driver-filled amateur-hour racing series at the mercy of the slowly dying F1?

Because the FIA is trying to weed out pay drivers by consolidating the junior series and cutting costs.

 

[SagarisGTB]

If you're consolidating the junior ladder, why would you attempt to transform a Japanese based senior series into a junior category that would be comparable in role with both GP2 and the FIA's planned F2 championship? It would be untenable. The likes of Nakajima, Kobayashi, Yamamoto, Lotterer etc. bring out the crowds and generate TV viewer numbers, which in turn make the series attractive for sponsors and manufacturers. Nobody would come out to watch second tier F1 prospects racing and tv figures would be paltry.

What you are proposing doesn't make sense to me. The world doesn't revolve around accommodating F1 and Japan's second most popular national series doesn't need to kill itself to fill a redundant role that doesn't need filling.

Edit: And as an aside, good luck demonstrably cutting costs. Modern motorsport (right down to karting) is inherently expensive and junior series don't command much attention. Someone has to cover the bill and it won't be the poor teams. Pay drivers are here to stay, the best we can hope for going forward is that more of these pay drivers end up attracting sponsorship because of their skills behind the wheel and not superfluous reasons like connections and nationality.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

And as an aside, good luck demonstrably cutting costs. Modern motorsport (right down to karting) is inherently expensive and junior series don't command much attention.

Formula 4 has managed it.

 

[mustafur]

The only junior ladder race that gets any kind of attention is Macau.

The only time the others get crowds is because they are usually support races for races people came to watch for.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Formula 4 has managed it.

To an extent, sure, but the further you go up the ladder the more difficult cost-cutting endeavors becomes.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

To an extent, sure, but the further you go up the ladder the more difficult cost-cutting endeavors becomes.

That's why the FIA introduced the restrictive licence points system. They're trying to force all drivers into one streamlined path and hopefully create a dirth of talent waiting in the wings and prompting teams to prioritise talent over money. To a certain extent, it's working in European F3, so hopefully it can in Formula 2.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Haas saying that the second seat "was always going to go to a Ferrari reserve driver", no real surprises there. Sky.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

According to Autosport, the patron saint of poor driving standards, Lance St. Roll (it took me all day to think of that one; you're welcome) will be joining Williams in a development roll.

 

[twitcher]

According to Autosport, the patron saint of poor driving standards, Lance St. Roll (it took me all day to think of that one; you're welcome) will be joining Williams in a development roll.

Aww come on He had two bad races. He really turned his season around after Spa, and if I remember correctly he finished 5th overall...not bad for a rookie.

I'm looking forward to how he does in the Toyota Racing Series again over the winter.

Btw I have to pull for him (even if he is French ) because as far as I know he's all Canada's got going right now.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I don't think Vandoorne is an option for Manor at this point.

Even before the Super Formula news it was obvious that Manor wasn't going to have him because it's going to now be ran like that of HAAS. Where yes they have freedom in picking a driver for one seat but the other seat is always going to go to a Mercedes development driver like Pascal

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Even before the Super Formula news it was obvious that Manor wasn't going to have him because it's going to now be ran like that of HAAS. Where yes they have freedom in picking a driver for one seat but the other seat is always going to go to a Mercedes development driver like Pascal

I wouldn't be so sure should the Hellmund consortium buy in. I doubt they'll stick Earnhardt Jr. in a seat, but I don't think Wehrlein would be guaranteed a spot, either.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I wouldn't be so sure should the Hellmund consortium buy in. I doubt they'll stick Earnhardt Jr. in a seat, but I don't think Wehrlein would be guaranteed a spot, either.

If they want the technical agreement that Mercedes seems keen on bringing manor to make them the rear gunner, and keep HAAS at bay they might. And really what better way to have your investment pay off by becoming a b or c team to Mercedes, while moving up the CVC WCC ladder and get more money.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If they want the technical agreement that Mercedes seems keen on bringing manor to make them the rear gunner to keep HAAS at bay they might. And really what better way to have your investment pay off by becoming a b or c team to Mercedes and move up the CVC WCC ladder and get more money.

Sure, but I seem to recall Mercedes saying that taking Wehrlein isn't a condition of the deal.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Sure, but I seem to recall Mercedes saying that taking Wehrlein isn't a condition of the deal.

Then lucky for them, they're in a better situation than HAAS, I don't remember seeing that part since everyone is linking him to one of the seats.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Then lucky for them, they're in a better situation than HAAS, I don't remember seeing that part since everyone is linking him to one of the seats.

Oh, I appreciate that it's likely; they'd be mad not to. But it seems that Mercedes are willing to let their customer teams be their own masters.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

According to Autosport, the patron saint of poor driving standards, Lance St. Roll (it took me all day to think of that one; you're welcome) will be joining Williams in a development roll.

James Allen on F1 has confirmed this.

 

[TenEightyOne]

He really turned his season around after Spa...

Around, or over?

The patron saint of poor driving standards, Lance St. Roll...

Very good, I can see that one sticking

 

[GTPorsche]

Around, or over?

Why not both?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Very good, I can see that one sticking

We've already got a high priest for the Temple of St. Roll - Pastor Malcolm Donado.

 

[Jimlaad43]

I'm sure he was beaten there by Yuji Ideot

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm sure he was beaten there by Yuji Ideot

He was the cardinal.