The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1

[DK]

So, Taki Inoue would be the Pope? 💡

 

[prisonermonkeys]

So, Taki Inoue would be the Pope? 💡

Anti-pope. He trawled Twitter about this time last year, lobbying to be recognised as the worst driver of all time. It was pretty embarrassing.

 

[Jimlaad43]

So, Taki Inoue would be the Pope? 💡

De Cesaris

 

[TenEightyOne]

Anti-pope. He trawled Twitter about this time last year, lobbying to be recognised as the worst driver of all time. It was pretty embarrassing.

He can take it. Anybody who is hit twice by the SC in the same season (Hungary and Monaco) develops a thick skin, once it's healed.

It's always the right time to post this;

Here's a serious question; if it were to come to pass that neither RBR nor STR competed in 2016 and had no plans for later years... would their drivers be available for other F1 contracts?

 

[Jimlaad43]

Dan Ticktum is looking to join the club in a few years

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Dan Ticktum is looking to join the club in a few years

He's the messiah of poor dtiving standards.

Here's a serious question; if it were to come to pass that neither RBR nor STR competed in 2016 and had no plans for later years... would their drivers be available for other F1 contracts?

They have confirmed that they have engine deals, so that's not a question that needs answering.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Meanwhile, in the junior categories, Toto Wolff has confirmed that Mercedes have picked up their option on Esteban Ocon, but he admits that they have no idea what they will do with him. Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc will take Raffaele Marciello's place in the Ferrari Drivet Academy and could make FP1 appearances with Haas next year.

 

[mustafur]

I would probably take Ocon over Wehrlien tbh, his adaptability is on another level.

Even though both are Talents.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Well, he did just win his second consecutive junior title, and he won it through sheer consistency - he had nine second-place finishes in a row.

 

[Prince.M5]

I would probably take Ocon over Wehrlien tbh..

Same. Wehrlein seems to be somewhat hot-tempered and cracks a bit under pressure as shown in the DTM race at the Nurburgring earlier this year.

 

[TenEightyOne]

@NotThePrez ... any chance of changing the thread title to 16 from 15? Seems to be the right time

In driver news; what seemed to start as a rumour on Motorsport.com this morning (which I ignored due to the low quality of their site) has been picked up by Sky; Woolff seems to be warning that behind the scenes relationships at Mercedes won't support Rosberg and Hamilton in the same team. Sky.

Here's the result of a Sky vote;



EDIT: Ah, their source is Motorsport.com. Ah...

 

[ukfan758]

@NotThePrez ... any chance of changing the thread title to 16 from 15? Seems to be the right time

In driver news; what seemed to start as a rumour on Motorsport.com this morning (which I ignored due to the low quality of their site) has been picked up by Sky; Woolff seems to be warning that behind the scenes relationships at Mercedes won't support Rosberg and Hamilton in the same team. Sky.

Here's the result of a Sky vote;

View attachment 487740

EDIT: Ah, their source is Motorsport.com. Ah...

So take it with a grain of salt.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

EDIT: Ah, their source is Motorsport.com. Ah...

I don't know ... Hamilton's recent behaviour complaining about chassis development seems to be ripped from the pages of the Mark Webber media playbook: perception is nine tenths of the law. He's a three-time World Champion, and Rosberg folded under pressure, so who is it in Mercedes' interests to back if they have different paths to follow in chassis development? I suspect that he is trying to tap into public support for him to put pressure on Mercedes to favour him in chassis development, which I don't think will be received too well by the team.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

As long as Mercedes are dominating, I can't imagine Rosberg or Hamilton leaving Mercedes within the next few years. Stranger things have happened though.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

An analysis of Wolff's comments, which become more and more curious, given the detailed and specific nature of them:

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...es-really-drop-lewis-hamilton-or-nico-rosberg

Why would Wolff say that if he didn't feel that it was an issue that the team needed to address?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Indonesian media are reporting that Rio Haryanto has been offered a seat at Manor if he can produce €15 million by the end of the year; Haryanto reportedly has €5 million. Manor were also said to be asking €5 million of Mercedes for Pascal Wehrlein, but Mercedes are apparently willing to put up between €2 and €3 million. Alexander Rossi, Will Stevens and Jordan King are all said to be in various discussions with them.

 

[mikeerfol]

Indonesian media are reporting that Rio Haryanto has been offered a seat at Manor if he can produce €15 million by the end of the year; Haryanto reportedly has €5 million. Manor were also said to be asking €5 million of Mercedes for Pascal Wehrlein, but Mercedes are apparently willing to put up between €2 and €3 million. Alexander Rossi, Will Stevens and Jordan King are all said to be in various discussions with them.

It's a good thing Kaltenborn doesn't work for Manor

 

[Samus]

As long as Mercedes are dominating, I can't imagine Rosberg or Hamilton leaving Mercedes within the next few years. Stranger things have happened though.

I could see it happening, but it probably won't happen until 2018 at the earliest. Rosberg is reportedly signed up to the end of 2017, Hamilton is definitely contracted to the end of 2018. Of course they could pay them off, but would either accept it given there would probably be nowhere else to go? Plus I imagine at least in the case of Hamilton, that pay off figure would be hefty.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Yeah, I was thinking 2016-17. With 2017 bringing huge changes, staying put would appear to be a safe option. Assuming Mercedes don't get it all wrong like McLaren, Ferrari and BMW did in 2009. Aside from that, there's no real basis to my opinion.

 

[Milouse]

Renault have just confirmed that they buy Lotus, it's official. So "Lotus" and its drivers will race next year.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Indonesian media are reporting that Rio Haryanto has been offered a seat at Manor if he can produce €15 million by the end of the year; Haryanto reportedly has €5 million. Manor were also said to be asking €5 million of Mercedes for Pascal Wehrlein, but Mercedes are apparently willing to put up between €2 and €3 million. Alexander Rossi, Will Stevens and Jordan King are all said to be in various discussions with them.

When you say King is in discussions, you mean he's there in case no one else can be found. It's nice to see that he hasn't just been stuck in the car because his dad is the part-owner, they're trying other sources and have him for when he's had more experience lower down.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Pretty much. King may be Formula One material one day, but it's in the distant future.

 

[rono_thomas]

I could see it happening, but it probably won't happen until 2018 at the earliest. Rosberg is reportedly signed up to the end of 2017, Hamilton is definitely contracted to the end of 2018. Of course they could pay them off, but would either accept it given there would probably be nowhere else to go? Plus I imagine at least in the case of Hamilton, that pay off figure would be hefty.

I cant honestly believe that Mercedes would ever even think of letting go of Hamilton while he's under contract, think that would be mistake by their brand. Rosberg on the other hand - don't get me wrong he's still a fantastic driver and perhaps if he could work on his sense of humour then he could become as likeable as Vettel has over this past year (Believe me I used to have a dislike for him), I feel if he doesn't get that Championship next year then for me his seat is definitely under threat.
Hamilton Wanting to stay with Mercedes on the other hand - the £'s would have to add up I guess - because I feel he wants to feel like the number 1 for which ever team he drives for, has anyone ever heard Hamilton say that he would ever want to drive for Ferrari?

 

[Pupik]

It's a good thing Kaltenborn doesn't work for Manor

Thank you for reminding me of one of the few exciting moments of this past F1 season.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

As long as Mercedes are dominating, I can't imagine Rosberg or Hamilton leaving Mercedes within the next few years. Stranger things have happened though.

I think that you under-estimate the effect that a driver's morale can have on their relationship with the team. It doesn't matter if the team in dominating - if things start getting toxic, it could be enough for one of them to leave.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I think that you under-estimate the effect that a driver's morale can have on their relationship with the team. It doesn't matter if the team in dominating - if things start getting toxic, it could be enough for one of them to leave.

There's money in it too, each contract will surely have a buyout clause and a top driver could just as surely get the new team to pay for it.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I think that you under-estimate the effect that a driver's morale can have on their relationship with the team. It doesn't matter if the team in dominating - if things start getting toxic, it could be enough for one of them to leave.

Yeah, you're definitely right. I was thinking as long as the drivers were happy. I didn't quite think my whole post through there, 11am is early for me.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Carlos Ghosn suggests that Renault could revisit the contracts of Maldonado and Palmer:

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/549098/Maldonado_and_Palmer_await_Renault_driver_decision/

 

[TenEightyOne]

Carlos Ghosn suggests that Renault could revisit the contracts of Maldonado and Palmer:

http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/549098/Maldonado_and_Palmer_await_Renault_driver_decision/

That's all I wanted for Christmas, as it happens.

 

[GTPorsche]

Who would they swap those two out for, or at least one of them? I have a feeling Maldonado won't be going anywhere unless Renault feel that his sponsorship money isn't worth his penchant for wrecking things.