The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1

[prisonermonkeys]

Rossi has adapted to F1 pretty good, considering he was basically beating Stevens off the bat who imo was already outperforming his track record when he made mince meat of Merhi who had a junior record that crushes Stevens results(except his terrible campaign in DTM).

Merhi wasn't exactly a standout performer to begin with, so Stevens beating him is hardly the same as Stevens beating an established junior driver like Ericsson (assuming they were in the sane car). I always got the impression that Merhi and Stevens were drivers Manor had to take, rather than the drivers who best fit the team. I think it's pretty telling that they haven't rushed to sign anyone now that they have some breathing space.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Joe Saward claims Pascal Wehrlein has contract to race in 2017 - he tips a Williams seat, overriding Alex Lynn - but is under the impression that Toto Wolff is lobbying for him to get a season's experience with Manor:

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/the-driver-market-7/

He also suggests that Manor have been looking at Kevin Magnussen and are waiting on his decision before making their next move; he is under the impression that Manor were looking at a Magnussen-Haryanto, Magnussen-Rossi or Magnussen-Stevens line-up for 2016, and also floats the idea of Maldonado-Wehrlein should Magnussen be picked up by Renault and Maldonado cut loose (though he does acknowledge the perilous state of the Venezuelan economy in the face of falling oil prices).

Also, "size 12-gluteous maximus interface"? Ernest Hemmingway must be rolling in his grave ...

 

[Jimlaad43]

It's as official as we can get until Wednesday

Kevin Magnussen completes deal to replace Pastor Maldonado
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122654

 

[Dennisch]

We will miss him when he's gone.

Sad.

 

[mustafur]

Finally the endless money pit hit a end.

Magnussen deserves this, should be an interesting battle with Palmer if he is as good as he says, even though I think Magnussen will beat him easily, in outright speed atleast.

 

[wingman1659]

Maldonado says goodbye.

"Comunicado Read: http://tl.gd/n_1so8ruu"

Google translation:

"My dear fans, I address you with respect. As everyone knows in recent days there have been a number of rumors about my immediate future in Formula One.

It has been 23 years in the most exciting sports, I started at an early age, with the help of my family, we grew up and went to form as a professional, I met the taste of victory, that always leaves you with more and more will to fight.

A few years I became a teenager, I went in search of my dreams to unknown lands, without the warmth of my people, of my roots, my Venezuela. At that time, I became a man, and I realized that there were many things that I could get away from my goal, yet always succeeded.

World Karting, Formula Renault 2000, Formula 3000, Word Series and GP2 championship unforgettable. I got used to winning, we received over 200 trophies, of all sizes, shapes, shine, well, my lifetime of accomplishment in an incredibly wonderful and great pride for my own space.

He arrived as expected, the dream, the end that justified all my means, Formula One, a category that gave me even the most anticipated of my victories, this Grand Prix of Spain in 2012. All this thanks to the continued support of my family , international fans and especially my great country, that it was heard with our glorious anthem and traveled the world, because I carry my flag not only in my car but in my soul and so to the very top of the podium.

Today with the utmost humility I inform you that I will not be present at the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season, thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future. I feel very honored with the support of all of you and proud of my professional performance.

Affirm my sense of gratitude to God, my family, my sponsors, my friends, my fans and all those who have helped realize this dream of being able to represent Venezuela to the pinnacle of motorsport. See you soon!"

 

[Blitz24]

Awaiting the inevitable offer he will get for WEC or Indy Car.

 

[Dennisch]

Awaiting the inevitable offer he will get for WEC or Indy Car.

Without money?

 

[Jimlaad43]

Awaiting the inevitable offer he will get for WEC or Indy Car.

He'd fit right in with the British Touring Crash Car Championship

 

[Blitz24]

Without money?

PVSA has closed up his piggy bank?

 

[GTPorsche]

PVSA has closed up his piggy bank?

With oil prices having dropped so much, so did the crashtor repair fund.

 

[Blitz24]

With oil prices having dropped so much, so did the crashtor repair fund.

If only he wasn't crashing so much he might have kept his ride.

 

[Samus]

I'm sure he'll get a drive somewhere, a few hundred grand gets you a seat in a plethora of different series.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

We will miss him when he's gone.

Sad.

No we'll miss the website created in his honor, not him per say.

 

[TenEightyOne]

No we'll miss the website created in his honor, not him per say.

There's always HasMaldonadoGotAJobToday.com...

 

[Blitz24]

There's always HasMaldonadoGotAJobToday.com...

There's this:
http://maldonadocrashingintothings.tumblr.com/

 

[catamount39]

There's always HasMaldonadoGotAJobToday.com...

I tried it

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If only he wasn't crashing so much he might have kept his ride.

There was an interesting interview with Alan Pernane on Autosport where he suggested that taking on a team leadership role would have really matured Maldonado. It wouldn't be the first time this happened. I mean, look at his 2015 season - sure, it was error-prone, but less so than usual. Many of the incidents that he was caught up in, like the contact with Grosjean at Silverstone, were not actually his fault. It would be a cruel irony if the carpet was yanked out from under him just as he was on the verge of a breakthrough and could start to show the genuine pace that he has displayed in the past.

Sure, he's unpopular, but if there's one thing audiences enjoy more than the villain they love to hate, it's a redemption story.

 

[Dennisch]

Is there a seat left for a crash prone, his fault or not, driver without funding?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I'm hearing rumours that Renault have bought Esteban Ocon out of his Mercedes contract and that they could put him in the car for 2017.

Sucks to be the guy who isn't Magunssen, what's-his-face.

Is there a seat left for a crash prone, his fault or not, driver without funding?

The only free seats are the Manors. One is expected to go to Rio Haryanto, and the other will most likely go to Alexander Rossi, though neither have been confirmed. Even then, there's probably not enough time for Maldonado to put together a deal, and both seats are dependent on funding, with Manor asking for at least $10 million per seat.

 

[Dennisch]

That's a no go then. No oil funds, no seat for Crashtor Badgift.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

That's a no go then. No oil funds, no seat for Crashtor Badgift.

I wonder if there is a big market for Teflon in Venezuela, if so that would be great backing for Pastor if the local Teflon tycoon supported the guy.

 

[05XR8]

Not a fan but, at least he has that one 1st Place F1 trophy. Hey, all's not bad, he could get a job as a clergyman.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Meanwhile, Force India have signed sixteen year-old Nikita Mazepin as a test and development driver. He did quite well in karting, but struggled against more experienced drivers in Formula Renault 2.0 last year. As with Alfonso Celis, Jr., Mazepin is well-moneyed; his father is the director of Uralchem.

It could be a smart move by Mallya. At sixteen, it will be two years until Mazepin can race, so the team will get plenty of money while dedicating some resources towards Mazepin. If he comes good, great; if not, what have the team lost?

 

[TRGTspecialist]

Sure, he's unpopular, but if there's one thing audiences enjoy more than the villain they love to hate, it's a redemption story.

A redemption would have been great, but it's hard to say that it was just around the corner, or if it was ever going to come. He was less crash-y last year, but he was also consistently slower than Grosjean. Out of fast/not fast and crashing/not crashing, we really haven't seen "fast + not crashing" from him since 2012 - 3 years now we've been saying "will he turn it around this year?".

In many ways it's sad to see him go, but I think his time was up, both in talent and financial terms. At any rate, Magnussen certainly seems the better choice at this time, and I'm very glad he'll be back.

or Indy Car.

Please please please please can this happen. Chaos, confusion, occasional flashes of speed, crashing........he is so Indycar

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Please please please please can this happen. Chaos, confusion, occasional flashes of speed, crashing........he is so Indycar

I'm pretty sure that "Maldonado on an oval" is Spanish for "reckless endangerment".

 

[Tired Tyres]

He'd fit right in with the British Touring Crash Car Championship

I cannot like this post enough.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

He was less crash-y last year, but he was also consistently slower than Grosjean.

It's often been said that it is easier to teach a fast driver to be consistent than it is to teach a consistent driver to be fast. And on the occasion that a fast driver is trying to develop their consistency, there tends to be a slow-down as they refine their racecraft.

 

[TenEightyOne]

Maldonado out, Magnussen in. Finally confirmed... by Maldonado himself.

As everyone knows, in recent days, there have been a number of rumours about my immediate future in Formula 1. Today I most humbly inform you I will not be present on the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season.

Thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future. I feel very honoured, with the support of all of you and proud of my professional performance.

I know, a certain part of that should raise even Maldonado's mighty eyebrows.

 

[TRGTspecialist]

It's often been said that it is easier to teach a fast driver to be consistent than it is to teach a consistent driver to be fast. And on the occasion that a fast driver is trying to develop their consistency, there tends to be a slow-down as they refine their racecraft.

Indeed, but with 4 inconsistent years + 1 more-consistent-but-slower year, it's been a long development for Pastor! Contrast that with Grosjean again - 1 fast but crash-filled year, then the first half of the second year he was slow but not crashing, then by the end of the year he was both fast and consistent. 2 years to establish himself, vs. at least 6 years it would've taken for Pastor. For better or worse that probably doesn't cut it in modern day F1, not with the wealth of young drivers queuing up behind him.

Worth mentioning as well that the Renault this year will likely be a bit of a dog given the rushed transition, and Pastor hasn't coped well with poor cars in the past, so making that breakthrough would've been tough even if he was leading the team I think.

But hey, ultimately he's had a pretty good run, and with that superb 2012 win he can claim a lot more success than most drivers! And I do hope he is able to show his talent in other series.