The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1

[Jimlaad43]

Anyone who managed to perform multiple overtakes at Valencia deserves the Championship thrown at them.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I think he had bigger issues affecting his pacd in 2014 than most other drivers, what with him being pressured to lose weight to minimize the competitive disadvantage of his height in a time where weight became even more crucial. It didn't help either that the Sauber was already considerably overweight that year.

Not to be rude to you in saying this Peter I find that a cop out to be honest. He wasn't the only one, he was one of the more extreme, but I don't think he had to be. Hulk and Dan were both in need of losing weight and they still were able to maintain and beat their team mates. While he lost to his still wet behind the ears team mate.

I disagree that he would have been on the level of a past it driver switching mid season to a car he knew nothing about with no mid season testing. That's very harsh. Also harsh to put him below 2011 Massa who had one of the worst individual performances for a Ferrari driver in ages. Also Grosjean didn't even do anything impressive in an F1 car until 2012 in a pretty good Lotus car, which he would either be quick in or very dangerous, as we saw for ourselves in Belgium where he almost killed Alonso.

So you think he'd have done better if Ferrari gave him the option rather than Giancarlo?

Massa was number two, and there was plenty of writings out there to show that Ferrari of 2007-2009 weren't behind him after his comeback. Yet he still had a decent season, also bit hard to judge when he had many tangles with a now 3 time WDC. Sure he was never as good as Alonso, but then again there have only been 2 others since 2008 to be as good as Alonso. I really think if Ferrari felt a guy like Sutil would have been better, they'd have put him there.

As for Grosjean it's ironic you call me harsh, but then bash a driver who joined a team more than half way through the season due to a scandal. Taken out of GP2, which he could have won since he was second to Hulk at the time he left, and still finished fourth even though missing several races. He made a mistake quite easy to do in this sport, and only got banned due to the fear of disrepute the sport would be put in over the close championship at the time between three drivers.

Also I have to agree with @mustafur on his take, the only reason I feel mid field money strapped teams kept Sutil was because of the Medion and Carpi money. Where as the same team (Sauber) dropped Kobiyashi for lack of it.

 

[GTPorsche]

I know it's not even two full race weekends in, but I'd be surprised if Wehrlein isn't in a Williams or Force India next year.

 

[Eva]

I think Force India will be the likely scenario.

 

[GTPorsche]

I'd like to see Vandoorne replace Button for next year after seeing how he raced yesterday.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I think Force India will be the likely scenario.

Williams do seem to be resisting increased manufacturer influence.

 

[Pluxtheduck]

I'd like to see Vandoorne replace Button for next year after seeing how he raced yesterday.

I think it's far too early to say who should stay, JB was on for a better finish before the Honda let go

 

[GTPorsche]

I think it's far too early to say who should stay, JB was on for a better finish before the Honda let go

Button is older. Logic would point to that being the reason he goes first.

 

[twitcher]

I don't want to see either JB or FA out of F1 next year. Both have had crap cars for the last several years, and both have worked extremely hard to get this McHonda going good, so I personally would like to see them with at least one more good competative season. Alonso might very well be the most motivated guy in the grid right now, and with all he's been through recently, I think he'd be a scary prospect if he had a car under him.

I don't think either JB or FA have shown weekness in their game when things are going even close to the way they should. FA put in one of the best laps of his life just last year at Suzuka, and JB has shown he still has brilliant racecraft (like the opening laps at COTA last year).

I do want to see Vandoorne in F1, but not at the cost of JB or FA in 2017. I could live with it in 2018, but like I said, I'd like the old dogs to have one more solid year.

If McHonda look off the pace again next year, then sure, I wouldn't be too opposed to either JB or FA moving on to something else like WEC, Super GT...maybe Jenson as a co-driver in V8SC??? That would be fun 👍

 

[prisonermonkeys]

JB was on for a better finish before the Honda let go

That's a hard call to make, since Button's race lasted all of seven laps.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

James Allen reports that Stoffel Vandoorne will likely become a free agent in 2017 if McLaren don't offer him a seat - and that the other teams are aware of this, and were watching closely over the Bahrain Grand Prix:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016/...mula-1-as-mclaren-shows-signs-of-improvement/

 

[TenEightyOne]

James Allen reports that Stoffel Vandoorne will likely become a free agent in 2017 if McLaren don't offer him a seat - and that the other teams are aware of this, and were watching closely over the Bahrain Grand Prix:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016/...mula-1-as-mclaren-shows-signs-of-improvement/

He did a good job, I thought. His lap pace across the weekend seemed to be close enough to Button's to show that he had good command of the car, such as it was. He knew the tyres better than anyone at the beginning of the season and he showed some good racecraft. One to watch, definitely.

 

[twitcher]

This silly season is going to be extra silly. James Allen also mentions that Rosberg may have his eye on Kimi's seat, with Fernando eyeing Rosberg's Merc seat. He also says Button may go to Williams if he leaves McLaren.

Then there's Verstappen, Grosgene, Bottas, along with Wehrlein and Vandoorne

 

[GTPorsche]

I'd say if Haas continue with what they have, and improve, I don't know if Grosjean would leave the team.

Alonso in the Mercedes though.

 

[Northstar]

Then there's Verstappen, Grosgene, Bottas, along with Wehrlein and Vandoorne

Sounds like a setup for a Sauber joke.

 

[20832]

I really don't know where else to put it, and if a mod knows a thread where this does fit in better, please feel free to move it there, but I just had to share it in order to get your guys' opinion on the potential return of a Alfa Romeo outfit into the F1.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/04/05/ferrari-bail-out-sauber-to-pave-way-for-alfa-romeo-return/

 

[RazorSharkz]

I really don't know where else to put it, and if a mod knows a thread where this does fit in better, please feel free to move it there, but I just had to share it in order to get your guys' opinion on the potential return of a Alfa Romeo outfit into the F1.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2016/04/05/ferrari-bail-out-sauber-to-pave-way-for-alfa-romeo-return/

Ferrari? Mercedes? Alfa Romeo? All we need is Maserati and Talbot and we can bring the 50's grid back.

 

[RX-7_FD3S]

So umm Ferrari want another new team so they can use a loophole again ?

 

[Pezzarinho17]

The "F" in "F1" will soon stand for "Ferrari"...

 

[Jimlaad43]

The only thing that can come good of a Ferrari F1 takeover is them blackmailing Bernie into keeping Italy on the F1 calendar.

 

[TheCracker]

Button is older. Logic would point to that being the reason he goes first.

Button being more expensive than a rookie is a bigger factor, to be truthful.

Mclaren aren't afraid on teaming an experienced driver with a rookie or a largely unproven driver. I don't know how much longer they'd be willing to pay the wages of two former world champions.

 

[TRGTspecialist]

Edit: Delete please

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

This silly season is going to be extra silly. James Allen also mentions that Rosberg may have his eye on Kimi's seat, with Fernando eyeing Rosberg's Merc seat. He also says Button may go to Williams if he leaves McLaren.

Then there's Verstappen, Grosgene, Bottas, along with Wehrlein and Vandoorne

That would be quite fitting to see Button at Williams and end his career. I mean many people (myself included) didn't think it'd be possible last time it was suggested, due to his fallout the first time he drove for them. But if Kimi, Alonso, Hulk and such can return to their former teams after bailing out why can't Jenson after all this time.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Alex Lynn is pushing for a 2017 drive with Williams:

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2016/...-lynn-pushing-for-williams-f1-chance-in-2017/

He's going to have to improve by leaps and bounds this year if he wants to stand any chance of making the 2017 grid.

Meanwhile, Force India's sucker protégé Nikita Mazepin has been a very naughty boy:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123917/mazepin-banned-for-paddock-altercation

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Sergey Sirotkin has joined Renault as a development driver, and will get some FP1 time starting this coming weekend in Sochi.

 

[Jimlaad43]

PR

 

[prisonermonkeys]

PR

I wouldn't be so cynical - Sirotkin is replacing Vandoorne at ART in GP2 this year and is one of the favourites to win the title.

Now, if someone like Sauber or Force India were putting the likes of Nikita Mazepin, Konstantin Tereschenko or Matevos Isakyaan (maybe - he does show promise) in the car for FP1, then it would be pure PR. But if the likes of Jolyon Palmer or Alfonso Celis Jr. can drive, Sirotkin certainly should.

 

[mustafur]

Sirotkin won't get the Renault seat regardless of how well he does in GP2 anyway, unless Magnussen crumbles but he is destroying Palmer now.

Ocon will Get Palmers seat over any other driver.

 

[Jimlaad43]

I wouldn't be so cynical - Sirotkin is replacing Vandoorne at ART in GP2 this year and is one of the favourites to win the title.

Now, if someone like Sauber or Force India were putting the likes of Nikita Mazepin, Konstantin Tereschenko or Matevos Isakyaan (maybe - he does show promise) in the car for FP1, then it would be pure PR. But if the likes of Jolyon Palmer or Alfonso Celis Jr. can drive, Sirotkin certainly should.

They already have Ocon and Latifi (and Jorda) in those roles. Announcing this just before the Russian GP and letting him drive in FP1 is total PR.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

They already have Ocon and Latifi (and Jorda) in those roles. Announcing this just before the Russian GP and letting him drive in FP1 is total PR.

All three need work. Some more than others, but even Ocon needs a year of development. Sirotkin could reasonably race this weekend. And sure, there are PR benefits to be had - they'd be mad to pass on them - but Sirotkin is a genuine prospect. If Renault didn't pick him up, someone would.