F1 2013

Did anyone bet that Massa would go to Williams?

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/11/sport/motorsport/motorsport-massa-williams-ferrari/index.html

GameboyRMH wrote: Did anyone bet that Massa would go to Williams? http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/11/sport/motorsport/motorsport-massa-williams-ferrari/index.html

Psst, go read today's posts in this thread. We've kinda been talking about it for the last few hours.

D'oh I gave it a quick scroll-through but missed that post.

But I bet you haven't seen the new Ken...aw dammit

rob_lewis wrote: Hulkenberg to Lotus. That leaves a Sauber seat open and closes another door for Massa/Maldonado/Perez. Hulkenberg to Lotus The question will be, did his speed these last races come from him or are the rumors that Sauber figured out part of RBR's success and had applied it? I like Hulkenberg and hope he and Grosjean can continue to be a thorn in the big teams sides. -Rob

Hulk is linked, but why isn't he signed yet? could Pastor swoop in and take the seat? or will Chico go back to sauber and pastor will go to a backmarker?

trigun7469 wrote:

rob_lewis wrote: Hulkenberg to Lotus. That leaves a Sauber seat open and closes another door for Massa/Maldonado/Perez. Hulkenberg to Lotus The question will be, did his speed these last races come from him or are the rumors that Sauber figured out part of RBR's success and had applied it? I like Hulkenberg and hope he and Grosjean can continue to be a thorn in the big teams sides. -Rob

Hulk is linked, but why isn't he signed yet? could Pastor swoop in and take the seat? or will Chico go back to sauber and pastor will go to a backmarker?

It all comes down to $$'s If the Quantum (previously known as Infinite, not Infiniti) money comes through the Lotus seat will for sure go to the Hulk. If that doesn't pan out then PAstor's dodgy dollars will win out and Nico will be screwed again.

Confirmed: Magnussen to McLaren, replacing Perez http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24903504

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Confirmed: Magnussen to McLaren, replacing Perez http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24903504

YES!

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: Confirmed: Magnussen to McLaren, replacing Perez http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24903504

Chico to Force india, would seem as a surprising move, I would assume that Sutil would be out the seat. Which makes the Lotus and Sauber drives, up for grabs.

Regarding Alonso, if he doesn't make the race and being that Kimi is out, I don't think of that as a snub to the usgp. The titles have already been decided, if there is a chance to get new drivers in seats to 'test' then I am fine with that. Rossi is driving on Friday for catheram I believe and I would love to see other talented young drivers get a chance to show their talent on the track. As opposed to Maldonado's talent of being better with a checkbook than a race car.

rob_lewis wrote: Ugh. Although I'm not an Alonso fan, this concerns me given Kimi's out too. In only it's second year, is F1 already starting to think that the USGP isn't important enough to participate in?

I'm sure Ferrari thinks the 2nd place manufacturer's championship money is important enough to run their best driver if he's medically fit for it. There's reportedly tens of millions of dollars riding on it, and they're only 11 points behind Mercedes.

There are strong indicators that Alonso will be fit enough to race this weekend. http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Ferrari-Alonso-to-race-in-Austin-a-strong-sign,69230.html

I've additionally read that "The Brow" himself confirmed via his twitter account.

I like that Massa got the ride at Williams but a little disappointed that Perez was sacked in lieu of Magnussen. Either Jan's kid has a lot more potential or brings even more money than his predecessor.

Now all we need is a confirmation for the Hulk at Lotus and Pastor looking for a ride somewhere out of F1.

As of Monday night, weather forcast is 40% chance of rain on Saturday. Racing on that track is exciting as is but rain could make qualifying REALLY interesting.

oldsaw wrote: There are strong indicators that Alonso will be fit enough to race this weekend. http://motorsport.nextgen-auto.com/Ferrari-Alonso-to-race-in-Austin-a-strong-sign,69230.html I've additionally read that "The Brow" himself confirmed via his twitter account. I like that Massa got the ride at Williams but a little disappointed that Perez was sacked in lieu of Magnussen. Either Jan's kid has a lot more potential or brings even more money than his predecessor. Now all we need is a confirmation for the Hulk at Lotus and Pastor looking for a ride somewhere out of F1.

I read another forum, (Speculation) that whitemarsh pulled the trigger on Chico and the team does not like him(clearly as they did not give him another year). So the rumor is that Whitmarsh will be axed for Ross.

So with Kimi playing hooky this weekend it looks like Kovalainen is stepping in. http://en.espnf1.com/lotusf1/motorsport/story/134809.html

Apparantly Hulkenburg turned down the offer which seems odd as Lotus are in a close battle for 3rd/4th in the constructors championship only 26 points behind the red purse gang. It will be nice to see Kovalainen get another shot in a fast car again, even if it's just for two races.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

Oh good, I shall continue to root for a Lotus then!

Adrian_Thompson wrote: So with Kimi playing hooky this weekend it looks like Kovalainen is stepping in. http://en.espnf1.com/lotusf1/motorsport/story/134809.html Apparantly Hulkenburg turned down the offer which seems odd as Lotus are in a close battle for 3rd/4th in the constructors championship only 26 points behind the red purse gang. It will be nice to see Kovalainen get another shot in a fast car again, even if it's just for two races.

He doesn't want to race for free next year because he doesn't already have tens of millions in the bank like Kimi?

Maybe he thinks their lack of resources will mean they won't be as competitive next year during a huge regulation change?

z31maniac wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: So with Kimi playing hooky this weekend it looks like Kovalainen is stepping in. http://en.espnf1.com/lotusf1/motorsport/story/134809.html Apparantly Hulkenburg turned down the offer which seems odd as Lotus are in a close battle for 3rd/4th in the constructors championship only 26 points behind the red purse gang. It will be nice to see Kovalainen get another shot in a fast car again, even if it's just for two races.

He doesn't want to race for free next year because he doesn't already have tens of millions in the bank like Kimi? Maybe he thinks their lack of resources will mean they won't be as competitive next year during a huge regulation change?

Guess I should have read the article first.

Seems strange if he was going to go there next year, why not go ahead and get some experience in the team?

z31maniac wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: So with Kimi playing hooky this weekend it looks like Kovalainen is stepping in. http://en.espnf1.com/lotusf1/motorsport/story/134809.html Apparantly Hulkenburg turned down the offer which seems odd as Lotus are in a close battle for 3rd/4th in the constructors championship only 26 points behind the red purse gang. It will be nice to see Kovalainen get another shot in a fast car again, even if it's just for two races.

He doesn't want to race for free next year because he doesn't already have tens of millions in the bank like Kimi? Maybe he thinks their lack of resources will mean they won't be as competitive next year during a huge regulation change?

I don't see anything that says he's turned them down for next year, just for the last two races this year.

I love Kimi, but I'm low on sympathy for him. I said it before I'll say it again, yes he should be / should have been paid, but if you a racer with millions already in the bank. Finish the season, do the best job you can for them then sue them into bankruptcy after the season if they still don't pay you. But for the sake of the team attracting the investment needed to pay you, don't berkeley them over this year.

Interesting, to say the least.

Yes, it looks like Hulk is only not running with Lotus for the last two races because his contract with Sauber has been fulfilled.

Maroon92 wrote: Interesting, to say the least. Yes, it looks like Hulk is only not running with Lotus for the last two races because his contract with Sauber has been fulfilled.

OK at first I didn't understand what you were saying. Then I read the article. Ferrari paid Hulkenberg's salary to prevent him racing with Lotus by AC

True, not true, certainly a strategic move if it was. There is much strategy in F1.

I must say, that's an awesome ploy by Ferrari if it's true. We feel threatened so let's pay the guys salary to STOP him racing us. I love it.

Perez out!!

http://sergioperez.mx/en/despedida-mclaren/

-Rob

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I must say, that's an awesome ploy by Ferrari if it's true. We feel threatened so let's pay the guys salary to STOP him racing us. I love it.

That is awesome!

rob_lewis wrote: Perez out!! http://sergioperez.mx/en/despedida-mclaren/ -Rob

Damn classy way to leave. No snide remarks, no calling in sick. Thank you for the opportunity and good luck in the future. Unlike Crashonardo I have nothing against him and I hope he finds another drive, I just want to see a real charger at McLaren

Adrian_Thompson wrote:

rob_lewis wrote: Perez out!! http://sergioperez.mx/en/despedida-mclaren/ -Rob

Damn classy way to leave. No snide remarks, no calling in sick. Thank you for the opportunity and good luck in the future. Unlike Crashonardo I have nothing against him and I hope he finds another drive, I just want to see a real charger at McLaren

http://www.crash.net/f1/news/198127/1/perez_hits_out_at_mclaren.html

Adrian_Thompson wrote: I love Kimi, but I'm low on sympathy for him. I said it before I'll say it again, yes he should be / should have been paid, but if you a racer with millions already in the bank. Finish the season, do the best job you can for them then sue them into bankruptcy after the season if they still don't pay you. But for the sake of the team attracting the investment needed to pay you, don't berkeley them over this year.

So he's supposed to defer medically necessary surgery, risking pushing the recovery time into conflicting with his testing schedule at Ferrari, just to be nice to the team that is already in breach of contract with him? One that has already had a number of "second chances", and yet still hasn't paid him? One that, on top of all that, has been bad-mouthing him in the press?

I don't see anything wrong with Kimi taking the medical leave he's due.