Do Ferrari want two strong WDC challenging drivers?

I'm just not convinced about the Vettel to Ferrari stuff, but I'd love to see it happen. In 2008, Ferrari had two strong, race-winning drivers which helped them to their last WCC. Since then, they've came very close to one WDC and nothing else. That needs to change.

Edited by Disgrace, 28 September 2012 - 16:34.

In 2008, Ferrari had two strong, race-winning drivers which helped them to their last WCC. Since then, they've came very close to one WDC and nothing else. That needs to change.

I'm not convinced either, but it's hard to understand Ferrari letting their most able and qualified young driver program take his talent and money to McLaren. As I suggested either, Mercedes have consciously overlooked candidates from within (di Resta) for Hamilton, so who would Ferrari overlook Perez for? It has to be an actual superstar rather than the future superstar otherwise Domenicali is in the firing line.

Edited by Seanspeed, 28 September 2012 - 16:44.

I honestly dont understand how people are thinking this Lewis/Perez saga validates the Vettel to Ferrari theory.

Edited by fabr68, 28 September 2012 - 16:49.

I honestly dont understand how people are thinking this Lewis/Perez saga validates the Vettel to Ferrari theory.

I'd love for it to happen, but its not like Ferrari still dont have other options.

James Allen says his sources in Italy are convinced that Vettel has some sort of an agreement with Ferrari. If I'm not mistaken Pino Allievi has also reported this and as far as inside Ferrari info goes it doesn't get better than him. Period.

I honestly dont understand how people are thinking this Lewis/Perez saga validates the Vettel to Ferrari theory.

I'd love for it to happen, but its not like Ferrari still dont have other options.

He was also convinced that Schumacher staying with Mercedes for 2013 was a done deal months ago.

I'd love to see an Alonso/Vettel pairing, but I think you're right. Perhaps it's more dependent if Ferrari retain Massa, keeping the status quo ready for Vettel craziness in 2014. But signing a Di Resta/Hulkenberg type for 2013 would pretty much quash Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 I think.

But signing a Di Resta/Hulkenberg type for 2013 would pretty much quash Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 I think.

We're all assuming that Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 is even on the cards in the first place.

What if its not? What if Ferrari actually do need to think of finding a proper replacement for Massa? I can still see that being a difficult experience for Ferrari. For one, who will they get that they can be reasonably sure will be better than Massa? Two, and this is a big one - who can they actually get at all? Which drivers are willing to stake their reputations going against Alonso (with the team fully behind him) ?

Keeping Massa might simply be a sign that they couldn't find a suitable/willing replacement.

We're all assuming that Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 is even on the cards in the first place.

Two, and this is a big one - who can they actually get at all? Which drivers are willing to stake their reputations going against Alonso?

...went for a driver that was supposed to go to Ferrari In other words, they went for the least likely replacement.

With the opportunity of podiums and wins once in a while (when Alonso DNFS), I imagine half the grid would love that seat.

I honestly dont understand how people are thinking this Lewis/Perez saga validates the Vettel to Ferrari theory.

I'd love for it to happen, but its not like Ferrari still dont have other options.

But the Vettel rumour easily pre-dates the Hamilton one and so far Ferraris moves do seem to indicate that there could be some truth to it.

Everything I saw from Perez suggested he was more than willing to go to Ferrari if the opportunity became available, and everything I have seen from Ferrari - their reluctance to sign Perez, their interest in Webber - suggests that they were willing to replace Massa only in the short-term. Surely this means they are pretty confident of securing a big name for 2014. Otherwise they would have signed Perez.

Let's also not forget that Ferrari were interested in Kubica before his accident, and that he may even have signed some sort of pre-contractual arrangement with them - perhaps the plan has always been to pair Alonso with another top driver?

In any case, I hope they do get Vettel, because the Alonso/Vettel pairing is going to be one of the most eagerly-anticipated for years

Ferrari's moves? They haven't done anything so far.

Some people say the world will end in a few months time. Does the fact that the world hasn't ended already lend credibility to the rumor?

I mean, sure, it could all go together, but I dont really see that it makes the rumor anymore valid.

Kubica admitted that he was going to end up at Ferrari in 2012 if he didn't have that crash. And thank you for reminding me, another move that Ferrari wanted that Alonso supposedly boycotted.

They have blocked their young driver from joining and look very much like only wanting to get someone in on a one year contract. IMHO their actions or lack of if you like, suggest to me that they do indeed have someone already earmarked for 2014.

Ferrari not hiring Perez could easily just be a sign that they haven't been convinced by him enough and thats something I'd be inclined to agree with them about.

Ferrari only wanting somebody for a one year contract is 100% speculation made up to support the idea of Vettel going there in 2014. Take out that blind assumption and the picture looks a bit different.

Edited by Hanzo, 28 September 2012 - 19:01.

Ferrari not hiring Perez could easily just be a sign that they haven't been convinced by him enough and thats something I'd be inclined to agree with them about.

Ferrari only wanting somebody for a one year contract is 100% speculation made up to support the idea of Vettel going there in 2014. Take out that blind assumption and the picture looks a bit different.

Sean, there are quite a few drivers who could do what Massa is doing now and possibly better such as Hulkenberg, Heidfeld etc who would jump at the opportunity to race for Ferrari but I don't think they would settle for a one year deal. Massa has no choice but accept whatever terms they throw his way because I don't hear of people lining up to sign him.

I think its wrong to just assume that Ferrari can get like any driver they want. If I was a guy like Hulkenberg, I'd be legitimately worried about my reputation going up against Alonso. People see the sort of flak that Massa gets and nobody wants to be the next Massa. Even Kovalainen's career has taken a huge dent by his 'mega opportunity' at Mclaren. Going up into a big team against a really strong teammate might not always be in a driver's best interest.

I'd like Hulkenberg, though. Massa to Sauber, Hulkenberg to Ferrari, Bianchi to Force India sounds good to me.

That's just the thing. Signing a short term contract only to get your ass handed to you by Alonso is not a good idea. Such a move is going to do your career no good as there is no guarantee that another team would want you.

Now take the same drivers going up against Alonso on a long term deal which offers some stability and they'd jump at the opportunity of being in competitive machinery.

A year one stint would at least give them an excuse.

"Oh, ya know, I just didn't quite have the time to adjust within the team."

"I always knew it'd just be a stopgap and the team didn't really listen to my inputs."

Blah blah blah.

Long-term, a driver has no excuses though, and they are stuck with it. If the first season goes by and they get smashed, they've got to just suck it up and get smashed again the next year. A driver has to be really confident they'll do well.

You all could well be right(and I hope y'all are), I just dont think things are quite as clearcut as some are making it sound. I definitely think there's a good possibility that Ferrari really are having a difficult time finding somebody better. We'll see.

Edited by Ferrari2183, 28 September 2012 - 20:16.

A year one stint would at least give them an excuse.

"Oh, ya know, I just didn't quite have the time to adjust within the team."

"I always knew it'd just be a stopgap and the team didn't really listen to my inputs."

Blah blah blah.

How about Ferrari signing Schumacher back to a 1 year deal to hold the seat for Vettel and provide infinitely better car development and driving standards than Massa (and I'm a Massa fan!). That would allow Michael to retire with the team that he's been so successful with, and he won't mind being beaten by Alonso because Rosberg has already proven that the MSC of today is not the same thing as the MSC of 2000. I think it'd be the best possible scenario on all counts, with Massa going to Sauber with Kamui.

That is what I would like, but won't happen, I think. Too much instability.

I can see Schumi fans are really pissed today. I knew it was wrong seeing him in anything other than red. If only his shoulder/back didn't go three years ago.

Every F1 driver is a competitive animal, even Karthikeyan, so if they offer you the chance to drive a Ferrari for one year, wouldn't you take it?

What if you start getting results? What if you genuinely think you can step up to the challenge of Fernando Alonso? Trust me, I'm sure there are a lot of drivers who would take the chance.

Now, I do believe if Ferrari let go their most promising star of their Young Drivers' Academy, they surely have to have someone better/proven. This is where Vettel falls in.

Alonso is getting on in years and his performances will start to wane.

Edited by NotSoSilentBob, 29 September 2012 - 03:43.

I honestly dont understand how people are thinking this Lewis/Perez saga validates the Vettel to Ferrari theory.

I'd love for it to happen, but its not like Ferrari still dont have other options.

If Massa re-signs for Ferrari with a 1 year deal i'll be walking down to my local bookies and laying a score on Vettel to Ferrari for 2014. As others have said, i'm suspicious of the fact Ferrari have clearly overlooked Perez, its as clear as day he was ready for a top team so to come out and say the opposite is just an excuse to leave that seat open.

Edited by Disgrace, 29 September 2012 - 15:06.

No.

They never have.

People who think ALonso will accept Vettel, and that Vettel will join Alonso are deluded. Both refused Hamilton as a teamate.