2010 Silly Season (merged)
#3701
Posted 04 November 2009 - 11:53
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#3702
Posted 04 November 2009 - 12:19
Based on what?Adam Carroll deserves a seat in F1
If anybody deserves a seat, it's Kamui Kobayashi. Adam Carroll has four years in GP2 to his name and has gone backward to the point where he did just four races in 2008 as opposed to his season-long campaign in 2005, where he had three wins and two podiums.
#3703
Posted 04 November 2009 - 13:37
Based on what?
If anybody deserves a seat, it's Kamui Kobayashi. Adam Carroll has four years in GP2 to his name and has gone backward to the point where he did just four races in 2008 as opposed to his season-long campaign in 2005, where he had three wins and two podiums.
Totally agree. Carroll is not even close to being F1 material and it would be better to have Sarah Fisher into someone's car as publicity would make up for all the awful performance
#3704
Posted 04 November 2009 - 14:56
Renault is also holding an extraordinary board meeting to discuss its future plans today. Although the indications are that the French company is committed to F1, Toyota's decision to pull out could give Renault an opportunity to follow suit if it wished.
Could this have Heidfeld and Kubica back at Sauber?
#3705
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:00
An other option for H.J. Kovalainen might be -- don't shoot me just yet -- Scuderia Toro Rosso. Why? Because with Buemi and Alguersuari they have 2 youngsters with a season-and-a-half of experience, at a time when they need to build and develop their own car for the first time in a couple of seasons. Perhaps they could give Kovalainen a seat next to Buemi for 2010, and have Alguersuari as reserve driver, with an option to race again in 2011. Perhaps Red Bull money could buy the Spaniard a seat in GP2 for next year as well.
alguesuari said he has a signed contract for race drive
#3706
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:02
dude Kubica already signed for RenaultAutosport reports this:
Renault is also holding an extraordinary board meeting to discuss its future plans today. Although the indications are that the French company is committed to F1, Toyota's decision to pull out could give Renault an opportunity to follow suit if it wished.
Could this have Heidfeld and Kubica back at Sauber?
#3707
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:03
Did Toyota say they were closing the team down? Because tha Pitpass article from yesterday suggests they may be putting together a rescue package.
Exactly, if anything the Toyota team will be sold as Honda was and BMW was. Why would they just close it. They need money so why not sell it.
#3708
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:03
dude Kubica already signed for Renault
So what. Button had signed contract with Honda and had the option to back out if ownership was changed.
#3709
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:08
dude, there may not be a Renaultdude Kubica already signed for Renault
#3710
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:17
Based on what?
If anybody deserves a seat, it's Kamui Kobayashi. Adam Carroll has four years in GP2 to his name and has gone backward to the point where he did just four races in 2008 as opposed to his season-long campaign in 2005, where he had three wins and two podiums.
Totally agree. Carroll is not even close to being F1 material and it would be better to have Sarah Fisher into someone's car as publicity would make up for all the awful performance
2008 he was busy winning a championship, more than some of the drivers muted, something Hulkenberg did - A1GP also - he will be in F1, Liuzzi did a few races there he is in F1 yet some think a person who won the series is not good enough.
#3711
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:28
Autosport reports this:
Renault is also holding an extraordinary board meeting to discuss its future plans today. Although the indications are that the French company is committed to F1, Toyota's decision to pull out could give Renault an opportunity to follow suit if it wished.
Could this have Heidfeld and Kubica back at Sauber?
Do you have a link? I can't find one on the main page.
This is a big deal because we'd only have 12 teams next year (including Sauber)
#3712
Posted 04 November 2009 - 15:30
Do you have a link? I can't find one on the main page.
The bit from Autosport about Renault is at the bottom of this article: http://www.autosport...rt.php/id/80003
#3713
Posted 04 November 2009 - 17:01
Autosport reports this:
Renault is also holding an extraordinary board meeting to discuss its future plans today. Although the indications are that the French company is committed to F1, Toyota's decision to pull out could give Renault an opportunity to follow suit if it wished.
Could this have Heidfeld and Kubica back at Sauber?
Seriously, poor Kubica (if this is true).
#3714
Posted 04 November 2009 - 17:05
Toyota had no drivers signed and no engine customers.Seriously, poor Kubica (if this is true).
I don't expect Renault to do it now.
#3715
Posted 04 November 2009 - 17:11
It's starting to look very like Toyota are pulling out at the end of the season with immediate effect in which case no driver moves there can be factored in to the silly season.
Toyota have not renewed either driver contract and cannot sign any until the board meeting in November. Would they really compromise 2010 with a decision to be made at this time? I get the impression that they plan to just slip away with the minimum of media attention...
^^^
TOLD YOU!
#3716
Posted 04 November 2009 - 17:20
Adam Carroll deserves a seat in F1 - still rumoured to be in with a chance at Manor.
I also think that Adam Carroll did enough to deserve a chance; fingers crossed then but it looks like Manor is asking their drivers to bring sponsorsip money with them and with Lucas di Grassi almost confirmed it's going to be difficult for him. Esteban Guerrieri, Bertrand Baguette, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Perez, Alvaro Parente, Andy Soucek and probably several other drivers are looking for a budget as well to buy a seat with one of the new teams so Carroll faces tough competition and the highest bidder might get it. I expect Vitaly Petrov to get a seat somewhere too, he could end up at Force India, at one of the new teams or even at Renault if Megafon would invest heavily in them.
#3717
Posted 04 November 2009 - 17:50
Toyota had no drivers signed and no engine customers.
I don't expect Renault to do it now.
I hope so they won't withdraw... but if they do this, I don't think that it will be immediately. And I think Renault will find a buyer.
#3718
Posted 04 November 2009 - 17:51
Virgin Manor F1 Team (likely renamed Virgin F1 Team)
Manor BW01 (Virgin VF1-10) – Cosworth CA2010 (car designed and built by Nick Wirth, formerly of Simtek and Benetton)
Team Principal: John Booth (of Manor Grand Prix) / Alex Tai (of Virgin) ; Technical Director: Nick Wirth
Esteban Guerreri (has a priority pre-contract until 5 November)
I want to rectify something: Guerrieri's priority is until November 10th, not 5th. My mistake, because the original date was December 5th, but then Booth took it to November 10th. After that, he will still have chances, but the seat will go probably to the man with the best financial support. For what it is known in Argentina, Guerrieri is still far from getting the budget asked. They are still waiting for some arab investors to give an answer and apparently there could be negotiations with Spanish sponsors too. I hope he gets at least 1.5 million, because that should be enough to secure the test driver seat, as manager Julio Gutiérrez has said. Ohm and something else: I think we could leave López out of the race for a seat with Campos. His only chances are with USF1: some support for the Argentinean turism office could appear and, added to the strong recommendation form Carlos Reutemann to Windsor (Reutemann has always appreciated López as a driver, since the Córdoba driver raced in karts) and his talks with Bernie to have an Argentinean driver next year in the field, that could boost his chances. But money has to appear...
#3719
Posted 04 November 2009 - 18:15
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#3720
Posted 04 November 2009 - 18:15
Brawn GP / Mercedes
#1 - Jenson Button
#2 - Nico Rosberg < Nick Heidfeld
McLaren / Mercedes
#5 - Lewis Hamilton
#6 - Kimi Raikonnen < Nico Rosberg < Nick Heidfeld
Renault
#11 - Robert Kubica
#12 - Jarno Trulli
Force India / Mercedes
#14 - Adrian Sutil
#15 - Vitantonio Liuzzi
Scuderia Toro Rosso / Ferrari
#16 - Sebastien Buemi
#17 - ?
Sauber Qadbak / Ferrari
#26 - Nick Heidfeld
#27 - Christian Klien, other Candidates based on Saubers choice of drivers: Fischella, Trulli, Kovalainen (only applies if P.Sauber is involved)
#3721
Posted 04 November 2009 - 23:06
BRAWN
Button
Rosberg
RED BULL
Vettel
Webber
MCLAREN
Hamilton
Raikkonen
FERRARI
Alonso
Massa
SAUBER
Heidfeld
Petrov
WILLIAMS
Barrichello
Hulkenberg
RENAULT
Kubica
Glock
FORCE INDIA
Sutil
Liuzzi
TORO ROSSO
Buemi
Alguersuari
CAMPOS
De la Rosa
Senna
MANOR
Kovalainen
Di Grassi
LOTUS
Trulli
Fauzy
USF1
Villeneuve
Piquet
#3722
Posted 04 November 2009 - 23:21
Bet for...
BRAWN
Button
Rosberg
RED BULL
Vettel
Webber
MCLAREN
Hamilton
Raikkonen
FERRARI
Alonso
Massa
SAUBER
Heidfeld
Petrov
WILLIAMS
Barrichello
Hulkenberg
RENAULT
Kubica
Glock
FORCE INDIA
Sutil
Liuzzi
TORO ROSSO
Buemi
Alguersuari
CAMPOS
De la Rosa
Senna
MANOR
Kovalainen
Di Grassi
LOTUS
Trulli
Fauzy
USF1
Villeneuve
Piquet
Sub Piquet with Bourdais, and I think your picks will be spot on
#3723
Posted 05 November 2009 - 00:00
Webber to McLaren?;)
It's less of a step than Brawn afterall, there is at least one Renault logo on driver overalls unlike no three-pointed stars anywhere on Brawn team!
#3724
Posted 05 November 2009 - 13:56
By the way, Epslon Euskadi is saying that although their chances of getting into F1 are still a long way, they'd been further down than where they are now.
#3725
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:01
Bet for...
BRAWN
Button
Rosberg
RED BULL
Vettel
Webber
MCLAREN
Hamilton
Raikkonen
FERRARI
Alonso
Massa
SAUBER
Heidfeld
Petrov
WILLIAMS
Barrichello
Hulkenberg
RENAULT
Kubica
Glock
FORCE INDIA
Sutil
Liuzzi
TORO ROSSO
Buemi
Alguersuari
CAMPOS
De la Rosa
Senna
MANOR
Kovalainen
Di Grassi
LOTUS
Trulli
Fauzy
USF1
Villeneuve
Piquet
No Ant Davidson?
I'd have thought Manor or Lotus might be looking at Ant for a drive
#3726
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:06
He doesn't bring any sponsor backing. Even if Lotus is getting help from the Malaysian government and Manor are purchased by Virgin, sponsor backing isn't going to become unncessary automatically.No Ant Davidson?
I'd have thought Manor or Lotus might be looking at Ant for a drive
#3727
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:09
#3728
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:13
#3729
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:15
If McLaren really wanted him, they would have got him before he moved to Renault.Kubica to McLaren.
In my view, it will be either Raikkonen or Heidfeld who will partner Hamilton.
#3730
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:18
If McLaren really wanted him, they would have got him before he moved to Renault.
That's because before Kubica didn't want to go to McLaren. Now that Renault is on rocky grounds, he's changed his mind. Maybe he can offer McLaren a better deal than Kimi.
#3731
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:25
That's because before Kubica didn't want to go to McLaren. Now that Renault is on rocky grounds, he's changed his mind. Maybe he can offer McLaren a better deal than Kimi.
Will he want to be No2 though?
If he went to McLaren i think Lewis would welly him all over the track, then what
Robert is known to like a moan now and then
McLaren don't need another conflict in the team, Raikonnen just wouldn't give a toss, give him the car and he'll drive
#3732
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:26
Kimi had his chance at McLaren. He didn't like the team and left. It's time to give the seat to another driver.Will he want to be No2 though?
If he went to McLaren i think Lewis would welly him all over the track, then what
Robert is known to like a moan now and then
McLaren don't need another conflict in the team, Raikonnen just wouldn't give a toss, give him the car and he'll drive
#3733
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:28
Sub Piquet with Bourdais, and I think your picks will be spot on
#3734
Posted 05 November 2009 - 14:30
Will he want to be No2 though?
If he went to McLaren i think Lewis would welly him all over the track, then what
Robert is known to like a moan now and then
McLaren don't need another conflict in the team, Raikonnen just wouldn't give a toss, give him the car and he'll drive
I think Robert would rather be number 2 than unemployed.
#3735
Posted 05 November 2009 - 19:32
Ross Brawn: "We have been crash testing components of our 2010 car over the last 3 or 4 months. Any of the new teams should be at least as far along." This in response to the fact that USF1 is the only team to have made no tests at all.
Of other note is the fact that at the Abu Dhabi FOTA meeting, it was proposed that the new teams being admitted this year not be allowed to sell their entry. This was done to assure that Sauber would be the natural choice, should one of the new teams not make it. USGP (Windsor) was the only one opposed to the motion, (which required unanimous approval).
#3736
Posted 05 November 2009 - 20:05
USGP continues to be in doubt.
Ross Brawn: "We have been crash testing components of our 2010 car over the last 3 or 4 months. Any of the new teams should be at least as far along." This in response to the fact that USF1 is the only team to have made no tests at all.
Of other note is the fact that at the Abu Dhabi FOTA meeting, it was proposed that the new teams being admitted this year not be allowed to sell their entry. This was done to assure that Sauber would be the natural choice, should one of the new teams not make it. USGP (Windsor) was the only one opposed to the motion, (which required unanimous approval).
Those bastards. What a scam USF1 is turning out to be
#3737
Posted 05 November 2009 - 20:12
Those bastards. What a scam USF1 is turning out to be
I'd love to see Penske return or Ganassi take a shot a F1. At least one of them would be a legit American F1 team.
#3738
Posted 05 November 2009 - 20:22
Why delay the announcement then? What possible reason?Renault will stay in F1.
By the way, I do hope you're right.
#3739
Posted 05 November 2009 - 20:27
Those bastards. What a scam USF1 is turning out to be
That's inglorious bastards, my friend. As opposed to the rest of the grid grinding away in their own self(ish) interests? I remember the halcyon days of; what, two or three weeks ago (?), when Williams opened their arms wide to welcome Peter Sauber and all his employees to sporting competition next year. How much do you think Frank can hold out for? Especially now that Toyota has left a hole in his poker hand.
(Warning: this post contains trace elements of sarcasm and irony - slippery particles that change meaning during observation and measurement.)
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#3740
Posted 05 November 2009 - 20:28
#3741
Posted 05 November 2009 - 20:51
Based on what?
If anybody deserves a seat, it's Kamui Kobayashi. Adam Carroll has four years in GP2 to his name and has gone backward to the point where he did just four races in 2008 as opposed to his season-long campaign in 2005, where he had three wins and two podiums.
What a load of ..... Adam has never had the backing that the likes of Di Grassi, Buemi, Grojean have had and he walked all over Kobayashi. If he'd been a Red Bull or Renault backed driver he'd have been in F1 by now. He's won in every formula he's been in and always hits the the ground running in whatever car he drives . Look what happened when he got in the FMS GP2 car.
#3742
Posted 05 November 2009 - 21:56
So it could be only 12 teams at the end, or even less
Which means the new teams were never meant to expand the field, they were added to maintain the stasis quo when the manufacturers pulled out. (Though I'm getting concerned about USF1 and Manor)
#3743
Posted 05 November 2009 - 22:30
Bet for...
BRAWN
Button
Rosberg
RED BULL
Vettel
Webber
MCLAREN
Hamilton
Raikkonen
FERRARI
Alonso
Massa
SAUBER
Heidfeld
Petrov
WILLIAMS
Barrichello
Hulkenberg
RENAULT
Kubica
Glock
FORCE INDIA
Sutil
Liuzzi
TORO ROSSO
Buemi
Alguersuari
CAMPOS
De la Rosa
Senna
MANOR
Kovalainen
Di Grassi
LOTUS
Trulli
Fauzy
USF1
Villeneuve
Piquet
These look pretty good, generally. I've got a few differences in opinion, though.
1. Sauber will be the last team listed because they would be the last team officially entered. That's a correction that should be made.
2. Sauber won't take Petrov. He's shown very little interest over time in taking pay drivers, and financially the team will be fine with Petronas staying. Manor or Campos are more likely to take on Petrov or any other pay driver. I'd look for Sauber to promote Klien to the race seat.
3. Lotus won't take on Fauzy. Gascoyne just said today they want experienced drivers. I'd bet on them making a run at Kovalainen; Fauzy will probably be given the 3rd driver role.
4. I think you're pretty far off on USF1's choices. They want experienced drivers who can help them develop the car, which Villeneuve has shown he can't do to save his life.
Windsor has already said USF1 has no interest in pay drivers, so that rules out Piquet. Windsor also slagged off Piquet's driving with regularity on SPEED broadcasts of F1 races, so I'm sure they don't have any interest in him.
I'd look for them to hire guys like Wurz and Montagny, both of whom are rumored to have spoken to the team and both of whom have a good bit of quality testing and development experience.
So, looking at your grid, move Sauber down to the bottom and make the following changes, and it will be a pretty good prediction, I think:
Manor
Di Grassi
Petrov
Lotus
Trulli
Kovalainen
USF1
Wurz
Montagny
Sauber
Heidfeld
Klien
#3744
Posted 05 November 2009 - 22:41
#3745
Posted 05 November 2009 - 22:48
A million dollars doesn't go nearly as far as it used to.Adam Carroll is a millionaire..
#3746
Posted 05 November 2009 - 22:57
Drivers officially confirmed
Red Bull
Vettel
Webber
Ferrari
Alonso
Massa
Mclaren
Hamilton
Reanult*
Kubica
Williams
Barrichello
Hulkenberg
Toro Rosso
Buemi
Alguersuari
Campos
Senna
*= not sure if that may happen
We dont know if all of the new teams will make it on the grid, in fact we dont even know if Renault are going to stay.
I've got a feeling that some of the current drivers will have to swallow their pride and go knocking on the doors of the new teams and be prepared to drive for virtually no money. In fact some of the existing drivers are going to disappear because pay drivers will replace them. Toro Rosso are unlikely to go with anyone that isn't from the Red Bull program. I am beginning to see Force India being quite a desirable place to be.
I think the Renault team will remain in some guise, however if they dont then there are going to be big names disappear.
Not fact, just an opinion. It could be wrong but it is a gut feeling.
#3747
Posted 05 November 2009 - 23:03
My God, aren't we gullible today?Those bastards. What a scam USF1 is turning out to be
As soon as rumour breaks that USF1 is in trouble, everyone is all over it and taking it as gospel truth. But when evidence that they are doing well for themselves emerges, everyone jumps through hoops to convince themselves - and each other - that it's a fake.
#3748
Posted 05 November 2009 - 23:09
Raikkonen and Kubica said that they love rallying and would do it at some point, so if they are out of F1 Im sure they wont lose any sleepI think Robert would rather be number 2 than unemployed.
#3749
Posted 05 November 2009 - 23:13
multiA million dollars doesn't go nearly as far as it used to.
EDIT: .. sorry.. I confused Adam with Mike Conway..
Edited by BMW_F1, 05 November 2009 - 23:16.
#3750
Posted 05 November 2009 - 23:20
My God, aren't we gullible today?
As soon as rumour breaks that USF1 is in trouble, everyone is all over it and taking it as gospel truth. But when evidence that they are doing well for themselves emerges, everyone jumps through hoops to convince themselves - and each other - that it's a fake.
It's the anti-American mindset among Europeans. Euros think that Americans are useless and incapable of succeeding on an international stage. It's the same attitude they've always had toward Americans in any international sport.
I love Europe; I love the place, the culture, the society, etc.. But the arrogant attitude that many Europeans have toward Americans can be very frustrating. Sure, Americans have problems and haven't always been the most humble bunch, but our problems are no worse than anyone else's, and we have just as many capable people as a percentage of population as any country in Europe does.