93 replies to this topic

[Ross Stonefeld]

They have heaps of sponsors !? Rexona etc.

If Raik goes then ditch Grosjean.

Bring in Hulkenburg and Ricciardio IMO. Strong line-up.

I don't think they have many big-check sponsors.

[rmpugh]

PDR

[noikeee]

Makes sense, but I think there will be better bidders than Pic. I think Maldonado will easily outbid Pic and is rated as a faster driver too. I can throw a completely new name in here as well. Felipe Nasr from GP2, who also has sponsorship support.

Oh and Hulkenberg seems to have a similar character to Raikkonen, so I see why they (Lotus) could be interested in him. Because with Kimi co-operation has been nice.

I don't believe Maldonado is going to Lotus because I've read somewhere PDVSA already have a contract with Williams for '14. Can't imagine them paying mega bucks to sponsor a team whilst also paying mega bucks to place their driver somewhere else.

Now Nasr would be a decent shout, yes.

[HaydenFan]

What, someone is going to suddenly come out and announce they have an engine in development and are entering next year?

Maybe an automaker is just going to rebrand the P.U.R.E engine? Saves them the money of developing their own, and gives them a year or two of safety to develop their own or whether to spend more to improve or exit.

Edited by HaydenFan, 01 July 2013 - 14:38.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Was there ever a PURE engine? I didn't think that got to any decent stage of physical bits.

[S3baman]

Wether Kimi stays or not, I don't see Romain in a Lotus next year. It seems he has not learned from his mistakes last year, and while he has shown glimpses of great speed, he's simply not consistent enough. I think Hulk and DiResta are the prime candidates for his spot, and indeed Kimi's if he leaves for RBR. Hulk showed great skill last year, he's just extremely unlucky that the Sauber is underperforming currently. As for DiResta, if the recent rumours are to be believed, there is a bit of frustration building up b/w him and the team. Surely all those public negatives comments can't do him any good.

[HaydenFan]

Was there ever a PURE engine? I didn't think that got to any decent stage of physical bits.

Well, any small company like that. PURE seems to be out as recently they've reduced to Craig Pollock (and I'd assume Villeneuve might be near though). I would think Judd (with the Lotus IndyCar engine built to similar specs) could also be in that equation. I just don't see auto maker coming forth until 2015 (to give them time to develop an engine like Honda), as 8 months just isn't enough time. Plus, after Genii sold a major stake to Infinity Racing, who automaker would want to tie themselves to such an already complex situation?

Right now, if Kimi leaves or stays, the team is going to take a step back if funding does not improve. So either way, the second guy if Kimi stays is going to be a financially backed driver. Does that mean Maldonado joins (his $30 million or whatever the actual figure is would do wonders for the team), or a driver in the junior ranks with piles of daddy's money? I just don't see anyone at the current situation at Lotus where they will "grant" a driver a seat. The way they talk about lacking a budget makes me think they cannot afford to just simply hire a driver.

Maybe Max Chilton's father will buy into a 3rd team for his kid to move up? Oh, that's a silly season idea there.

Edited by HaydenFan, 01 July 2013 - 14:59.

[Topsu]

Lotus might have a pretty bad driver line up next year. Imagine if there were two Grosjeans in the time. They wouldn't look out of place at all in the middle of the pack. It's only Kimi who makes Lotus one of the top teams.

[DutchQuicksilver]

I still think Maldonado is a good choice. Lotus needs the money (PDVSA can give it to them) en think what you want on Maldonado, last year he's proven he's got the speed. If Montoya could have decent years in a topteam, so can Maldonado. And put a good points scorer like Hulkenberg, Di Resta or Sutil alongside him, just in case, and you're all right.

[2ms]

after Genii sold a major stake to Infinity Racing, who automaker would want to tie themselves to such an already complex situation?

Tata or Lada or something? Just a thought. There are other smaller car makers out there. Is it strictly necessary to rule out Nissan and Renault, also? After all, they do have an engine. And there are other Renualt brand such as Dacia.

[Nycco]

Grosjean and Nasr

[DutchQuicksilver]

Would expect Petrov more at Sauber with the Gazprom rumours going there.

[2ms]

Petrov is one of the many drivers who left Lotus completely alienated after problems with Boullier. Not gonna happen.

[goingthedistance]

Hulkenberg and Vergne or Ricciardo would be a good line-up.

But it could well be Grosjean and Maldonaldo.

[Burai]

Tata or Lada or something? Just a thought. There are other smaller car makers out there. Is it strictly necessary to rule out Nissan and Renault, also? After all, they do have an engine. And there are other Renualt brand such as Dacia.

It makes no sense for Renault to buy their way back into owning a team.

Let's just cut a long story short; Sell the team to Dave Richards for £1, let us get the Gulf Aston Martin thing out of our systems, wind the team up at the end of 2014 and throw the cars into the sea.

[MortenF1]

Would expect Petrov more at Sauber with the Gazprom rumours going there.

Would anyone dare to go near Gazprom again, after they screwed Minardi over, and didn't stick to their part of the deal? (in '01 or '02 I think.)

[Brother Fox]

But it could well be Grosjean and Maldonaldo.

People in the carbon fibre supply chain would be dancing in the streets

[f1seb]

Heidfeld.

[MattPete]

Kobayashi!

[F.M.]

It's just as or even more likely that Kimi leaves Lotus after this year to join Red Bull or Ferrari, than that he stays put.

Who can Lotus draw in to Kimi? Will it be a straight swap with Massa? Sutil maybe? Or some young gun like Hulkenberg?

[apoka]

I think Massa is not highly rated anymore and I don't think a top team (Lotus is in the top 4 now, most likely at least top 5 next year) will take him anymore. Sutil could be an option depending on his results this year. Hulkenberg would be the most likely choice if Kimi leaves (and Hulkenberg does not get a seat at Ferrari).

If you provide more alternatives, adding a poll would be good.

(Under usual circumstances, I'd say that it's early for such a poll, but the summer break is long ...)

[john_smith]

There is no chance sutil's going to lotus.

[EthanM]

Hulkenberg would be the safer choice IF THEY DON'T NEED MONEY
Bianchi might be the gamble cheaper choice

if they need money things get complicated

I don't think Massa will keep racing for substantially less than the 10m Ferrari is paying him. My personal opinion is that since 2009 he's been phoning it in and collecting a fat paycheck, I don't think he will be willing to do it for maybe 1/10th the salary, he will probably retire and raise his family.

I hope they don't get somebody bland like Di Resta

[Anja]

As a Lotus fan I just hope they won't take Massa. Hulkenberg... Well... He could be the right choice although I still think he's a bit overrated. I'd love to see Kamui in Lotus but that probably won't happen.

[seahawk]

Grosjean as No.1 and a paydriver as No.2.

[Totall73]

There is no chance sutil's going to lotus.

Maybe the wounds have already healed (literally)...

[Jimisgod]

Hulkenberg must be the short odds favourite. Possibly Ricciardo.

[northell]

Maldonado perhaps? There were some rumours that maldonadon might be talking to
Lotus for a seat.

[rasul]

Hulkenberg would be the safer choice IF THEY DON'T NEED MONEY
Bianchi might be the gamble cheaper choice

if they need money things get complicated

I don't think Massa will keep racing for substantially less than the 10m Ferrari is paying him. My personal opinion is that since 2009 he's been phoning it in and collecting a fat paycheck, I don't think he will be willing to do it for maybe 1/10th the salary, he will probably retire and raise his family.

I hope they don't get somebody bland like Di Resta

I think Bianchi is overrated and overhyped. I see nothing special about him to warrant him a seat in a race-winning car. Any driver would destroy Chilton, so it doesn't say much. Drivers like Hulkenberg deserve the seat more.

Edited by rasul, 14 August 2013 - 10:41.

[MortenF1]

http://forums.autosp...w...=187705&hl=

[SealTheDiffuser]

Grosjean as No.1 and a paydriver as No.2.

so 2 paydriver?

LOL! sry paydriver brigade!

Hulkenberg, Mal

[F1ultimate]

Even with Kimi onboard Lotus are struggling financially. Without Kimi, they will be starved of even more sponsorship money. They won't have a choice but to take onboard a pay driver.

[Anderis]

Maldonado perhaps? There were some rumours that maldonadon might be talking to
Lotus for a seat.

Maldonado stays at Williams.

[F1ultimate]

Maldonado stays at Williams.

That depends on how mobile his money. He's expressed grieve over how under performing this year's car is, compared with the race winning machine he had last year.

[Anderis]

That depends on how mobile his money. He's expressed grieve over how under performing this year's car is, compared with the race winning machine he had last year.

Williams driver Pastor Maldonado has also been linked with the team, but Williams sources say there is no way out of his contract.

source

Maldonado: No point changing teams, potential is there
Pastor Maldonado keen to stay on at Williams despite struggles

Someone on the other forum reported that he told Sky Italia that he is staying with Williams for 2014.

[SophieB]

As noted, there's an existing thread about this so I've merged the two together.

[TT6]

Of course it will be Kovalainen. Lotus needs experience and solid performer. They'll keepGrosjean I'm afraid for the flashes of speed and brilliance.

[eronrules]

Grosjean won't go anywhere in 2014, he is secure at LotusF1, i'll bet my house on it (since i don't own one ;) )

about the second seat, if (and it's more likely when) Kimi leaves Enstone, from the outside it seems they are spoiled for choice ... but digging deeper

1. nico hulkenberg - Frankly i don't see him in that seat, lotus won't take a driver who has next to zero financial backing, nico's best bet is Ferrari or FI

2. Heikki kovi - seriously???

3. kamui - no, he's time in F1 is done IMO (perhaps test driver for Mclaren HOnda)

4. Davide valsechi - he has a chance, if lotus decides to promote him, depends on how much he can bring

5. Daniel Ricciardo - if kimi goes to RBR, then there is a good chance of him ending up in LOTUS, either via RBR swap or by his own accord

6. JEV - with his recent outburst against DR, there is a chance, but it's slim, one thing in his favor is his nationality

7. Jules bianchi - it's more than likely that he'll stay at marussia, but again he's french and has backing so who knows

that brings me to what i think is a new prospect who has a chance to make it to lotusF1, albeit with a little help form Bernie

Felipe NAsr - remember, massa is almost certainly gone, F1 does need a Brazillian (history/market/viewer etc), Bernie recently said that he'll help him get a seat in the near future, he has good connection and good backing , 2nd in GP2 ATM

here's bernie's words

http://paddocktalk.c...ory-230899.html

Livio Oricchio, the respected correspondent for Brazil's O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, reported recently that GP2 driver Felipe Nasr is likely to make his debut next year.

Brazil's Globo has quoted F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone as telling Nasr: "I'm here. Anytime you need advice, you can shout.

"I need a Brazilian driver," he added.

Indeed, if Felipe Massa - currently F1's only Brazilian - does not get a new Ferrari contract for 2014, he has not ruled out simply quitting the category.

Ecclestone hinted that some F1 teams are interested in Nasr.

"I have talked to them a few times and people are really impressed with how he has developed over the last few years'',

Edited by eronrules, 14 August 2013 - 14:42.

[st99]

I don't see Lotus teaming Grosjean with a rookie... They have/had financial troubles so they need as much points for the WCC as they can get and Grosjean has the pace but he's still too inconsistent, they need someone like Hülkenberg or even di Resta.

[Brother Fox]

F1 does need a Brazillian

Thank god for the proper use of capital letters

[packapoo]

Button.
They need an experienced driver who doesn't mind being shown up by the second driver.
Button's had a half year of getting used to the idea already.

[Jimisgod]

I don't see Lotus teaming Grosjean with a rookie... They have/had financial troubles so they need as much points for the WCC as they can get and Grosjean has the pace but he's still too inconsistent, they need someone like Hülkenberg or even di Resta.

Hulkenberg and [rookie]? Nasr?

[George Costanza]

Schumacher?

No. Though, it would be 20 years since he won his title with Benetton-Renault-Lotus team.