126 replies to this topic

[loki0420]

Exciting times. So many new faces coming with so much expectations from us

[seahawk]

That was the most sensible move.

[HP]

Vintage Ron Dennis

[Rocket73]

IF this is true then I would be well happy with that.

 

I dont really know if SM would be a good TP but I don't think so. Doesn't feel right.

[slideways]

I thought McLaren fans hated Boullier? So hard to keep up these days. 

[PARAZAR]

Eric Boullier becoming the new McLaren's TP is a positive in my opinion. He did a good job with Lotus last year considering all the issues they had. I can't help feeling bad for Martin Whitmarsh though. The way he's been ousted from his role as TP after so many years of service to McLaren leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I do hope he's given some other role within the company. All of these sentiments are applicable only if all the rumours are correct.     

[Rinehart]

   

 

My order of preference for TP at McLaren would be MW >>>>>> SM >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> EB.

I think good times are around the corner with HONDA anyway under MW - I don't think Ron himself could have prevented the Red Bull juggernaut of recent times. 

Sorry, but if Ron is going to really change things he needs to be doing something sensational like getting Brawn, Newey or Alonso in.

This reminds me of the time Liverpool sold Torres and appeased everyone by signing.... Carroll. 

At least SM would have provided continuity and a chance to dispel the myth that his operational skills have merely coincidentally coincided with periods of "misfortune".

EB for my money presided over a team that functioned even less well sportingly and operationally than McLaren.

Chief of concern were a couple of the most reactive, unambitious, defensive strategies possible that cost chances of wins. Even Christian Horner has commented he "couldn't understand it". 

I think EB lacks the confidence and charisma for this role - this is what I think. Very happy to be proven wrong. 

Edited by Rinehart, 24 January 2014 - 10:21.

[Burtros]

I am all for this!

 

I like Whitmarsh but being likeable doesnt cut it in this world. To many things that just should not have happened, happened on his watch including thw worst season in 30 years,

 

Boullier seems good, only time I have really questioned him recenlty was over this investment Lotus were trying to get and the dodgy git he was parading at the races.

 

Thank god F1 is all starting to come to life again!

[Dalton007]

What's so disastrous about Sam Michaels? He was not the one responsible for the decline of the Williams team, nor had he anything to do with Mclaren's questionable strategies and doggy pit stops. In fact credit should be given to him for stabilizing operations in the pit lane.

 

Fanboys blame him but have no idea of what he actually does inside the team - and more importantly they have no evidence to support their churlish claims. If he was not any good why did McLaren hire him? 

[Force Ten]

This thread is getting more fun by the minute.

Edited by Force Ten, 24 January 2014 - 10:36.

[EthanM]

Fanboys blame him but have no idea of what he actually does inside the team - and more importantly they have no evidence to support their churlish claims. If he was not any good why did McLaren hire him? 

 

lets be blunt even if a bit unkind. Frank was a team principal in name only, Sam was seen as the guy who did the day to day running of the team, much Claire does the same now. Whether it's true or not I don't know

[Antonov]

funny how a frog will lead a British team.

 

(sorry if the term 'frog' sounds offensive, it is by no means intended to be)

[Raziel]

WOW! I wasn't expecting that! His hard work at Lotus is paying off! He did wonders at Lotus! This is a huge change, a weird one, but it seems like a very good decision IMO!

[Lazy]

@F1DumbRumours 37s

PayasYouRace to be next McLaren TP.  You heard it here first #awesomedecisions

Good choice.

[slideways]

lets be blunt even if a bit unkind. Frank was a team principal in name only, Sam was seen as the guy who did the day to day running of the team, much Claire does the same now. Whether it's true or not I don't know

Wrong thread for it, but the counter argument is that Sam had his power / decision making ability / respect from employees undermined by Frank and Patrick finding it hard to let go.

[sopa]

That rumour died quickly. Lasted for less than a day.

[Owen]

That rumour died quickly. Lasted for less than a day.

Was a guaranteed forum meltdown moment. Hope the Boullier rumour comes true.

[jjcale]

Eric Boullier becoming the new McLaren's TP is a positive in my opinion. He did a good job with Lotus last year considering all the issues they had. I can't help feeling bad for Martin Whitmarsh though. The way he's been ousted from his role as TP after so many years of service to McLaren leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I do hope he's given some other role within the company. All of these sentiments are applicable only if all the rumours are correct.     

 

I actually agree with this..... shame that MW didnt do the decent thing and resign at the end of the worst season for many a year at the end of last season. 

[study]

He's not exactly being ousted, there was a power struggle and the loser always comes off worse.

[ermo]

Eric Boullier becoming the new McLaren's TP is a positive in my opinion. He did a good job with Lotus last year considering all the issues they had. I can't help feeling bad for Martin Whitmarsh though. The way he's been ousted from his role as TP after so many years of service to McLaren leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I do hope he's given some other role within the company. All of these sentiments are applicable only if all the rumours are correct.     

 

I'd be surprised if MW doesn't receive a golden parachute and 'decides' to seek his fortunes elsewhere, tbh.  Where would he go inside McLaren after this coup?  Does anyone honestly believe that RD will ever trust MW to do anything well enough again?  I'm not wholly convinced that RD's return is necessarily all good for McLaren either.  Time will tell, I suppose...

[alframsey]

EB coming to McLaren will be a step in the right direction if you ask me, he's done a very good job at Lotus since becoming the TP. Can't deny I'd have rather had RB though.

[MirNyet]

EB coming to McLaren will be a step in the right direction if you ask me, he's done a very good job at Lotus since becoming the TP. Can't deny I'd have rather had RB though.

 

I tend to agree - I would be quite happy to see Eric Boullier get the TP position at McLaren. Given McLarens budget, and structure, he could do well. After the Sam Michael news of the past few days, this is something of an upturn.

[jonpollak]

@F1DumbRumours 37s

PayasYouRace to be next McLaren TP.  You heard it here first #awesomedecisions

And doing it from his front room in Gibralter

Jp

[garagetinkerer]

Noooooooooooo! I was hoping to see reaction of forum here after Sam became the principal. I still pray that he does.

[CoolBreeze]

he's F1 doom...

[HistoryFan]

Auto, Motor und Sport says, McLaren could sell the Bahrain and Ojjeh shares to Chinese investors and they want Dennis back as CEO.

[HP]

I'd be surprised if MW doesn't receive a golden parachute and 'decides' to seek his fortunes elsewhere, tbh.  Where would he go inside McLaren after this coup?  Does anyone honestly believe that RD will ever trust MW to do anything well enough again?  I'm not wholly convinced that RD's return is necessarily all good for McLaren either.  Time will tell, I suppose...

Dieter Rencken in his latest column ( http://plus.autospor...the-face-of-f1/ ) relates "that it's said"  that Whitmarsh will be moved sideways to head the McLaren Group's Applied Technologies. That if true, raises the question what is happening with Geoff McGrath, and how the Mclaren Group convinced Whitmarsh to agree on this.

 

Even though the rumour of Sam Michael becoming team principal seems to be dead, there seems to be still a big dance of chairs in motion at McLaren.