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Who would you like Ferrari to sign for 2016?


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Poll: Who would you like Ferrari to sign for 2016? :) (646 member(s) have cast votes)

Who would you like Ferrari to sign for 2016? :)

  1. Kimi Raikkonen (current driver, WDC) (121 votes [18.73%])

    Percentage of vote: 18.73%

  2. Jean-Eric Vergne (fast and consistent experienced F1 driver, and Ferrari test driver) (13 votes [2.01%])

    Percentage of vote: 2.01%

  3. Estaban Gutierez (Ferrari test driver) (4 votes [0.62%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.62%

  4. Valteri Bottas (Williams driver) (54 votes [8.36%])

    Percentage of vote: 8.36%

  5. Nico Hulkenberg (Force India driver) (216 votes [33.44%])

    Percentage of vote: 33.44%

  6. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull driver) (94 votes [14.55%])

    Percentage of vote: 14.55%

  7. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso driver) (43 votes [6.66%])

    Percentage of vote: 6.66%

  8. Kevin Magnussen (impressive F1 rookie, and McLaren test driver) (7 votes [1.08%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.08%

  9. Stefan Vandoorne (top GP2 driver) (8 votes [1.24%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.24%

  10. Jenson Button (McLaren driver, WDC) (35 votes [5.42%])

    Percentage of vote: 5.42%

  11. Other (24 votes [3.72%])

    Percentage of vote: 3.72%

  12. Romain Grosjean (Lotus driver, seasoned F1 racer) (12 votes [1.86%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.86%

  13. Voted Felipe Nasr (Sauber driver) (9 votes [1.39%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.39%

  14. Sergio Perez (Force India driver) (6 votes [0.93%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.93%

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#1051 Marklar

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 19:04

Why? The legendary number on the red car doesn't make him two tenths quicker or anything...

We are talking about the marketing disadvantage Hulkenberg have as the 2nd German. The number 27 could indeed balance that out.



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#1052 1Devil1

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 19:07

Why? The legendary number on the red car doesn't make him two tenths quicker or anything...

But being not German makes him quicker ?

#1053 DutchQuicksilver

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 19:17

Who cares about marketing? Ferrari want the quickest driver available and apparently they have good reason to believe there are better out there than Hulkenberg.



#1054 Marklar

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Posted 30 July 2015 - 19:30

Who cares about marketing? Ferrari want the quickest driver available and apparently they have good reason to believe there are better out there than Hulkenberg.

I dont care about marketing but Ferrari for sure did and thats the reason why they will likely not hire Hulkenberg.

#1055 Scudder

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 06:18

I dont care about marketing but Ferrari for sure did and thats the reason why they will likely not hire Hulkenberg.

If Ferrari hires Bottas, that has very little to do with Hulkenberg being from Germany.


Edited by Scudder, 31 July 2015 - 06:19.


#1056 warp

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 07:18

I do and hope.

 

Maybe Kimi isn't just as fast as he were in his absolute best in the past, but if the car is there, he still knows how to build a race.

 

Of course we don't have the data, but could it possibly be that Hulk/Bottas can be just as quick or consistent without the high wage?

 

Ferrari is hardly a team to save on drivers, but who knows. 



#1057 Kimble

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 07:34

I'm pretty sure that they will retain Kimi now. I wonder if they will do a new contract with further options beyond 2016 as I'm not sure they will want to start the driver speculations regarding 2017 straight away.

#1058 SealTheDiffuser

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 07:54

Who cares about marketing? Ferrari want the quickest driver available and apparently they have good reason to believe there are better out there than Hulkenberg.

 

Ferrari always wants the quickest driver?  Sorry, but that is new to me. They always bought proven fast drivers, but not necessarily the fastest ones, as they are the only team with a strong No1 and No2 system. Maybe thsi is just about to change with Marchione and Arrivabene but they are looking for a better than average solid 2nd driver. I think.

 

I think they will keep Kimi.(edit: and if not it will be BOT probably)

And there is no way they will hire Hulkenberg.In 2016 or 2017 100%. Accepting bets. :smoking:


Edited by SealTheDiffuser, 31 July 2015 - 07:55.


#1059 Jimisgod

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 15:36

Bleh. The more and more this goes on it sounds like it's going to be Bottas. Luke warm comments about Kimi and Hulk from Ferrari and nothing but talk about money from the Bottas side.

 

I bet Bottas will be unspectacular like Webber and Massa were before, everyone will talk about how Vettel is God blah blah blah and forget Ricciardo thumping him in 2014. Bottas will take a win here and there and probably keep the seat for as long as Vettel is there, then quit one season before Vettel... who moves again because he was actually challenged by the new driver (again) replacing Bottas.

 

He's a perfect Ferrari #2 - Irvine, Barrichello, Massa - and gives no indication of regularly challenging their #1.



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#1060 Vettelari

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Posted 31 July 2015 - 21:08

Who would I like them to sign?

I would LOVE to see them give somebody a shot driving a top car that is not even currently in F1. Give 10 or so drivers a proper session in the simulator/on the track & sign up the best. Drivers like Robin Frijns, Jean Eric Vergne, Josef Newgarden, Joylon Palmer, Andre Lotterer, Sebastian Buemi, Antonio De Costa,Stoffel Vandoorne, Alexander Rossi, etc. could be faster than Kimi or Bottas in a top notch car like the current Ferrari & we would never know it these days.

In the current state of F1, opportunities like this only come to drivers with loads of sponsorship dollars or a popular last name, with only a few outliers, in my opinion. Thank God for Red Bull. They actually give fast drivers without those advantages a fair chance, somewhat.

Obviously, hiring a driver that isn't already in F1 will NEVER happen, though. That is just would I would LOVE to see.

After having said that, I do not think a WCC is in the cards no matter who they sign for 2016. Merc has way too much of an advantage. Because of that, I would prefer that they give a young driver with obvious talent the drive. Now would be the time to develop a young driver, IMO. My vote goes to Max Verstappen or Felipe Nazr.

Again though, Ferrari doesn't have a history of doing what I would like them to do. Haha!

Edited by Vettelari, 31 July 2015 - 21:16.


#1061 Spillage

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 09:29

I don't understand the marketing argument to signing Bottas - Finland's hardly a massive market. Only five million people live there. I'd have thought that it may even make more sense to have two Germans than a German and a Finn.

#1062 Kimble

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 09:51

Ferrari use their position to support young drivers in other teams rather than hiring relatively inexperienced drivers who would be a risk.

I thought Ferrari killed off the historic number 1/number 2 hiring policies when they hired Kimi and MA put an end to the number 1 and 2 strategy rules when he took over. I doubt we will see any of the Massa sacrificial slipstream or gearbox openings.

#1063 Balnazzard

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 09:52

Who would I like them to sign?

I would LOVE to see them give somebody a shot driving a top car that is not even currently in F1. Give 10 or so drivers a proper session in the simulator/on the track & sign up the best. Drivers like Robin Frijns, Jean Eric Vergne, Josef Newgarden, Joylon Palmer, Andre Lotterer, Sebastian Buemi, Antonio De Costa,Stoffel Vandoorne, Alexander Rossi, etc. could be faster than Kimi or Bottas in a top notch car like the current Ferrari & we would never know it these days.

In the current state of F1, opportunities like this only come to drivers with loads of sponsorship dollars or a popular last name, with only a few outliers, in my opinion. Thank God for Red Bull. They actually give fast drivers without those advantages a fair chance, somewhat.

Obviously, hiring a driver that isn't already in F1 will NEVER happen, though. That is just would I would LOVE to see.

After having said that, I do not think a WCC is in the cards no matter who they sign for 2016. Merc has way too much of an advantage. Because of that, I would prefer that they give a young driver with obvious talent the drive. Now would be the time to develop a young driver, IMO. My vote goes to Max Verstappen or Felipe Nazr.

Again though, Ferrari doesn't have a history of doing what I would like them to do. Haha!

Well the only reason why I would support the "3rd cars" idea would be if the 3rd car of each team was given to young driver, one who has maximum of 2 years of experience in F1. Cause overall I agree with you, its extremely hard for many young talents to even get to F1, let alone get seat from one of the top teams.



#1064 Gorma

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 10:00

I don't understand the marketing argument to signing Bottas - Finland's hardly a massive market. Only five million people live there. I'd have thought that it may even make more sense to have two Germans than a German and a Finn.

But for some odd reason Finnish drivers have been very popular, especially in Asia.

#1065 andrea303

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 10:03

I don't understand the marketing argument to signing Bottas - Finland's hardly a massive market. Only five million people live there. I'd have thought that it may even make more sense to have two Germans than a German and a Finn.

 

Bottas has a little colorless character but Kimi is the most popular driver in F1. That itself has a massive PR value, even when Kimi is like Kimi. When Kimi will be gone after 2016 (I think he's going to continue for one year), F1 will not be the same. Bernie knows this.



#1066 Balnazzard

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 10:04

But for some odd reason Finnish drivers have been very popular, especially in Asia.

yeap, especially in Japan and China (which is huge market for F1) Mika Salo who now works as commentator for Finnish TV-channel MTV, says that whenever he goes to Japan, people at airport comes to him right away to ask for autographs and pictures...even when he has been out of the sport for 14 years!



#1067 Balnazzard

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 10:08

Bottas has a little colorless character but Kimi is the most popular driver in F1. That itself has a massive PR value, even when Kimi is like Kimi. When Kimi will be gone after 2016 (I think he's going to continue for one year), F1 will not be the same. Bernie knows this.

ye, I think many ppl underestimate Kimi's PR value....the fact that he is still the most popular (or 2nd most popular, depending on the research) in F1, despite the recent results really tell something...some ppl will never understand where Kimi's popularity comes from, but to many he is the driver that stands out from the rest with his persona (even if many say that he doesnt have personality at all :D)



#1068 TheUltimateWorrier

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 13:14



Bottas has a little colorless character but Kimi is the most popular driver in F1. That itself has a massive PR value, even when Kimi is like Kimi. When Kimi will be gone after 2016 (I think he's going to continue for one year), F1 will not be the same. Bernie knows this.

 

Formula 1 was great before Raikkonen was around and it be great afterward.  2010 was one of the most exciting seasons for the championship and he wasn't around then.



#1069 Razoola

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 13:30

I think they will keep Kimi for another 2 years. I am of the opinion they wanted Kimi's option to expire so they can arrange a totally new contract which will probably give Ferrari more control and maybe make Kimi a number 2 driver.

#1070 Ice1Fan

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:08

If Ferrari forces Kimi to accept no. 2 then I suggest he leaves Ferrari and try for other teams or something else. Maybe this will allow Ferrari to hire Dan Ricciardo. I will be happy with that but not with no. 2 status.

#1071 Laura23

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:11

I think they will keep Kimi for another 2 years. I am of the opinion they wanted Kimi's option to expire so they can arrange a totally new contract which will probably give Ferrari more control and maybe make Kimi a number 2 driver.

Kimi will get 2016 at the very most and that's it. Ferrari have been less than impressed with him this season, despite the crowing in public, and really wanted him to significantly improve on his 2014 form. He hasn't. They can get Bottas to do the same job for less than half the cost. The only reason they'll keep Kimi now is because that's what Vettel wants and the pair do at least get on very well. Vettel would like to remain unchallenged as long as possible within the team and keeping Raikkonen would do that perfectly. 

 

But let's not pretend Kimi is anything like the driver he was a decade ago. He isn't WDC material anymore and his qualifying speed has been awful since his comeback in 2012. It's starting to be pretty obvious why Massa had the beating of him in 2008 and the first half of 2009. 



#1072 DutchQuicksilver

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:14

But for some odd reason Finnish drivers have been very popular, especially in Asia.

If Bottas was even remotely popular that is. I don't believe he'll ever be as popular as Mika and Kimi were. He's heading more into the Mika Salo region popularity wise.



#1073 Kimble

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:30

Kimi will get 2016 at the very most and that's it. Ferrari have been less than impressed with him this season, despite the crowing in public, and really wanted him to significantly improve on his 2014 form. He hasn't. They can get Bottas to do the same job for less than half the cost. The only reason they'll keep Kimi now is because that's what Vettel wants and the pair do at least get on very well. Vettel would like to remain unchallenged as long as possible within the team and keeping Raikkonen would do that perfectly. 
 
But let's not pretend Kimi is anything like the driver he was a decade ago. He isn't WDC material anymore and his qualifying speed has been awful since his comeback in 2012. It's starting to be pretty obvious why Massa had the beating of him in 2008 and the first half of 2009.


Pure nonsense presented as fact.

#1074 Kimble

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:36

I think they will keep Kimi for another 2 years. I am of the opinion they wanted Kimi's option to expire so they can arrange a totally new contract which will probably give Ferrari more control and maybe make Kimi a number 2 driver.


It would be very strange for Ferrari to run THEIR option down as they lose leverage at that point and I really can't see the new Ferrari presenting a number 2 contract or Kimi signing one.

#1075 Fourtyone

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:53

If Ferrari could produce a car for next season which could challenge Mercedes for the title providing they had a clear number 1 and 2 policy, I'd like Kimi to stay and support Vettel.

 

As this seems unlikely I'd like to see Vettel get some competition from a driver in his generation. Out of Hulkenberg, Bottas and Ricciardo, I think Hulkenberg deserves it the most. Bottas and Ricciardo have already been given a stage on which they can show their potential, they will be in the shop window for top teams (you could argue they are already at top teams) for years to come. Hulkenberg has never had an opportunity like this in F1 and it isn't for lack of trying. He gets the most out of his cars and I just want to see what he could do at the sharp end of the grid.



#1076 Nonesuch

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 14:55

Mika Salo who now works as commentator for Finnish TV-channel MTV, says that whenever he goes to Japan, people at airport comes to him right away to ask for autographs and pictures...even when he has been out of the sport for 14 years!

 

The Japanese fans are great, and the stands are usually full of people referencing drivers and teams from years or even decades ago. :up:

 

Don't forget though that Mika Salo drove in their Formula 3000 series for a number of years. It's not just his work in F1 that the Japanese will remember.


Edited by Nonesuch, 01 August 2015 - 14:56.


#1077 noikeee

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 15:02

It would be very strange for Ferrari to run THEIR option down as they lose leverage at that point and I really can't see the new Ferrari presenting a number 2 contract or Kimi signing one.

 

Not really. It would be if Kimi was in demand from other teams, but he isn't at the moment. It does make sense they'd risk losing him to get a more favourable contract at this stage, over continuing on frankly wildly overpaid terms.



#1078 Kimble

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 15:28

I wouldn't read too much into his so called salary demands as they are often passed straight on to sponsors. Kimi's value for Shell is easy for them to justify.

#1079 jjcale

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 15:34

But for some odd reason Finnish drivers have been very popular, especially in Asia.

 

Blond hair.



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#1080 Laura23

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 16:11

Pure nonsense presented as fact.

 

Sadly not. Raikkonen is hanging on to an F1 seat by the skin of his teeth. 



#1081 Heisenberg

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 17:51

If Ferrari forces Kimi to accept no. 2 then I suggest he leaves Ferrari and try for other teams or something else. Maybe this will allow Ferrari to hire Dan Ricciardo. I will be happy with that but not with no. 2 status.

Why are people keep assuming this? Don't you guys realize that it's not Domenicalli & diMontezemolo running this team anymore? I keep reading refferences about the ALO/MAS days...



#1082 Heisenberg

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Posted 01 August 2015 - 17:57

I'm pretty sure that they will retain Kimi now. I wonder if they will do a new contract with further options beyond 2016 as I'm not sure they will want to start the driver speculations regarding 2017 straight away.

It's very possible, it all depends on his 2016 performances if they continue with him! If they are gonna be  much better than this year's results, then I don't see why won't they extend Kimi's contract to 2017, especially if he doesn't wanna quit. It's not his job to leave a free seat for other drivers just because people think he is "old" and because others don't have other options (Though luck!  ;) ). But he needs to do his part and up his game! First, let's see if he gets the 2016 drive and then we'll see, but if he gets a contract,it will probably be per year, with the option of extending it and not a contract for 2 or 3 years straight away.


Edited by Heisenberg, 01 August 2015 - 18:15.