37 replies to this topic

[ashnathan]

The old switcharoonie, Coulthard to Renault, Vettel to RBR and Piquet to STR mid season, id like to see this.

source F1-Live.com

[potmotr]

Originally posted by kids like ash
The old switcharoonie, Coulthard to Renault, Vettel to RBR and Piquet to STR mid season, id like to see this.

source F1-Live.com

Hmmm, why would DC want to do that? For the promise of another year next year?

[ashnathan]

Nope, the ya its been said, piquet goes to STR to learn, Vettel gets a promotion, Coulthard goes to renault til the end of year then retires or is juts forced to by having no seat for next season.

[sopa]

Renault should prefer Sato over DC.

[ashnathan]

Dont think they'd do that because DC would stay at RBR or go to STR, then piquet will be out of a drive, and i dont think Renau8lt would want to do that to him.

[potmotr]

I think it sounds good on paper, but:
- Why would DC agree to switch? Renault is barely better than RBR, a team he knows well. A mid-season switch will also be unsettling, plus he'll have to go head-to-head with Alonso, a very quick driver and one who has demanded unchallenged number one status at Renault. DC is in a better position at RBR.
- Nelsinho and his dad will fight tooth and nail to keep his spot at Renault. STR would be the beginning of the end. And why would STR want a driver whose confidence is shot to pieces. Surely there are better options in the Red Bull stable.
- The only person who'd benefit from all of this is Vettel, who you'd think would be keen to finish a full season out of the spotlight at STR.

[osoul]

Won't happen IMO.

[taran]

Originally posted by potmotr
I think it sounds good on paper, but:
- Why would DC agree to switch? Renault is barely better than RBR, a team he knows well. A mid-season switch will also be unsettling, plus he'll have to go head-to-head with Alonso, a very quick driver and one who has demanded unchallenged number one status at Renault. DC is in a better position at RBR.
- Nelsinho and his dad will fight tooth and nail to keep his spot at Renault. STR would be the beginning of the end. And why would STR want a driver whose confidence is shot to pieces. Surely there are better options in the Red Bull stable.
- The only person who'd benefit from all of this is Vettel, who you'd think would be keen to finish a full season out of the spotlight at STR.

You are assuming any of these drivers have a choice.
Piquet could be facing the axe. A drive with RBR would at least allow him to stay in F1 and perhaps salvage his tarnished reputation. If Renault sacks him (or benches him), he is out for good.

Coulthard hasn't done well and has been in numerous incidents. Not enough to sack him IMO, but if RBR wants to place Vettel in the team, he will have to either retire or take any seat he can get.

Vettel is being slightly declassed by Bourdais. An "escape" to RBR might well be good for his career. If Webbo beats him, its "because" he is not settled yet in the team. If he beats Webbo, Webbo is toast.

[tidytracks]

If there are going to be any driver changes amongst these teams then it's more likely to be:

Webber to Renault (Flav driver)
Piquet to RBR

... but if you really want to throw Vettel and DC into the mix, then DC to STR and Vettel to RBR.

Unlikely? Probably, but only about as unlikley as the other suggestions made in this thread.

Could happen, but fairly improbable.

[Ross Stonefeld]

For a mid season switch the initial post does make sense.

[Mauseri]

Originally posted by tidytracks
Webber to Renault (Flav driver)
Piquet to RBR

There is no way Red Bull would let Webber out, there is no way Webber would like to make that change mid season, there is no way Falv/Lonso would take Webber mid season.

It's an absolute no no. And why would Red Bull take Piquet? I guess they would rather steal Vettel or Bourdais.

[wonk123]

Originally posted by tidytracks
If there are going to be any driver changes amongst these teams then it's more likely to be:

Webber to Renault (Flav driver)
Piquet to RBR

.

Why would RBR do this, it surely is a lose, lose situation for them.
There would need to be some serious coin change hands for this to happen.
and I cant see Renault being that generous + as others have said
there is no way FA would want Webber challenging his undisputed no 1 status

[Owen]

I'd prefer Coulthard out. sorry.
Vettel to RBR.
Piquet can stay where he is and get some support for a change.

[dank]

How reliable is the source in all this (Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell)?

[UPRC]

Just swap Vettel and Coulthard and the season will be infinitely better.

[wingwalker]

I don't really see why Renault would want DC. Maybe as a car developer, cause they don't want to risk another rookie? But DC is pretty far from Webber's pace, and makes quite a lot of mistakes too, and is probably going to retire.. I'm not sure if it would make sense for Renault to make the switch.

[BMW_F1]

I don't think anybody is going anywhere. This sounds too me like the rumor of Alonso signing for Ferrari for 2010..

[potmotr]

Originally posted by wingwalker
DC is pretty far from Webber's pace, and makes quite a lot of mistakes too.

I would hate to see DC go out like this. I'd like him to see out the season at RBR. And lets remember that Renault is Alonso's personal fiefdom. He demanded that after his experience at McLaren.

[Odseybod]

Surely more likely to be a straight swap between Nelsinho and Bourdais. That way, Renault gets a French driver again (never unimportant for them!) and the disappointing Piquet is moved gently nearer the exit door for when/if STR disappears at the end of the season, without seeming to be too brutal to him.

But like many, I'd be surpriased if there were any mid-season changes - just too disruptive and complicated, without much obvious compensation to make it worthwhile.

[BMW_F1]

when was the last time a three team driver swap happened?

[woftam]

Right now Piquet is not pinching any points from Red Bulls pocket.
DC certainly could, and there is no guarantee Vettel will score lots of points either at RBR.
A DC swap to Renault may make Red Bull slightly stronger if things go their way, but it will definitely make their rival for 4th in WCC stronger with DC in the 2nd seat at Renault.
Don't be fooled by circumstances at Monaco. The Renault is a faster car at this point in time.
Red Bull should stick with DC. Things will turn around for him soon.

[noikeee]

I don't think this one makes much sense.

Vettel to RBR - likely to happen next year, but right now I think it'd be more beneficial for him to remain at STR, he doesn't seem the kind of driver that can bring out his maximum performance every weekend yet

Coulthard to Renault - I see the point in bringing an experienced, reliable driver that could win points, but the way Coulthard has been racing lately, he's far from "reliable". He has messed up this year almost as much as Piquet. Pointless from Renault's side, and I see no reason whatsoever why Coulthard would agree to this.

Piquet to STR - why would Berger want him? It'd be like a return to the Liuzzi days, quick driver in theory, but isn't confident enough to show his speed on track. Remember the amount of **** Liuzzi got? Sounds like the last place on earth for a "calm", "pressure-free" environment.

[Beyond]

no way dc can go to renault

[postajegenye]

Webber to Renault (Flav driver)
Piquet to RBR

Alonso-Webber at Renault?

Forget it.

[DarthWillie]

Originally posted by dank
How reliable is the source in all this (Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell)?

quite reliable actually, I think it makes a lot of sense. RBR want Vettel, Renault could use a solid testdriver like Coulthard and if Flavio throws in a little engine deal Mateschitz will tell Berger to take Piquet.

[Nathan]

What about Doornbos?

[Craven Morehead]

Coulthard is done, stick a fork in him.
I wonder how fisi woulda done in the Renault this year alongside Fred.

[donald29]

Can't see any of this happening tbh.

DC wouldn't want Renault, and I think Red Bull will be happy to let Vettel and DC stay where they are, and I don't really think anyone would want Piquet over Sato/Davidson or any number of test drivers.

[MortenF1]

Originally posted by wingwalker
(...)But DC is pretty far from Webber's pace, and makes quite a lot of mistakes too(...)

Wrong on both counts. Apart from Bahrain, DC has been very close to Webber's pace, it's just that the attention has gone towards his mishaps.
Which brings me to your second point - DC has always been regarded as a safe pair of hands, and perceived as a crasher he's never been. He's been involved in too many incidents this year - yep, but it's not been down to ineptness on his behalf.

As for this switch involving three drivers and teams, I don't believe it. Too many obstacles, and knowing the teambosses often fickle philosophies and ideas about competition, I doubt they could agree to something like this.

[Rabbit123]

Now why would DC go to Renault?

[fukkinen]

What a rubish...
Why not...

DC to NASCAR in Kyle Bush place
and
Rubens to AGR in Danica's place

[kamix]

Even less chance of this but here's hoping:

Straight swap for Piquet and Bourdais.
Straight swap for DC and Vettel.

[sejanus]

Originally posted by race addicted


He's been involved in too many incidents this year - yep, but it's not been down to ineptness on his behalf.

come off it mate, DC is well and truly to blame for the majority of his incidents this year.

I hope he comes good soon but so far....awful.

[wonk123]

I could see the Bourdais Piquet swap, but there would need to be a sweetener for STR

[MortenF1]

Originally posted by sejanus


come off it mate, DC is well and truly to blame for the majority of his incidents this year.

I'm not going to discuss those incidents again, that's not the topic in this thread.

Btw, Briatore was rumoured to be interested in DC after the '02-season and again when his last contract with McLaren expired. From some of Symonds comments on DC later, I wonder if it may've been him that put his foot down.

(DC and Briatore was atleast for a while, quite good mates. It was through him DC met Simone Abdelnour)

[Gecko]

DC to Renault would indeed make sense. While I am sure Red Bull don't suddenly think DC can't deliver anymore after being a very safe pair of hands for all the seasons past, what might motivate Red Bull is their wish to promote Vettel into the "big" team. It would be a win-win situation for both Renault and Red Bull. The only party that would mind this scenario is Toro Rosso, as having Piquet in their car instead of Vettel certainly can't appear to be an improvement.

We'll see.

[Julli]

Why is Vettel so highly regarded? If you look the learning curve (not just lucky finish in Monaco) S.Bourdais has been equal to Vettel. DC has been shite and is no future prospet to Renault, so I don't believe DC is wanted in Renault. Webber to Renault is a different story. Renault would probably want him, but does Webber want to be a lapdog for Alonso. There is probably some sort of driver swapping aggreement in RBR and Renault engine contract. Otherwise it could be possible, I just don't see what Renault would gain for gettin DC onboard.

Julli

[SevenTwoSeven]

Originally posted by BMW_F1
I don't think anybody is going anywhere. This sounds too me like the rumor of Alonso signing for Ferrari for 2010..

Or how about 2009? Anyone notice this in some comments from Renaults top bloke?

"And the Brazilian is optimistic Alonso will find a reason to stay at the team beyond this season, although he is aware that Renault will have to give the Spaniard a competitive car in order to keep him.

"Fernando is very important, he's given motivation and argumentations to the team, he is a fighter and a honest person. It's up to us to give him a good car. I'm confident he'll stay with us," Ghosn added.

So maybe there might be more than one seat at renault available......

link to story although it was more about renaults stay in F1 rather than Alonso..

Old news i guess, but if he needs to find a reason to stay doesnt that suggest hes already found a reason to leave?