2821 replies to this topic

[lustigson]

Since the 2012 Formula One grid is all but decided, I thought it would be just about time to start the 2013 Silly Season thread. By the looks of the end dates of several drivers' contracts, it promises to be an exciting game of musical chairs.

[Andy865]

Kimi to HRT.

You heard it here first.

[GAZF1nut]

Lewis to Red Bull (I can only hope)
Webber to retire
Perez to Ferrari
Di Resta to Mercedes
Kubica to return (I don't expect him to return next year)

[Bmwsduc]

Kimi to HRT.

You heard it here first.

Best thing I have ever seen, I laughed so much more than seeing the caption time thread.

[Meanbeakin]

People seem always to be assuming that Mark will retire, just as most people were assuming he'd do at the end of this season.

Unless one of the young Red Bull guys really steps up in 2012, and as long as Mark's up for it, why wouldn't he re-sign for 2013?

[Outsider]

Kimi to HRT.

You heard it here first.

[404KF2]

Me to Ferrari. You did say SILLY season, right?

[bourbon]

Williams: Rosberg, Raikkonen (return 2012)
Mercedes: Schumacher, DiResta
Red Bull: Vettel, Alguersauri (or Webber if he stays on)
STRF: Riccardo, Buemi
Sauber: Kobayashi, Maldonado
Renault: Petrov, Senna
Ferrari: Alonso, Kubica (return 2012)
Jaguar returns (Team Boss - Prost): Massa, Button
Virgin: DiAmbrosio, Glock
Lotus: Kovalainen, Hulkenberg
HRT: Sainz, Luizzi
McLaren: Hamilton, Perez
Audi-BMW: Barrichello, Sutil (because I'm outta cars)

[SparkPlug]

Williams: Rosberg, Raikkonen (return 2012)
Mercedes: Schumacher, DiResta
Red Bull: Vettel, Alguersauri (or Webber if he stays on)
STRF: Riccardo, Buemi
Sauber: Kobayashi, Maldonado
Renault: Petrov, Senna
Ferrari: Alonso, Kubica (return 2012)
Jaguar returns (Team Boss - Prost): Massa, Button
Virgin: DiAmbrosio, Glock
Lotus: Kovalainen, Hulkenberg
HRT: Sainz, Luizzi
McLaren: Hamilton, Perez
Audi-BMW: Barrichello, Sutil (because I'm outta cars)

Rosberg isnt going to Williams. Not a long shot. I am pretty sure all the top teams (Red Bull, Mclaren, Ferrari) have one eye on this kid. He's good enough to be fighting for wins.
Raikkonen isnt coming back.

I mean, the rest of your list is quite simply unrealistic.
You think HRT will survive while Force India wont ?

EDIT : Here's my list of predictions, absolutely random at best

Ferrari : Alonso, Button
Red Bull : Vettel, Massa (?) (I doubt Webber will continue after getting another bad beating at the hands of Vettel in 2012)
Mercedes : Rosberg, Di Riesta (Schumacher retires to take up a role in the Merc GP pitwall, as well as the third driver role to aid with development and testing)
Mclaren : Hamilton, Kobayashi (Ok this is more of a wish list of a team, but who wouldnt like to see two of F1's most aggressive in the same team ?!!)
Renault : Kubica, Senna
Force India : Adrian Sutil, Armaan Ibrahim / some other Indian driver [Heard a bit of this young 19 something Indian driver, apparently making a few waves in lower spec open wheel racing. Perfect fit for FI considering the Indian GP will result in skyrocketing popularity for F1 in India]
STR : Alguersari, New guy
Sauber : Perez, Jules Bianchi (shaping him for the future Ferrari drive)

The rest, I dont know, too unpredictable to even guess !

Edited by SparkPlug, 19 September 2011 - 07:09.

[Flamini]

Ferrari and Button eye deal for 2013

It would be great.

[kismet]

I can't remember a silly season that didn't promise more than it delivered so I'm going with my standard prediction that most drivers at the sharper end of the grid will just stay put. Boringly.

[kosmos]

Button to Ferrari in 2013?, that would make Hamilton so happy and probably the tifosis will be happy too, Button is a classy guy and a great driver.

[phil1993]

I think for Ferrari that if they can't get Button, they'll go for Perez. They'll be very keen to promote from within their own acadamy and prove that they can have a Red Bull style system of nurturing drivers. If they promote Perez, then Bianchi will probably slot into Sauber in part for a deal with the engine/gearbox and possibly the rear package.

Red Bull probably depends on Webber, but I think Buemi will be gone from STR by then. I personally hope Alguersuari will stay, hopefully alongside Vergne (who strikes me as a greater talent than Ricciardo).

Renault/Williams is a case of pick four from about twelve candidates. Senna, Grosjean, Kubica, Petrov could end up there. Maldonado will stay at Williams if he has the money, but I suspect Rubens will have gone in favour of Valtteri Bottas, depending on Bottas' form in GP2 next season.

Mercedes/Force India depends on Schumacher. If he goes than di Resta joins Rosberg and Hulkenberg joins Sutil. Alternatively, Hulkenberg might already be at Force India next season if Sutil ends up at Williams in 2012.

At the back, anything goes. Kovalainen is hopefully still at Lotus, joined by maybe Valsecchi or Razia? Potentially Alex Rossi. Virgin will have Glock and someone else? HRT, well that's anyone's guess.

[gillesthegenius]

Hamilton to Red Bull and Rosberg to Mclaren.

[GX390]

I'd love to see Button to go to Ferrari, it would be very interesting to say the least

[gm914]

According to smileys...

Williams: Rosberg, Raikkonen (return 2012)
Mercedes: Schumacher, DiResta
Red Bull: Vettel, Alguersauri (or Webber if he stays on)
STRF: Riccardo, Buemi
Sauber: Kobayashi, Maldonado
Renault: Petrov, Senna +
Ferrari: Alonso, Kubica (return 2012) +
Jaguar returns (Team Boss - Prost): Massa, Button
Virgin: DiAmbrosio, Glock
Lotus: Kovalainen, Hulkenberg
HRT: Sainz, Luizzi
McLaren: Hamilton, Perez
Audi-BMW: Barrichello, Sutil (because I'm outta cars)

[FenderJaguar]

I usually don't like smileys but when I do they are awesome!

[bourbon]

Rosberg isnt going to Williams. Not a long shot. I am pretty sure all the top teams (Red Bull, Mclaren, Ferrari) have one eye on this kid. He's good enough to be fighting for wins.
Raikkonen isnt coming back.

You forgot to add that Williams won't have a top car. I'm counting on that in order for Raikkonen and Rosberg to be seated there for 2013. 2012 will be the 'coming back' year for them with Raikkonen and Maldonado at the helm.

I mean, the rest of your list is quite simply unrealistic.
You think HRT will survive while Force India wont ?

Ah yeah, FI, forgot them altogether in my haste. I was on a break at work and feeling groovy, lol. Just substitute FI for Audi/Beamer sheesh! LOL.

EDIT : Here's my list of predictions, absolutely random at best

Ferrari : Alonso, Button

I don't think Button would be into the Ferrari deal. He has it too good at Macca for that. But I could see him building up a team like Williams or a new team if they were promising, had experience and a worthy product (Audi/Beamer)

Red Bull : Vettel, Massa (?) (I doubt Webber will continue after getting another bad beating at the hands of Vettel in 2012)

No way Massa. They are going to fish from within or get a hot shoot. Why replace Webber with another Webber? Massa can be a hothead too. Frankly, I wouldn't bet against Webber staying on.

Mercedes : Rosberg, Di Riesta (Schumacher retires to take up a role in the Merc GP pitwall, as well as the third driver role to aid with development and testing)
Mclaren : Hamilton, Kobayashi (Ok this is more of a wish list of a team, but who wouldnt like to see two of F1's most aggressive in the same team ?!!)
Renault : Kubica, Senna

All of those are possible, but I am pretty sure Michael won't be retiring any time soon. He is determined to make the call this round and Brawn will let him, imo. So otherwise this would work. I am not for seeing Hamilton/Kobayashi really - that is just asking for flying parts and pieces.

Force India : Adrian Sutil, Armaan Ibrahim / some other Indian driver [Heard a bit of this young 19 something Indian driver, apparently making a few waves in lower spec open wheel racing. Perfect fit for FI considering the Indian GP will result in skyrocketing popularity for F1 in India]
STR : Alguersari, New guy
Sauber : Perez, Jules Bianchi (shaping him for the future Ferrari drive)

These could work. But I don't think the "Indian" team should have all "Indian" drivers - that is very like what Mercedes and Macca have done and frankly, it is a bit much in this day and age when "Go Global, Go Great" is the motto!

Edited by bourbon, 20 September 2011 - 03:28.

[katmen]

only bump

but one question who has contract for 2013?

[sumpthy]

only bump

but one question who has contract for 2013?

Alonso at Ferrari, Vettel at Red Bull, Button at McLaren, Rosberg at Mercedes, Raikkonen at Lotus, Glock at Marussia and De la Rosa at HRT.

[Atreiu]

2013 is too far away for me to really worry.
Webber to Ferrari would become a nightmare to his fans. Think of 2011 but many times worse thanks to Alonso.

[KavB]

We're due for a mix up at the top teams. I can see Massa on his way out, but only if there's an obvious bright prospect who's shining this year. Hamilton is the key player for this silly season. If he moves on from McLaren then I can see Raikkonen moving back to McLaren.

[FloorTheThrottle]

no way i am gonna take this seriously untill September 2012 .

[rmac923]

no way i am gonna take this seriously untill September 2012 .

That's why these threads are so fun this early. So we can see how wrong we are a year later!

The keys to 2013 IMO are the following:

1. The probable sacking of Felipe Massa
2. If Robert Kubica will ever be healthy enough to return
3. If McLaren finally burns Hamilton for all the negativity towards the team
4. If one of the Toro Rosso drivers has a breakout rookie year (Vettel 2008)

[piercey]

Man I hope McLaren can retain both drivers again. Hate to see either leave, especially to Italy.

[mgs315]

Ferrari and Button eye deal for 2013

It would be great.

My missus would love that as a fan of both! Alas she'd no longer tolerate my love of McLaren .

[jamiegc]

Alonso at Ferrari, Vettel at Red Bull, Button at McLaren, Rosberg at Mercedes, Raikkonen at Lotus, Glock at Marussia and De la Rosa at HRT.

Vergne has a RB contract until 2014.

[DrF]

Rubens to replace Massa in 2013! You did say silly, right?

[Trust]

The biggest thing in silly season will be how both Kimi and Hamilton perform this season. Anything could happen, also don't forget Webbo.

[Raifosa]

McLaren: Hamilton, Raikkonen
RBR: Vettel, Schumacher
Ferrari: Alonso, Button
Mercedes: Rosberg, Kubica
Lotus: Kobayashi, Hulkenberg
Williams: Kovalainen, Glock
Sauber: Perez, Massa
Caterham: Sutil, Alguersuari
FI: Buemi, Petrov
STR: RT1, RT2*
Virgin: RPD1, RPD2*
HRT: RPD1, RPD2*


*RT: Random toddler
*RPD: Random pay driver

[Sakae]

Man I hope McLaren can retain both drivers again. Hate to see either leave, especially to Italy.

I am confused by McLaren's situation. Its purportedly such "prestige" team, yet both drivers are trying to run away? What gives?

[jrg19]

I am confused by McLaren's situation. Its purportedly such "prestige" team, yet both drivers are trying to run away? What gives?

They all want a Newey car

[Fastcake]

I am confused by McLaren's situation. Its purportedly such "prestige" team, yet both drivers are trying to run away? What gives?

Button's running away so fast he signed a long term contract! And I only see Hamilton moving if he can get a Red Bull seat, and they are not going to stay on top forever.

Biggest questions are going to be who is going to be partnering Alonso at Ferrari, if Kubica is going to come back, and whether Raikkonen is going to stick around.

I also forgot to add about whether or not Webber and Schumacher will be staying in F1. Their seats are going to be rather lucrative to anyone looking up.

Edited by Fastcake, 28 January 2012 - 11:55.

[wj_gibson]

I suspect there may be some mileage in the idea of Webber leaving RBR at the end of the year (or simply not having his contract renewed, and either Ricciardo or Vergne taking his place) and going off to Ferrari to replace Massa for a year whilst Ferrari continue to assess some of the younger drivers.

I doubt Kubica will ever be back.

Hamilton will have little choice but to agree terms with McLaren (I can't see him going to RBR so long Vettel is there, to be honest - mainly because, for all his apparent cheeriness I think there's a much, much steelier character within Vettel who will do his best to prevent any such outcome). Unless Mercedes becomes an attractive proposition (e.g. if Schumacher decides he's had enough).

I should think the Raikkonen/Grosjean partnership will be set fairly solid for the next couple of years. As for the rest of the grid, who knows?

[H0R]

I am still not sure if Hamilton at McLaren is Lewis' choice at all. One would probably have to wait a couple of raced into the 2012 season to see if he gets his act together. If not I fully expect McLaren to drop him for good.

[goldenboy]

The most obvious "big" move for me would be kimi replacing webber in 2013. We have seen them make the rookies wait it out. Much as I'd love to see ricciardo in that seat I reckon he would be destroyed if he went in that early. And the prospect of a kimi v vettel 2013 is interesting...

[Tufty]

OK, this is me trying to be a bit realistic...

Red Bull: Vettel/Ricciardo
McLaren: Hamilton/Button
Ferrari: Alonso/Perez
Mercedes: Schumacher/Rosberg
Lotus: Raikkonen/Grosjean
Force India: Di Resta/Hulkenberg
Sauber: Kobayashi/Bianchi
Toro Rosso: Vergne/New hotshot
Williams: Maldonado/Bottas
Caterham: Kovalainen/Alguersuari OR Senna
Marussia: Glock/Wickens?
HRT: Folded.

Not particularly interesting, I know, but there it is.

[Sakae]

The trageted (desirable) teams might change in 2012 from 2011. McLaren was pretty much at RBR level later in 2011, thus their start this year should be better than last year, and they might end up well in November. Car might be good, but something off-track is not, and I can't put finger on it.

Meanwhile Ferrari is making noises how they improved their position under new management and re-focused approach. We simply now have to wait for separation of expectations and track realities, and who knows, Mercedes could be nice surprise as well. I do not expect midfilders to stick their heads up, even as I am not writing them off.

Eric B. is no dummy, and despite that he had too many distractions last year, his team has ideas, and that's what is also required for getting ahead. With Kimi on board, they have to be taken seriously. Could be The Fifth team at the top?

Fight for top musical chairs remains, as in last year, just among four teams (perhaps five) only. Schumi might sign up for one more year (at least I hope so), whilst Massa and Webber probably will step aside - we are all repeating that, but, who knows? There are no guarantees.

Kubica, difficult as it is from human perspective, I do not see him back this, doubtfully next year, because of statements by medical staff in media, that his physical condition is nowhere near normal yet, nevermind at F1 level. Even if he tries to come back, teams will be on guard, whilst young bucks are pushing from behind to get in. Not an easy life.

2013
Vettel | ?
Alonso | ?
Schumacher | ?
Kimi | ?
McLaren ? | ?

[DrF]

The most obvious "big" move for me would be kimi replacing webber in 2013. We have seen them make the rookies wait it out. Much as I'd love to see ricciardo in that seat I reckon he would be destroyed if he went in that early. And the prospect of a kimi v vettel 2013 is interesting...

Vettel would seriously love to have Kimi in the other car at Red Bull, possibly even support him in a 2nd wdc campaign. That would be my Dream Team.

[Anderis]

Bottas to run Williams in 2013 is the most likely change I can think at the moment. He is clearly being prepared for that, having very good reputation at Williams and he is going to do plenty of driving in 2012, and he probably won't do anything (WSbR or GP2) apart from being test driver at Williams, so it's clear that he expect to race in F1 in 2013.

[jimjimjeroo]

Rumour has it Suzuki gonna buy into Sauber to combine the with the launch of there new open wheeled bike powered car similar to the Atom

[katmen]

Alonso at Ferrari, Vettel at Red Bull, Button at McLaren, Rosberg at Mercedes, Raikkonen at Lotus, Glock at Marussia and De la Rosa at HRT.

big

but in era of contract breaking who knows...

I fear that HRT will be history in 2013....

[KateLM]

Vettel would seriously love to have Kimi in the other car at Red Bull, possibly even support him in a 2nd wdc campaign. That would be my Dream Team.

No competitive driver would willingly support their teammate unless they were out of the running, let alone a 2XWDC.

They only thing I think I could say with any certainty right now is that Massa will probably be out of Ferrari. And I wouldn't bet on Alonso, Button, Vettel or Rosberg going anywhere unless they have options in their contracts which allow them to do so. Breaking contracts is a lot harder when your team doesn't want to let you go (ask Button), and I don't see why the first three would want to leave anyway.

I doubt Marko would want Hamilton or Raikkonen at Red Bull either. But stranger things have happened I suppose.

[SpartanChas]

Can't see anyone but Ricciardo/Vergne replacing Webber at RBR, whenever that is. If he doesn't have a better season then I bet it'll be 2013.

Schumacher retires, Di Resta to Mercedes, Hulkenberg and Bianchi driving for FI, Perez to Ferrari, Massa retires because he has nowhere to go. Maybe Trulli will retire and a GP2 graduate will take his place. James Calado?

Edited by SpartanChas, 28 January 2012 - 19:07.

[Morbus]

My predictions:
RedBull: Vettel and Rosberg.
McLaren: Button and Paffet.
Ferrari: Alonso and Kubica.
Mercedes: Hamilton and di Resta.
Lotus: Raikkonen and Grosjean.
Force India: Hulkenberg and Massa.
Sauber: Kovalainen and Kobayashi.
Williams: Senna and Maldonado.
Caterham: Sutil and Perez.
Toro Rosso: Vergne and Bianchi.
Marussia: Glock and Pic.
HRT: de la Rosa and some pay driver, I don't know, Valsecchi.

Retires: Webber, Schumacher, Ricciardo, Trulli

[HistoryFan]

My predictions:
RedBull: Vettel and Rosberg.
McLaren: Button and Paffet.
Ferrari: Alonso and Kubica.
Mercedes: Hamilton and di Resta.
Lotus: Raikkonen and Grosjean.
Force India: Hulkenberg and Massa.
Sauber: Kovalainen and Kobayashi.
Williams: Senna and Maldonado.
Caterham: Sutil and Perez.
Toro Rosso: Vergne and Bianchi.
Marussia: Glock and Pic.
HRT: de la Rosa and some pay driver, I don't know, Valsecchi.

Retires: Webber, Schumacher, Ricciardo, Trulli

Very unlikely: Rosberg to Red Bull - never
Paffet has a contract with Mercedes for DTM, no F1 chance
Kubica: First get out of illness
Hamilton to Mercedes - no chance
and so on...

In 2013 there will be a lot of new drivers from GP2 and WSbR

[fpbecker]

Let's give this a shot.

Red Bull: Vettel/Ricciardo
McLaren: Button/Hamilton
Ferrari: Alonso/?
Mercedes: Schumacher/Rosberg
Lotus: Räikkönen/Grosjean
Force India: Hülkenberg/di Resta
Sauber: Kobayashi/Perez
Williams: Maldonado/Senna
Toro Rosso: Vergne/?
Caterham: Kovalainen/?
Marussia: Glock/Petrov
HRT: de la Rosa/?

[HistoryFan]

I tried this:

Red Bull: Vettel - Ricciardo
McLaren: Hamilton - Button
Ferrari: Alonso - Sutil
Mercedes: Rosberg - Di Resta
Lotus: Räikkönen - Grosjean
Force India: Hülkenberg - Bianchi
Sauber: Kobayashi - Perez
Toro Rosso: Vergne - Williamson
Williams: Maldonado - Massa
Caterham: Kovalainan - Valsecchi
Marussia: Glock - Wickens
HRT: De La Rosa - Clos

[Zava]

ok, i'll try one and let's see it a year later:

Red Bull: Vettel - Vergne
McLaren: Hamilton - Button
Ferrari: Alonso - Bobby K
Mercedes: Rosberg - Hulkenberg
Lotus: Räikkönen - Grosjean
Force India: di Resta - Bianchi
Sauber: Kobayashi - Perez
Toro Rosso: Ricciardo - Williamson
Williams: Maldonado - Bottas
Caterham: Kovalainen - Rossi
Marussia: Glock - Wickens
HRT: who knows

and maybe if Kimi really impresses, and Button goes on to beat Hamilton once more:
mclaren: Button - Raikkönen
ferrari: Alonso - Hamilton
and maybe lotus could get Kubica back. but this is not gonna happen, so...

Edited by Zava, 29 January 2012 - 11:01.

[jrg19]

McLaren: Hamilton - Button
Ferrari: Alonso - Perez
Red Bull: Vettel - Webber
Mercedes: Rosberg - Kovalainen
Lotus: Räikkönen - Grosjean
Force India: di Resta - Bianchi
Sauber: Kobayashi - Cecotto
Toro Rosso: Ricciardo - Vergne
Williams: £££ - Bottas
Caterham: Hulkenberg - Petrov
Marussia: Glock - Pic
HRT: de la Rosa- Badoer