19 replies to this topic

[genespleen]

This is shaping up to be the most interesting silly season in a long time. What are some of the others that stand out to you? Why?

I'd have to say that Senna's long drawn-out silly season with McLaren in 1993 made that whole year compelling...

[George Costanza]

How about 1995? or was it a done deal that Schu went to Ferrari?

[BrawnGeePee]

2009 was a pretty silly season: Even with the major aero changes(and the KERS curse), everyone was rooting for a McLaren, Ferrari, or BMW Sauber to win the bacon...then here comes an anonymous Brawn GP...winning them all

[Jackmancer]

[RedBaron]

This, it started before the summer break with Ferrari...

Edit: 2009

Edited by RedBaron, 01 August 2013 - 08:30.

[Antonov]

How about 1995? or was it a done deal that Schu went to Ferrari?

I don't know exactly when the deal was announced, but I do remember that the rumours were overwhelming come Hungary of that year.

[Jackmancer]

I don't know exactly when the deal was announced, but I do remember that the rumours were overwhelming come Hungary of that year.

look what I found on the internet
http://www.grandprix...ns/ns00217.html

page from 1995

[UPRC]

I say 2007. The departure of Schumacher, Raikkonen to Ferrari, and Alonso to McLaren to partner a rookie in a top car.

[noikeee]

I say 2007. The departure of Schumacher, Raikkonen to Ferrari, and Alonso to McLaren to partner a rookie in a top car.

This is a good call except Alonso to McLaren was known waaaaay beforehand. I think it was officially announced in as early as late 2005?

[Kimbo]

How about 1995? or was it a done deal that Schu went to Ferrari?

IIRC it was announced around Hungary of that year, though there were already strong rumours before that (everyone was under the impression that Schumacher was leaving for the money). Other big name drivers were on the move that year too.

Also agree with 2009 (for changes in 2010).

[Kimbo]

This is a good call except Alonso to McLaren was known waaaaay beforehand. I think it was officially announced in as early as late 2005?

Yes, i think in November.

[Anderis]

Silly season before 2010:
Alonso: Renault--->Ferrari
Schumacher: --->Mercedes
Rosberg: Williams--->Mercedes
Button: Brawn--->McLaren
Raikkonen: Ferrari--->out of F1
Kubica: BMW--->Renault
Barrichello: Brawn--->Williams
Kobayashi: Toyota--->Sauber
Hulkenberg: GP2--->Williams
So many interesting changes then... + we didn't even know which teams would be on the grid in 2010 really.

[William Hunt]

Pre 1991 was also exciting with Jean Alesi first signing for Williams and then for Ferrari, he had signed 2 contracts! He ended up with Ferrari what turned out to be a bad choice since Williams had the dominant car in '92-'93

[noikeee]

The winter of 1985-1986 might have been interesting to follow back then - Lauda retiring, champions Piquet and Rosberg moving teams, de Angelis moving as well (sadly we all know how that turned out), and the now famous veto of Warwick to Lotus by Senna. Couple of midfield changes as well as usual, Toleman became Benetton and hired Berger, Renault disappeared and the free agent Tambay moved to a Lola expanding to 2-cars, Arnoux to Ligier, etc.

[William Hunt]

The winter of '86-'87 also with Rosberg retiring, Johansson moving from Ferrari to McLaren, Berger from Benetton to Ferrari, Boutsen from Arrows to Benetton. There were a lot of rumours about the 2nd seat at Brabham and Ligier at that time. de Cesaris (Brabham) and Ghinzani (Ligier) were only signed shortly before the season started, many drivers had been linked to what were solid midfield teams.

Ligier was supposed to be powered by Alfa Romeo but after they tested with Alfa Romeo engines, shortly before the season started, René Arnoux said some insulting things about the Italian engines and Alfa Romeo withdrew their deal as a result. Ghinzani had been lucky because Alfa had demanded an Italian driver as part of the engine package, that's how Ghinzani ended up in a Ligier after spending many years with Osella.

Edited by William Hunt, 01 August 2013 - 14:38.

[William Hunt]

I'm sure that if we were now in the 1970's or 1980's with internet then the silly season would be even much more sillier as it is nowadays. There would also be more seats to talk about.

[George Costanza]

This is a good call except Alonso to McLaren was known waaaaay beforehand. I think it was officially announced in as early as late 2005?

yes, December 2005.

[George Costanza]

Pre 1991 was also exciting with Jean Alesi first signing for Williams and then for Ferrari, he had signed 2 contracts! He ended up with Ferrari what turned out to be a bad choice since Williams had the dominant car in '92-'93

Had Jean went to Williams, he would have been a two time WDC, I reckon....

[V3TT3L]

Silly season before 2010:
Alonso: Renault--->Ferrari
Schumacher: --->Mercedes
Rosberg: Williams--->Mercedes
Button: Brawn--->McLaren
Raikkonen: Ferrari--->out of F1
Kubica: BMW--->Renault
Barrichello: Brawn--->Williams
Kobayashi: Toyota--->Sauber
Hulkenberg: GP2--->Williams
So many interesting changes then... + we didn't even know which teams would be on the grid in 2010 really.

Alonso, the paydriver
The return of the king [Schumy]
The return of the silver arrows
Is Jenson's WDC tainted ?
WDC expelled from F1
Will Kimi go to McLaren ?
Will Barrichello end his career record ?

[Andrew Hope]

I'm sure that if we were now in the 1970's or 1980's with internet then the silly season would be even much more sillier as it is nowadays. There would also be more seats to talk about.

That, and the fact that there would be a load of one-off drives to speculate about, as well as occasional third car entries from works teams.

For example, I wonder if this guy will be able to scrounge a full-season ride somewhere for 1978 after his one-off for McLaren in 1977..



Nevermind the fact that if we had forums in the 70s not only would we be speculating what the livery might look like next year, but we'd also be speculating how many wheels the car would have.