F1 2014 Silly Season

legion · 11-19-2014, 08:39 AM

I think Mercedes and McLaren are both hoping to snag Hamilton for next year. Which way he goes depends on what happens at the last race. If Hamilton returns, I wouldn't be surprised if Button gets the nod too. If McLaren opts for a seasoned driver which cost them $200 million, Magnusen may be retained as a clear #2.

I think Alonso may find himself without a ride next year if Hamilton returns to McLaren. His coy, scheming nature has pushed him out of Ferrari.

I think Vettel will be at Ferrari, and will fail, at least at first. It will take Ferrari a few seasons to improve. I've never thought of Vettel as much of a development driver, but he may succeed if Ferrari gets a good team of engineers and designers.

Deschodt · 11-19-2014, 08:02 PM

You may be right, but not sure why would Hamilton take that chance, new Honda engine and all... The mercedes team is what, 2-300 pts ahead in the constructor's championship? I have read in several places that HAM and ROS are signed, done deal. Of course F1 contracts aren't worth anything. Also that Alonso was signed at McLaren (but they're delaying announcements till dec 1 in deference to the #2 choice of MAG vs BUT). Button mentioned he might not come back to McLaren "even if they asked him to", which seems to indicate he's going to sports cars like Weber... I'm pretty sure he's out... Assuming this is all wrong and somehow Mercedes let Hamilton (their likely World champ) go, Alonso would pounce on that seat like white on rice, and might even do it for a pittance just to add titles. If so you better believe Mercedes would let him...

I'm not sure "Alonso's Scheming nature" is as responsible for his conundrum as was Vettel jumping ship early (no manager) and RedBull announcing it was to Ferrari and immediately promoting Kvyat. That kinda killed ALO's negociating power with, well, everyone... He's been hoping HAM and ROS would fight so hard that one of them might go, not sure that's scheming as much as hoping !!

I agree with you on the Ferrari thing. The way regs are semi-frozen, it'll take a few years for some sort of parity regardless... Another reason why HAM will stay at Mercedes. I mean if not for mechanical DNFs he'd be 100 pts ahead of ROS...

Aragorn · 11-20-2014, 08:41 AM

The way it looks now, Fred will probably go to McLaren happily if they keep Button instead of Magnussen. Fernando Alonso waiting on McLaren F1 team to decide Jenson Button Have to wait until December now for the final paring. Jenson Button says 'nothing has changed' despite Fernando Alonso's exit from Ferrari | Jenson Button Profile | Formula 1 | Sky Sports

Vettel will do good at Ferrari in 2015. I think the car will better suit his driving style. The car will be greatly improved but still not a top two front runner.

Makes me wonder about Mercedes next year. Hamilton doesn't seem happy and Rosberg seems to be the team's golden boy. Changing driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg would disrupt Mercedes F1 success - Wolff | Mercedes | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1 I think Button will get one more year in F1 before Hamilton bolts from Mercedes back to McLaren in 2016 (sounds familar to 2007.) But who really knows. Alosno is the linchpin in this whole deal.

Deschodt · 11-20-2014, 10:46 AM

More important that driver pairings, I think something should be done to unfreeze the development.
This is F1, not a spec series... The way things are now we are looking at a period of Mercedes domination that other teams cannot hope to catch up with, under the current tokens system. Back when Ferrari was dominating, the other guys at least had a chance of coming up with something... Not now, testing is restricted, changes are restricted...

It's not even saving that much money, because they all went crazy on simulators for both cars and engines, and it's killing the hopes of young drivers who cannot test, ever. Big teams will always spend more (and sometimes that makes no difference, cue Ferrari and McLaren lately).

This is F1, pinnacle of development. Let them effing develop, test, and to save money, force manufacturers to sell their engine to "at least" one other team for a set price that is half of what it is now. And loosen the regs ! Done ! Honestly that would go a long way. We're looking at 18 cars next year !

matt f · 11-20-2014, 11:02 AM

Rumors that Ferrari and Red Bull may field 3 cars next year.
So, maybe up to 20 cars!
Don't know if Bernie is suggesting (making) the above teams do this.
Duffey, Hobbs and Matchette were discussing the possibility.

Deschodt · 11-20-2014, 11:05 AM

Contractually that's not possible, as I understand it. 3 cars per "big" team reduces chances of smaller teams to get points / podium and therefore money at the end of the year, they will never agree to it, which is what's required to modify the concorde agreements...
Now who knows ;-) They might be allowed in as long as they don't score... all very gimmicky !
CVC / Bernie have milked that cow dry, it's time they let the teams and track organizers get more of the pie !

matt f · 11-20-2014, 11:13 AM

Greg,

I agree with you on unlimited testing etc.
It's F1 for goodness sakes.
The adherence to the Concorde agreement is definitely a stumbling block.
But Bernie has done some crazy stuff in the past.

Arguing against the 3 car team, even if the designated 3rd car can't score points, in essence would amount to more testing for that team.
Certainly hurdles, but Bernie has proved to be a high jumper.
Always enjoy the silly season, anything is possible.

Matt