Silly Season 2011 Thread

[ringo]

Interesting, Sauber need assurance that Kobayashi can do a valencia every race weekend first.

About renault, Kimi, Heidfeld, Glock, Sato? , all these guys are eyeing that seat. They know it's good.
The funny thing is, there was a joke last year about kimi and him scrambling for a renault seat. The kimi fans scoffed at the thought. Now they would do anything to see him in F1, even if he was driving a HRT.

Renault is now a top team, and with next years regs, they could be championship contenders easily. It's a nice prospect and any one of those 4 guys above could give Bob a run in terms of all out speed; maybe not glock so much, but he's good non the less.

[GTO]

Interesting, Sauber need assurance that Kobayashi can do a valencia every race weekend first.

Not clear, don't understand what you meant.

About renault, Kimi, Heidfeld, Glock, Sato? , all these guys are eyeing that seat. They know it's good....

Renault is now a top team, and with next years regs, they could be championship contenders easily. It's a nice prospect and any one of those 4 guys above could give Bob a run in terms of all out speed; maybe not glock so much, but he's good non the less.

I don't think Heidfeld or Sato are top line drivers any longer to give Kubica a run.

[ringo]

Interesting, Sauber need assurance that Kobayashi can do a valencia every race weekend first.

Not clear, don't understand what you meant.

I meant they need to know Kobayashi can drive as well as he did in valencia every race.

He is definitely not a team leader, so i would not trust having him and another rookie like petrov representing team sauber in such a competitive F1 climate.

[ESPImperium]

Personally i can see Petrov in F1 next year, but not with Renault, i have a feeling that Sutil may just be the guy there as he is proving himself this year to me, and with Mercedes offering a $4million reduction on Force India having Heidfeld in the team next year may be tempting for the Silverstone team, with either Liuzzi or Di resta.

I think that Kobiyashai is in danger next year at Sauber as they will be eying GP2 tallent with money, people like Perez or Maldanado.

I can see a few guys getting drives that you just wouldnt think, HRT are in need of money, Sauber need money and the 13th team will also more likley like a driver with some money to come allong with a good experienced guy.

So far confirmed:

Red Bull-Renault: Vettel/Webber TD: Hartley/Riccardo
McLaren-Mercedes: Hamilton/Vettel TD: Paffett
Ferarri: Alonso/Massa TD: Gene/Badoer/Fisichella
Mercedes: Schumacher/Rosberg TD: TBC
Renault: Kubica/TBC TD: Di Ambrosio/Charouz/Tung
Williams-Cosworth: Barrichello/Hulkenberg TD: Bottas
Sauber-Ferarri: TBC/TBC TD TBC
STR-Ferarri: Buemi/Alguersauri TD/Hartley/Riccardo
Lotus-Cosworth: Kovalinenn/Truli TD: Fauzy
Virgin-Cosworth: Glock/Di Grasi TD: Razia/Soucek
Hispania-Cosworth: TBC/TBC/ TD: TBC
Epsilion-Renault: TBC/TBC TD: TBC

7 race seats avalable, 4 minimum test & reserve seats.

But i do see a major change to the sporting regs next season where all teams that have been in ths sport at least 2 years have to put a test driver in a car in FP1 for at least 10 to 14 races next year to get young guys some experience. The 3 new teams and 13th entry would have optional entry into this rule.

But there is also good vibes going arround that in-season testing will return for 2012, but only where economically viable and where logistics are flexable enough to do so, but only for a maximum of 4 or 5 three-day tests. Theese would only be allowed for test drivers to do the driving those days.

[raceman]

So far confirmed:

McLaren-Mercedes: Hamilton/Vettel TD: Paffett

ESP, isn't it Button??

[ringo]

Personally i can see Petrov in F1 next year, but not with Renault, i have a feeling that Sutil may just be the guy there as he is proving himself this year to me, and with Mercedes offering a $4million reduction on Force India having Heidfeld in the team next year may be tempting for the Silverstone team, with either Liuzzi or Di resta.

I think that Kobiyashai is in danger next year at Sauber as they will be eying GP2 tallent with money, people like Perez or Maldanado.

I can see a few guys getting drives that you just wouldnt think, HRT are in need of money, Sauber need money and the 13th team will also more likley like a driver with some money to come allong with a good experienced guy.

So far confirmed:

Red Bull-Renault: Vettel/Webber TD: Hartley/Riccardo
McLaren-Mercedes: Hamilton/Vettel TD: Paffett
Ferarri: Alonso/Massa TD: Gene/Badoer/Fisichella
Mercedes: Schumacher/Rosberg TD: TBC
Renault: Kubica/TBC TD: Di Ambrosio/Charouz/Tung
Williams-Cosworth: Barrichello/Hulkenberg TD: Bottas
Sauber-Ferarri: TBC/TBC TD TBC
STR-Ferarri: Buemi/Alguersauri TD/Hartley/Riccardo
Lotus-Cosworth: Kovalinenn/Truli TD: Fauzy
Virgin-Cosworth: Glock/Di Grasi TD: Razia/Soucek
Hispania-Cosworth: TBC/TBC/ TD: TBC
Epsilion-Renault: TBC/TBC TD: TBC

7 race seats avalable, 4 minimum test & reserve seats.

But i do see a major change to the sporting regs next season where all teams that have been in ths sport at least 2 years have to put a test driver in a car in FP1 for at least 10 to 14 races next year to get young guys some experience. The 3 new teams and 13th entry would have optional entry into this rule.

But there is also good vibes going arround that in-season testing will return for 2012, but only where economically viable and where logistics are flexable enough to do so, but only for a maximum of 4 or 5 three-day tests. Theese would only be allowed for test drivers to do the driving those days.

Sutil says he is comfortable in force india and would like to stay with the team he knows well. So you can cross him off renault next year.

Di resta to Renault, Heidfeld to Force India ?

[ESPImperium]

So far confirmed:

McLaren-Mercedes: Hamilton/Vettel TD: Paffett

ESP, isn't it Button??

Sorry i goofed.

Ringo, that may be a good call, as i think Renault will be looking for a new driver, someone more consistant than Petrov, altho Di resta may just stay at Force India.

I think theres gonna be a few more confirmees before the summer break.

And on Monday or Tuesday the FIA should be announcing the 13th tender with their engine supply, hopefully Epsilon will get it. It will also see the engine market sealed for 2011 as well.

Other confirmed things that have happened as well, is that HRT has purchaced some Toyota assets, and will be moving into Cologne for the end of the season, maybes sourcing the TF110 for 2011 in a updated spec, if Stefan GP (That name again) dont get the 13th entry.

[segedunum]

The funny thing is, there was a joke last year about kimi and him scrambling for a renault seat. The kimi fans scoffed at the thought. Now they would do anything to see him in F1, even if he was driving a HRT.

Well let's face it, the team nearly didn't exist and I daresay Kubica wondered about the choice he'd made. However, Raikkonen has always maintained that he needs to be convinced of a team's ability to produce a car capable of fighting for the championship and that still applies. Whereas his fans would like to see him back I don't think he wants to come back at any price. There might still even be a few more openings between now and the end of the year so his idea of waiting it out this year might have been a wise decision.

[alberto222mx]

Don´t you think that Webber attitude this weekend could put Kimi a step closer RedBull for the next season?

[Giblet]

Don´t you think that Webber attitude this weekend could put Kimi a step closer RedBull for the next season?

You think that Red Bull would have signed him for 2011 just to pay him out so Kimi can come on board?

They wouldn't have bothered recently renewing his year to year contract if that was the case, either Kimi, or whoever they want in his seat.

If Vettel has trouble handling Webber on a regular basis, good luck with Kimi

[alberto222mx]

Don´t you think that Webber attitude this weekend could put Kimi a step closer RedBull for the next season?

You think that Red Bull would have signed him for 2011 just to pay him out so Kimi can come on board?

No, but I don´t think anybody in RedBull is very happy with Webber right now, and the internal problems in RedBull are getting worse every grand prix after Turkey. IMO is a very difficult situation to handle for another entire year.

[ringo]

I don't think Webber's behavior is a surprise to them. They were expecting these kinds of public outbursts to come from him before the contract was signed. He's not exactly mild mannered.

As long as he brings in the points and communicates to the engineers, they are ok with him. They'll relieve him of any marketing responsibilities he has and give them to Vettel.
He is vulgar, but he is a straight talker, as long as they know what he is about, they can operate with him with no problems. Notice that he hasn't really spoken badly of anyone in the team, or called attention to any behind the scenes activities.
He just talks about what directly affects him.

Maybe his mechanics and engineer like him enough to continue with him. He can definitely win them a WCC, as long as Judas Vettel keeps his hand shakes and hugs to himself; and stays out of marc's way on track.

[WhiteBlue]

Don´t you think that Webber attitude this weekend could put Kimi a step closer RedBull for the next season?

You think that Red Bull would have signed him for 2011 just to pay him out so Kimi can come on board?

They wouldn't have bothered recently renewing his year to year contract if that was the case, either Kimi, or whoever they want in his seat. If Vettel has trouble handling Webber on a regular basis, good luck with Kimi

It looks to me that Red Bull are currently not fulfilling Mateschitz's expectations. This has two reasons. The dismal reliability and the fact that they may have the wrong combination of management/drivers for what they want.

The reliability issue regarding the WCC is a big problem as Red Bull's target probably isn't the constructors but the drivers championship. They had their most marketable driver hobbled by many reliability issues. The good news is. They can still fix this for next year by employing a good technical operator of a Stepney type of caliber.

This brings us to their management/driver problem. The combo Webber/Vettel and Marko/Horner isn't going to make them happy. They may get lucky and see one of the drivers make WDC this year but it gets increasingly more obvious that McLaren are better suited to manage two highly competitive and capable drivers. I can see this issue being resolved in three or four possible ways. They either fire Horner or Webber or both. If I were Mateschitz I would even consider to replace Marko with Berger and fire Horner. He would sort the whole mess out in next to no time. I'll be interested which way they will go.

[marcush.]

Again giving the new contract to Webber was a kackhanded decision it seems,as they have obviously NOT told him to shut up and wait till next year for the championship when signing the paper...
Marko or Horner or both have done a particular bad job with these issues all year long.
I don´t see either webber nor Vettel as very complicated to manage...compared to say Alonso or Kubica or Barrichello who do not hesitate to speak out.
so i don´t see webber in RB in 2011 after this.and the situation is not cleared even now..
what a mess by these two local politicians....mateschitz has to react.

[ESPImperium]

I think the best way for this to be handled in the future is the same way McLaren have handled Halilton and Button this year, and that is of complete equality in equiptment and data sharing, also do a Mclarne and bring the sides of the garrage into the centre, no where to hide there, appart from a little cubby up the back corner where they drivers helmets are kept.

The fact is that Red Bull need both Webber and Vettel, one for the face of the company in the present and future, the other for the media access as Vettel is a little recluse to me on that side of things.

What Horner should have done over the wing issue is decided that neither driver was gonna get the new wing, as for the Turkey incedent, Horner should have came out and said sonmething, he is inabl;e to poiint a public finger of blame at either driver. And this is where Marko comes in, he is very pro Vettel, and this is who i think should be told to actually do something more procative in the team (what does he really offer???) or get out.

Webber will be at Red Bull for 2011 allongside Vettel, but it will be the last year of that partnership as i feel that Webber will be replaced with a younger driver, posibly Buemi or if Alguersauri dosnt improve soon, get replaced with Hartley and Riccardo for the remainder of the season on a race on-race off basis for the remainder of 2010 for a 2011 drive in a STR leading to a 2012 drive in a Red Bull.

A decision must be made, otherwide the wrong-ing of both drivers is gonna keep happening, whitch will affect performances and ultimatly bring the downfall of the team.

If Webber leaves Red Bull, the only seat i can see him at is alongside Kubica at Renault next year, but fail to see who will replace him at Red Bull as i think that Kimi will stay in WRC.