Silly Season 2011/2012

[Giblet]

I don't think Rosberg's position has dwindled. Schumacher is finally performing at a level expected of him, and I can still count all of Nico's major mistakes on one hand since he started in F1.

[raymondu999]

I agree that Di Resta would earlier go to MGP. He has a long following with them in DTM. I don't know about Merc footing the bill for him at Forc eIndia, but he sure would have been helped by the Merc link from his DTM years

[beelsebob]

I agree that Di Resta would earlier go to MGP. He has a long following with them in DTM. I don't know about Merc footing the bill for him at Forc eIndia, but he sure would have been helped by the Merc link from his DTM years

To be honest, the way Merc and FI are performing just now, I'm not sure if a move to merc is an upgrade for him.

[raymondu999]

Lol! Hear hear.

[dren]

I think Kimi is going to Williams for one year. He'll hope to shine on occasion and sell himself to a top drive the following year since it looks like 2013 will have some openings. Kimi will most likely have a shot at the Red Bull seat or the Mercedes seat. Unless a spot opens up at Mclaren. I could see Hamilton leave before Button. But...if Button's contract isn't signed for some ungodly reason, he'll head to Ferrari.

Webber could get the boot and try to slide in as number two at Ferrari in 2013. Maybe Kobayashi or Sutil could slot in there as the number two. I don't see Massa as having a chance.

Will Petrov or Senna get the boot this year? I think if Senna finishes stronger than Petrov for the remaining races, Petrov is out. He'll be replaced by Grosjean. Then it will be up to those two to battle it out before/if Kubica makes a comeback.

[dren]

I don't think Rosberg's position has dwindled. Schumacher is finally performing at a level expected of him, and I can still count all of Nico's major mistakes on one hand since he started in F1.

I agree there. Rosberg seems to fly under the radar. I rate him very high. I thought Kubica and Rosberg were the two drivers of the year last year.

[RB7ate9]

I struggle to see you're reasoning, 7ate9. If you were Chris Horner, it would only make sense to push Vettel for the WDC. Say Mark is retiring in 2013 as you say. So you had Vettel and someone else in RBR 2013. Now, if I were Chris Horner, I'd much rather push Seb for the 2012 title. That way I have a triple champ + a young hotshot, rather than a double champ. Whether or not Mark wins the 2012 WDC is of no benefit to RBR in 2013.

Well, to be honest raymond, there is no reasoning, I just root for Webber .

But, logically, as you say, three-time WDC Vettel would be the ideal for RBR. That way, some young hotshot would be compelled to compete with Vettel, but also have some modicum of respect to not bash into Vettel or take unnecessary risks against his WDC teammate.

As for Webber's future prospects, I don't think he'll try and go for another team. If he does, it most likely won't be in a WDC-winning car since all the other top teams are gunning for young blood. He could go for a lower team like the Malay-Lotuses, but I think that would be more him afraid of lethargy than really feeling compelled to help a backmarker team.

[ESPImperium]

I agree that Di Resta would earlier go to MGP. He has a long following with them in DTM. I don't know about Merc footing the bill for him at Forc eIndia, but he sure would have been helped by the Merc link from his DTM years

To be honest, the way Merc and FI are performing just now, I'm not sure if a move to merc is an upgrade for him. :lol:

I think that Mercedes are footing the bill for Di Resta to a point by reducing the engine cost to Force India from their usual €10m to €5m for a years supply. However Di Resta does come with Scottish money from White & Mackay whiskey thats on the sidepods, this is €8.5m from them for something like 14 to 16 GPs exposure as you cannot advertise alcohol in certain countries.

I think that Di Resta is the prodege that Mercedes are grooming for taking over from Michael in 2013.

Rosberg is one hell of a solid driver, he is capable of good single lap pace and good long run consistancy now, however makes very little mistakes and dosnt take un-nessacary risks, whitch is all fine and well, but he needs to try and extract more from the car and not be afraid of asking it to do more. I feel that is Nicos weak point, he achives what is expected to a satisfactory level, he dosnt go for more. He is a engineers dream in that respect as he looks after his equiptment, id like him more if he took a risk and put it in the wall once in a while.

I think Kimi is at Williams next year, whitch shuts off the escape route for Senna/Grosjean. But i do think that Kubica will be announcing that he is done with F1 out of injury and i think Petrov could get the boot from Renault even though he (arguably) brings money to Renault. I am thinking that Senna/Grosjean will be Renault for 2012 now. As for Petrov, id be pairing him with Glock at Virgin as Marussia want a Russian driver in a Russian car for 2014s GP at Sochi, and its either gonna be Petrov or Aleshin, and Petrov is the better option there, the experienced option.

The grid for 2012 isnt anywhere complete or announced, but i can see a good few changes and surprises on the horizon like Sutil out of F1 for a year and to go to McLaren for a TD year before Jenson probably goes to partner Alonso. But then again, i am now being totally silly now.

[Richard]

Test driver for a year and not turn a wheel for a whole season? Yes that is silly.

[ESPImperium]

Mignt not be as silly as you think as there have been talks that at as much as 14 or 16 GP that each team must sit a driver aside for FP1, with each race drivers taking a equal turn of sitting aside. This would help with a couple of drivers as they are also looking at abolishing the stupid "complete in GP2 that weeken you cannot take part in FP1 rule" as well as Ferrari want to test Bianchi on weekends if he dosnt get into F1 next year. There are other teams that want to do the same thing like Mercedes with Sam Bird Team Lotus also want to do the same with their Team Air Asia drivers also.

Its been seen that can have benificial results at both STR and Force India to have a driver take the wheel for a Friday session with Di Resta and Riccardo not being a liability in races now.

[gridwalker]

I think that Mercedes are footing the bill for Di Resta to a point by reducing the engine cost to Force India from their usual €10m to €5m for a years supply. However Di Resta does come with Scottish money from White & Mackay whiskey thats on the sidepods, this is €8.5m from them for something like 14 to 16 GPs exposure as you cannot advertise alcohol in certain countries.

Sorry, but White & Mackay is part of the United Breweries group, which also manufactures Kingfisher Beer, and is owned by Jijay Mallaya : This sponsorship deal has absolutely nothing to do with Paul Di Resta and is entirely to do with Vijay cross-promoting his own brands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Breweries_Group

[cbbcisace]

Anyone got any ideas of HRT 2012 line up?

Expecting any Spanish driver's in the team?

I know Javier Villa is testing in GP2 this week.

[raymondu999]

Jenson has signed for McLaren multi year

[beelsebob]

Jenson has signed for McLaren multi year

Got a link?

[raymondu999]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/oc ... sfeed=true