Silly Season 2011/2012

[raymondu999]

Some have ventured that perhaps Buemi or Alguersuari will be the 3rd driver in RBR 2012; that way they really have time to "bed in" to the team; and not have to deal with the "bedding in pains" in 2013 if and when they do step up to replace Mark Webber.

But the press release IIRC had something like we wish them the best for the future? That sounds like goodbye to me.

I liked Alguersuari; and I thought the kid had potential. Not a world champion IMO; but a character that could win races when your world champion driver had issues.

Trailer - I don't think you could prove in any way that the move was done "just so they could get Ricciardo & Vergne race seats."

[scuderiafan]

Alguesari not bitter after the axe. Actually went on to thank red bull for their part in his f1 career.

The more I hear this lad talk the more I like him. Wonder where he will end up...

HRT most likely.

[Giblet]

You don't burn your bridges in life, especially in a sport where there are just so few bridges to douse and ignite.

If he said anything else it would be surprising and negative to his career in motorsport.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

You don't burn your bridges in life, especially in a sport where there are just so few bridges to douse and ignite.

If he said anything else it would be surprising and negative to his career in motorsport.

I would have a few choice words for marko.
But yes, he has reason to keep it diplomatic. Ed straw reckons this wasn't a knee jerk reaction, well if it wasnt, why take the driver to all these PR events talking up 2012 etc just this very monday(marko personally speaking to alguesari about the plans for 2012) and then sack the drivers on the thursday.

It's a very poor way of conducting business and reflects poorly on red bull and marko. He's become a joke with a huge axe.

[fritticaldi]

HRT just announced that ex-Grand Prix driver, Luis Perez Sala (drove for Minardi in 88 & 89 )will be taking the team principal position after yesterday's departure of Colin Kolles.

[Trailer23]

It's a very poor way of conducting business and reflects poorly on red bull and marko. He's become a joke with a huge axe.

I second that thought.

Why give someone high hopes, only to part ways later on...

Marko could have used his axe prior to CEPSA event in Madrid this last Monday. Oh no wait..., he needed Jaime for that.

[WhiteBlue]

I must admit that the Red Bull decision surprised me briefly but then it started to make sense. Toro Rosso is playing the role of the gold mine. You take the flitter to cover your expenses but what you are really after are the big nuggets from the depth of the glory hole. Red Bull struck the pot of gold with Vettel and it will take a decade until they will have to replace him if they can stay competitive. So why bother with average or almost good F1 drivers. Webber is the perfect team mate for Vettel and will probably remain to be that for a number of years. With no real demand from the main racing team why should Toro Rosso waste seats to mediocrity. I think the bar has just been set up another foot higher. Unless you show championship potential and come close to match Vettel's Toro Rosso achievements you will not sit in a race car at Toro Rosso but in a revolving door.

[xpensive]

I must admit that the Red Bull decision surprised me briefly but then it started to make sense.
....

I believe that every reasonably enlighted individual with the vaguest idea of Formula One is aware that Red Bull Racing, where one Sebastian Vettel is driving, is incapable of doing anything wrong. It's just as simple as that, isn't it?

[WhiteBlue]

Get real X! Red Bull simply has the top rated designer and driver of 2011 in their services.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96751

1. Vettel 241 UP 1
2. Button 200 UP 4
3. Alonso 188 DOWN 2
4. Hamilton 122 DOWN 1
5. Rosberg 90 UP 2
6. Webber 70 DOWN 2
7. Di Resta 44 NEW ENTRY
8. Sutil 38 RE-ENTRY FROM 2009
9. Kovalainen 26 RE-ENTRY FROM 2008
10. Schumacher 23 NEW ENTRY

So they need not worry too much about new talent in the short run. But they have demonstrated in the past that they can screw up management wise. I think that both Horner and Marko have learned a lot over the last two years and they have Newey who is a bigger asset than even Vettel is. You could replace Vettel with Alonso perhaps but not Newey with any of the technical guys at Ferrari or McLaren IMO.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Put Alonso or Hamilton in that red bull and we see who tops that list.

Doesn't excuse the fact that red bulls conduct in the alguesari/buemi axing is very far short of what I'd call fair.
Wait till the drivers Market is sown up then tell em to go?
That's just plain wrong.

[blokkie]

Put Alonso or Hamilton in that red bull and we see who tops that list.

Doesn't excuse the fact that red bulls conduct in the alguesari/buemi axing is very far short of what I'd call fair.
Wait till the drivers Market is sown up then tell em to go?
That's just plain wrong.

+1

Or they have helped them arrange place with another team that we don't know about yet (hrt/reserve driver?)

[godlameroso]

Is Cosworth out the door? It seems no team wants their engines, so is it a done deal for them?

[dren]

That's my guess. Everyone seems to be heading Renaults way. It'll be up to Bernie some how in the end I bet.

[scuderiafan]

HRT is sticking with them next year, and so is Marussia, but there are rumors that Marussia could get a Merc engine with their tie-up w/ McLaren. HRT uses a Williams gearbox, so they could try to get a Renault engine in the future as well.

[xpensive]

For the peanut teams, money is surely an object here, what's the cost difference beween Cosworth and Renault, anyone?