Silly Season 2013/14

[mikeerfol]

Boullier responds,

Boullier wrote on Twitter: “Dear followers, I have never received any offers and I have not resigned from Lotus F1. Thanks for your support.”

Hmmm, why isn't this twitter account verified?

It could be that he isn't deemed a "celebrity" - for example, you or I don't have our Twitter accounts verified, but that's because we're (relatively) nobodies in terms of world knowledge

But he is an F1 team principal, right? So I think it should be verified although from his previous tweets yeah it's got to be him.

[raymondu999]

He's a team boss in a racing series. Yes. That makes him a public figure to some, yes. But obviously - Twitter hasn't felt the need to go through his authenticity yet? Or he's fake.

[ScottB]

It takes quite awhile to get verified in some cases, it's not a case of known person signs up to twitter and they get verified straight away. My girlfriend is head of social media at a high street chain and they only get verified status a couple months ago for example.

[SectorOne]

It takes quite awhile to get verified in some cases, it's not a case of known person signs up to twitter and they get verified straight away. My girlfriend is head of social media at a high street chain and they only get verified status a couple months ago for example.

I´m pretty sure Obama or Vettel would not have to wait months to get their account verified.
Your girlfriend might be somewhat known but not anywhere near the status of other people.

Most likely there´s a queue and if your name is really famous you jump the list instantly.

[Manoah2u]

or eric doesn't care and doesnt respond to any verification steps.

[multisync]

Jordan has hit a lot of homeruns, not just this year.
Schumacher, Hamilton for example.


Rumor is Boullier is heading to Force India.

Anthony Rowlinson ‏@Rowlinson_F1R 2h
So is @eboullier about to join @clubforce? A little bird tells me yes. The same little bird who placed @SChecoPerez with @clubforce... #F1

Bianca Garloff ‏@bgarloff 9h
(1/X) Just heard that @eboullier might have resigned from his job as @Lotus_F1Team team principal. He does not want to be responsible…

Otmar isn't universally admired at FI

[adrianjordan]

It takes quite awhile to get verified in some cases, it's not a case of known person signs up to twitter and they get verified straight away. My girlfriend is head of social media at a high street chain and they only get verified status a couple months ago for example.

I´m pretty sure Obama or Vettel would not have to wait months to get their account verified.
Your girlfriend might be somewhat known but not anywhere near the status of other people.

Most likely there´s a queue and if your name is really famous you jump the list instantly.

I think he was meaning the high street chain...not his girlfriend...

[ScottB]

It takes quite awhile to get verified in some cases, it's not a case of known person signs up to twitter and they get verified straight away. My girlfriend is head of social media at a high street chain and they only get verified status a couple months ago for example.

I´m pretty sure Obama or Vettel would not have to wait months to get their account verified.
Your girlfriend might be somewhat known but not anywhere near the status of other people.

Most likely there´s a queue and if your name is really famous you jump the list instantly.

I think he was meaning the high street chain...not his girlfriend...

Essentially you either have to hit a certain level of followers, or apply for it. How quickly they react to applications is probably based on how famous you are. Given Boullier's level of fame, if he hasn't applied himself it's quite possible Twitter hasn't noticed his presence yet.

[Jonnycraig]

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis says he would have no problem if Fernando Alonso rejoined the Formula 1 team.

The two men fell out dramatically when Alonso raced for McLaren in 2007.

But asked if he would object to the Spaniard returning, Dennis said: "One has to recognise the first objective of any grand prix team is to win races.

"Whatever obstacles sit between a team wanting to win and winning, be it engineering, fiscal or human issues, you resolve them. You never say never."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh initially tried to sign the double world champion for 2014 following tensions between Alonso and Ferrari this season, but has now switched his attentions to getting him for 2015.

A fortnight ago, Whitmarsh attended the opening of an exhibition in Madrid that showcases artefacts from Alonso's racing career.

Officially, Whitmarsh went as one of Alonso's former F1 team bosses, even though, strictly speaking, Dennis ran McLaren at the time the Spaniard was with the team.

But sources close to McLaren say Whitmarsh also took a contract for Alonso to assess.

Alonso's manager, Luis Garcia Abad, dismissed notions that a contract had already been agreed between the driver and McLaren as "Formula 1 fiction".

"You cannot have two signed contracts, as when you sign one, you must notify the body that controls it," Abad said. "So it is technically impossible."

He added that "an unsigned agreement is not an agreement".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25400798

Next winter should be fun...

[Jonnycraig]

John Booth says Marussia is "very close" to signing a fresh deal with Max Chilton for the 2014 season.

The Briton completed all 19 races of his rookie campaign with the Banbury-based outfit, racing alongside Ferrari protege Jules Bianchi whose initial one-year contract has already been extended.

Discussing the negotiation process with Sky Sports, Booth said: "We are very close with Max, very close. He wants to stay and we want him to stay so it's a matter of sorting the details out really.

"We like the lad and he's done a great job, particularly in the second half of the year. I think he's very comfortable here and very happy here."

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3045 ... lton-deal/

It can be tricky to get a large bank transfer at Christmas

[antiuser]

Discussing the negotiation process with Sky Sports, Booth said: "We are very close with Max, very close. He wants to stay and we want him to stay so it's a matter of $orting the detail$ out really.

Fixed that for you.

[kooleracer]

Ridiculous decision if Max Chilton would be in F1 in 2014. By far the worst driver on the grid in 2013, i think any f1 follower would agree to that. Marussia needs to start taking itself serious if they want to accomplish something in the future. Because rubbish drivers won't bring you anywhere, but then again can bring as money as him and be content with a Marussia drive. There are a lot of big talents like Frijns and Vandoorne that would do a better job and give Bianchi a run for his money. But F1 was never fair, but Marussia is taking a piss with F1 with Chilton and Rodolfo González. Rodolfo González is one of the worst F1 drivers if have ever witnessed he is up there with Yoong and Nissany.

[Jonnycraig]

Ridiculous decision if Max Chilton would be in F1 in 2014. By far the worst driver on the grid in 2013, i think any f1 follower would agree to that. Marussia needs to start taking itself serious if they want to accomplish something in the future. Because rubbish drivers won't bring you anywhere, but then again can bring as money as him and be content with a Marussia drive. There are a lot of big talents like Frijns and Vandoorne that would do a better job and give Bianchi a run for his money. But F1 was never fair, but Marussia is taking a piss with F1 with Chilton and Rodolfo González. Rodolfo González is one of the worst F1 drivers if have ever witnessed he is up there with Yoong and Nissany.

How many drivers would be willing to pay as much as Chilton to trundle around in a distant last?

[antiuser]

Maybe they should ask Fabrizio Barbazza or Paolo Barilla if they want another go...

[JimClarkFan]

Is the talent rot at Red Bull ending or just beginning?