Silly Season 2017/2018

[Vasconia]

So according to Horner Sainz will be driving for Torro Rosso next season. The Red Bull team didn't seem very happy with Sainz' comments. Maybe there's a big fallout coming?

Sainz must drive fast and beat Kvyat like he has done this weekend again, and don´t speak too much because RB doesn´t like drivers who speak too much about their future. Anyway, I can understand his fustration, there is no future in TR/RB unless Verstappen leaves the team. Renault is a very interesting Project for a Young driver. 2019 is not that far.

[adrianjordan]

I think Ferrari are thinking longer term and would like to sign Verstapen.

I think Alonso will give Mclaren one more year on the basis that they will support him having another crack at the Indy 500 and maybe also Le Mans if the calendar works out.

[adrianjordan]

So after Marchionne verdict...

Sorry, I missed this "verdict". What was that exactly? (Thanks.)

That Alonso would find no room at the inn at Ferrari. They're not interested in him.

[ChrisDanger]

So after Marchionne verdict...

Sorry, I missed this "verdict". What was that exactly? (Thanks.)

That Alonso would find no room at the inn at Ferrari. They're not interested in him.

Ah, interesting. Thanks. So Alonso to Mercedes or Renault then?

[Redragon]

Sorry, I missed this "verdict". What was that exactly? (Thanks.)

That Alonso would find no room at the inn at Ferrari. They're not interested in him.

Ah, interesting. Thanks. So Alonso to Mercedes or Renault then?

The answer of Marchionne is not saying not to the come back, he is saying that they have 2 great drivers and Alonso is not possible that arrives for now.

Meaning can change any moment that Rai is out or maybe Vettel moving to Mercedes

http://www.marca.com/motor/formula1/gp- ... b460d.html

[RedNEO]

I think Ferrari are thinking longer term and would like to sign Verstapen.

I think Alonso will give Mclaren one more year on the basis that they will support him having another crack at the Indy 500 and maybe also Le Mans if the calendar works out.

Nope neither Le Mans or Indy car would motivate Alonso to sign a new contract. Alonso's priority is a winning car in F1.

[ZakB]

His only possibility is to stay at McLaren. You could already feel it this weekend, he has no options.

[Gerhardsa]

Sorry, I missed this "verdict". What was that exactly? (Thanks.)

That Alonso would find no room at the inn at Ferrari. They're not interested in him.

Ah, interesting. Thanks. So Alonso to Mercedes or Renault then?

Maybe, maybe not. There are just too many possibilities and rumors going around.
Alonso and Vettel have the cards as they are free end of the year.
What if the Leo Turrini rumors are true and Vet is going to Merc alongside Hamilton?
That will make space for Alonso at Ferrari again in 2018. (If the RBR drivers are a tied up in contract as C Horner says)

[Pany]

In my opinion Alonso is ready to go Renault. Why?
1) In Renault desperately need a good and experienced driver. Palmer --- and Hulky nothing special at all.
2) in 2018 Renault engine is expected for important jump in improovement and will surely be very near to Merc/Ferraris; but most important renault Engine will surely be better than Honda in 2018 also.
3) Renault has no other choice since Verstappen Riciardo Hamilton Vettel will never accept to move to Renault because they are fine where they are.
4) Renault chassis will improve more in 2018 and in 2019 will be ready to compete for victories , otherwise Renault would never have entered back in F1.
Finally Renault/Alonso is prooved to be good deal and since Alonso is not talking about that means is really best option by now.
5) Do you really beleave Honda will get 50 HP with good reliability and no fuel consumption problems in 3-4 months time? are u living on Mars?
6) Very difficoult Ferrari and Mercedes will take alonso in 2018, since Bottas is doing not bad and Hamilton will want to stay in Mercedes. There is little possibility Redbull will take the Spaniard if Verstappy goes Ferrari; why not! would be a nice surprise

[Manoah2u]

In my opinion Alonso is ready to go Renault. Why?
1) In Renault desperately need a good and experienced driver. Palmer --- and Hulky nothing special at all.
2) in 2018 Renault engine is expected for important jump in improovement and will surely be very near to Merc/Ferraris; but most important renault Engine will surely be better than Honda in 2018 also.
3) Renault has no other choice since Verstappen Riciardo Hamilton Vettel will never accept to move to Renault because they are fine where they are.
4) Renault chassis will improve more in 2018 and in 2019 will be ready to compete for victories , otherwise Renault would never have entered back in F1.
Finally Renault/Alonso is prooved to be good deal and since Alonso is not talking about that means is really best option by now.
5) Do you really beleave Honda will get 50 HP with good reliability and no fuel consumption problems in 3-4 months time? are u living on Mars?
6) Very difficoult Ferrari and Mercedes will take alonso in 2018, since Bottas is doing not bad and Hamilton will want to stay in Mercedes. There is little possibility Redbull will take the Spaniard if Verstappy goes Ferrari; why not! would be a nice surprise

1. wrong. Palmer is trash, Hulkenberg is a great driver who brings in points easily and very consistant and fast.
2. so is said about Honda, meanwhile Ferrari and Mercedes keep developing too. The gap is humongeous.
3. renault can sign Kubica after next test. he' fantastic. no need for anything else. other option; Kvyat or Sainz.
4. how will it be ready to compete for victories, they have a lot to improve. Mclaren has a fantastic chassis, but thanks to the engine is far from any victory. RedBull has the same engine, perhaps even less that of the works, yet is lightyears ahead of Renault.
5. Are you living on mars to think Renault can and Honda can't. wait a couple of months.
6. Why would Hamilton want to stay in Mercedes? if he loses the WDC, he'll go to Ferrari. Then what? If Vettel or Raikkonen can't perform, Ferrari wants a replacement. Hamilton, Bottas, many options. Mercedes seat is not guaranteed. Also, as stable as Bottas is right now, Alonso at this point in his career still is arguably better. eliminate any chances of losing out and hire Alonso. teammate competitiveness is especially after Rosberg known territory for Mercedes. RedBull has already said they won't take Alonso in any way, so there's why not.

[marvin78]

I don't agree with number 1 (for instance). They have Hulkenberg. Maybe he is not as good as Alonso but a good one AND he does not complain if he does not win => work in peace.

[F1NAC]

In my opinion Alonso is ready to go Renault. Why?
1) In Renault desperately need a good and experienced driver. Palmer --- and Hulky nothing special at all.
2) in 2018 Renault engine is expected for important jump in improovement and will surely be very near to Merc/Ferraris; but most important renault Engine will surely be better than Honda in 2018 also.
3) Renault has no other choice since Verstappen Riciardo Hamilton Vettel will never accept to move to Renault because they are fine where they are.
4) Renault chassis will improve more in 2018 and in 2019 will be ready to compete for victories , otherwise Renault would never have entered back in F1.
Finally Renault/Alonso is prooved to be good deal and since Alonso is not talking about that means is really best option by now.
5) Do you really beleave Honda will get 50 HP with good reliability and no fuel consumption problems in 3-4 months time? are u living on Mars?
6) Very difficoult Ferrari and Mercedes will take alonso in 2018, since Bottas is doing not bad and Hamilton will want to stay in Mercedes. There is little possibility Redbull will take the Spaniard if Verstappy goes Ferrari; why not! would be a nice surprise

6. Why would Hamilton want to stay in Mercedes? if he loses the WDC, he'll go to Ferrari. Then what? If Vettel or Raikkonen can't perform, Ferrari wants a replacement. Hamilton, Bottas, many options. Mercedes seat is not guaranteed. Also, as stable as Bottas is right now, Alonso at this point in his career still is arguably better. eliminate any chances of losing out and hire Alonso. teammate competitiveness is especially after Rosberg known territory for Mercedes. RedBull has already said they won't take Alonso in any way, so there's why not.

Marchionne said that they are not interested in Alonso for 2018

[Manoah2u]

Marchionne said that they are not interested in Alonso for 2018

And? did i say Alonso to Ferrari?

A seat could - and probably will open up at Ferrari for any driver when they no longer hire Raikkonen for 2018,
which includes the option on Hamilton or Bottas.

Hamilton or Bottas to Ferrari means an open seat at Mercedes.
Which means Alonso could go there easily, especially if Hamilton leaves.

Bottas is good, fast, decent and stable, but he's no Hamilton.
Put Wehrlein alongside Bottas and you drop 2 places in qually and race on that alone.
So if Hamilton leaves, you'd want a top driver. That would be Alonso.
If Bottas leaves, it must be for something better. Wehrlein is in no way better than Bottas.
Alonso is.

hence there is no reason to think Alonso won't end up at Mercedes.

Matter of fact, Mercedes would be the most logical choice for Alonso. Mercedes is still strong in the front.
Renault has just as big of a question mark as Mclaren-Honda.
Alonso wants wins and WDC possibilities.

[alexx_88]

It's interesting what Toto said in the Sky race pre-show. He openly admitted about Hamilton's mental state being affected by what happened in Baku and the bad luck with the gearbox. And that's no news for F1 fans, Hamilton is an amazing driver, but is maybe not as mentally strong as the other top drivers of his generation. Not talking about smartness, but how outside events impact their ability to focus and deliver. Alonso is the exact opposite of that. He has matured immensely over the past few years and seems to be able to deliver consistent performances every race weekend. Evidence of that is the Mclaren years but, more so, the Ferrari years. Having Toto publicly talk about it might be a sign of things to come.

I definitely see a spot for Alonso at Mercedes.

PS: Honda is in a VERY difficult position. New engine regs are coming 2020/2021 and, if this engine era is anything to go by, they need to start diverting resources to its development as soon as some regs are put in place. Probably in 2018. That's their best bet, not investing more resources into the current PUs. Their partnership with Mclaren extends well beyond one driver's (Alonso) interest and the smart thing is to put all their resources into the new PU regs, as Mercedes have done so well.

[Manoah2u]

Opinions

In my opinion Alonso is ready to go Renault. Why?
1) In Renault desperately need a good and experienced driver. Palmer --- and Hulky nothing special at all.
2) in 2018 Renault engine is expected for important jump in improovement and will surely be very near to Merc/Ferraris; but most important renault Engine will surely be better than Honda in 2018 also.
3) Renault has no other choice since Verstappen Riciardo Hamilton Vettel will never accept to move to Renault because they are fine where they are.
4) Renault chassis will improve more in 2018 and in 2019 will be ready to compete for victories , otherwise Renault would never have entered back in F1.
Finally Renault/Alonso is prooved to be good deal and since Alonso is not talking about that means is really best option by now.
5) Do you really beleave Honda will get 50 HP with good reliability and no fuel consumption problems in 3-4 months time? are u living on Mars?
6) Very difficoult Ferrari and Mercedes will take alonso in 2018, since Bottas is doing not bad and Hamilton will want to stay in Mercedes. There is little possibility Redbull will take the Spaniard if Verstappy goes Ferrari; why not! would be a nice surprise

1. wrong. Palmer is trash, Hulkenberg is a great driver who brings in points easily and very consistant and fast.
2. so is said about Honda, meanwhile Ferrari and Mercedes keep developing too. The gap is humongeous.
3. renault can sign Kubica after next test. he' fantastic. no need for anything else. other option; Kvyat or Sainz.
4. how will it be ready to compete for victories, they have a lot to improve. Mclaren has a fantastic chassis, but thanks to the engine is far from any victory. RedBull has the same engine, perhaps even less that of the works, yet is lightyears ahead of Renault.
5. Are you living on mars to think Renault can and Honda can't. wait a couple of months.
6. Why would Hamilton want to stay in Mercedes? if he loses the WDC, he'll go to Ferrari. Then what? If Vettel or Raikkonen can't perform, Ferrari wants a replacement. Hamilton, Bottas, many options. Mercedes seat is not guaranteed. Also, as stable as Bottas is right now, Alonso at this point in his career still is arguably better. eliminate any chances of losing out and hire Alonso. teammate competitiveness is especially after Rosberg known territory for Mercedes. RedBull has already said they won't take Alonso in any way, so there's why not.

LOL, indeed, you've got some wrong opinions there