Silly Season 2012/2013

[raymondu999]

With Da Costa's Macau performance - things are really looking good for him to do a mid-season usurping of STR.

[stefan_]

da Costa was very good this season, I will keep a close eye on him. Ricciardo and Vergne should really pick it up next season if they don't want to "fly" from Red Bull after 10 races.

[raymondu999]

Hungary is usually the race when they switch drivers. Alguersuari and Vettel were both put in the car at Hungary (2009 and 2007, respectively)

[nacho]

It is very sad to see that F1 can't afford to have the 24 best drivers in the world. At the moment only top-5 teams seem to be able to resist pay drivers.

This combined with the testing limltations will mean that we are very unlikely to see new star drivers emerge in the future. There is no place for talent in the smaller teams and the bigger teams cannot have talented young test drivers like before.

[Websta]

what is the chance of Kamui going to Force India? I think F1 would be losing a big talent if he is unable to find a seat

[turbof1]

what is the chance of Kamui going to Force India? I think F1 would be losing a big talent if he is unable to find a seat

Well there is a realistic chance. Force India luckily doesn't necessarily work with paydrivers, and did pick up Hulkenberg after he was dumped by Williams. Lets hope the same happens for KK. I don't remember anyone being linked to the free spot at FI yet. For FI Kobayashi would be a great choice due his experience and the fact that he is a good driver.

[Nando]

Vijay has talked about Sutil. That´s a tried and tested product that he knows works.

[turbof1]

Vijay has talked about Sutil. That´s a tried and tested product that he knows works.

Things have changed now though. Sutil hasn't driven for a year now and Vijay made those comments before it was certain Koba was seatless. In that sence Koba also is a tested product and hasn't been convicted atleast for anything.

[Nando]

Things have changed now though. Sutil hasn't driven for a year now and Vijay made those comments before it was certain Koba was seatless. In that sence Koba also is a tested product and hasn't been convicted atleast for anything.

Regarding Sutil not driven for a year, that´s something he knows full well.
Yea we will see, frankly i would never choose Koba over Sutil as much as i like the guy.

[Morteza]

Does anyone know anything about Senna's future at Williams?

About Force India driver situation: They have Bianchi, Sutil and di Resta. Kobayashi got any chance? Little if any.

Caterham has also signed Pic which means either Petrov or Kovalainen has to leave the team. Is it gonna be Heikki?

[Websta]

I think it is about time Bianchi got a chance in F1, he's been very competitive in all junior categories. I hope Kobayashi goes to the IRL, really only so that I have a reason to watch it, but I also think he could be very successful there.

[ScottB]

Surely Senna will be attractive for someone given the budget he brings, if Caterham go for Van der Garde, could Senna land at Force India? With Vijay's business empire taking some pretty big hits and Sahara also on the rocks an influx of cash would be welcome I'm sure.

Surprised that Alguesuari seems to have dropped out of the reckoning, he seemed pretty confident of getting a seat next year and his knowledge of next years new tyres would surely be useful...

[godlameroso]

Anyone want to guess how Gutierrez will do in Sauber next year? IIRC he pretty much dominated formula BMW.

[Nando]

Is it gonna be Heikki?

Heikki does not feel comfortable it seems. He said everytime there´s a delay in this sort of stuff, bad things happen.
And he do not want to bring in sponsor money, which a lot of the teams want apparently.

[ScottB]

Is it gonna be Heikki?

Heikki does not feel comfortable it seems. He said everytime there´s a delay in this sort of stuff, bad things happen.
And he do not want to bring in sponsor money, which a lot of the teams want apparently.

That Caterham swapped him out for Van der Gerde for the 2013 tyre test suggests pretty heavily to me that Heikki will be out...