2014/15 Silly Season

[lebesset]

as alonso is known to be available and vettel is going to ferrari there is only one reason for McLaren not to make an announcement......they would rather have hamilton , younger and faster , only thing is ...will he be available !

[Aesto]

I've checked the facts thanks...

Perez = 3 DNFS and one DNS (Gearbox Malaysia)

Hulkenberg = 1 DNF

Considering that, also consider this... Perez has finished the race quicker than Hulk 7 to 5 times. Also finished on the Podium in Bahrain which Hulk hasn't managed to do.

I'd say Perez is beating Hulkenberg, and again, wonder why Mclaren, Ferrari etc. would want him when Perez has been the better driver this season.

Last year a lot of the F1 pundits were raving about Hulkenberg but this year the same people have been extremely quiet about him, largely because he's having just as anonymous a season as Raikonnen for example.

All of Perez' 3 DNFs were due to accidents.

Hülkenberg has outqualified Perez 11:5

The average margin of Hülkenberg over Perez in Qualifying was .559s (Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/statistics/2 ... ying-data/). Only Alonso and Bianchi dominated their teammates even more.

Having the edge in qualifying is perhaps even more important for being hired by a top team, because when you're at the front, outright speed is more important than overtaking ability. See RB hiring Ricciardo and Kvyat over Vergne, as an example.

However, Hülkenberg is actually a better racer than Perez as well. Hülkenberg has the second best start record of all drivers, even though he usually starts much closer to the front than the other people, who, on average, make up a lot of places at the start. (Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/statistics/2 ... race-data/).

And then there's obviously the points. Hülkenberg has 62% more points than Perez. That's pretty damn embarassing for Perez.

Oh, and about the podium. P3 is 3 more points worth than P4. Big deal. Plus, the only reason Perez got that podium is because he qualified badly and therefore lucked into a superior tyre strategy and the SC. Also, he wouldn't have gotten it if Hülkenberg hadn't held up Ricciardo so Perez could built a gap (Hülkenberg had no realistic chance of keeping Ricciardo behind, he did it purely to help the team get a podium).


When you look at these facts, you can't possibly come to any conclusion other than the fact that Hülkenberg is kicking Perez' ass.


Edit:

Was I the only one that heard DC talking about how Force India weren't all that impressed with Hulkenburg and were considering replacing him in his commentary?

I never get the high regard he seems to be held in online, for years these threads have been filled with people claiming he would be off to various top teams, but it's never happened. I just don't see it myself, a capable driver, yes indeed, but a potential champion? Not for me. He won't be taking a seat at Mclaren, Williams or Ferrari. It'll be Force India or another series for him.

FI will keep Perez because he does a decent job and brings cash, particularly with a Mexican GP next year. His partner will be the best driver available to them, that may or may not, need to bring cash with them. Fighting for that second seat could be Hulk, Mag, Vergne etc. alongside a host of rookies and guys with big chequebooks.

As far as I know, Hülkenberg signed a 'multi-year contract' with FI. The only way they could get rid of him if a performance clause was triggered (virtually impossible since he's bringing in most of the team's points) or by paying him off. And why on earth would you SPEND money to get rid of your best driver just to replace him with someone who won't be able to get you as large a share from the FOM prize money pie?

[ScottB]

Was I the only one that heard DC talking about how Force India weren't all that impressed with Hulkenburg and were considering replacing him in his commentary?

I never get the high regard he seems to be held in online, for years these threads have been filled with people claiming he would be off to various top teams, but it's never happened. I just don't see it myself, a capable driver, yes indeed, but a potential champion? Not for me. He won't be taking a seat at Mclaren, Williams or Ferrari. It'll be Force India or another series for him.

FI will keep Perez because he does a decent job and brings cash, particularly with a Mexican GP next year. His partner will be the best driver available to them, that may or may not, need to bring cash with them. Fighting for that second seat could be Hulk, Mag, Vergne etc. alongside a host of rookies and guys with big chequebooks.

As far as I know, Hülkenberg signed a 'multi-year contract' with FI. The only way they could get rid of him if a performance clause was triggered (virtually impossible since he's bringing in most of the team's points) or by paying him off. And why on earth would you SPEND money to get rid of your best driver just to replace him with someone who won't be able to get you as large a share from the FOM prize money pie?

Well that's what DC mentioned, that the team felt he hadn't been as good as they expected and where considering replacing him. The ins and outs of achieving that I don't know, but I doubt DC would have mentioned it, were there not some truth to it.

[WaikeCU]

Look at this way: Back in 2011, Hulkenberg was the 3rd driver for FI. In 2012, he replaced Sutil's seat and immediately beat Di Resta that season. In 2013, Perez goes to Mclaren with Hulkenberg replacing his seat. His performance that season for Sauber were simply magical, whereas Perez' performance at Mclaren was disappointing. Now he forms the line up with Hulkenberg at Force India. Who's appears on top? Yes, Hulkenberg. Now, ask yourself this question: Would Hulkenberg do a better job at Mclaren than Perez did? Or would he have more successful drives at a different team.

[kooleracer]

Hulkenberg has a multi-year contract which means more then 2 seasons in my vocabulary. The only reason I would replace Button is to replace him with a quicker senior driver like Alonso. Magnussen hasn't impressed me to the degree that I feel he earns another season in a top team like McLaren. The best drivers for the future are Alonso and Vandoorne, I hope the announcement comes soon. Vandoorne deserves a McLaren drive. And 2nd and 3rd in GP2 and WSR 3.5 as a rookie driver beat drivers like Da Costa and Evans etc. Williams shouldn't have announced their line-up so fast. The could have replaced Massa with a better senior driver like Button.

[JimClarkFan]

I've rated Hulkenberg very highly for many years, he isn't going to get a good seat and I don't know why. His best interests might be to moves elsewhere

Look at this way: Back in 2011, Hulkenberg was the 3rd driver for FI. In 2012, he replaced Sutil's seat and immediately beat Di Resta that season. In 2013, Perez goes to Mclaren with Hulkenberg replacing his seat. His performance that season for Sauber were simply magical, whereas Perez' performance at Mclaren was disappointing. Now he forms the line up with Hulkenberg at Force India. Who's appears on top? Yes, Hulkenberg. Now, ask yourself this question: Would Hulkenberg do a better job at Mclaren than Perez did? Or would he have more successful drives at a different team.

He also had a great pole with Williams, and has a distinguished career behind him in other series. The guy can drive anything, and Alonso has particularly high praise for him. He is also a good qualifier.

I don't really understand why he hasn't got a drive at other teams. But such is life. He is an anonymous sort of guys, gets his job done without frills or fuss, I think that works against him.

[iotar__]

as alonso is known to be available and vettel is going to ferrari there is only one reason for McLaren not to make an announcement......they would rather have hamilton , younger and faster , only thing is ...will he be available !

-McL doesn't make Alonso announcement because they prefer Hamilton to Alonso as a 'faster" but not available driver? A. If it's the speed they're after they should prefer Rosberg. B. You might as well say that McL doesn't make Alonso announcement because they would prefer Senna if he was alive and 27. Plausible answer was given couple pages ago before rumours: decision making chaos at McLaren (Honda/bahraini owners/Dennis) and negotiations.
- As if keeping 35 year old Raikkonen for 2015 instead of Alonso or literally dozen of other drivers was not funny enough now there's a talk about 2016, thankfully only from a driver. I'm betting on saving face/money and damage limitation exercise. Yet Ferrari can't "afford" a decent engine program.

I'm not sure if it's been posted: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116359 "Vettel denied early Ferrari test". It would be weird if Ferrari wanted Vettel at this test and expected RB to agree. Why and why? It's not weird though that Red Bull would want to talk about it publicly =D> .

[Sasha]

No driver announcement at Mclaren because there is leadership changes in the works.We will see if Ron Dennis survives,his odds are very low at the moment because he didn't find the funding to buy out Bahrain(50%)and also didn't get a Sponsor for the team.

Alonso is a Honda employee when his contract ends with Ferrari.

[CjC]

Trending on twitter:
Jenson button considering switching to world endurance championship.

If it's true and he is considering it, I think he's been told.....

[ringo]

Well Hulkenberg is outscoring Perez even though he is a heavier driver and therefore disadvantaged under these rules, just like Button and Magnussen for example.

Perez is has shown to be performing better. Sometimes points don't say much, especially when the bulk of those points are in the earlier part of the season where things haven't settled down. Perez is simply the better driver at the moment.
Hulkenberg is not doing anything in the races that Perez isn't doing better.

[ringo]

I've checked the facts thanks...

Perez = 3 DNFS and one DNS (Gearbox Malaysia)

Hulkenberg = 1 DNF

Considering that, also consider this... Perez has finished the race quicker than Hulk 7 to 5 times. Also finished on the Podium in Bahrain which Hulk hasn't managed to do.

I'd say Perez is beating Hulkenberg, and again, wonder why Mclaren, Ferrari etc. would want him when Perez has been the better driver this season.

Last year a lot of the F1 pundits were raving about Hulkenberg but this year the same people have been extremely quiet about him, largely because he's having just as anonymous a season as Raikonnen for example.

All of Perez' 3 DNFs were due to accidents.

Hülkenberg has outqualified Perez 11:5

The average margin of Hülkenberg over Perez in Qualifying was .559s (Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/statistics/2 ... ying-data/). Only Alonso and Bianchi dominated their teammates even more.

Having the edge in qualifying is perhaps even more important for being hired by a top team, because when you're at the front, outright speed is more important than overtaking ability. See RB hiring Ricciardo and Kvyat over Vergne, as an example.

However, Hülkenberg is actually a better racer than Perez as well. Hülkenberg has the second best start record of all drivers, even though he usually starts much closer to the front than the other people, who, on average, make up a lot of places at the start. (Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/statistics/2 ... race-data/).

And then there's obviously the points. Hülkenberg has 62% more points than Perez. That's pretty damn embarassing for Perez.

Oh, and about the podium. P3 is 3 more points worth than P4. Big deal. Plus, the only reason Perez got that podium is because he qualified badly and therefore lucked into a superior tyre strategy and the SC. Also, he wouldn't have gotten it if Hülkenberg hadn't held up Ricciardo so Perez could built a gap (Hülkenberg had no realistic chance of keeping Ricciardo behind, he did it purely to help the team get a podium).


When you look at these facts, you can't possibly come to any conclusion other than the fact that Hülkenberg is kicking Perez' ass.


Edit:

Was I the only one that heard DC talking about how Force India weren't all that impressed with Hulkenburg and were considering replacing him in his commentary?

I never get the high regard he seems to be held in online, for years these threads have been filled with people claiming he would be off to various top teams, but it's never happened. I just don't see it myself, a capable driver, yes indeed, but a potential champion? Not for me. He won't be taking a seat at Mclaren, Williams or Ferrari. It'll be Force India or another series for him.

FI will keep Perez because he does a decent job and brings cash, particularly with a Mexican GP next year. His partner will be the best driver available to them, that may or may not, need to bring cash with them. Fighting for that second seat could be Hulk, Mag, Vergne etc. alongside a host of rookies and guys with big chequebooks.

As far as I know, Hülkenberg signed a 'multi-year contract' with FI. The only way they could get rid of him if a performance clause was triggered (virtually impossible since he's bringing in most of the team's points) or by paying him off. And why on earth would you SPEND money to get rid of your best driver just to replace him with someone who won't be able to get you as large a share from the FOM prize money pie?

nonsense. Hulkenberg is underperforming this season. Perez is doing better. I ussually work with what i see instead of silly stats that can show anything you want to see. I expected him to whoop perez. He is nowhere in the races compared to perez. He's not as good an overtaker or brawler, neither can he adapt to make tyres last. If that's down to his weight, then it still doesn't make him any more desirable to a top team. Perez is showing to have lots of potential, and has that X factor that hulk doesn't.

[SectorOne]

An overview of their seasons,



Hulkenberg has done a better job. Only if you have the memory of a goldfish can you claim otherwise.

[Gaz.]

Trending on twitter:
Jenson button considering switching to world endurance championship.

If it's true and he is considering it, I think he's been told.....

Or not waiting to find out.

[CjC]

Trending on twitter:
Jenson button considering switching to world endurance championship.

If it's true and he is considering it, I think he's been told.....

Or not waiting to find out.

True.
I think his style would suit WEC.

[Aesto]

nonsense. Hulkenberg is underperforming this season. Perez is doing better. I ussually work with what i see instead of silly stats that can show anything you want to see. I expected him to whoop perez. He is nowhere in the races compared to perez. He's not as good an overtaker or brawler, neither can he adapt to make tyres last. If that's down to his weight, then it still doesn't make him any more desirable to a top team. Perez is showing to have lots of potential, and has that X factor that hulk doesn't.

Yeah, why rely on facts (i.e. stats) when you can just make an argument based on conjecture and zero evidence