[Driver] 2018 F1 silly season.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

I just don't see these risk averse, highly strung teams handing Kubica a race seat.

Considering that Palmer finishes hardly any races
Apologies in advance to Palmer, I have no real feelings against him, but man I would love to see Kubica back in a Renault. And unfortunately at Palmers expense, he's making it easy.

[F1Guy]

Originally Posted by Formulahistory

No it's Luis Garcia Abad.

Incorrect. Briatore and Garcia manage Alonso. Garcia also manages Sainz Jr.

BTW, Prost is a big fan of Sainz Jr.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Incorrect. Briatore and Garcia manage Alonso.

That's not how the BBC describes it. They give Luis Garcia Abad as manager, and Flavio Briatore as agent.

[djinvicta]

Ha! I'd call that the same thing..So, Flavio chatting with the Merc boys eh? Fly on wall comes to mind.

[F1Guy]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

That's not how the BBC describes it. They give Luis Garcia Abad as manager, and Flavio Briatore as agent.

Take it away Fred...
https://youtu.be/zZ3fjQa5Hls?t=1m30s



In the meantime, talk from the paddock is that Vettel has agreed to a multi-year deal with Ferrari (apparently, 4 years + option). So guess Vettel is Ferrari for life.

So much for the crap story about a pre-contract with Mercedes.

[F1Guy]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

So, Flavio chatting with the Merc boys eh? Fly on wall comes to mind.

23rd June 2017.



And then this... the morning after.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

23rd June 2017.

Be careful... your brain will rot if you spend too much time looking a Flavio's twitter account. Self absorbed is an understatement.

Richard

[Adam43]

Those people have never sat at a table together before. This can mean only one thing. Mercedes F1 team will use Renault engines with Alonso and Webber as drivers.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Why the roll eyes? Just a comment based on what is reported?

[F1Guy]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Be careful... your brain will rot if you spend too much time looking a Flavio's twitter account. Self absorbed is an understatement.

Richard

Well it's a good thing I don't follow Flavio's twitter account then isn't it? Those photos were from elsewhere.
Interesting that you know about the content of Flavio's twitter account, and what it does to your brain. Thanks for the heads up.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Well it's a good thing I don't follow Flavio's twitter account then isn't it? Those photos were from elsewhere.
Interesting that you know about the content of Flavio's twitter account, and what it does to your brain. Thanks for the heads up.

Google image search. Learn it, love it. Images are clearly initially sourced from Flavio's twitter account (which I looked at for the first and hopefully the last time today which is what generated my comment above). Given the need for the press to generate page views and spin theories, I am sure the photos are everywhere now.

Originally Posted by Adam43

Those people have never sat at a table together before. This can mean only one thing. Mercedes F1 team will use Renault engines with Alonso and Webber as drivers.

Exactly!

Richard

[Adam43]

I almost daren't say it, but a link to the images or source wouldn't go a miss.

[Paradise City]

Niki Lauda when asked 'bout Alonso in Flavios presence said "no". "We've already got two drivers". (Slight paraphrasing but what Lauda said was typical Lauda-esque bluntness).

And I don't blame him. Pairing Hambo and Alonso in the same team is a risk that isn't really necessary to take. Bottas is capable of winning and affords some equilibrium to the team. Alonso, in his turn, has been known to give team's upset stomachs.

Briatore is probably trying to stir speculation in Alonso to stir media interest and therefore stir interest with the teams. Or just raise the price Renault would have to pay to rehire him.

Briatore postin' instagram pix of himself with a big supergrin in the Merc camp. Like that's not tryin' to play the media.

[Adam43]

Alonso and Bottas would be a good team.

What?

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I almost daren't say it, but a link to the images or source wouldn't go a miss.

Not sure if directed to me or F1Guy. Either way here is what I am pretty sure are the source of the photos...

https://twitter.com/briatore/status/878555618432487424

https://twitter.com/briatore/status/878345896039075840

As to the stories based upon who Flavio dined with this weekend, I don't put much stock in that. Based upon his social media, I think I am the only person who didn't eat with him. And barely hours have passed and I am looking at Flavio's tweets again!

Richard

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Alonso and Bottas would be a good team.

What?

Actually not an unreasonable hedge to set up in case LH decides to pull a Nico.

[F1Guy]

Apparently, Briatore, Lauda and Wolff weren't chatting about a seat for Alonso at Mercedes. There was however, a conversation regarding Alonso and Mercedes for 2018.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Apparently, Briatore, Lauda and Wolff weren't chatting about a seat for Alonso at Mercedes. There was however, a conversation regarding Alonso and Mercedes for 2018.

Eh?!
Bit less cryptic please!!

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Apparently, Briatore, Lauda and Wolff weren't chatting about a seat for Alonso at Mercedes. There was however, a conversation regarding Alonso and Mercedes for 2018.

For Force India? To morph into Force Spain, with Mr Sainz in the other chassis?

[spider]

I reckon Alonso is staying at McLaren, just with a Merc motor.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by spider

I reckon Alonso is staying at McLaren, just with a Merc motor.

There is no fun in that...

Except for the grand prix wins..

[F J Nedos]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

There is no fun in that...

Except for the grand prix wins..

Everyone might assume that, but it's only Mercedes who are winning with a Mercedes hybrid engine...

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Apparently, Briatore, Lauda and Wolff weren't chatting about a seat for Alonso at Mercedes. There was however, a conversation regarding Alonso and Mercedes for 2018.

Apparently according to what source, about what specifically?
Or this another one of a myriad of rumours spouted which will be used to ego-boost an 'inside guy' when a handful come true in the way a sideshow psychic can be vague enough to appear right?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by F J Nedos

Everyone might assume that, but it's only Mercedes who are winning with a Mercedes hybrid engine...

Is that because it's MB detuning the others or the other teams can't stop taking each other out (FI), signing drivers for the cash (Williams, although he is improving) or disappear into liquidation (Manor)?

It's a cash spend thing, as F1 has always been, and MB has lots to burn. McLaren has cash to spend as well and with a better engine we might see how that chassis works.

[S griffin]

Whatever happens with Fred, I just hope it's a better opportunity than he has now in the dumps.