2015 Formula 1 silly season thread. - Page 12

F J Nedos · 29 Aug 2014, 03:56 (Ref:3448731)

Well if Mr Vettel were to move to Ferrari, what about Mr Vergne at RBR, to be reunited with his team mate?

Just putting it out there.

Button to Wiliams. Possibly Hamilton back to McLaren. Alonso to Mercedes. Massa to Force India, and Guit-ear-whatever to do sports cars or something else?

There's a merry go round for ye!

**GTRMagic** · 29 Aug 2014, 05:59 (Ref:3448747)

And lets not forget the old 'Webber to Renault' perpetual rumour.

A bit hard now, since its going to become a Lotus Mercedes... or not.. the jungle drums are still quite quiet around that announcement...

davyboy · 29 Aug 2014, 06:54 (Ref:3448758)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teretonga

Hamilton back to McLaren would not surprise me at all....

This is what I think is going on here.

If Hamilton doesn't take the world title this year, he will place the blame entirely at the door of Mercedes management. The team/driver relationship will become untenable and they will agree to part ways a year early.

This is what McLaren are waiting for and that's why Woking's driver decisions have been put back until the season is over. Jenson was contracted by Martin Whitmarsh... but Lewis is Ron's boy. Now that Ron's back in charge expect Lewis to return in place of Jenson.

The Alonso/Vettel stuff is a distraction I think.

spider · 29 Aug 2014, 10:46 (Ref:3448800)

Hamilton's love of ( / obsession with trying to be...) Senna could make the whole McLaren Honda quite exciting for him.

The Mercedes' teams OTT Lewis love-in after Spa, plus the 'we trust eachoher' re. contract talks, seems to be trying to appease LH, less than obviously. Perhaps due to a Mac approach...

Can't see Alonso working with Ron again, nor Seb leaving RB any time soon.

spider · 29 Aug 2014, 10:58 (Ref:3448805)

http://www.givemesport.com/498790-wh...urn-to-mclaren

Semi-interesting, but still think the whole fact Ron's properly back involved, and the Honda/Senna dream will tempt him...

Paradise City · 29 Aug 2014, 11:15 (Ref:3448811)

Yeah, I think Hamilton will arrive back at Mclaren. I said that when he first left Mclaren. Particularly as there is no real room at Red Bull now that the Ricciardo hiring has paid off and Ferrari seems meshed in a kind of 4th place limbo. The old winning team returning to a place he knows and loves, with an historic works deal on the books, makes his return to McLaren fairly inevitable in my mind.

VIVA GT · 29 Aug 2014, 14:01 (Ref:3448863)

I hadn't really accepted this, but with recent events (well, since Monaco really) I've seen that Lewis isn't in a happy place anymore with Mercedes. McLaren would be the best possible alternative for him (that's possible available anyway), and I'm sure that Honda (who are apparently paying the drivers salaries) would like him on-board too.
That then leaves the question of who would partner him? Would Honda want two ex-World Champions and therefore Button is safe, or will he be off to finish his driving days at the Ferrari retirement home? Plus, if JB goes to The Red Team, will it be as a swap for Alonso (giving Honda the two Ex WDC's again if that's where Lewis ends up)? Or would he be replacing Kimi, who's not really given them the results everyone expected (even if that's more the car's fault than the drivers)?
It really is a silly season and it does keep your mind working doesn't it?

Richard C · 29 Aug 2014, 14:32 (Ref:3448884)

Musical chairs. Of the big players, who will sit down first and trigger the stampede for the remaining seat?

Richard

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 29 Aug 2014, 15:50 (Ref:3448896)

I have to feel sorry for Kevin Magnussen. He's done nothing wrong (other than those early season Kimi incidents) and can be blisteringly fast, yet seems to be totally worthless. What's wrong with McLaren's current line-up and why would anyone of Hamilton or Alonso's quality want to go to an underachieving team worse than their current one? Only Hamilton's case is one to buy into, and if he ends up taking the title in the end, will he still be distressed? Will Nico be the one wanting to leave? Or does it all end happily ever after...

...this is all speculation fuelled by Ron Dennis' cynicism...

davyboy · 29 Aug 2014, 16:05 (Ref:3448898)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

I have to feel sorry for Kevin Magnussen. He's done nothing wrong (other than those early season Kimi incidents) and can be blisteringly fast, yet seems to be totally worthless. What's wrong with McLaren's current line-up and why would anyone of Hamilton or Alonso's quality want to go to an underachieving team worse than their current one? Only Hamilton's case is one to buy into, and if he ends up taking the title in the end, will he still be distressed? Will Nico be the one wanting to leave? Or does it all end happily ever after...

...this is all speculation fuelled by Ron Dennis' cynicism...

I think Button will be released - the line up will be Hamilton and Magnussen.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 29 Aug 2014, 16:28 (Ref:3448903)

Ah, so will Button move on a 'free transfer' to some other team on the 'premier league' or will he look to sportscars to get some action from other 'top divisions?' Or should I stop the football puns...

Edit:
I'm not convinced that they should class as puns...

Moneyseeker · 29 Aug 2014, 16:43 (Ref:3448906)

Yep, I am seeing Hamilton at McLaren too, Honda want a 'big' name and RD needs to deliver to meet their very high expectations.

Alternatively, I would also love to see Vettel at McLaren and see what he could do outside the Red Bull fold and actually I think it would be good for him as there is (I believe) a faint tinge that he is a good driver in a great car that was absolutely created around him by F1's greatest designer. I am bit of believer that you can stay at a team too long.

Whilst I am gazing into my crystal ball. I am not seeing Massa as secure at Williams either. Contracts not withstanding and they are 'only' best intentions based on a set of circumstances when they were signed. Williams know they have a great car/engine combo and have corrected the infrastructure and management - the weak link is Massa who is too accident prone and inconsistent IMO. I see Button as a good fit back at Williams.

Alonso is the big imponderable, I am sure he thinks that his talent should have one won more titles and you can see from his wheel to whell racing for relatively minor positons that he still has the speed, fire and desire. Does he wait around for Ferrari's latest restructure to try and get it right again or does he gamble on a move. If so can RD tempt him to McLaren to which Honda would be delighted.

In that case my line up is FA/KM at McLaren SV and Jules B at Ferrari, Jenson B and VB at Williams LH and DR at Red Bull.

**GTRMagic** · 30 Aug 2014, 05:46 (Ref:3448999)

It would be much more fun to see an Alonso/Bottas combination at Williams Mercedes...

davyboy · 30 Aug 2014, 06:41 (Ref:3449005)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

It would be much more fun to see an Alonso/Bottas combination at Williams Mercedes...

I think Bottas is a class act and developing into a strong number one there. For all his prowess on track, Fernando Alonso has wasted the last 10 years faffing around, accomplishing little more than enhancing his very healthy bank balance. Wherever he goes, politics and trouble seem to follow. I'd hate to see him bring that kind of thing to Williams who are undergoing a welcome renaissance right now. Ferrari and Alonso are good bedfellows - best they remain together.

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 30 Aug 2014, 06:50 (Ref:3449009)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

I think Bottas is a class act and developing into a strong number one there. For all his prowess on track, Fernando Alonso has wasted the last 10 years faffing around, accomplishing little more than enhancing his very healthy bank balance. Wherever he goes, politics and trouble seem to follow. I'd hate to see him bring that kind of thing to Williams who are undergoing a welcome renaissance right now. Ferrari and Alonso are good bedfellows - best they remain together.

Couldn't agree more. Only Ferrari and Ron Dennis' dream team would give Alonso the undisputed no.1 seat and a decent chance of getting results at the same time. For the sake of the team, it's best Williams don't hire him, especially with Bottas showing himself to be one of the most complete drivers on the grid despite his lack of experience. Imo if Williams want a long-term no.1 with WDC potential, then keep Bottas!

Mixer · 30 Aug 2014, 07:12 (Ref:3449012)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

It would be much more fun to see an Alonso/Bottas combination at Williams Mercedes...

Could be fun in the same way Alonso/Hamilton was at McLaren... I never saw him the same way after that. no Senna or Schumacher, absolutely rattled by a talented rookie

**chunterer** · 31 Aug 2014, 21:52 (Ref:3449350)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mixer

Could be fun in the same way Alonso/Hamilton was at McLaren... I never saw him the same way after that. no Senna or Schumacher, absolutely rattled by a talented rookie

I suspect either of those 2 would have felt the same in Alonso's 2007 shoes.

**GTRMagic** · 1 Sep 2014, 08:10 (Ref:3449416)

Alonso Free To Do What He Wants.. Any Old Time...

Where might Mr Alonso be off to?

wnut · 1 Sep 2014, 11:40 (Ref:3449456)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Alonso Free To Do What He Wants.. Any Old Time...

Where might Mr Alonso be off to?

If he is wise he will stay exactly where he is!

**chunterer** · 1 Sep 2014, 21:52 (Ref:3449588)

If he's going to leave it might as well be now!

But he must be in possession of a seriously good crystal ball. ..

wolfhound · 2 Sep 2014, 09:14 (Ref:3449667)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

If he's going to leave it might as well be now!

But he must be in possession of a seriously good crystal ball. ..

There is a chance of a Mercedes seat if Hamilton has a falling out with Rosberg and decides to leave.

Hawkwood · 2 Sep 2014, 09:17 (Ref:3449668)

Saw on Sky Sports News this morning that Alonso has said, "I have no intention to leave Ferrari".

So he's as good as gone then

Biscuits In A Red Bull · 2 Sep 2014, 09:22 (Ref:3449669)

I thought Alonso wanted to win the WDC at Ferrari. It might take him up until the age of 56, but I can't see him leaving!

Hawkwood · 2 Sep 2014, 10:31 (Ref:3449679)

According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, Daniel Juncadella is in the running to replace Perez at Force India next year.
His sponsor is already on the car and he has one or two FP1s lined up.

Apparently, Perez said at Silverstone that he was talking to other teams... any ideas where he thinks he could be going?

chillibowl · 2 Sep 2014, 15:26 (Ref:3449735)

numerous sites running quotes from Alonso expressing his commitment to Ferrari.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/115662

although his contract is runs to the end of 2016 and looks like no extension or modification of current contract.

given that he apparently has a clause giving him an exit if he is 25 points down by the time of the Italian GP and the rather large retainer Alonso was rumoured to be asking for (50mil per year), i would think, if he was only about the money/increasing his bank account he would have forced a renegotiation.

i suppose that could have happened behind closed doors though

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2015 Silly Season	GTRMagic	Australasian Touring Cars.	2559	20 Jun 2016 03:31
The Silly Season thread!!!	Pro Racer	Formula One	556	11 Jan 2009 00:29
Sorry, but another silly season thread	Mr V	Formula One	31	1 Aug 2006 03:45
2004 / Silly Season thread	x_dt	Bike Racing	107	22 Jan 2004 12:54