[Driver] 2019 F1 Silly Season

[52Paddy]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Perez - looks set to stay at RPFI

Ocon - the most talented 'free agent', albehim not a free agent at all. FI a very long shot, as is Williams. Won't go to Haas or STR. Sadly a Mercedes third driver role looks the most likely option.

I wonder, on the off-chance, if RPFI would let Perez slip instead of Ocon. His Singapore antics were outrageous and he's had quite a few years to capitalise on his potential when he was rookie. He hasn't fully done that. Ocon is a new breed and with Lawrence Stroll now investing in the team, Perez' money is probably less vital. Or am I missing something obvious? I actually thought Perez was contracted.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by 52Paddy

I wonder, on the off-chance, if RPFI would let Perez slip instead of Ocon. His Singapore antics were outrageous and he's had quite a few years to capitalise on his potential when he was rookie. He hasn't fully done that. Ocon is a new breed and with Lawrence Stroll now investing in the team, Perez' money is probably less vital. Or am I missing something obvious? I actually thought Perez was contracted.

I am not sure where I read it or the factuality of the source but I seem to recall reading that the Perez FI contract guarantee for 2019 was somehow linked as a guarantee in exchange for putting the team into administration. Apparently had a major creditor to FI put the team into admin the outcome would have been different to Perez putting them in.

[gert]

Originally Posted by 52Paddy

I wonder, on the off-chance, if RPFI would let Perez slip instead of Ocon. His Singapore antics were outrageous and he's had quite a few years to capitalise on his potential when he was rookie. He hasn't fully done that. Ocon is a new breed and with Lawrence Stroll now investing in the team, Perez' money is probably less vital. Or am I missing something obvious? I actually thought Perez was contracted.

No idea on the chances of Perez being dumped for Ocon.

About the money situation: Perez' money may come in handy depending on what happens with the FIA prize money, especially that depending on past seasons results.

Also, Perez was very helpful (vital even?) in getting the team into administration. Within him, maybe Stroll wouldn't even have been able to buy it in the first place. Apart from that, Perez' actions seems to have saved a lot of jobs. Maybe those still around are grateful for that?


EDIT: What E.B. wrote. Typing while being on the phone makes you write a single post in more than 15 minutes, lol.

[djinvicta]

Originally Posted by gert

No idea on the chances of Perez being dumped for Ocon.

About the money situation: Perez' money may come in handy depending on what happens with the FIA prize money, especially that depending on past seasons results.

Also, Perez was very helpful (vital even?) in getting the team into administration. Within him, maybe Stroll wouldn't even have been able to buy it in the first place. Apart from that, Perez' actions seems to have saved a lot of jobs. Maybe those still around are grateful for that?


EDIT: What E.B. wrote. Typing while being on the phone makes you write a single post in more than 15 minutes, lol.

No excuse for swiping Sirotkin in an anger moment. No money can excuse that action, let alone banging your team mate into the wall....He needs banning.... it annoys me when money gets involved.... he shows a precedent.. swipe and hit a car when annoyed...

[gert]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

No excuse for swiping Sirotkin in an anger moment. No money can excuse that action, let alone banging your team mate into the wall....He needs banning.... it annoys me when money gets involved.... he shows a precedent.. swipe and hit a car when annoyed...

A race ban and being dropped from next year's lineup are 2 very different things of course.

[S griffin]

It’s going to be a while before the final seats are filled methinks. Seems there is no clear answer atm

[Aysedasi]

But money talks. I'd dump Perez for Ocon in a blink of an eye...….

[52Paddy]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

But money talks. I'd dump Perez for Ocon in a blink of an eye...….

This.

I actually didn't follow the FI take over story so wasn't aware of Perez' links. But you never know.

[BSchneiderFan]

I’m sure there are senior people at RPFI who are very grateful to Pérez for his part in the administration process, but sentiment alone would not keep him in a sought-after race seat. Let’s be honest, what Force India are looking for - have to look for - is a blend of talent and cash. You can decide for yourselves where the balance lies between the two.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I’m sure there are senior people at RPFI who are very grateful to Pérez for his part in the administration process, but sentiment alone would not keep him in a sought-after race seat. Let’s be honest, what Force India are looking for - have to look for - is a blend of talent and cash. You can decide for yourselves where the balance lies between the two.

The other thing to look at is maybe they want stability and someone to coach Lance. A big deal was made out of Massa not being a mentor (those comments were unfairly blown out of proportion), but if Lance does need a mentor, then who is better - Ocon, with little experience and we know is off elsewhere, or Perez, who has much more experience and likely isn't going back to a front running team?

Thinking about it, Force India could do with someone who has had his career and now just wants another few years in F1. Almost like a Kimi, if Kimi cared enough to tutor Lance.

[F1Guy]

Haas driver line up for 2019 confirmed.

https://www.haasf1team.com/news/news...er-lineup-2019

[S griffin]

Very generous to give Grosjean another season, although he has improved since the start of the season

[steve_r]

Grosejean was good for Haas in 2016 and 2017 - I guess that has not been forgotten, because he has been awful this year. I can even remember whispers of a Ferrari call up at some point. That certainly is never going to happen now.

Magnussen has had a good year, and deserves his seat.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Very generous to give Grosjean another season, although he has improved since the start of the season

There wasn't much doubt really once Le Clerc and Giovanizzi had signed up to Ferrari and Sauber respectively. Ocon suffered again from his Mercedes link, Van Doorne has had a poor year - who else would they take if not Grosjean?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

The other thing to look at is maybe they want stability and someone to coach Lance. A big deal was made out of Massa not being a mentor (those comments were unfairly blown out of proportion), but if Lance does need a mentor, then who is better - Ocon, with little experience and we know is off elsewhere, or Perez, who has much more experience and likely isn't going back to a front running team?

Thinking about it, Force India could do with someone who has had his career and now just wants another few years in F1. Almost like a Kimi, if Kimi cared enough to tutor Lance.

But do we think that Perez will sit easily with that kind of role. He's always raced for himself and never played that part with Ocon….

[Akrapovic]

True, but if that's the difference between having an F1 seat and not, would he adjust that view?

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

But do we think that Perez will sit easily with that kind of role. He's always raced for himself and never played that part with Ocon….

Good point - the amount of times Perez has hit his own teammate suggests he's very much a "screw you" kind of driver that is incapable of playing the team game.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

True, but if that's the difference between having an F1 seat and not, would he adjust that view?

He might say he would...….

[S griffin]

Apparently Vandoorne has lost his chance with Williams and STR, so that could be him on the sidelines. Sad really, he is better than his results would suggest

[ASCII Man]

Stoffel will go where he belongs, on the FE trash heap alongside his equally "talented" compatriot D'Ambrosio.

[BSchneiderFan]

Originally Posted by ASCII Man

Stoffel will go where he belongs, on the FE trash heap alongside his equally "talented" compatriot D'Ambrosio.

So winning the GP2 championship was just a fluke?

[Aysedasi]

Probably not, but we well know that winning feeder formulae is no guarantee of F1 success - or even a seat. I fear he's done.

[S griffin]

Yeah, but it shows he has talent. Remember how he blew Button away in his first race in Bahrain?

[Aysedasi]

Yep, maybe, but you're judged on what you do now, not months ago or in your earlier career and he's achieved precious little....

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Yep, maybe, but you're judged on what you do now, not months ago or in your earlier career and he's achieved precious little....

I wonder what he might have achieved if he had gone to Force India, Renault, Sauber or STR?