2016-17 Silly Season. Drivers Market

[cider_and_toast]

It's possible isn't it. Alonso gave Ferrari his best years and got lost. I wonder how many times he told himself, next year will be better.

If Vettel does walk at the end of 2017 then Ferrari could start to find it difficult to recruit the best talent on the grid.

Of course the biggest 'unknown' factor in all of this is how the 2017 regs will affect the current established order. The Mercedes team were quick out of the box and have only now started to be hauled in since the engine regs last changed. If that happens again with a new team under the 2017 rules, will that new team be Ferrari or will they find themselves even further adrift. Given that the bulk of the 2017 regs effect aerodynamics then you would expect the team to make the most gains in this area relative to Mercedes would be Red Bull.

I believe the 2017-18 Silly season could turn out to be one of the silliest for a long time.

 

[RasputinLives]

I think 2017-18 will turn out to have one dominant team (even more dominant than this year) with all the other teams moaning about it. Just like everytime they have a dramatic rule change.

To get competition we need stable regs and testing. But people Don't like to wait for things to happen slowly so instant action is always the plan.

 

[Il_leone]

Wombcat

I was thinking maybe Mercedes but do Mercedes actually want Vettel if Rosberg say becomes champion and they are already lining up Wehrlein or Ocon in the other car ? even if Hamilton does not want to stay

I find myself thinking if Vettel has another poor season next year with Ferrari he does not have many competitive drives open to him potentially elsewhere

Mclaren is already filled up for 2018

Red Bull will stick with Ricciardo and Verstappen or put Sainz to replace whoever goes

Renault - I don't see how Vettel would go there unless he takes a pay cut but they would have earmarked their two drivers to build their future open

 

[Wombcat]

IMO they would be stupid not to take Vettel. Vettel is very popular.

 

[Il_leone]

Wombcat

PR sense off course for Mercedes it makes total sense the best German driver still in the a German team sounds great BUT there are so many young drivers out there and Mercedes have already singled out Wehrlein as their future

I don' t see Vettel wanting to stay at Ferrari beyond his contract and the season is beginning to show him being very frustrated with the internal politics at Maranello

 

[RasputinLives]

I think we have to start talking about Giovanazi for a race seat. He is on the verge of being the first rookie GP2 champion since Hulkenberg and the first in the Pirelli era. All this after stepping up from F3 and thinking it was maybe too soon for him. He has had a sensational year.

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives This is Ferrari's chance to make a statement in youth and future

 

[Andyoak]

But Ferrari has never made a statement about youth and the future...

 

[Il_leone]

Well Andyoak compared to the other leading teams around team it appears to be holding them back not to and at a fraction of the current drivers wages as well

 

[RasputinLives]

Just because he's Italian doesn't mean Ferrari is his only option. As far as I'm aware he is not part of their driver academy. To be honest I think he'd prob be a perfect fit for Manor next season.

 

[Andyoak]

I don't disagree with you Il Leone; it's just that Ferrari have always been very conservative in their driver choices for as long as I can remember. I can't think of a time when they've chosen youth and potential over age and experience.

 

[Il_leone]

Ferrari need fresh impetus keeping Kimi means they are clinging onto a desperate hope they would land either Ricciardo, Verstappen or Sainz

There does not seem any sort of succession planning in the mess Ferrari are in


Mercedes have got Wehrlein and Ocon as future drivers
Red Bull after their current two have Sainz and Gasly

MClaren have got Vandoorne and probably De Vries in the future

Renault whilst keeping an eye out for Ocon have Rowland

Ferrari seems to have fallen behind although LeClerc seems to be the possible driver they may look to but few years back they had Perez and Bianchi through their academy

 

[RasputinLives]

Ferrari have one of the strongest young driver programmes. LeClerc, Stroll, Fucco. They also, as I've said before, had perfect young driver lined up to come into the team in Jules Bianchi but unfortunately he died.

They will not bring a young driver into the team directly and will put them into other teams just like everyone else. Massa, Bianchi, Perez. They've all come through.

Frankly I think the above is complete nonsense. There young drivers aren't ready yet and Kimi is back on form so it seemed an obvious decision to me.

 

[teabagyokel]

They also, as I've said before, had perfect young driver lined up to come into the team in Jules Bianchi but unfortunately he died.

The Japanese Grand Prix of 2014 was two years ago today. Had events transpired differently then I am confident that he would be sitting in Ferrari #17 in the 2016 race. I think criticising Ferrari's succession planning is a little hollow given that tragedy.

It is amazing how few drivers they have had this century though:

 

[Olivier]

I don't disagree with you Il Leone; it's just that Ferrari have always been very conservative in their driver choices for as long as I can remember. I can't think of a time when they've chosen youth and potential over age and experience.

Villeneuve?

 

[Andyoak]

OK, I'll give you that
But going back 30+ years is pushing it a bit

TbY's breakdown of their drivers is fascinating though... They clearly do like stability in their lineup; even if it doesn't follow through behind the garage and office doors.

 

[cider_and_toast]

If things had have turned out a fraction differently in 1978, the 1979 McLaren line up would have been Gilles Villeneuve and Ronnie Peterson. Just a sjame they would have been driving one of the worst McLarens ever made.

As for Ferrari, Alesi and Capelli were a relatively inexperienced pairing and an unlikely combination for Ferrari.

 

[Incubus]

Well there was also Gerhard Berger who only only had two full seasons under his belt when when he joined Ferrari.

 

[RasputinLives]

Massa was hardly a veteran either.

Alesi had only done a season and a half.

 

[Olivier]

Looking at teabagyokel graph though, after Schumacher years, it seems Ferrari thinks the recipe for success is having seasoned drivers (if possible WDC). Putting the car behind the horse (no pun intended) is not going to magically bring results.