2016-17 Silly Season. Drivers Market

[Wombcat]

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

He had won a race though.

 

[teabagyokel]

They haven't had a non-Champion non-Brazilian for a full season since Eddie Irvine.

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives Is Kimi better this season or Vettel regressed ? I am just saying if Vettel has another iffy season next year he could find himself being stuck at Ferrari when he does not really want to be

 

[Wombcat]

They haven't had a non-Champion non-Brazilian for a full season since Eddie Irvine.

That narrows the candidates down to brazilians and (ex-champions).
Button to Ferrari in 2018? Or Rosberg if he becomes WDC this season and Vettel goes to Mercedes in 2018.

 

[Il_leone]

You say Ferrari have young drivers who not ready for F1 ... it is difficult to tell now given the achievements of Max Verstappen who's announcement into F1 was met with severe criticism at the time he was only 17 years old

Is Stroll actually still got ties with Ferrari or will that be severed if he joins with Williams?

 

[teabagyokel]

Wombcat - Hamilton and Nasr.

 

[Incubus]

He had won a race though.

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I'm not sure... Hadn't Ferrari already signed him when he won Mexico?

 

[RasputinLives]

You say Ferrari have young drivers who not ready for F1 ... it is difficult to tell now given the achievements of Max Verstappen who's announcement into F1 was met with severe criticism at the time he was only 17 years old

Is Stroll actually still got ties with Ferrari or will that be severed if he joins with Williams?

Max didn't go straight into the Red Bull team though did he?

 

[gethinceri]

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I'm not sure... Hadn't Ferrari already signed him when he won Mexico?

Oh come on, you can't use that as a defence to Wombcat's correct challenge.

 

[The Pits]

They haven't had a non-Champion non-Brazilian for a full season since Eddie Irvine.

Kimi in 2007?

 

[teabagyokel]

The Pits - He was not a non-Champion for the whole season, due to the warm-down lap in Interlagos, and the weeks running up to the FIA gala.

If you want to be pedantic.

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives No he did but such was the PR campaign it got him the drive and to fend off suitors in a very short space of time

 

[RasputinLives]

Right. So what's the difference between Ferrari keeping Kimi whilst they bed in their youngsters than Red Bull keeping the likes of Webber whilst they bed in there's? I shall tell you. Red Bull have a junior F1 team and can stick their youngsters in it and you know all about them. Ferrari prep their youngsters in series that Don't get publicity and the only way they can get then in F1 is to cut a deal.

I think any criticism of Ferrari's youth driver is fairly lame considering the progress they've all made this year.

 

[gethinceri]

I would become a Ferrari follower again if only they'd hire two drivers I admire.

 

[Bill Boddy]

Do you mean Jenson and Button by any chance?

 

[Il_leone]

RasputinLives I think the comparison is compared against Red Bull who have the best young driver system then followed by both Mercedes and Mclaren who have got young drivers coming through or they are prepared to give a go

It does not help that it suggests Ferrari should consider both Sainz and Verstappen which puts into question mark their own young driver development programme.

Now for Ferrari their previous plan was to send one of their young drivers to Sauber or Manor but neither are able to do it this season for financial reasons and Toro Rosso will only field Red Bull drivers. Whilst Haas they maybe Ferrari customers but their hands are tied by sponsorship reasons via Ferrari although they might change if LeClerc does get one of the seats.

Interesting to hear about Arrivabene's comments about Vettel needing to earn a contract extension beyond 2017

Followed by Brundle's view
Sebastian Vettel may not be in F1 for long haul, says Martin Brundle

Unless Hamilton quits Mercedes at the end of 2017 to engineer a move to Ferrari I see Vettel being one of the losers in the driver merry go round

 

[Mekola]

Hope JM Lopez could do like Lotterer in Spa 2014.
In 2017 he will have enough license points to be in F1,
then he could rent a car (Haas? Sauber?) to be in a
single races, and fulfil his dream to start an F1 Race.

 

[F1Brits_90]

RasputinLives Is Kimi better this season or Vettel regressed ? I am just saying if Vettel has another iffy season next year he could find himself being stuck at Ferrari when he does not really want to be

I genuinely don't know i think kimi could have picked up his form as car has got more front downforce which suits him But no question vettel is back in his 2014 state where he looks a bit disinterested. As to why ferrari sent that indirect message thru Italian tv

After watching GP2 very surprised gioveranzzi hasn't been linked to any f1 seat because he is a fantastic talent it looks. Could be 1st rookie gp2 champion since hulkenburg 7yrs ago beating his teammate gasly who looks nailed on for a toro rosso seat

 

[Il_leone]

F1Brits_90

Part of that must be being fed up of overhearing his constant questionning and criticism over the team radio which does not look clever also its the politics of Maranello and it appears he has stepped on a few people's toes

Alonso was fighting losing a battle so left and Schumacher had Jean Todt in his corner to fight for him. Arrivabene clearly is not and another race where they lost a podium again raises more questions

 

[Il_leone]

'Lewis Hamilton's bizarre behaviour steals the show in Japanese GP'

Look half way down

It appears Hulkenberg will join Renault and Force India aint going to stop him... well he does not have £10m from sponsors that the team need like his teammate despite a contract for next year

That is a lifeline for Hulkenberg and a last chance saloon to land a top drive so it appears K Mag is gone seeing he lost to Palmer again t


It also appears Button is possibly now retiring given his lacklustre performances and Vettel might be offered a way out of his Ferrari nightmare possibly