Things ... Welcome to the Future (2018 - 2019 Silly Season)

[Publius Cornelius Scipio]

Publius Cornelius Scipio I think Sirotkin if he has a decent car underneath him would do much better than Stroll. His most impressive quali was Monaco when he got it into Q2 being 0.5 seconds of a lap quicker than Stroll and he did it again today at Hockenheim. I would say at least he is doing he has gone through all the junior categories to get into F1.

Stroll who appears to be off to Force India despite what Paddy Lowe says the team are not keen to fight to keep him and about time they come to their senses,, firstly he has not bought anything to the team other than be a spoilt rich kid and taking them down the wrong end of the pitlane and its another team's problem having to listen to Lawrence Stroll telling them how they should run their team

I should add Marchionne has been replaced at the top at Ferrari due to ill health which might mean Leclerc may not get promoted and we will get another season of Vettel/ Raikkonen ... again Ferrari disappoint.. the only way I can see this partnership surviving is if Vettel is leading the championship comfortably to have that bargaining power

I think that Sirotkin is a decent driver who has worked very hard to get where he is, probably not a great natural talent but still reasonably competent.

Stroll's problem seems to be his dad and his attitude, I don't think that he's totally devoid of any talent, if you look at where he places his car on track he does all the right things, I still struggle to understand how he can drive with such a stiff front end but that to me signifies that he wants to lead the team in matters of car set up and he doesn't have a clue (which is only natural considering his age) BUT also that the team cannot force him to try some "reasonable" set up

Regarding Marchionne, apparently the situation is really really bad, I feel really sorry for him, let's hope for the best but it's going to be a very tough fight

 

[Izumi]

Several US based news media do suggest there is more to this story behind scenes, and premature retirement is actually welcomed in some circles, despite all crocodile tears flowing in abundance.

What surprised me was a claim, that SM actually has agreed with Liberty on a specific financial budget for his team despite some rumors on various forums, that "red team" is blocking the motion.

 

[Publius Cornelius Scipio]

Several US based news media do suggest there is more to this story behind scenes, and premature retirement is actually welcomed in some circles, despite all crocodile tears flowing in abundance.

I hope that you are right but yesterday John Elkan and other were talking about him using the past tense, never a good sign ("he was a nice guy" and the sort). And I don't think that he would stay willingly inside an hospital just to pretend that he's hasn't really been ousted but that he's unwell, I think that the question that many people are answering themselves is whether he has already passed away or not, that seems to be the sad reality

 

[Izumi]

Notice - following is a reprint of a quote on the internet:

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Sergio Marchionne the indiscretion about his health: "Lung cancer patient", "is in a coma"

Officially it is known that Sergio Marchionne is in critical condition, which has worsened and that after the shoulder surgery will not return to work in FCA. But there are rumors about his health. According to the Dagospia site, Marchionne "is suffering from lung cancer". While Paolo Madron of Lettera43 writes on Twitter: "Things that you would never want to say, but that the duty of news unfortunately imposes on us: Marchionne is in a deep coma".

(Google translated from an Italian site).
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[Angel]

It is a really sad situation. You don't usually give up a job like that as fast as that unless it's a very serious situation. I hope he hasn't passed away, but in the end we all know it happens to all of us. It's more likely they mean he was a nice guy in a professional sense. I hope he gets well soon, though unfortunately it doesn't seem likely does it?

 

[Publius Cornelius Scipio]

It's more likely they mean he was a nice guy in a professional sense

no, sadly it wasn't meant that way, all the newspapers in Italia, including the ones owned by the FCA group, now say that there is no hope

 

[Angel]

no, sadly it wasn't meant that way, all the newspapers in Italia, including the ones owned by the FCA group, now say that there is no hope

Well then that is very sad indeed, we all know it comes to us all in the end, but it's never nice when it does. If Vettel does win today that will make it even more emotional for him and the team I am guessing.

 

[Il_leone]

Vettel and Marchionne don't have that close relationship so if he wins today politically he might make a reference but deep down I don't think he cares

 

[Ruslan]

Here is what I think is the state of the contracts/rumors. Let me know if I am missing anything:

Mercedes:
Hamilton (signed for 2019-2020)
Bottas (signed for 2019, option for 2020).

Ferrari:
Vettel
Raikonnen?/Leclerc? (these seem to be only two names)

Red Bull:
Verstappen
Ricciardo

Renault:
Hulkenberg
Sainz?/Ocon?

McLaren:
Alonso? (Alonso say he won't be in F1 in 2021)
Vandoorne?/Sainz?/Raikonnen?/Others?

Haas:
Grosjean?/Perez?
Magnussen

Force India:
Perez?
Ocon?/Stroll?

Toro Rosso:
Gasly
Hartley?

Sauber:
Ericsson
Leclerc?/Giovinazzi?/Raikkonen?

Williams:
Stroll?/unknown?
Sirotkin


Lurking: Kubica

 

[Galahad]

There might be some announcements in Hungary, next weekend.

Are Toro Rosso still looking at Dan Ticktum? Not sure he'll have enough Superlicence points.

 

[Il_leone]

Dan Ticktum is the one Red Bull want to promote but because he was banned for a year he has not had enough points accumulated on his licence ready for F1

 

[F1Brits_90]

funny thing is red bull are complaining about a rule they forced the fia to bring in after a 16 yr old called max raced at suzuka. it is odd that the highly presitigous macau grand prix gets you nothing. but if he wins the euro F3 thats 30 points. it would have to be F2 next year & providing he finished 6th or above he would be sorted but looks like 2020 at earliest

for me ive heard perez replacing grosjean at haas, ocon at Renault & Russell at force india

 

[Il_leone]

F1Brits_90 Which means the other seat at Force India is going to either Stroll / Latifi both spoilt rich kids with less talent

 

[RasputinLives]

Vettel and Marchionne don't have that close relationship so if he wins today politically he might make a reference but deep down I don't think he cares

How do you know that? Just how?

 

[Izumi]

I told him he was free to sign up anytime he wanted to. I like Seb a lot. I think he's matured a lot even though he's a world champion multiple times over. I think he's matured a lot in the last year. He's a Ferrari man. Those things you don't get out of your blood."

Marchionne: Vettel never asked for shorter deal

Old but true. Mr. Marchionne really wasn't close to anyone at work, but he was your big fan and sponsor, if you performed brilliantly. He likes smart and well do people (so the story goes).

 

[F1Brits_90]

What's the deal with Marchionne. 1 day i hear he's going in for shoulder surgery. Then sunday he gravely ill in swiss hospital & People talking like he's dead

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

What's the deal with Marchionne. 1 day i hear he's going in for shoulder surgery. Then sunday he gravely ill in swiss hospital & People talking like he's dead

Reports appear to be he's in an 'irreversible coma'. Also aggressive prostate and/or lung cancer is mentioned. These all seem to be rumours at this point but it sounds very bad. I believe he has been out of the public eye since June and that may have been related to shoulder surgey - so possibly something more serious cropped up while he was in hospital, or they were initially trying to deflect from the seriousness of it. Very sad as he seems a genuine nice guy and great boss.

 

[Izumi]

I have found some news downright conflicting. One source claims he is in Switzerland, other (Detroit news) stated he is in US, so, who knows. What's common in news however are words describing his condition. Irreversible, ailing, serious, not returning to work, etc. Whatever the truth is, it sounds all sad, bad and so terribly final. Wishing him expedient recovery seems almost inappropriate and hollow.

 

[Il_leone]

Marchionne seems to run Ferrari with an iron fist but these replacements are going to find out what it is like in the Maranello hot seat

Interesting the roles were split between two people suggestion maybe Marchione had too much power

 

[FB]

So now Mercedes want to "place" one of their contracted drivers at a compeititor - https://thesportsrush.com/force-india-release-statement-regarding-renaults-approach-of-ocon/

I'm very confused about what is going on within F1 and driver contracts.