Silly season 2013-14

[phil1993]

It's not just Allison but yes, he is a big loss.

I have sympathy for Lotus because it's part of the problem in F1 (hello CVC) but equally their job is to find sufficient sponsorship. I hope I'm wrong about Lotus but their history is such that they have 2/3 years of being competitive and then slip back.

With Maldonado, he does have raw speed (although Bottas trumped him this year) but there's no evidence that he'll actually be able to harness it properly. I really, really hope he can because that would be a good team. But we've had nearly a decade of Maldonado running into things, so there's little hope that he'll stop. Maybe he can seek inspiration from Grosjean, but I think it's a different mentality. Grosjean knew what he was doing wrong and was in tears after Suzuka 2012. Maldonado still rides off the back of Spain 2012 as justification for his approach and never takes blame for anything, so doesn't think that he needs to change. And, if PDVSA/Venezuela keep paying for his seats, he won't think he needs to. He believes that Lotus chose him on merit.

[iceman1]

Survival of the team is the priority. Then again, I think Lotus will suck next year so he may have made a bad move anyway.

The overriding question is: what the f*** has Lotus's sponsorship department been doing for two years?

I heard Genii people are very arrogant. They had few sponsors after that win in Australia, but they kept waiting for a better deal. They thought back then they could win more races.

Lotus have benefited from the mistakes of Mercedes and McLaren in 2012 and 2013. But it's not going to be always like that.

[lealjaime]

does any body hear something about Sergio Perez future?. iceman1?

[iceman1]

does any body hear something about Sergio Perez future?. iceman1?

People are saying he's going to Force India with Hulkenberg. Anything from Mexico?

I uploaded this video to refresh your memory about Maldonado. But tbh, I like the guy

[KevC]

Your new team mate is Maldonado

[tderias]

So many good lineups for next season, although it would have been better had Hulk moved to Lotus. The Ferrari lineup is a song of ice and fire, and it will be interesting to see how Ricciardo and Magnussen will face up against their more experienced teammates. Daniel Kviyat is showing good signs already, will he embarrass JEV? Can't wait for next year's Formula Prius!

[François]

Seriously, Lotus?

*barf*

[icemaid]

With 2 pay drivers, Total $ & PDVSA $, Lotus will survive for the time being.
The 2014 car won't be too bad since Allison's time they have already started developing it in the right direction.
Its whether they can continue with good upgrades during the 2014 season.

[lealjaime]

no iceman1, same info in Mexico, Sergio Perez close to Force india and Esteban Gutierrez close to sign for another year in sauber. but no yet official.

regards

[donald29]

Conflicted now. On the one hand I want Lotus to be poor because of Maldonado, on the other I want Grosjean to have a competitive car.

[phil1993]

Here's why Maldonado's move highlights the flaws in F1's model
http://www.f1zone.net/news/maldonado-to ... del/21366/

[kals]

That's a good article Phil

While I'm disappointed that Maldonado has gone to Lotus / is staying in F1, at least he's talented and knows how to drive. He just needs to harness is recklessness. Something that despite being involved in the sport for 10 years, no-one has been able to do.

[phil1993]

Thanks. I hope it wasn't too scathing of CVC...

[kals]

You weren't scathing enough.

I'm really hoping Bernie gets found guilty in his current legal case, then either gets put away or has to relinquish control of F1. That way we can potentially have a wholesale change of management and structure for F1, which is greatly needed. The sport either needs complete reform (top down) or the sport needs to completely crumble (with the loss of thousands of jobs, etc...) and then start again.

[phil1993]

I meant publicly...

The FIA is fine (not perfect, but they do a competent job), the problem is Formula One Group, CVC etc. The latter are in it purely for the money at the expense of the teams. It's ridiculous.