2012-13 Silly Season

[Treacle]

I'll be so annoyed if Hulkenberg does go to Sauber and they're not as competitive as they are this season and Force India are quicker.

That's probably the only thing I'm worried about...

[donald29]

Yeah exactly. Kravitz even speculated he could drive in place of Kobayashi at some point in the remaining races, but that was more Kravitz's own thoughts rather than something that looks likely. They have positions in the Constructors' to fight for and Kobayashi is more likely to score points this season. Some FP1s wouldn't be a bad idea though.

[iceman1]

What about Kobayashi ?

[donald29]

Toyota in the WEC?

[Coopz]

I'll be so annoyed if Hulkenberg does go to Sauber and they're not as competitive as they are this season and Force India are quicker.

That's probably the only thing I'm worried about...

Well thankfully the rules are not changing much next season. I've supported Hulkenberg since 2009 in GP2 and I believed back then he has the potential to be a world champion. Even when he won the A1 championship. - I just feel regardless if he is in Force India or Sauber he has to show Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes that he is a talent. He has started to do it this season with performances such as today, Valencia and Spa. Perez has had a better chance to do it this year because he has had a better car that is capable of podiums at certain tracks.

Can't wait until he gets into a top team, because he has the talent without a doubt.

[MavF1]

So, I got a question for you guys. I have read now on several occasions and on different sites that out of the Torro Rosso drivers, Vergne is "the favoured one" and I always wondered why that is (if it's actually true). It can't be performance, since so far both seem to be pretty much evenly matched. So, what is it? And most importantly, is there anything to back this theory up (like a statement from Marko or sth.)? Just curious.

So, a little shameless to bring up my own post again, but I'm really curious. Can anybody shed light on this?

I think it's because towards the end of 2011, Marko was keen to pair Alguersuari with Vergne this season, with Ricciardo going to Caterham. When that didn't happen, Marko reluctantly dropped Alguersuari for Ricciardo.

But I don't know to what extent Vergne is seen as the favoured one.

So, nothing concrete. Thanks anyway, phil.

[tderias]

Hulk to Sauber?
http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/81 ... -to-Sauber

[phil1993]

If Valtteri Bottas is promoted to a Williams seat, his test driver role might be taken by Daniel Abt.

[sportingcp]

Like Coopz said, Hulkenberg has to be in a top team. He is clearly "champion material". Moving to Sauber, with all the respect it´s a team I like, but it´s useless, it´s moving from a middle team to another middle team. Kobayashi is probably out, that´s so unfair, I know there is not place for everyone but he should stay.

Phil, do you have some kind of "inside info" about Antonio Felix da Costa? You seem pretty sure he will have, maybe already in 2013, a Toro Rosso seat . That would be great.

[phil1993]

I think he's going to be doing simulator work for Red Bull. I think 2014 is more realistic. Ricciardo and Vergne are doing a good job.

If Felix da Costa has a very good season in FR3.5 in 2013, I can see him at STR in 2014.

[mikhailv]

If kobayashi doesnt get a seat it will be utter criminal. He is better than Perez personaly.

[tderias]

Massa confirmed a 1 year deal with Ferrari.

[phil1993]

Always while I'm out. Every flipping announcement.

[StratCaster]

If kobayashi doesnt get a seat it will be utter criminal. He is better than Perez personaly.

I think he's on his way down, all the midfield teams have new talent they want to test out; Sauber, Williams, FI, TR. He might end up at the bottom three (hopefully replacing Petrov at Caterham for a chance at a return to greatness but he doesn't bring money) but I doubt he'll return to fighting for points soon. I think it's a similar story for Hulk, another season or two with a midfielder, unless he trounces his teammate he'll be down at the bottom too.

What I'd love is for Heikki to get a shot at a good drive but it's looking more and more unlikely each passing day =(

[iceman1]

The Silverstone-based outfit activated its option with him, but AUTOSPORT understands that it hasn’t hit the necessary performance targets needed to tie
down the ex-Williams driver. The option picked up by Force India on Hulkenberg would have kept him at the team for 2013 had it been in the top six of the constructors’
championship, but it is currently seventh, crucially behind Sauber.

Kobayashi will be out of F1