Silly season 2013-14
Silly season 2013-14
I guess as we approach the Summer, it's time to make one of these threads... and with it, what might happen (although there's usually one unexpected move!)
Infiniti Red Bull Racing
*Sebastian Vettel has been signed up until the end of 2015
*For the second seat, Kimi Raikkonen is heavily linked as the front runner. Other contenders include incumbent Mark Webber, as well as STR junior drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.
Scuderia Ferrari
*Fernando Alonso has a contract until the end of 2016
*It would appear to be a straightforward case for the second seat. Ferrari kept faith with Felipe Massa through his troubled period and he's rewarding them - although he has had a few heavy crashes lately. One contender is Nico Hulkenberg, although it's probably a little too early for Jules Bianchi.
Mercedes AMG Petronas
*Lewis Hamilton will enter the second of a three year deal while Nico Rosberg is on a long term deal of unspecified length.
Lotus F1 Team
*Kimi Raikkonen has a place here unless he heads off to Red Bull Racing. That could open up a seat for anyone in the midfield - Nico Hulkenberg potentially.
*Romain Grosjean really had a horrendous race in Monaco but the team still retain faith in him
Sahara Force India
*Paul di Resta has had a very impressive season, but it's difficult to see him moving to a bigger team, unless a space opens up at Lotus.
*Adrian Sutil appears well liked within the team so it's logical to envisage him staying for 2014.
McLaren Mercedes - title sponsor to be named on December 2nd
*Jenson Button's contract expires at the end of 2014 but he was upbeat about Honda so logic dictates him to be around for a while
*Sergio Perez, barring disaster, will be there in 2014.
Scuderia Toro Rosso
*Toro Rosso don't really do third seasons (only Sebastien Buemi has survived three full seasons) which means it might be now or never for Ricciardo and Vergne. If Webber goes, it presents them with a free berth. For the loser, they will need to look elsewhere. That is assuming that Raikkonen isn't chosen ahead of them both.
*Behind Ricciardo and Vergne in the pecking order is Antonio Felix da Costa. All of the others are still probably a bit too underdeveloped, unless someone has a starring role in a series.
Sauber F1 Team
*Hulkenberg doesn't hang around much, but he could be an outside contender for Ferrari and Lotus. If not, Sauber would be mad to get rid of a driver of his calibre.
*The team still needs financial support and therefore Esteban Gutierrez will probably remain. Bad news for Robin Frijns, but Sauber will have spent a year honing Gutierrez's skills. They won't want to waste that time.
Williams F1 Team
*Pastor Maldonado will be in the fourth year - quite amazing to think - of a five year PDVSA/Williams deal and his money is vital for the team
*Valtteri Bottas has had an impressive start to his rookie season and the Mercedes connection will have strengthened his cause. That is unless slipping down to ninth in the WCC requires a team to take a pay driver.
Marussia F1 Team
*It's always difficult to predict Marussia's line up, but with the team set to go with Ferrari engines, they might find Jules Bianchi thrown into a deal for 2014. Max Chilton comes with money, but it really could be anyone's seat.
Caterham F1 Team
*Charles Pic will remain with the team for a second season and his third in the sport
*The other seat looks likely to be between current driver Giedo van der Garde, former driver Heikki Kovalainen and reserve driver Alexander Rossi.
Infiniti Red Bull Racing
*Sebastian Vettel has been signed up until the end of 2015
*For the second seat, Kimi Raikkonen is heavily linked as the front runner. Other contenders include incumbent Mark Webber, as well as STR junior drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.
Scuderia Ferrari
*Fernando Alonso has a contract until the end of 2016
*It would appear to be a straightforward case for the second seat. Ferrari kept faith with Felipe Massa through his troubled period and he's rewarding them - although he has had a few heavy crashes lately. One contender is Nico Hulkenberg, although it's probably a little too early for Jules Bianchi.
Mercedes AMG Petronas
*Lewis Hamilton will enter the second of a three year deal while Nico Rosberg is on a long term deal of unspecified length.
Lotus F1 Team
*Kimi Raikkonen has a place here unless he heads off to Red Bull Racing. That could open up a seat for anyone in the midfield - Nico Hulkenberg potentially.
*Romain Grosjean really had a horrendous race in Monaco but the team still retain faith in him
Sahara Force India
*Paul di Resta has had a very impressive season, but it's difficult to see him moving to a bigger team, unless a space opens up at Lotus.
*Adrian Sutil appears well liked within the team so it's logical to envisage him staying for 2014.
McLaren Mercedes - title sponsor to be named on December 2nd
*Jenson Button's contract expires at the end of 2014 but he was upbeat about Honda so logic dictates him to be around for a while
*Sergio Perez, barring disaster, will be there in 2014.
Scuderia Toro Rosso
*Toro Rosso don't really do third seasons (only Sebastien Buemi has survived three full seasons) which means it might be now or never for Ricciardo and Vergne. If Webber goes, it presents them with a free berth. For the loser, they will need to look elsewhere. That is assuming that Raikkonen isn't chosen ahead of them both.
*Behind Ricciardo and Vergne in the pecking order is Antonio Felix da Costa. All of the others are still probably a bit too underdeveloped, unless someone has a starring role in a series.
Sauber F1 Team
*Hulkenberg doesn't hang around much, but he could be an outside contender for Ferrari and Lotus. If not, Sauber would be mad to get rid of a driver of his calibre.
*The team still needs financial support and therefore Esteban Gutierrez will probably remain. Bad news for Robin Frijns, but Sauber will have spent a year honing Gutierrez's skills. They won't want to waste that time.
Williams F1 Team
*Pastor Maldonado will be in the fourth year - quite amazing to think - of a five year PDVSA/Williams deal and his money is vital for the team
*Valtteri Bottas has had an impressive start to his rookie season and the Mercedes connection will have strengthened his cause. That is unless slipping down to ninth in the WCC requires a team to take a pay driver.
Marussia F1 Team
*It's always difficult to predict Marussia's line up, but with the team set to go with Ferrari engines, they might find Jules Bianchi thrown into a deal for 2014. Max Chilton comes with money, but it really could be anyone's seat.
Caterham F1 Team
*Charles Pic will remain with the team for a second season and his third in the sport
*The other seat looks likely to be between current driver Giedo van der Garde, former driver Heikki Kovalainen and reserve driver Alexander Rossi.
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Ferrari: Alonso, Hulkenberg
Red Bull: Vettel, Raikkonen
Mercedes: Hamilton, Rosberg
McLaren: Button, Perez
Lotus: Grosjean, Algersuari
Sauber: Gutierrez, Bottas
Force India: Di Resta, Sutil
STR: Ricciardo, Felix da Costa
Red Bull: Vettel, Raikkonen
Mercedes: Hamilton, Rosberg
McLaren: Button, Perez
Lotus: Grosjean, Algersuari
Sauber: Gutierrez, Bottas
Force India: Di Resta, Sutil
STR: Ricciardo, Felix da Costa
My blog: http://f1andthat.wordpress.com/
Re: Silly season 2013-14
I've heard a lot of rumours in the last few days:
-Hulkenberg could come to Lotus if Kimi moves to Red Bull or Romain loses his seat.
-Hulkenberg could replace Massa at Ferrari.
-Petrov could return with Sauber, partnered with Massa or Bianchi.
-Hulkenberg could come to Lotus if Kimi moves to Red Bull or Romain loses his seat.
-Hulkenberg could replace Massa at Ferrari.
-Petrov could return with Sauber, partnered with Massa or Bianchi.
Re: Silly season 2013-14
This would be pretty much perfect.tderias wrote:Ferrari: Alonso, Hulkenberg
Red Bull: Vettel, Raikkonen
Mercedes: Hamilton, Rosberg
McLaren: Button, Perez
Lotus: Grosjean, Alguersuari
Sauber: Gutierrez, Bottas
Force India: Di Resta, Sutil
STR: Ricciardo, Felix da Costa
Though I wouldn't mind Petrov at Sauber...
"Right now I'm having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I've forgotten this before."
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Lotus: Grosjean/Hulkenberg would be epic!!!
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Didn't Sky mention something about rumours linking Vergne with a Lotus seat?
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Yeah they did. Only reason I can see for Lotus taking Vergne over di Resta or Hulkenberg is because he's French. Surely they'd only hire him if they were replacing Grosjean.
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Hulkenberg halfway out the door:
http://www.f1times.co.uk/news/display/07813
http://www.f1times.co.uk/news/display/07813
My blog: http://f1andthat.wordpress.com/
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Boullier confirmed to L'Equipe that he had discussions with Nico Hulkenberg for 2014.
Lotus: Kimi and Hulkenberg. What a dream team
Lotus: Kimi and Hulkenberg. What a dream team
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Dream on. Kimi will go to RBR. They're waving the carrot at the Toro Rosso pair to see how they cope with the extra pressure and motivation, but I don't believe for a second it's going to happen.
Hülkenberg/Grosjean looks like a more likely pairing, although they could also decide to promote Valsecchi. That guy will be desperate for prospects since he isn't doing anything noteworthy this season.
Hülkenberg/Grosjean looks like a more likely pairing, although they could also decide to promote Valsecchi. That guy will be desperate for prospects since he isn't doing anything noteworthy this season.
Re: Silly season 2013-14
And Grosjean?iceman1 wrote:
Lotus: Kimi and Hulkenberg. What a dream team
Re: Silly season 2013-14
Kimi is not going anywhereFrançois wrote:Dream on. Kimi will go to RBR.
He can go to Saubernaiego wrote:And Grosjean?iceman1 wrote:
Lotus: Kimi and Hulkenberg. What a dream team
Re: Silly season 2013-14
iceman1 wrote:Kimi is not going anywhereFrançois wrote:Dream on. Kimi will go to RBR.
He can go to Saubernaiego wrote:And Grosjean?iceman1 wrote:
Lotus: Kimi and Hulkenberg. What a dream team
Re: Silly season 2013-14
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/23238016
Interesting bit at the end which says Sauber have not been positive about Hulkenberg to Ferrari. I can't imagine this is because they've been unimpressed with him as a driver, it must be to do with their off track relationship and the financial situation. Given he's not been paid and has apparently terminated his contract it's no surprise if it's poor, but to slag him off to Ferrari just sounds petty and vindictive from Sauber when really they are in the wrong.
Interesting bit at the end which says Sauber have not been positive about Hulkenberg to Ferrari. I can't imagine this is because they've been unimpressed with him as a driver, it must be to do with their off track relationship and the financial situation. Given he's not been paid and has apparently terminated his contract it's no surprise if it's poor, but to slag him off to Ferrari just sounds petty and vindictive from Sauber when really they are in the wrong.
Re: Silly season 2013-14
I think Mclaren should have gotten DiResta not Perez. Hulkenberg to Ferrari... that's something to think about... he would deserve it, no doubt. I don't think RedBull will take Ricciardo, personally i think he needs to be a bit more serios.