2013 Silly Season Thread

Post by **Londoner** » 29 Dec 2012, 12:13

Svenko Wankerov wrote:F1's top comedian is back with fresh material:

"I certainly want a podium and then I want to be on it again - that's the target," di Resta explained to The Scotsman newspaper. "But I don't want to luck-in to a podium. For me, it has to be a well-earned top three finish, one which we can build on.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2889 ... s-in-2013/

What will he say if he does luck into a podium next season? :roll:

Post by **tommykl** » 29 Dec 2012, 13:18

East Londoner wrote:
Svenko Wankerov wrote:F1's top comedian is back with fresh material:

"I certainly want a podium and then I want to be on it again - that's the target," di Resta explained to The Scotsman newspaper. "But I don't want to luck-in to a podium. For me, it has to be a well-earned top three finish, one which we can build on.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2889 ... s-in-2013/

What will he say if he does luck into a podium next season?

Paul di Resta wrote:I'm very pleased with this podium, we worked really hard for this solid podium finish and we're hoping that I can take the team to new heights. Now where's my McLaren drive?

Sunshine_Baby_[IT] · Post by **Sunshine_Baby_[IT]** » 29 Dec 2012, 14:09

Paul di Resta wrote:I'm very pleased with this podium, we worked really hard for this solid podium finish and we're hoping that I can take the team to new heights. Now where's my McLaren drive?

[/quote]
Probably he would really say these words.

razta · Post by **razta** » 29 Dec 2012, 14:11

hahahaha

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 29 Dec 2012, 14:44

Sunshine_Baby_[IT] wrote:
Paul di Resta wrote:I'm very pleased with this podium, we worked really hard for this solid podium finish and we're hoping that I can take the team to new heights. Now where's my McLaren drive?

Probably he would really say these words.

Brilliant!! :lol:

pasta_maldonado · Post by **pasta_maldonado** » 29 Dec 2012, 15:28

Paul di Resta wrote:I'm very pleased with this podium, we worked really hard for this solid podium finish and we're hoping that I can take the team to new heights. Now where's my McLaren drive?

David Coulthard wrote:What a drive from the young Scot there. He's been on the pace all weekend, as he has been for most weekends, and I can really see him going places in this sport with his talent

Next race, di Resta finishes 12th.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 29 Dec 2012, 20:04

pasta_maldonado wrote:
Paul di Resta wrote:I'm very pleased with this podium, we worked really hard for this solid podium finish and we're hoping that I can take the team to new heights. Now where's my McLaren drive?

David Coulthard wrote:What a drive from the young Scot there. He's been on the pace all weekend, as he has been for most weekends, and I can really see him going places in this sport with his talent

Next race, di Resta finishes 12th.

David Coulthard wrote:And of course Paul struggled with unhelpful backmarkers, poor pit-strategy and a general lack of pace from his car today, but he drove an excellent race nevertheless and his undeniable talent will see him back in the points next race

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 30 Dec 2012, 21:38

Nigel Mansell wrote:Mumble mumble mumble mumble drone drone drone on and on and on and on and on...

Paul di Resta wrote:Aye, I couldnae agree more.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 30 Dec 2012, 21:50

East Londoner wrote:
Svenko Wankerov wrote:F1's top comedian is back with fresh material:

"I certainly want a podium and then I want to be on it again - that's the target," di Resta explained to The Scotsman newspaper. "But I don't want to luck-in to a podium. For me, it has to be a well-earned top three finish, one which we can build on.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/2889 ... s-in-2013/

What will he say if he does luck into a podium next season?

Paul di Resta wrote:Historians will remember this day as the first time that I stood on the Formula 1 podium, and the day that my inevitable rise to the record books truly began, despite my substandard machinery. However, this day gives me mixed emotions as *insert test driver here* put my car in the wall during FP1, surely costing me the win.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 31 Dec 2012, 06:49

redbulljack14 wrote:
Paul di Resta wrote:Historians will remember this day as the first time that I stood on the Formula 1 podium, and the day that my inevitable rise to the record books truly began, despite my substandard machinery. However, this day gives me mixed emotions as *insert test driver here* put my car in the wall during FP1 in the *name of previous GP*, surely costing me the win.

Fixed.

Yannick · Post by **Yannick** » 14 Jan 2013, 17:23

This offseason is boring. So much quality driving talent on the way out to make way for inexperienced youngsters who bring loads of dosh. I never thought Petrov and Sutil could make F1 a better series, but prospects are high that they could - if they actually get signed.

By 2014, the first of those inexperienced guys will have a good chance of reaching the top teams, the 2nd RBR and the 2nd Ferrari in particular. Who of the Toro Rosso guys will make it to the #1 team by default? Anybody?

Post by **mario** » 14 Jan 2013, 18:06

Yannick wrote:This offseason is boring. So much quality driving talent on the way out to make way for inexperienced youngsters who bring loads of dosh. I never thought Petrov and Sutil could make F1 a better series, but prospects are high that they could - if they actually get signed.

By 2014, the first of those inexperienced guys will have a good chance of reaching the top teams, the 2nd RBR and the 2nd Ferrari in particular. Who of the Toro Rosso guys will make it to the #1 team by default? Anybody?

Petrov still stands a reasonable chance at Caterham if he can raise more money than van der Garde can, it seems, although that almost certainly means that Kovalainen is on his way out of the team.

As for 2014 and the questions about the 2nd seats at Ferrari and Red Bull, that is an interesting question. There have been a few suggestions that neither Toro Rosso driver may be hired by Red Bull in 2014 - asides from the fact that Webber has hinted that he may stay on another year, there are a few suggestions that they may be looking outside of their own stable at potential alternatives who might also be on the market in 2014.
As for Ferrari, Felipe's prospects for 2014 will surely depend on his 2013 campaign - if he carries over the pretty decent form that he showed in the latter half of 2012, he may well yet earn himself another season at Ferrari in 2014. He isn't the youngest driver on the grid at the age of 31, but that should mean that he still has a few years left in the sport if he can maintain his current performance (he is essentially the same age as Alonso is, and he is signed up with Ferrari until 2016).

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 14 Jan 2013, 21:21

Even if Massa has a half-decent showing in 2013, Ferrari should still hire some new talent. Massa is past his prime, and if Ferrari wants to win the WCC anytime soon then they had better look elsewhere. And if Alonso starts whinging about having to compete with his teammate for once and threatens to walk, then let him walk. There aren't very many good openings out there anyways.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 14 Jan 2013, 22:29

JeremyMcClean wrote:Even if Massa has a half-decent showing in 2013, Ferrari should still hire some new talent. Massa is past his prime, and if Ferrari wants to win the WCC anytime soon then they had better look elsewhere. And if Alonso starts whinging about having to compete with his teammate for once and threatens to walk, then let him walk. There aren't very many good openings out there anyways.

Hulkenberg is the solution in my opinion, Ferrari should snap him up for 2014.

Benetton · Post by **Benetton** » 14 Jan 2013, 22:40

I wouldn't rule out Kimi for the 2014 Red Bull seat.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 14 Jan 2013, 22:48

Benetton wrote:I wouldn't rule out Kimi for the 2014 Red Bull seat.

For the sake of F1, let's hope so.

Post by **mario** » 15 Jan 2013, 07:41

redbulljack14 wrote:
JeremyMcClean wrote:Even if Massa has a half-decent showing in 2013, Ferrari should still hire some new talent. Massa is past his prime, and if Ferrari wants to win the WCC anytime soon then they had better look elsewhere. And if Alonso starts whinging about having to compete with his teammate for once and threatens to walk, then let him walk. There aren't very many good openings out there anyways.

Hulkenberg is the solution in my opinion, Ferrari should snap him up for 2014.

Massa might be past his prime, but, with a moderately strong showing, he could still help back Ferrari up in the WCC - if Alonso is sent out to counter Vettel, Button and Kimi, then Massa's aim would be to cover off Webber, Grosjean and Perez.
Now, we saw that in the latter half of 2012 that Massa was more consistent in terms of performance than Grosjean, was more comfortable with his set up work than Webber and Perez tended to throw things away in the races all too easily. In similar circumstances, Massa could still do a strong enough job to beat the 2nd drivers in those teams, which should help back Ferrari up in the WCC (it was in part the fact that Massa outscored Button in the latter half of 2012 that helped Ferrari beat McLaren in the WCC).

As for Hulkenberg, whilst his performance at the end of the year was quite strong, he has to now demonstrate at Sauber that he is capable of maintaining that sort of performance across an entire season. If he can maintain that sort of consistency and high level of performance, then he might start making a few major teams take stock, but he needs to put his talents on display for an entire season if he is hoping to move further up the grid.
There also remains the question of his temperament - occasionally, we saw that he was prone to moments at Williams where he let his frustrations get the better of him, although his performance at Force India suggests that he may be managing to keep that side of him better in check more recently.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 15 Jan 2013, 08:09

Technically not what this thread is asking for but I think you'll agree it doesnt get much sillier than this...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sh ... tudio.html

What a fff........

You wouldnt catch Sir Stirling Moss posing like this (not just because he's a bit of a racist).

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 15 Jan 2013, 10:32

mario wrote:
redbulljack14 wrote:Hulkenberg is the solution in my opinion, Ferrari should snap him up for 2014.

Massa might be past his prime, but, with a moderately strong showing, he could still help back Ferrari up in the WCC - if Alonso is sent out to counter Vettel, Button and Kimi, then Massa's aim would be to cover off Webber, Grosjean and Perez.
Now, we saw that in the latter half of 2012 that Massa was more consistent in terms of performance than Grosjean, was more comfortable with his set up work than Webber and Perez tended to throw things away in the races all too easily. In similar circumstances, Massa could still do a strong enough job to beat the 2nd drivers in those teams, which should help back Ferrari up in the WCC (it was in part the fact that Massa outscored Button in the latter half of 2012 that helped Ferrari beat McLaren in the WCC).

As for Hulkenberg, whilst his performance at the end of the year was quite strong, he has to now demonstrate at Sauber that he is capable of maintaining that sort of performance across an entire season. If he can maintain that sort of consistency and high level of performance, then he might start making a few major teams take stock, but he needs to put his talents on display for an entire season if he is hoping to move further up the grid.
There also remains the question of his temperament - occasionally, we saw that he was prone to moments at Williams where he let his frustrations get the better of him, although his performance at Force India suggests that he may be managing to keep that side of him better in check more recently.

I think the Hulk has much potential. I would not want it to be wasted playing second fiddle to Alonso in what is effectively a one car team. To be honest thought, I very much doubt he has any chance of ending up at RBR if Vettel doesn't leave. This leaves the only real options of top teams (the jury is still out for Enstone) McLaren and Mercedes if they can up their game. If Perez ends up doing a Kovalainen, Hulk could then take the chance if he keeps impressing like this.

As for the status quo of the top teams, Mario, I won't expect any change in RBR and Ferrari, but I would consider it in the other two teams if their younger drivers can find consistency and stop being error prone. Grosjean has shown that, at least on one lap, he has the speed to beat Raikkonen although in the race it would be harder for him. As for Perez, I reckon we could be in for a surprise if the first two thirds of last season Perez turns up. Button has known issues in set-up and in qualifying sessions and Perez can pounce on that as I think he might have the speed to ruffle Button feathers. As for the race and the championship, Button experience and consistency will probably bring him better results overall in this learning year for Perez. What's more, I think Button is underestimating his new team-mate from what I could see him saying to the press and that usually backfires on first impact...

James1978 · Post by **James1978** » 15 Jan 2013, 12:25

Regarding Massa, I doubt you'll find anyone else so willing to play the team game and sacrifice their chances to help their teammate like Massa did in the last few races last year. Can you seriously see the likes of the Hulk being happy to take a grid penalty in Austin or blocking all rivals like Brazil? As long as he's in a position to back up Alonso and contribute well towards the constructors I can't see Ferrari ever wanting to change the status quo.

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 15 Jan 2013, 12:52

Joey Zyla wrote:Why is everyone mocking Paul?

because he is the best comedian in the bathpluging history of the sport :lol:

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 15 Jan 2013, 15:16

James1978 wrote:Regarding Massa, I doubt you'll find anyone else so willing to play the team game and sacrifice their chances to help their teammate like Massa did in the last few races last year. Can you seriously see the likes of the Hulk being happy to take a grid penalty in Austin or blocking all rivals like Brazil? As long as he's in a position to back up Alonso and contribute well towards the constructors I can't see Ferrari ever wanting to change the status quo.

And the same goes for drivers looking for a drive; only brain-dead morons think they can roll up into a Ferrari team that already has a de-facto first choice driver and suddenly expect equal treatment. The only time you'll see top line drivers swarming around a Ferrari drive again is when Alonso leaves/retires. Until then the only people who will go there are people happy to be slaves to team orders, or brainless idiots who think they can sway the team. And that leaves us with...Felipe Massa. And that's about it.

Post by **Londoner** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:00

Joey Zyla wrote:Why is everyone mocking Paul?

Because he's an absolute plonker, that's why.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:32

Joey Zyla wrote:Why is everyone mocking Paul?

Because he's a gigantic douchebag who thinks he's the biggest talent to hit F1 since Jim Clark.

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:35

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:Because he's a gigantic douchebag who thinks he's the biggest talent to hit F1 since Jim Clark.

Paul di Resta wrote:Dinnae talk pish. I am so much better than him.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:37

Joey Zyla wrote:Why is everyone mocking Paul?

Because he's way better, faster, richer and more talented than all of us put together, and yet he is slightly boring. A bit like Nick Heidfeld, without the mop of Miley Cirrus hair.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:40

I really don't understand the hate either. Sure, he sounds a little bit boring but that deserves a vitriolic response why? It's not like he goes around cheating all the time (Schumacher), shouting his mouth off like an internet troll every five minutes (Villeneuve), or deliberately rides along on a family name to get him a place in F1 (Senna).

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 15 Jan 2013, 17:46

Stramala [kostas22] wrote:I really don't understand the hate either. Sure, he sounds a little bit boring but that deserves a vitriolic response why? It's not like he goes around cheating all the time (Schumacher), shouting his mouth off like an internet troll every five minutes (Villeneuve), or deliberately rides along on a family name to get him a place in F1 (Senna).

It's just the fact that he's an arrogant as when he's done precisely jack shite other than beat Vettel in a junior formula and win the DTM crown. Neither of which guarantee that he's the next big thing in F1. He's like a less rubbish version of Nelson Piquet Jr.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 15 Jan 2013, 18:44

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Stramala [kostas22] wrote:I really don't understand the hate either. Sure, he sounds a little bit boring but that deserves a vitriolic response why? It's not like he goes around cheating all the time (Schumacher), shouting his mouth off like an internet troll every five minutes (Villeneuve), or deliberately rides along on a family name to get him a place in F1 (Senna).

It's just the fact that he's an arrogant as when he's done precisely jack shite other than beat Vettel in a junior formula and win the DTM crown. Neither of which guarantee that he's the next big thing in F1. He's like a less rubbish version of Nelson Piquet Jr.

Not really sure where you're getting the arrogant part from either...

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 15 Jan 2013, 18:47

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:Some stuff.

Mate, have I told you I love your avatar?

I love your avatar!

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 15 Jan 2013, 19:05

CarlosFerreira wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:Some stuff.

Mate, have I told you I love your avatar?

I love your avatar!

There's back story to this avatar actually. Which presumably you're not aware of as you were away for so long.

It began at the end of last season, when I made an avatar bet with young eurobrun. It was a shootout between which Williams driver would unrejectify themselves first; Maldonado or Senna. I picked Maldonado and he picked Senna. Barcelona happened. I drew up that avatar myself, as for months he'd been banging on about how much he hated Grosjean. He wore it for more than 1 month, becuase, luckily, the avatar uploader system broke just before the month was up.

Later on, BCS made the bold claim that he'd take up the avatar if Grosjean won the Race of Champions. A fairly safe bet surely. Erm...apparently not. And now here we are!

Post by **Nuppiz** » 15 Jan 2013, 19:08

I just wish the three remaining seats would be filled quickly, so I could know if I won or lost my bet with roblomas.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 15 Jan 2013, 19:09

Stramala [kostas22] wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Stramala [kostas22] wrote:I really don't understand the hate either. Sure, he sounds a little bit boring but that deserves a vitriolic response why? It's not like he goes around cheating all the time (Schumacher), shouting his mouth off like an internet troll every five minutes (Villeneuve), or deliberately rides along on a family name to get him a place in F1 (Senna).

It's just the fact that he's an arrogant as when he's done precisely jack shite other than beat Vettel in a junior formula and win the DTM crown. Neither of which guarantee that he's the next big thing in F1. He's like a less rubbish version of Nelson Piquet Jr.

Not really sure where you're getting the arrogant part from either...

He claims that he will be driving for the big teams pretty soon without a doubt. That is a bit arrogant in my opinion... You can only be arrogant to a certain point until you become a laughing stock without delivering the goods (see Lewis Hamilton). Di Resta does the talk but so far he doesn't seem capable of walking the walk. That is why people mock him.

Svenko Wankerov · Post by **Svenko Wankerov** » 15 Jan 2013, 21:33

BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Stramala [kostas22] wrote:I really don't understand the hate either. Sure, he sounds a little bit boring but that deserves a vitriolic response why? It's not like he goes around cheating all the time (Schumacher), shouting his mouth off like an internet troll every five minutes (Villeneuve), or deliberately rides along on a family name to get him a place in F1 (Senna).

It's just the fact that he's an arrogant as when he's done precisely jack shite other than beat Vettel in a junior formula and win the DTM crown. Neither of which guarantee that he's the next big thing in F1. He's like a less rubbish version of Nelson Piquet Jr.

Even Piquet Jr. has a podium in F1.

Much like Nelsinho and Bruno Senna, diResta also isn't even the best driver in his own family.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 16 Jan 2013, 07:10

Joey Zyla wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Joey Zyla wrote:Why is everyone mocking Paul?

Because he's a gigantic douchebag who thinks he's the biggest talent to hit F1 since Jim Clark.

Your name is Paul? Oh, okay.

Well, anyway, I mean the other guy, Paul di Resta.

Was that really called for?

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 16 Jan 2013, 08:47

Joey Zyla wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Was that really called for?

Yes.

Far be it for you to actually give some semblance of worth behind your cheap pointless jabs...

the Masked Lapwing · Post by **the Masked Lapwing** » 16 Jan 2013, 08:57

Joey Zyla wrote:
BlindCaveSalamander wrote:
Joey Zyla wrote:Yes.

Far be it for you to actually give some semblance of worth behind your cheap pointless jabs...

The irony content of that statement is extremely high, considering you were the first one to use the term 'douchebag'.

Mate, it's all well and good to get defensive when someone knocks your favourite driver, but stuff like that is really unnecessary and not doing you any favours.

Svenko Wankerov · Post by **Svenko Wankerov** » 16 Jan 2013, 09:15

To call Paul diResta a douchebag is an insult to douchebags.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 16 Jan 2013, 09:44

Svenko Wankerov wrote:To call Paul diResta a douchebag is an insult to douchebags.

He may be pretty arrogant but now that's being too harsh.

And a thought's just occurred to me. What if Paul's F1 Slate personality is really him posting on that site in disguise?

Svenko Wankerov · Post by **Svenko Wankerov** » 16 Jan 2013, 10:05

Wizzie wrote:And a thought's just occurred to me. What if Paul's F1 Slate personality is really him posting on that site in disguise?

Nah, there is a definite difference. The F1 Slate version is aggressive arrogant. Sadly the real life version reeks of passive-aggressive arrogance and entitlement.