2013 Silly Season Thread

andrew2209 · Post by **andrew2209** » 17 Jan 2013, 20:44

I seem to find Vettel is likeable off the track, but rather self-centered on the track.

LellaLombardi · Post by **LellaLombardi** » 17 Jan 2013, 21:24

You have to remember that Vettel was 19 when he entered F1 and has had to do a lot of growing up in the public eye. Those of you who are aged around 30 onwards, try and imagine yourself doing that and how embarrassing you'd be at times! All things considered he's done OK and kept his feet on the ground unlike some (cough<Hamilton>cough), yes he's made mistakes but I would expect him to. Red Bull did a good job of looking after him at an age where he needed them to, but he should think about moving on now.

Svenko Wankerov · Post by **Svenko Wankerov** » 18 Jan 2013, 09:59

The FI collapse talk is heating up again. Lot of chatter about VJM out with either Kolles or even the Flav to the rescue.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 18 Jan 2013, 10:12

Svenko Wankerov wrote:The FI collapse talk is heating up again. Lot of chatter about VJM out with either Kolles or even the Flav to the rescue.

He'll be good at timing those pitstops.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 18 Jan 2013, 10:19

Svenko Wankerov wrote:The FI collapse talk is heating up again. Lot of chatter about VJM out with either Kolles or even the Flav to the rescue.

Well considering Vijay owes, from memory, something to the tune of 2 billion to banks right across the subcontinent and aircraft leasers around the world with Kingfisher officially going belly-up, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 18 Jan 2013, 10:47

LellaLombardi wrote:You have to remember that Vettel was 19 when he entered F1 and has had to do a lot of growing up in the public eye. Those of you who are aged around 30 onwards, try and imagine yourself doing that and how embarrassing you'd be at times!

True. When you're around 19 you do some silly things. Like these two guys called Jamie and Enoch who were almost 19 when they did something stupid. They started some website called F1 Rejects.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 18 Jan 2013, 10:53

eytl wrote:True. When you're around 19 you do some silly things. Like these two guys called Jamie and Enoch who were almost 19 when they did something stupid. They started some website called F1 Rejects.

And you've been paying for that mistake ever since...

Post by **mario** » 19 Jan 2013, 09:24

Wizzie wrote:
Svenko Wankerov wrote:The FI collapse talk is heating up again. Lot of chatter about VJM out with either Kolles or even the Flav to the rescue.

Well considering Vijay owes, from memory, something to the tune of 2 billion to banks right across the subcontinent and aircraft leasers around the world with Kingfisher officially going belly-up, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.

For now, at least, the team are denying that there are problems, but with Mallya's financial position looking shaky (United Breweries is just about doing well enough to keep things afloat for now, it seems, but Mallya is slowly losing control of that company too), I think that things will be coming to a head sooner or later. Their new partners, Sahara, aren't in a great position either - the Indian courts has levied a hefty fine and a large compensation bill on them over charges of malpractice (which is of comparable size to Mallya's bill), so the pressure on the team is coming from more than one direction.

Perhaps that would explain why the team are still yet to confirm who will be given the second seat in 2013. It turns out that they are not planning to announce their line up before they launch their new car, although they have said that they are hoping to confirm their second driver "probably before the first test." http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105187

Speaking of leaving it late, I wonder why Caterham hasn't decided on its drivers yet either?

andrew2209 · Post by **andrew2209** » 19 Jan 2013, 10:07

mario wrote:Speaking of leaving it late, I wonder why Caterham hasn't decided on its drivers yet either?

Maybe they're trying to negotiate with a non-paying driver (Kovalainen?), and a deals dragging on?

Post by **mario** » 19 Jan 2013, 10:31

andrew2209 wrote:
mario wrote:Speaking of leaving it late, I wonder why Caterham hasn't decided on its drivers yet either?

Maybe they're trying to negotiate with a non-paying driver (Kovalainen?), and a deals dragging on?

Perhaps, although Kovalainen's comments in recent weeks have suggested that he expects that he'll be pushed out in favour of a pay driver. That said, there are rumours that Petrov's management team have had their negotiations put on hold too because of a management reshuffle at Caterham - their Sporting Director, Steve Nielsen, left the team in late December, so perhaps they are still sorting things out after his departure.

IdeFan · Post by **IdeFan** » 20 Jan 2013, 19:43

Svenko Wankerov wrote:The FI collapse talk is heating up again. Lot of chatter about VJM out with either Kolles or even the Flav to the rescue.

Stay at home Colin Kolles!

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 20 Jan 2013, 19:58

BREAKING RUMOUR: SportBild is reporting that Timo Glock has left Marussia.

SportBild, via GoogleTranslate wrote:Timo Glock and Marussia team split up

Timo Glock (31) and the Marussia- Formula 1 team will be split up by mutual consent on Monday. The reported SPORT BILD PLUS on Sunday evening in the current app-exclusive edition (available from 21 clock to download ready).

TG: "I have the Marussia F1 Team to experience three great years. . We part in friendship "About his future may not manifest itself Glock:" I want to make myself new challenges and continue my journey in motorsports. "

It is possible that Glock completely out of Formula 1 gets out and a cockpit in the DTM has in mind. As a former BMW Sauber test driver in Formula 1, he still has good contacts in Munich.

A first option for Wersauer to start a new career in touring car would be on Tuesday a three-day test in Valencia. It participates including BMW. For Mercedes in Spain with Robert Kubica (Poland) is another ex-Formula 1 driver his Test debut in a DTM car."

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:01

IdeFan wrote:
Svenko Wankerov wrote:The FI collapse talk is heating up again. Lot of chatter about VJM out with either Kolles or even the Flav to the rescue.

Stay at home Colin Kolles!

Most relevant thing anyone has said on thus matter so far.

Post by **Ataxia** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:04

GwilymJJames wrote:BREAKING RUMOUR: SportBild is reporting that Timo Glock has left Marussia.

Shitballs! If this is true, I reckon Petrov might be in there then, leaving vdG at Caterham. If.

pi314159 · Post by **pi314159** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:07

Ataxia [BacLettNinj] wrote:
GwilymJJames wrote:BREAKING RUMOUR: SportBild is reporting that Timo Glock has left Marussia.

Shitballs! If this is true, I reckon Petrov might be in there then, leaving vdG at Caterham. If.

If this is true, Marussia are in need for a pay driver, I think. For I don't think Glock would leave now as the team has started to improve, after having helped to build it up for the last three years.

girry · Post by **girry** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:12

Farewell, Timo....i liked you in F1.

Welcome, Rio.

Post by **Londoner** » 20 Jan 2013, 20:20

I'm personally quite glad to see Timo gone, if this is the case, as he's given the impression that he just doesn't care anymore. One fantastic performance in THREE years is a dreadful return, in contrast with Heikki at Caterham, who gave it his all in 2010 and 2011.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 20 Jan 2013, 21:33

East Londoner wrote:I'm personally quite glad to see Timo gone, if this is the case, as he's given the impression that he just doesn't care anymore. One fantastic performance in THREE years is a dreadful return, in contrast with Heikki at Caterham, who gave it his all in 2010 and 2011.

I agree. Presumably this opens the door for Petrov at Marussia, who doesn't deserve to lose his chance in F1.

James1978 · Post by **James1978** » 20 Jan 2013, 21:44

Would Kobayashi be interested in the Marussia seat at all? They need someone experienced with Chilton in the other car after all.

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 20 Jan 2013, 21:46

If, as has been rumoured, it's about money, I wouldn't be surprised to see Narain or Bruno [or even someone like Ma Qinghua] in the second car.

S951 · Post by **S951** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:04

just trying to think of the pay drivers now? petrov, senna, razia, with the biggest money.

So in your opinions who will get the following seats

Caterham 2#
Marussia 2#
FI 1# & 2#

I say both FI seats although likely hood mr interesting is in the 1# seat but not been confirmed yet

pi314159 · Post by **pi314159** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:12

Caterham: Bruno Senna
Marussia: Rio Haryanto
Force India: Paul di Resta and Jules Bianchi

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:12

You're forgetting the main candidate for the Marussia drive guys

Admiral Sargent General Aladeen :lol:

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:34

S951 wrote:I say both FI seats although likely hood mr interesting is in the 1# seat but not been confirmed yet

Nick Heidfeld's coming back?

Meatwad · Post by **Meatwad** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:36

With all the rumored interest in Force India, I can only ask one thing: why was no one interested in saving HRT?

If Kolles takes over Force India, I can imagine Yamamoto and Karthikeyan as the drivers. :lol:

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:37

Meatwad wrote:With all the rumored interest in Force India, I can only ask one thing: why was no one interested in saving HRT?

If Kolles takes over Force India, I can imagine Yamamoto and Karthikeyan as the drivers.

At least that means Williams would beat them.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:48

Backmarker wrote:
East Londoner wrote:I'm personally quite glad to see Timo gone, if this is the case, as he's given the impression that he just doesn't care anymore. One fantastic performance in THREE years is a dreadful return, in contrast with Heikki at Caterham, who gave it his all in 2010 and 2011.

I agree. Presumably this opens the door for Petrov at Marussia, who doesn't deserve to lose his chance in F1.

Same, a Russian driver in a Russian team makes me want them to be Russian to the front!

Post by **Ataxia** » 20 Jan 2013, 22:51

pi314159 wrote:Caterham: Bruno Senna
Marussia: Rio Haryanto
Force India: Paul di Resta and Jules Bianchi

Haryanto's not really part of the Marussia fold anymore; he's got the Addax drive in GP2.

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 20 Jan 2013, 23:08

Haryanto is too inexperienced for a full time F1 drive now. Can't see it happening

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 20 Jan 2013, 23:10

Marussia with two rookie drivers? The last team that did it was Hispania in 2010. Also, Rio leaves Carlin/Marussia in GP2.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 20 Jan 2013, 23:12

Autosport have the story running as a Grapevine article, nothing on the offical Marussia site either. It would be sad to see him go, so I hope it doesn't happen. I'm waiting for proper confirmation though for the time being.

Post by **mario** » 21 Jan 2013, 08:40

AndreaModa wrote:Autosport have the story running as a Grapevine article, nothing on the offical Marussia site either. It would be sad to see him go, so I hope it doesn't happen. I'm waiting for proper confirmation though for the time being.

Likewise, although given that the team is known to be in a somewhat weak financial position, it is not implausible that Glock will be moved aside in favour of a paying driver (depending on whether the new driver could bring enough cash in to offset the cost of buying Glock out of his contract), particularly given that FOM seem to be planning on just paying the top 10 teams under the new Concorde agreement. We'll see how things go, however.

Meatwad wrote:With all the rumored interest in Force India, I can only ask one thing: why was no one interested in saving HRT?

If Kolles takes over Force India, I can imagine Yamamoto and Karthikeyan as the drivers.

Force India has substantially more assets - unlike HRT, who had to sub contract everything out, Force India do have some in house manufacturing capabilities, simulation equipment and, I believe, also have planning permission for a new wind tunnel (which would be part of the upgrade plans that Mallya has been talking about recently). Add to that their design team, which is fairly capable, and there are a number of factors that would make FI a more attractive proposition than the sadly defunct HRT team (bear in mind that HRT owned next to nothing - their headquarters were being rented, a large chunk of the equipment was reportedly hired and they were heavily dependent on external contractors).

andrew2209 · Post by **andrew2209** » 21 Jan 2013, 09:13

For the vacant Marussia seat, if they need money, then Petrov would be an obvious choice, being Russian, but that depends on him having money. If not, then the noly other "pay driver" with experience could be Karthikeyan (or Chandhok).
If they want experience, they could end up surprising a lot of people, and trying to sign Liuzzi, Trulli or even Heidfeld. Unlikely, but possible.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 21 Jan 2013, 09:18

Chandhok for Marussia!

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 21 Jan 2013, 09:35

andrew2209 wrote:For the vacant Marussia seat, if they need money, then Petrov would be an obvious choice, being Russian, but that depends on him having money. If not, then the noly other "pay driver" with experience could be Karthikeyan (or Chandhok).
If they want experience, they could end up surprising a lot of people, and trying to sign Liuzzi, Trulli or even Heidfeld. Unlikely, but possible.

If experience is what they're looking for, then there's one H. Kovalainen who'll probably be looking for a new job at the rate he's going. Although whether he'll tolerate another year slaving away at the back of the field is entirely up for debate.

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 21 Jan 2013, 09:39

Officially official

The Marussia F1 Team and its race driver Timo Glock have, by mutual consent, agreed to part company with immediate effect.

The 30 year old German has been with the Team since its inception in 2009, completing three full seasons of competition and playing a significant role in its development.

John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 Team, commented: “Timo has made a very significant contribution to our Team over the past three seasons, helping us to develop our package to the point where, for a large proportion of the 2012 season, we were holding 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship. Timo is a fantastic driver and he has been a very popular member of the Team.

“Our Team was founded on the principle of benefiting from proven experience whilst also providing opportunities for young emerging talent to progress to the pinnacle of motorsport. Thus far, this philosophy has also been reflected in our commercial model. The ongoing challenges facing the industry mean that we have had to take steps to secure our long-term future. Tough economic conditions prevail and the commercial landscape is difficult for everyone, Formula 1 teams included. We would like to thank Timo for working with us to reach this decision, especially as he had a valid contract, and also for the contribution he has made to our Team. We wish him all the best for his future and I would like to congratulate the next team acquiring the services of such a competitive, professional and experienced racer.

“We will provide an update regarding the completion of our driver line-up in due course.”

Timo Glock added: “I have had three excellent years with the Marussia F1 Team, during which I had the chance to actively participate in building and developing the Team in its endeavours to succeed within the Formula 1 World Championship. I would like to wish the Team good luck in navigating this next period and thank everyone for the great times we shared and the support I have received. Although it is not the path I expected to be taking, I am in fact very excited about what the future holds in terms of my own career and I hope to comment on that very soon."

Looks like an economic decision.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 21 Jan 2013, 10:21

Wizzie wrote:If experience is what they're looking for, then there's one H. Kovalainen who'll probably be looking for a new job at the rate he's going.

He'd expect to be paid for doing it though, which probably rules him out.

QuickYoda41 · Post by **QuickYoda41** » 21 Jan 2013, 10:32

I don't know what one needs for a Force India-drive but I'm waiting for the next rumour about them hiring Glock. :lol:

I'd be really surprised now if the Marussia-seat didn't go for Petrov.

madmark1974 · Post by **madmark1974** » 21 Jan 2013, 10:47

QuickYoda41 wrote:I don't know what one needs for a Force India-drive but I'm waiting for the next rumour about them hiring Glock.

I'd be really surprised now if the Marussia-seat didn't go for Petrov.

I agree about Petrov - seems inevitable.

A shame for Timo though, he's a likeable guy and has done well in the past when opportunities allowed. If he's out in the driver market he has a lot more credentials than many of the candidates floating around,
only Heiiki can boast better past results, with Petrov and Kobysashi having also claimed a podium - something that Sutil, Alguersuari and Senna do not have. But I don't think these guys are being hired (or otherwise)
on the basis of results any longer, sadly ...

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 21 Jan 2013, 11:01

madmark1974 wrote:A shame for Timo though, he's a likeable guy and has done well in the past when opportunities allowed. If he's out in the driver market he has a lot more credentials than many of the candidates floating around,
only Heiiki can boast better past results, with Petrov and Kobysashi having also claimed a podium - something that Sutil, Alguersuari and Senna do not have. But I don't think these guys are being hired (or otherwise)
on the basis of results any longer, sadly ...

The sad thing is once you think about it, every single one of those drivers you listed would have gotten a drive one way or another in a heartbeat if it was back about 10 or 15 years ago. Shows just how much the driver requirements have changed over the years.