2014 Silly Season Thread

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 17 Oct 2013, 17:37

Ataxia wrote:
watka wrote:Rob, you are in so many avatar challenges I'm not sure how you'll manage when you lose them all

Well, he can have this multi-purpose avatar:

we so need a thread so we can keep track of how many avatar challenges we are in because I don't have a bathplugging clue

Nice design for me BTW 8-)

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 17 Oct 2013, 18:09

I'm going to use that, as I lost a bet in the PMMF.

roblo97 · Post by **roblo97** » 18 Oct 2013, 12:12

http://m.auto123.com/racing.html#news-detail-page
Interesting news on Maldonado

Post by **mario** » 18 Oct 2013, 20:07

An interesting piece of news has recently come through about the efforts to find a replacement for Ricciardo, because it suggests that Red Bull are not quite as confident in da Costa as perhaps we first thought.
In an interview with a Belgian publication (Le Soir), Stoffel Vandoorne has revealed that Red Bull formally offered him a seat at Toro Rosso to partner Vergne. However, the contract would have only been for one year and, with Red Bull not committing to long term support for him, Vandoorne rejected his offer in favour of retaining McLaren's support for the long term, with McLaren likely to support him for another season in FR3.5 to build up his experience and possibly promote him to the role of reserve driver. http://www.f1technical.net/news/18861

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 18 Oct 2013, 21:48

Well, if that's true then it's not great news for AFDC. Even if he gets the seat there's a great danger that Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz, Jr will be breathing down his neck, so Helmut 'Patience' Marko can get shot of both him and JEV in one go.

In slight relation to that, I don't expect many of the other Red Bull Juniors to make it to F1 (at least not with Red Bull). Beitske Visser will probably be kept on for 2014, as she is at least more marketable than any other junior driver of her level. Callan O'Keefe hasn't really delivered on his karting promise, Blomqvist may get another year but has not improved on his 2012 performance at all. So there'll probably be a new raft of Red Bull juniors signed up for 2014 (probably three).

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 18 Oct 2013, 22:18

One name seems to always go missing in the Red Bull junior team - Mitch Evans.

In his first GP2 season he's beating Cecotto soundly in the points and has picked up a few podiums. I know he's not a contender for the next couple of years but I think he could make the step up shortly after.

Visconti · Post by **Visconti** » 19 Oct 2013, 02:11

AustralianStig wrote:One name seems to always go missing in the Red Bull junior team - Mitch Evans.

In his first GP2 season he's beating Cecotto soundly in the points and has picked up a few podiums. I know he's not a contender for the next couple of years but I think he could make the step up shortly after.

His results haven't been consistent this year, so maybe he would be suited to completing another year in GP2. He did the same with GP3, where he had an inconsistent debut season then he won it the following year of course.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 19 Oct 2013, 08:57

AustralianStig wrote:One name seems to always go missing in the Red Bull junior team - Mitch Evans.

There's a good reason for that - he's sponsored by Red Bull New Zealand, but he's not a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. Maybe Red Bull would be encourage to make him a member though.

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 19 Oct 2013, 09:37

Mystic Meg thinks Paul di Resta's future is safe

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 19 Oct 2013, 11:03

Backmarker wrote:
AustralianStig wrote:One name seems to always go missing in the Red Bull junior team - Mitch Evans.

There's a good reason for that - he's sponsored by Red Bull New Zealand, but he's not a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. Maybe Red Bull would be encourage to make him a member though.

Really? I just assumed he was part of the Junior Team as he drives for Arden...

wsrgo · Post by **wsrgo** » 19 Oct 2013, 12:21

Backmarker wrote:Well, if that's true then it's not great news for AFDC. Even if he gets the seat there's a great danger that Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz, Jr will be breathing down his neck, so Helmut 'Patience' Marko can get shot of both him and JEV in one go.

In slight relation to that, I don't expect many of the other Red Bull Juniors to make it to F1 (at least not with Red Bull). Beitske Visser will probably be kept on for 2014, as she is at least more marketable than any other junior driver of her level. Callan O'Keefe hasn't really delivered on his karting promise, Blomqvist may get another year but has not improved on his 2012 performance at all. So there'll probably be a new raft of Red Bull juniors signed up for 2014 (probably three).

So let me throw in three names...Pierre Gasly, Ralph Boschung and Dennis Olsen.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 19 Oct 2013, 21:09

AustralianStig wrote:
Backmarker wrote:
AustralianStig wrote:One name seems to always go missing in the Red Bull junior team - Mitch Evans.

There's a good reason for that - he's sponsored by Red Bull New Zealand, but he's not a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. Maybe Red Bull would be encourage to make him a member though.

Really? I just assumed he was part of the Junior Team as he drives for Arden...

No. Red Bull haven't had a Junior Team driver in GP2 since Sébastien Buemi. And Arden's a separate(ish) outfit to Red Bull - the Arden Caterham FR3.5 team actually has strong links to Red Bull Junior Team, but the GP2 and GP3 teams don't.

wrsgo, hello to a twitter friend - what makes you think Gasly, Boschung and Olsen will be signing up to Red Bull?

Visconti · Post by **Visconti** » 19 Oct 2013, 21:43

Backmarker wrote:wrsgo, hello to a twitter friend - what makes you think Gasly, Boschung and Olsen will be signing up to Red Bull?

Gasly turned down a Red Bull Junior Team position I believe at the start of 2013, although I am not 100%. He's definitely featured once on the Red Bull motorsport website.

Faustus · Post by **Faustus** » 20 Oct 2013, 09:54

mario wrote:An interesting piece of news has recently come through about the efforts to find a replacement for Ricciardo, because it suggests that Red Bull are not quite as confident in da Costa as perhaps we first thought.
In an interview with a Belgian publication (Le Soir), Stoffel Vandoorne has revealed that Red Bull formally offered him a seat at Toro Rosso to partner Vergne. However, the contract would have only been for one year and, with Red Bull not committing to long term support for him, Vandoorne rejected his offer in favour of retaining McLaren's support for the long term, with McLaren likely to support him for another season in FR3.5 to build up his experience and possibly promote him to the role of reserve driver. http://www.f1technical.net/news/18861

Sounds like self-promotion, frankly, and I question the veracity of this statement.

wsrgo · Post by **wsrgo** » 20 Oct 2013, 10:18

Backmarker wrote:wrsgo, hello to a twitter friend - what makes you think Gasly, Boschung and Olsen will be signing up to Red Bull?

Hello backmarker. Gasly was under observation by Red Bull last year. Though he isn't wearing RB colours this year, he is leading a series which RB juniors have taken part in, in the past. Almost all RB juniors have participated in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. I'm not sure Red Bull will take him, but they might.
Olsen impressed with his karting record, he is currently under observation by Red Bull, and is backed by Red Bull Norway. He's had a strong debut season in cars, finishing third in Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. He has a good chance of moving up to the Eurocup competition next year as a Red Bull junior.
Boschung is a name I just threw out, the Formula BMW Talent Cup graduate has had a good season in the ultra-competitive ADAC Formel Masters, finishing 7th with KUG, which isn't a very good outfit. Apart from female driver Beitske Visser, who is Red Bull-backed, Boschung also beat fellow BMW Talent Cup graduate Callan O'Keeffe, who is a member of the Bed Bull Junior Team. Since O'Keeffe has had a poor season, Red Bull might well take Boschung. Also, Boschung said on Twitter last month about a big news coming up.

Also, are you on Twitter? I don't know your Twitter handle.... :oops:

Post by **kevinbotz** » 20 Oct 2013, 10:20

Faustus wrote:
mario wrote:An interesting piece of news has recently come through about the efforts to find a replacement for Ricciardo, because it suggests that Red Bull are not quite as confident in da Costa as perhaps we first thought.
In an interview with a Belgian publication (Le Soir), Stoffel Vandoorne has revealed that Red Bull formally offered him a seat at Toro Rosso to partner Vergne. However, the contract would have only been for one year and, with Red Bull not committing to long term support for him, Vandoorne rejected his offer in favour of retaining McLaren's support for the long term, with McLaren likely to support him for another season in FR3.5 to build up his experience and possibly promote him to the role of reserve driver. http://www.f1technical.net/news/18861

Sounds like self-promotion, frankly, and I question the veracity of this statement.

With Magnussen having sealed the FR 3.5 title, it's probably in Vandoorne's best interest to publicly reaffirm his association with McLaren, to ameliorate management concerns over his loyalty and to maintain McLaren's goodwill. Aside from that, though the aforementioned statements do emanate a self-promoting intent, Vandoorne's management probably believe such publicity to conducive to keeping their driver within the frame for future negotiations.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 20 Oct 2013, 10:29

wsrgo wrote:Also, are you on Twitter? I don't know your Twitter handle....

If I told you that you and I had interacted on this topic on twitter, you should be able to work out who I am.

With regards Stoffel Vandoorne, I think he has done very well in his first season in Formula Renault 3.5, as the only person who beat him was in his second season in the series. The second best rookie this season was William Buller, who was down in eleventh. It's a shame there won't be enough seats open in Formula One next season for him to get a drive.

wsrgo · Post by **wsrgo** » 20 Oct 2013, 10:36

Backmarker wrote:
wsrgo wrote:Also, are you on Twitter? I don't know your Twitter handle....

If I told you that you and I had interacted on this topic on twitter, you should be able to work out who I am.

With regards Stoffel Vandoorne, I think he has done very well in his first season in Formula Renault 3.5, as the only person who beat him was in his second season in the series. The second best rookie this season was William Buller, who was down in eleventh. It's a shame there won't be enough seats open in Formula One next season for him to get a drive.

Is your first name Peter, by any chance?

Also, I think Sirotkin should be counted as an effective rookie...

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 20 Oct 2013, 10:45

wsrgo wrote:
Backmarker wrote:
wsrgo wrote:Also, are you on Twitter? I don't know your Twitter handle....

If I told you that you and I had interacted on this topic on twitter, you should be able to work out who I am.

With regards Stoffel Vandoorne, I think he has done very well in his first season in Formula Renault 3.5, as the only person who beat him was in his second season in the series. The second best rookie this season was William Buller, who was down in eleventh. It's a shame there won't be enough seats open in Formula One next season for him to get a drive.

Is your first name Peter, by any chance?

Also, I think Sirotkin should be counted as an effective rookie...

Yeah, that's me.

Post by **kevinbotz** » 20 Oct 2013, 12:15

Allegedly, McLaren have managed to poach yet another Red Bull aerodynamicist, this time the deputy to Peter Prodromou. Reports appear to be limited to a single source, however, and are highly ambiguous. The source in question is also of questionable credibility.

http://www.f1.co.uk/read-news/2013/8612 ... dynamicist

Post by **Ataxia** » 20 Oct 2013, 12:41

Pastor has just taken to Twitter to say "There have been a number of rumours about my relationship with Williams F1, which are false. There is a good driver/team relationship, and we've been working day and night to improve our results."

That's a lovely sentiment, Pastor, but this might be out of your hands...something about plots thickening.

wsrgo · Post by **wsrgo** » 20 Oct 2013, 15:05

Ataxia wrote:Pastor has just taken to Twitter to say "There have been a number of rumours about my relationship with Williams F1, which are false. There is a good driver/team relationship, and we've been working day and night to improve our results."

That's a lovely sentiment, Pastor, but this might be out of your hands...something about plots thickening.

Hmm..plots are thicker than plans? A blatant rip-off from 'blood is thicker than water', I know

Post by **Ataxia** » 20 Oct 2013, 15:29

More silly season things!

Quantum Motorsports retweeted this, then deleted it:
"So, @Lotus_F1Team to become @Quantum_F1? Also, look who they're following driverwise, only a certain @RGrosjean and @NicoHulkenberg ...

Keep an eye out on their page, there's supposed to be an announcement on Tuesday.

14 Hundred Hours · Post by **14 Hundred Hours** » 20 Oct 2013, 15:54

Ataxia wrote:More silly season things!

Quantum Motorsports retweeted this, then deleted it:
"So, @Lotus_F1Team to become @Quantum_F1? Also, look who they're following driverwise, only a certain @RGrosjean and @NicoHulkenberg ...

Keep an eye out on their page, there's supposed to be an announcement on Tuesday.

Most interesting. Especially the "Coming Soon" part which is either exciting or ominous. Maybe excitingly ominous.

Ferrim · Post by **Ferrim** » 21 Oct 2013, 07:53

The Hulkenberg and Grosjean thing is very, very revealing indeed. It looks like they will be announced shortly as their drivers for next year.

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 21 Oct 2013, 08:34

Quantum Motorsports 1h
Thank you for the early positive support. We look forward to bringing you announcements soon.

This is indeed very ominous.

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 21 Oct 2013, 19:34

Russian teenager confirmed for 2014 drive.

F1Fanatic wrote:Toro Rosso have confirmed Russian driver Daniil Kvyat will race for them in 2014 in place of Daniel Ricciardo.

Kvyat will partner Jean-Eric Vergne, who remains at the team for a third season.

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 21 Oct 2013, 19:37

GwilymJJames wrote:Russian teenager confirmed for 2014 drive.

F1Fanatic wrote:Toro Rosso have confirmed Russian driver Daniil Kvyat will race for them in 2014 in place of Daniel Ricciardo.

Kvyat will partner Jean-Eric Vergne, who remains at the team for a third season.

I thought for a minute it was Sirotkin's drive with Sauber that was sealed. Out of the blue choice really but Kvyat's solid GP3 turnaround must have impressed the bosses while da Costa's slightly disappointing FR3.5 season must not have been

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 21 Oct 2013, 19:44

GwilymJJames wrote:Russian teenager confirmed for 2014 drive.

F1Fanatic wrote:Toro Rosso have confirmed Russian driver Daniil Kvyat will race for them in 2014 in place of Daniel Ricciardo.

Kvyat will partner Jean-Eric Vergne, who remains at the team for a third season.

...Well. Didn't expect that.

takagi_for_the_win · Post by **takagi_for_the_win** » 21 Oct 2013, 19:48

GwilymJJames wrote:Russian teenager confirmed for 2014 drive.

F1Fanatic wrote:Toro Rosso have confirmed Russian driver Daniil Kvyat will race for them in 2014 in place of Daniel Ricciardo.

Kvyat will partner Jean-Eric Vergne, who remains at the team for a third season.

Well that's a bit of a surprise...

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 21 Oct 2013, 19:48

On behalf of all us Russians I want to say: "Huh?! Seriously? Wow!"

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 21 Oct 2013, 19:49

Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:I thought for a minute it was Sirotkin's drive with Sauber that was sealed. Out of the blue choice really but Kvyat's solid GP3 turnaround must have impressed the bosses while da Costa's slightly disappointing FR3.5 season must not have been

I have the feeling that da Costa will be like Magnussen Sr. and Pizzonia. Unbeatable in the junior categories, but absolutely unable to meet or exceed expectations once in F1. That is if da Costa even makes it and I hope he will soon.

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 21 Oct 2013, 20:10

This is bad for Da Costa.

Also, this bad for Vergne as well, because Red Bull still have hopes for Da Costa and if Vergne don't beat Kvyat by a high margin, he will be sacked for sure.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 21 Oct 2013, 20:23

good_Ralf wrote:
Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:I thought for a minute it was Sirotkin's drive with Sauber that was sealed. Out of the blue choice really but Kvyat's solid GP3 turnaround must have impressed the bosses while da Costa's slightly disappointing FR3.5 season must not have been

I have the feeling that da Costa will be like Magnussen Sr. and Pizzonia. Unbeatable in the junior categories, but absolutely unable to meet or exceed expectations once in F1. That is if da Costa even makes it and I hope he will soon.

This is already false because da Costa was miserable for most of the season against Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne.

watka · Post by **watka** » 21 Oct 2013, 20:28

It seems that da Costa's FR3.5 season has really cost him. I also think I heard that Red Bull & Toro Rosso weren't massively impressed with him at the Young Drivers' Test at Silverstone earlier this year.

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 21 Oct 2013, 20:36

Salamander wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:I have the feeling that da Costa will be like Magnussen Sr. and Pizzonia. Unbeatable in the junior categories, but absolutely unable to meet or exceed expectations once in F1. That is if da Costa even makes it and I hope he will soon.

This is already false because da Costa was miserable for most of the season against Kevin Magnussen and Stoffel Vandoorne.

I already knew that his season wasn't impressive but I still thought he was in with a shout of the STR seat. Obviously I am wrong.

Post by **Ataxia** » 21 Oct 2013, 21:09

There is now an F1 driver younger than me. I feel like a failure somehow...

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 21 Oct 2013, 21:19

Ataxia wrote:There is now an F1 driver younger than me. I feel like a failure somehow...

So? That's okay. Once all the drivers are younger than you, that's when it's time to freak out.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 21 Oct 2013, 21:47

UgncreativeUsergname wrote:
Ataxia wrote:There is now an F1 driver younger than me. I feel like a failure somehow...

So? That's okay. Once all the drivers are younger than you, that's when it's time to freak out.

It's a sad day when a four-time world champion is younger than you (any day now...).

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 21 Oct 2013, 23:26

Dj_bereta wrote:This is bad for Da Costa.

Also, this bad for Vergne as well, because Red Bull still have hopes for Da Costa and if Vergne don't beat Kvyat by a high margin, he will be sacked for sure.

I'm interpreting this as Red Bull giving Da Costa one last shot against Sainz, Jr. -- and that it will be a contest between Da Costa and Sainz, Jr. for Vergne's seat. If anything, it could be worse for Vergne, because he's being used as a yardstick to measure Kvyat. If Vergne, however, destroys Kvyat and makes a hero of himself in 2014... then it might be a VERY interesting year at STR... so I think we might see a more desperate, aggressive Vergne. I hope so, anyway, there needs to be something exciting about STR's on track performances.