2014 Silly Season Thread

watka · Post by **watka** » 10 Jan 2014, 21:31

Was interested in seeing who chose #27, as it's my lucky number, my door number and has the Ferrari connections. Happy to see it's Hulkenberg!

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 10 Jan 2014, 23:21

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112084

There you have the future of DRS. I suppose Whiting has a point there.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 10 Jan 2014, 23:55

go_Rubens wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112084

There you have the future of DRS. I suppose Whiting has a point there.

Slowly falling out of love for DRS. I'm all for banning it and indroducing the push-to-pass technique. We get plenty of overtaking anyway due to the different tyre strategies being run during the race anyway.

Post by **Ataxia** » 11 Jan 2014, 00:03

So Raikkonen has the number 7. Is that a lucky number for him? Does it hold a special place in his heart, like the other numbers? Let's hear from the man himself...

Kimi Raikkonen wrote:It's the number I already had last year and I saw no reason to change it.

...fair enough.

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 11 Jan 2014, 00:04

Charlie Whiting wrote:It still requires extreme skill from the driver. It is not as if it's turn on, overtake, go, done.

Uh... well... yes. It is.

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 11 Jan 2014, 00:22

UgncreativeUsergname wrote:
Charlie Whiting wrote:It still requires extreme skill from the driver. It is not as if it's turn on, overtake, go, done.

Uh... well... yes. It is.

I think a more credible source would be a driver.

Fernando, why are you faster than Felipe?

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 11 Jan 2014, 06:46

It turns out that #3 was Maldonado's first preference as well... if I were Ricciardo, I'd be a worried man right now :lol:

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 11 Jan 2014, 12:40

Marussia confirmed Max Talent Talent Talent for 2014 on Twitter!

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 11 Jan 2014, 13:19

Shizuka wrote:Marussia confirmed Max Talent Talent Talent for 2014 on Twitter!

Yep. All confirmed. Good to see a bit of continuity at the back of the field. I reckon they could be battering Caterham next season.

wsrgo · Post by **wsrgo** » 11 Jan 2014, 15:03

Pretty expected, but unlike the Gutierrez announcement, I’m a lot more disappointed. At least Gutierrez went up against a driver who was more experienced and is hailed as the next big thing. Chilton went up against a fellow rookie, a driver who has been exceedingly fast in junior formulae, but has been prone to mistakes under pressure. The net result was almost the same…
Chilton was undeniably the slowest driver in the field last year. It’s pretty obvious that there are two reasons of taking Chilton. The first one is the financial reason, and it does seem that despite the loss of Aon, Chilton’s financial consortium is still strong.
The second one is continuity, coupled with the lack of feasible choices. There aren’t many drivers in junior formulae who have the power of both money and sponsors, alongwith a strong dose of talent. Nasr fits the bill only to some extent, his 2013 season proved, if anything, that he is still far from a finished product. OGX filing for bankruptcy has not helped his financial side either. From last year’s GP2 field, Calado has talent, but RSF are not strong by themselves to bring a driver into F1. Leimer is reasonable, but not great, and his backing is limited. Bird is probably F1-ready, but at 27, is getting on and one wonders he has reached or is approaching his peak, He has little funding, apart from the scanty support he gets from Merc. In WSR, Vandoorne is talented, and given an F1 chance in 2014, wouldn’t've struggled, but I think he’s better off with another year of junior series to make him a complete, consistent machine that Magnussen was this year. Nobody else is really ready or has funding and talent or both. So, I can understand that Marussia want to be going with Chilton.
What I cannot agree with, though is the fact that taking anybody else would not have been able to make much of a difference. Next year, we are entering an era of unpredictability and unreliability. There is, thus far, nothing concrete that the Ferrari turbo will be poorer compared to their rivals. Marussia might find themselves in a pointscoring position. New changes being new opportunities, and their is no use sinking to cynicism, that the team will NEVER break their duck. They might be in a position to do so next year, and the odds for have never been heavier. And that is where the difference between a Chilton and say, a Calado might come to the fore.
Continuity, in my opinion is overrated. We have rookies saying their job next year will be easier since the rule changes will be a new thing for experienced drivers, and that might be an opportunity for them to prosper. That’s a stark contradiction to continuity. Either way, the decision is probably largely down to ‘$’ and that Marussia had more on their mind than spending much thought on whom to take alongside Bianchi.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 11 Jan 2014, 16:14

Chilton's staying? Great!

At least we know he's a sensible pair of hands, if not the quickest...

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 11 Jan 2014, 16:16

Who expects the ChiltonCraze to be as popular as it was last year?

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 11 Jan 2014, 16:18

Ataxia wrote:So Raikkonen has the number 7. Is that a lucky number for him? Does it hold a special place in his heart, like the other numbers? Let's hear from the man himself...

Kimi Raikkonen wrote:It's the number I already had last year and I saw no reason to change it.

...fair enough.

That's classic Kimi!

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 11 Jan 2014, 16:25

Ataxia wrote:So Raikkonen has the number 7. Is that a lucky number for him? Does it hold a special place in his heart, like the other numbers? Let's hear from the man himself...

Kimi Raikkonen wrote:It's the number I already had last year and I saw no reason to change it.

...fair enough.

Yeah, that's a normal Kimi quote at its finest.

Post by **Nuppiz** » 11 Jan 2014, 17:26

Ataxia wrote:So Raikkonen has the number 7. Is that a lucky number for him? Does it hold a special place in his heart, like the other numbers? Let's hear from the man himself...

Kimi Raikkonen wrote:It's the number I already had last year and I saw no reason to change it.

...fair enough.

Link to the news story. Either Ferrari's PR department has already caught on with his personality, or they're going to be in huge trouble this year. :lol:

Post by **Ataxia** » 11 Jan 2014, 18:09

Freeze-O-Kimi wrote:Who expects the ChiltonCraze to be as popular as it was last year?

You've asked this question before...for someone who doesn't like it that much, you go on about it an awful lot.

Max has come out and said that he's targeting his first points in F1 this season. Ambitious? Yes, very. Possible? That depends on whether Marussia can gain from the purported reliability issues and teething problems that the teams may have with their new power units.

It's over to Caterham, now. I'm hoping it'll be Kobayashi-van der Garde there, although I wouldn't begrudge Ericsson a seat.

Post by **Londoner** » 11 Jan 2014, 18:25

My reaction to Chilton retaining his seat:

On a more serious note, I think we can expect Max to be more on the pace. He's had a solid, if unspectacular debut season, seems to have a calm head on his shoulders, and his reliability is top-notch. Here's hoping the Marussia is a good car, and we can see what Max can really do.

Plus, if Chilton does improve and score points, I can't wait for the reaction from the internet.

In other promising news, Marussia will be at the first test at Jerez.

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 11 Jan 2014, 18:28

East Londoner wrote:Plus, if Chilton does improve and score points, I can't wait for the reaction from the internet.

If Chilton does score then there won't be any internet when he does

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 11 Jan 2014, 18:39

I wonder if Grosjean was thinking the same thing as Kimi, as he chose the same number he had last year

S951 · Post by **S951** » 11 Jan 2014, 19:48

realistically who will get the Caterham seats? Pic and VDG both bring money and Koba does to but how much each?

Post by **mario** » 12 Jan 2014, 19:21

S951 wrote:realistically who will get the Caterham seats? Pic and VDG both bring money and Koba does to but how much each?

Adam Cooper claims that Kobayashi has around €6 million in sponsorship that he can bring to the team. http://adamcooperf1.com/2013/12/20/koba ... -caterham/

As for the other two drivers, it is not clear how much exactly they bring to the team themselves - I believe figures of about $10-15 million were suggested in the past, or about €7-11 million, so overall I don't think that sponsorship alone would be the deciding factor given how close their budgets are.
Now, could Kobayashi yet find a way back into the sport? Perhaps, but I guess it'll depend on whether or not Caterham feel that van der Garde or Pic have room for greater personal development than Kobayashi or if Kobayashi's greater experience, albeit with a gap in between seasons, is more valuable. van der Garde and Pic, as incumbents, would perhaps have a slight advantage, though Adam Cooper seems fairly convinced that Kobayashi will get a seat.

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 12 Jan 2014, 19:46

mario wrote:
S951 wrote:realistically who will get the Caterham seats? Pic and VDG both bring money and Koba does to but how much each?

Adam Cooper claims that Kobayashi has around €6 million in sponsorship that he can bring to the team. http://adamcooperf1.com/2013/12/20/koba ... -caterham/

As for the other two drivers, it is not clear how much exactly they bring to the team themselves - I believe figures of about $10-15 million were suggested in the past, or about €7-11 million, so overall I don't think that sponsorship alone would be the deciding factor given how close their budgets are.
Now, could Kobayashi yet find a way back into the sport? Perhaps, but I guess it'll depend on whether or not Caterham feel that van der Garde or Pic have room for greater personal development than Kobayashi or if Kobayashi's greater experience, albeit with a gap in between seasons, is more valuable. van der Garde and Pic, as incumbents, would perhaps have a slight advantage, though Adam Cooper seems fairly convinced that Kobayashi will get a seat.

I was thinking Kobayashi would hold back and stay in a Ferrari 458 for the WEC for another year to say the least. Although I did know F1 was his primary focus, so we'll see. But if he wants a Ferrari works drive, which I'd have though he'd stay in WEC for that, then Caterham might have been a good idea. Caterham also need that €6 million he'd bring, so it's a plausible deal in my eyes.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 12 Jan 2014, 20:39

When did Kobayashi get all of this sponsorship cash? And where was the sponsors when he got sacked from Sauber? Interesting developments...

takagi_for_the_win · Post by **takagi_for_the_win** » 12 Jan 2014, 21:59

Aerospeed wrote:When did Kobayashi get all of this sponsorship cash? And where was the sponsors when he got sacked from Sauber? Interesting developments...

I'm fairly sure its mainly due to all the money that people pledged to help him get back into F1. If I remember rightly, he raised at least €4 million euros, and he could well have got more than that over the course of the past 12 months.

watka · Post by **watka** » 12 Jan 2014, 22:49

takagi_for_the_win wrote:
Aerospeed wrote:When did Kobayashi get all of this sponsorship cash? And where was the sponsors when he got sacked from Sauber? Interesting developments...

I'm fairly sure its mainly due to all the money that people pledged to help him get back into F1. If I remember rightly, he raised at least €4 million euros, and he could well have got more than that over the course of the past 12 months.

Seems as though popularity does get you somewhere! There aren't many drivers who leave F1 and then become a pay driver (of sorts). Companies must believe that he is marketable.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 12 Jan 2014, 23:08

Heikki is a relatively mediocre driver, I think. Decent, but another Jarno Trulli. Pic doesn't really set the world on fire either. I'd love to see a VDG and KK line-up in Careham. Ericsson would be interesting, but I think Giedo deserves another shot.

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 13 Jan 2014, 03:48

fjackdaw wrote:Heikki is a relatively mediocre driver, I think. Decent, but another Jarno Trulli. Pic doesn't really set the world on fire either. I'd love to see a VDG and KK line-up in Careham. Ericsson would be interesting, but I think Giedo deserves another shot.

A VDG and KK line up at Caterham is a very strong lineup in my eyes. Kamui of course has the experience of a few years and raw pace (plus cash), while VDG brings money and some good pace as well. It'd be a strong lineup compared to the one Marussia are comtaining, as Chilton may have consistency, but not good pace. Caterham could turn the tides, but as far as I see it it could be very equally matched. It remains to be seen whether Marussia or Caterham will score or just improve.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 13 Jan 2014, 10:09

I bring to you an exclusive sneak-peak of the 2014 Red Bull F1 car:

The Red Bull RB10, also known as the VETTELWINZLOL Steamroller, weights in at a groovy 4.7 tons and comes equipped with an all-new 1300bhp biodiesel engine to keep the enviromentalists happy. With its' revolutionary one one wheel steering, two wheel drive and enough mechanical grip to take any corner in the world flat out, this latest Newey bad-boy creation will literally crush the competition!

S951 · Post by **S951** » 13 Jan 2014, 16:22

Caterham with a VDG and KK main line up with maybe ME as the third driver alongside Rossi? gets a few friday outings brings some money in does the promo events? seems like that combo would be strongest bringing in decent money to? Then again unsure on Pic myself

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 13 Jan 2014, 21:01

Wizzie makes an early bid for post of the year? That was a good one

Enforcer · Post by **Enforcer** » 14 Jan 2014, 19:29

Take it then that I'm the only one who reads or hears:

"I'll just keep the same number as last season because I'm Kimi Raikkonen, and I don't give a ****, so this number stuff is below me."

And interprets it as:

"I deliberately came up with a stereotypically Kimiesque method of picking my number to preserve the notion that I don't care about the media circus or anything other than the racing. "

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 15 Jan 2014, 01:00

Wizzie wrote:I bring to you an exclusive sneak-peak of the 2014 Red Bull F1 car:

The Red Bull RB10, also known as the VETTELWINZLOL Steamroller, weights in at a groovy 4.7 tons and comes equipped with an all-new 1300bhp biodiesel engine to keep the enviromentalists happy. With its' revolutionary one one wheel steering, two wheel drive and enough mechanical grip to take any corner in the world flat out, this latest Newey bad-boy creation will literally crush the competition!

So, what's going to be wrong with Ricciardo's one?

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 15 Jan 2014, 02:30

FullMetalJack wrote:
Wizzie wrote:I bring to you an exclusive sneak-peak of the 2014 Red Bull F1 car:

The Red Bull RB10, also known as the VETTELWINZLOL Steamroller, weights in at a groovy 4.7 tons and comes equipped with an all-new 1300bhp biodiesel engine to keep the enviromentalists happy. With its' revolutionary one one wheel steering, two wheel drive and enough mechanical grip to take any corner in the world flat out, this latest Newey bad-boy creation will literally crush the competition!

So, what's going to be wrong with Ricciardo's one?

The nut holding the steering wheel.

AdrianSutil · Post by **AdrianSutil** » 15 Jan 2014, 05:14

Cynon wrote:
FullMetalJack wrote:
Wizzie wrote:I bring to you an exclusive sneak-peak of the 2014 Red Bull F1 car:

The Red Bull RB10, also known as the VETTELWINZLOL Steamroller, weights in at a groovy 4.7 tons and comes equipped with an all-new 1300bhp biodiesel engine to keep the enviromentalists happy. With its' revolutionary one one wheel steering, two wheel drive and enough mechanical grip to take any corner in the world flat out, this latest Newey bad-boy creation will literally crush the competition!

So, what's going to be wrong with Ricciardo's one?

The nut holding the steering wheel.

Is that the driver? Or...?

I joke, I joke. We all know Ricciardo is going to destroy Vettel this season.

Collieafc · Post by **Collieafc** » 15 Jan 2014, 12:40

FullMetalJack wrote:
Wizzie wrote:I bring to you an exclusive sneak-peak of the 2014 Red Bull F1 car:

The Red Bull RB10, also known as the VETTELWINZLOL Steamroller, weights in at a groovy 4.7 tons and comes equipped with an all-new 1300bhp biodiesel engine to keep the enviromentalists happy. With its' revolutionary one one wheel steering, two wheel drive and enough mechanical grip to take any corner in the world flat out, this latest Newey bad-boy creation will literally crush the competition!

So, what's going to be wrong with Ricciardo's one?

Nothing, he will be forced to stick with the RB9 as only 1 RB10 chassis is available

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 15 Jan 2014, 14:09

James Allen has an artist rendering of what is supposed to be the new Ferrari, and damn it looks good!

Basetornado · Post by **Basetornado** » 15 Jan 2014, 16:18

So the names for the new Ferrari that you can vote on have been released.
These are the options
F 14T
F14 Maranello
F14 Scuderia
F616
F166 Turbo
F 2nd

I chose F14 T. Mainly cause of the T.

Cynon · Post by **Cynon** » 15 Jan 2014, 16:44

AdrianSutil wrote:Wizzie: I bring to you an exclusive sneak-peak of the 2014 Red Bull F1 car:

The Red Bull RB10, also known as the VETTELWINZLOL Steamroller, weights in at a groovy 4.7 tons and comes equipped with an all-new 1300bhp biodiesel engine to keep the enviromentalists happy. With its' revolutionary one one wheel steering, two wheel drive and enough mechanical grip to take any corner in the world flat out, this latest Newey bad-boy creation will literally crush the competition!

FullMetalJack: So, what's going to be wrong with Ricciardo's one?

Cynon: The nut holding the steering wheel.

AdrianSutil: Is that the driver? Or...?

I joke, I joke. We all know Ricciardo is going to destroy Vettel this season.

If he channels the power of Earnhardt properly, he will. I mean, he did admit he picked #3 to honor Earnhardt, so he might as well try. Would certainly be more than Mark Webber ever did.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 15 Jan 2014, 19:04

A brief explanation as to why the drivers chose the numbers they did.

Lewis is fresh for '14, aight. He's been chilling in his crib all winta, makin' dose sweet sounds in the studio with his crew, you know.
You know that slammin' vibe, it's tight playa! No one disrespects or dares jocking Lewis' style in his hood.
Lewis just be flossin' his bling bling, ya mean. Fo sho, playa.

Oh, yeah. That old familiar ninety-nine champagne glass that he slit Lux's neck open with. But of course, how could good 'ole Ade pick anything else?
99 it is, roll on '14. Take that Lux!

Kimi has been downing them beers all winter long. Seven at a time.
-Vielä yksi kiitos.

Looks like Sergio ate a few too many Enchiladas during the holiday festivities. He needs to lose 11 stones stat!

-Mirror mirror on the wall, I had 12 last year and was nowhere. What number should I pick?
-Well, choose 21 and you'll be everywhere!

Valtteri...Vader. Makes perfect sense.

No. Nico will not be joining this club. Not when WDC 2015 is written in the stars for him.

Nico is the new Joker for 2014. Six? Better believe it.

Fernando le gusta Messi. Porque Messi juega para el Barcelona.
Él también ha estado jugando Fifa todos los días durante el invierno con sus amigos.

Romain has been practicing all winter, and now he will crash better, stronger and more frequent than any other driver on the '14 grid.

Maldonado has no clue what he has gotten himself into. 13? Oh, Pastor... :cry:

Last time he drove #22, he took the WDC. He'll do it again, for John.

Kevin always carries a crisp Danish 20-kroner bill in his pocket for emergencies, so he can call home. And buy some danishes. It is something his dad taught him early on.

Of course Jean-Eric stands alone, RB deserted him in '13.

Felipe carries 19 sorrows in his heart.

Max is out to destroy the paddock this year with Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death.

Finger-boy once more. For the last time. Then he'll throw in a fiver.

Daniel's fav flick. He watched it 3 times during the Christmas break.

Naughty Jules. If anyone should take offense to this one, I will remove it.

go_Rubens · Post by **go_Rubens** » 15 Jan 2014, 21:19

http://www.formula1.com/news/headline/2014/1/15381.html

Ferrari announce car launch, plus the name of the new car.

So, the options are: F14 T, F14 Maranello, F14 Scuderia, F166 Turbo, and the F616.

I like F14 T It feels as if it contains historical value.

EDIT: Didn't see Basetornado's post above. But the launch date is here, so that's important.