2015 Silly Season Thread

[go_Rubens]

The WEC has a long way to go before it can claim that. It has a very short calendar and limited global broadcasting. And I think there is a fundamental problem with the structure of endurance racing - most people don't have six hours to sit down and watch the races. Lots of people also watch Formula 1 to support a particular driver, not an entire team, which becomes harder when the car is shared.

If it was a single-class championship for LMP-1 cars, with two-hour races and single-driver entries, then it would stand a better chance of overtaking Formula 1.

Agreed. They need to break away from just doing 6 hour races everywhere except Le Mans. Mix it up a little bit. A few 2 hour races alongside perhaps one or two 12 hour ones would be good. Or even go for the distance format - 1000kms/1000 miles events maybe. Just a little variety.

I personally have similar complaints about the WEC's calendar. I made the same point in the PMMF for the Le Mans Cup and that was pretty much resolved. There needs to be variety. Le Mans can remain the only 24 hour race. But a couple of 12 hour events, 1000km/1000 miles, etc. What happened to distance races like the 1000km of Monza? More races, more global broadcasting (in America they only show Le Mans, likely in other countries as well), etc. Then WEC will be more awesome then it is, now that I actually think about the business and fan aspects. Having a crappy internet connection watching the races on Radio Le Mans is rather pathetic!

[roblo97]

The WEC has a long way to go before it can claim that. It has a very short calendar and limited global broadcasting. And I think there is a fundamental problem with the structure of endurance racing - most people don't have six hours to sit down and watch the races. Lots of people also watch Formula 1 to support a particular driver, not an entire team, which becomes harder when the car is shared.

If it was a single-class championship for LMP-1 cars, with two-hour races and single-driver entries, then it would stand a better chance of overtaking Formula 1.

Agreed. They need to break away from just doing 6 hour races everywhere except Le Mans. Mix it up a little bit. A few 2 hour races alongside perhaps one or two 12 hour ones would be good. Or even go for the distance format - 1000kms/1000 miles events maybe. Just a little variety.

I personally have similar complaints about the WEC's calendar. I made the same point in the PMMF for the Le Mans Cup and that was pretty much resolved. There needs to be variety. Le Mans can remain the only 24 hour race. But a couple of 12 hour events, 1000km/1000 miles, etc. What happened to distance races like the 1000km of Monza? More races, more global broadcasting (in America they only show Le Mans, likely in other countries as well), etc. Then WEC will be more awesome then it is, now that I actually think about the business and fan aspects. Having a crappy internet connection watching the races on Radio Le Mans is rather pathetic!

IIRC, they show WEC on Eurosport here in the UK and it gets 4 pages in Autosport at least.

[mario]

The WEC has a long way to go before it can claim that. It has a very short calendar and limited global broadcasting. And I think there is a fundamental problem with the structure of endurance racing - most people don't have six hours to sit down and watch the races. Lots of people also watch Formula 1 to support a particular driver, not an entire team, which becomes harder when the car is shared.

If it was a single-class championship for LMP-1 cars, with two-hour races and single-driver entries, then it would stand a better chance of overtaking Formula 1.

Agreed. They need to break away from just doing 6 hour races everywhere except Le Mans. Mix it up a little bit. A few 2 hour races alongside perhaps one or two 12 hour ones would be good. Or even go for the distance format - 1000kms/1000 miles events maybe. Just a little variety.

I personally have similar complaints about the WEC's calendar. I made the same point in the PMMF for the Le Mans Cup and that was pretty much resolved. There needs to be variety. Le Mans can remain the only 24 hour race. But a couple of 12 hour events, 1000km/1000 miles, etc. What happened to distance races like the 1000km of Monza? More races, more global broadcasting (in America they only show Le Mans, likely in other countries as well), etc. Then WEC will be more awesome then it is, now that I actually think about the business and fan aspects. Having a crappy internet connection watching the races on Radio Le Mans is rather pathetic!

The other aspect is that the races in the WEC are very unevenly distributed throughout the year - for example, in 2014 there were only eight races, but you have a scenario where there is a three month gap between the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the next race in Austin, whilst at the tail end of the season three races are crammed into a single month.

Furthermore, although they are attracting more manufacturers, the few that are in the field do sometimes have overreaching influence on the ACO and FIA. For example, at Le Mans all of the LMP1 cars actually failed scruitineering and were publicly declared to be illegal by the FIA because of flexible floors, but rather than asking for the cars to be changed, the FIA rewrote the regulations to make the cars legal instead. Toyota, in fact, had a blatantly illegal car that failed on several counts for at least a third of this season, and it was only after Le Mans - where the illegal components were visible in the ACO's own promotional videos - that any action was finally taken against Toyota.

[Londoner]

In other, more expected news, Perez has secured his Force India seat for 2015.

[Onxy Wrecked]

The WEC has a long way to go before it can claim that. It has a very short calendar and limited global broadcasting. And I think there is a fundamental problem with the structure of endurance racing - most people don't have six hours to sit down and watch the races. Lots of people also watch Formula 1 to support a particular driver, not an entire team, which becomes harder when the car is shared.

If it was a single-class championship for LMP-1 cars, with two-hour races and single-driver entries, then it would stand a better chance of overtaking Formula 1.

Otherwise, it's IndyCar who will swipe the honor and Mikhail Aleshin looks like some kind of genius.

[Dj_bereta]

In other, more expected news, Perez has secured his Force India seat for 2015.

Also, Claro has now a bigger space in the car in Brazilian Grand Prix. I'm wondering if Force India adds some red parts in the car in the next year.

Talking about liveries, I hope Sauber put some Yellow parts in the car in next year.

[Onxy Wrecked]

In other, more expected news, Perez has secured his Force India seat for 2015.

Also, Claro has now a bigger space in the car in Brazilian Grand Prix. I'm wondering if Force India adds some red parts in the car in the next year.

Talking about liveries, I hope Sauber put some Yellow parts in the car in next year.

Do you want Johnny Crashcotto Jr. in a Lotus with Grrrrrrrrosjean!

[Frogfoot9013]

Do you want Johnny Crashcotto Jr. in a Lotus with Crashtor Maldonado!

Fixed.

[Salamander]

Johnny Crashcotto Jr.

Obviously somebody didn't watch GP2 this year...

[andrew]

Sergio crashamasas

[Faustus]

Whinger Horner is out of his mind:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116729

[Bobby Doorknobs]

Whinger Horner is out of his mind:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116729

Wow, he must really want Red Bull to start developing their own engine, because Renault certainly wouldn't like going back to V8s, and it would also see a lack of interest from Mercedes, meaning potentially less competition. Yeah, I can definitely see where Christian's coming from here.

[DanielPT]

Whinger Horner is out of his mind:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116729

Even if we ignore all the crying because they are not winning any more, I find it incredible that a man, once touted to be the successor of the mighty FOM leader, actually suggests that "these engines are too expensive and this formula is just too unbalanced and since we can't see past our own interests for the greater good" let's just take that and throw everything, including all the money spent and years of development made, out of the window. Can you think of a more wasteful thing to do right now? On a second thought, with these ridiculous ideas he would be perfect for the job...

It is very painful to watch the sport currently behaving like a headless chicken just running around bumping into stuff until it drops dead...

[Bobby Doorknobs]

Good news! No double points for 2015!

But in his typical fashion Bernie isn't happy:

One race is stupid but imagine if it was the last three races. It means that somebody would have to have a 150-point advantage minimum to be sure they will win. The teams have not accepted it because they are bloody idiots. They are all mechanics. They think of their team in the short term.

While the teams are known to think short term, I'd like to think that common sense was behind their rejection of such an idiotic concept.

[LionZoo]

Good news! No double points for 2015!

But in his typical fashion Bernie isn't happy:

One race is stupid but imagine if it was the last three races. It means that somebody would have to have a 150-point advantage minimum to be sure they will win. The teams have not accepted it because they are bloody idiots. They are all mechanics. They think of their team in the short term.

While the teams are known to think short term, I'd like to think that common sense was behind their rejection of such an idiotic concept.

Bernie's pissed off he can't charge extra money for hosting a double points race. He's basically maxed out the number of races that can be hosted, so the logical next step is extra monies for double points.

[Frogfoot9013]

Good news! No double points for 2015!

But in his typical fashion Bernie isn't happy:

One race is stupid but imagine if it was the last three races. It means that somebody would have to have a 150-point advantage minimum to be sure they will win. The teams have not accepted it because they are bloody idiots. They are all mechanics. They think of their team in the short term.

While the teams are known to think short term, I'd like to think that common sense was behind their rejection of such an idiotic concept.

Bernie, just go home now!

[Collieafc]

Why cater for younger fans Ecclestone? Because in 30 years THEY will be the ones spenging the money

A lot of this suiff, if it was true, seems very much short-termism.

[pablo_h]

Why cater for younger fans Ecclestone? Because in 30 years THEY will be the ones spenging the money

A lot of this suiff, if it was true, seems very much short-termism.

Have you noticed his age? Of course he doesn't care about 30 years from now. He doesn't care about anything or planning long term and neither would you or me at his age too.
Hope he goes soon.

[Backmarker]

Thanks to McLaren moving to Honda engines, Gary Paffett will no longer be their test driver. Poor Gary probably racked up the most laps testing without actually ever competing in a race. Maybe he'll do some testing work for Mercedes now. And Oliver Turvey and Stoffel Vandoorne will probably be taking over as testers for McLaren.

[Klon]

Thanks to McLaren moving to Honda engines, Gary Paffett will no longer be their test driver. Poor Gary probably racked up the most laps testing without actually ever competing in a race. Maybe he'll do some testing work for Mercedes now. And Oliver Turvey and Stoffel Vandoorne will probably be taking over as testers for McLaren.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and I say that as a dedicated Mercedes DTM fan.

[noiceinmydrink]

Thanks to McLaren moving to Honda engines, Gary Paffett will no longer be their test driver. Poor Gary probably racked up the most laps testing without actually ever competing in a race. Maybe he'll do some testing work for Mercedes now. And Oliver Turvey and Stoffel Vandoorne will probably be taking over as testers for McLaren.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and I say that as a dedicated Mercedes DTM fan.

Yeah, I remember him saying something on Twitter about Grosjean that pissed me off. Doesn't seem like a guy that I'd enjoy a Boojum with tbh

[shinji]

Thanks to McLaren moving to Honda engines, Gary Paffett will no longer be their test driver. Poor Gary probably racked up the most laps testing without actually ever competing in a race. Maybe he'll do some testing work for Mercedes now. And Oliver Turvey and Stoffel Vandoorne will probably be taking over as testers for McLaren.

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy, and I say that as a dedicated Mercedes DTM fan.

Yeah, I remember him saying something on Twitter about Grosjean that pissed me off. Doesn't seem like a guy that I'd enjoy a Boojum with tbh

In fairness, it'd be very difficult not to enjoy a Boojum no matter your dining companion. Best burrito.

[noiceinmydrink]

In fairness, it'd be very difficult not to enjoy a Boojum no matter your dining companion. Best burrito.

Damn right.

[AustralianStig]

First footage of the McLaren-Honda!

http://wtf1.co.uk/mclaren-hondas-first-test/

Is it just me or does this sound better than the other engines from this year? Could be the poor quality of the recording though...

[mario]

First footage of the McLaren-Honda!

http://wtf1.co.uk/mclaren-hondas-first-test/

Is it just me or does this sound better than the other engines from this year? Could be the poor quality of the recording though...

You have to bear in mind that the current cars are fitted with audio equipment which was designed around the V8 engines rather than the current V6's - those who have been to the track in person have generally indicated that the cars are actually much more like what you have heard in that recording than what you hear through the TV.

[sswishbone]

Autosport are claiming that Mclaren will decide their line-up next month... I just don't get it, you have a new engine partner wanting to get it all nailed together, surely having a stable environment is critical?

[Bobby Doorknobs]

McLaren have delayed their announcement of Alonso's signing their driver line-up until next month: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/11/18/m ... ext-month/

EDIT: Ninja'd

[LionZoo]

Why cater for younger fans Ecclestone? Because in 30 years THEY will be the ones spenging the money

A lot of this suiff, if it was true, seems very much short-termism.

Bernie's plan is probably to milk as much money from F1 as he possibly can before he leaves. And when he leaves, F1 will be a smoking crater.

[LellaLombardi]

McLaren have delayed their announcement of Alonso's signing their driver line-up until next month: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/11/18/m ... ext-month/

EDIT: Ninja'd

Something must have gone wrong then. I can't see why they wouldn't announce it now otherwise. Either Alonso is dragging his heels, or they are having trouble extricating either Button or Magnussen.

[andrew2209]

A small part of me is hoping for the very unlikely scenario Alonso isn't going to leave Ferrari at all, and we see Alonso/Vettel in the same team.

[Salamander]

[Nessafox]

It's still possible that the Mclaren driver-pairing will be Alonso-Vettel, mind you...

[James1978]

Wouldn't be surprised if Button told them where to shove it - he deserves better treatment than this given his record with the team - equal #1 with Hamilton then massively outscoring Perez and Magnussen.

[mario]

McLaren have delayed their announcement of Alonso's signing their driver line-up until next month: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2014/11/18/m ... ext-month/

EDIT: Ninja'd

Something must have gone wrong then. I can't see why they wouldn't announce it now otherwise. Either Alonso is dragging his heels, or they are having trouble extricating either Button or Magnussen.

I do agree that it does seem odd that McLaren have not yet formally announced their line up, and on a similar line it also seems odd that Ferrari haven't formally announced their line up (even if most expect an announcement of a Kimi-Vettel line up to be a formality - although it is possible that Ferrari can't announce it because Red Bull have refused to allow Vettel to leave his contract early).

I agree that it suggests that not all may be well behind the scenes with their driver negotiations - the talks with Alonso seem to have been fairly protracted and it seems that the team are dithering between Magnussen and Button given that Button seems to be the driver that is driving the team on in these closing races rather than Magnussen, but Magnussen may potentially be the better long term option that the team can build around.

Wouldn't be surprised if Button told them where to shove it - he deserves better treatment than this given his record with the team - equal #1 with Hamilton then massively outscoring Perez and Magnussen.

There have been one or two whispers suggesting that Button is tempted to do that given that McLaren have not been treating him in a particularly good manner, even if the team were to offer him a contract for 2015. After all, if Button wants to look at options in other series, such as sportscar racing, he can't afford to wait for too long to make the switch - at this rate, it might be the case that McLaren's prospective drivers make their minds up for them by making their own decisions...

[LellaLombardi]

I'm not a particular fan of Button but I do think it is disrespectful of McLaren to make him potentially be going into his last F1 race without being able to mark it or do a proper farewell.

I've said it before, but it would be wrong to get rid of Magnussen. Dropping two second drivers - neither of whom are slouches - after one season apiece is not the way to go. Especially as most of the grid is now locked out and Magnussen would have very few options. Way to screw over his career after launching him as the new boy wonder.

How likely are three car teams next year? Could the drivers be waiting for an announcement on that? I also wonder if Hamilton is leaving the door open for a hasty exit from Mercedes if things unravel badly in Abu Dhabi.

If it is Alonso holding McLaren up then I can't imagine Ron Dennis pandering to that for much longer. I wouldn't put it past Ron to want to get major revenge for 2007 and leave Alonso without a drive. Sorry for sounding like Andrew Benson there for a moment but it doesn't sound like he's getting his relationship with his likely new team off on a very good footing.

[Aerond]

I think it's just a matter of the great ammount of details a contract like Alonso's needs (remember, he won't arrive alone, sponsors will be there too), so surely is because they need to have everything finalised before announcing that.

[Captain Hammer]

I wonder if Alonso is contemplating retirement. He is talking less and less about the Way of the Samurai on his Twitter feed, and is instead focusing on Jules Bianchi. The two are evidently close, and he has clearly taken the accident hard. He knows he has only got a few seasons left in him, and so he might be reevaluating his career at the moment.

[Dj_bereta]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116822

In other words: Button or Magnussen will be out of F1 in 2015 season, for obvious reasons (find a seat at december? Only if Caterham survives).

[CoopsII]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116822

In other words: Button or Magnussen will be out of F1 in 2015 season, for obvious reasons (find a seat at december? Only if Caterham survives).

McLaren, you're boring me now with this, don't be surprised if your announcement when it comes gets a collective 'meh' from the populace. The potential Caterham line up for Abu Hamza GP is more interesting.

[DanielPT]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116822

In other words: Button or Magnussen will be out of F1 in 2015 season, for obvious reasons (find a seat at december? Only if Caterham survives).

McLaren, you're boring me now with this, don't be surprised if your announcement when it comes gets a collective 'meh' from the populace. The potential Caterham line up for Abu Hamza GP is more interesting.

Dragging the decision to generate more headlines is one thing but this is another all completely. Haven't McLaren figured out that people just assumed they would sign Alonso and Magnussen and moved on to more interesting stuff like Caterham?