2012 Silly Season

[S951]

petrov to williams or caterham and rubens to hrt you heard it here first! in part

[RonDenisDeletraz]

petrov to williams or caterham and rubens to hrt you heard it here first! in part

I can see this happening

[S951]

petrov to williams or caterham and rubens to hrt you heard it here first! in part

I can see this happening

if this happens I will personally paypal you enough money for a few drinks to celebrate! 10 euros lol

[Cynon]

Alguersuari to McLaren after Hamilton ragequits F1 after 2012. You heard it here first.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

HWNSNBM to McLaren after Hamilton ragequits F1 after 2012. You heard it here first.

Fixed

[Captain Hammer]

Quite a few rumours on Petrov to HRT...

According to his PR people, his fate could be announced as early as the 10th.

I suspect he will go to Caterham, replacing Trulli.

[Peter]

Quite a few rumours on Petrov to HRT...

According to his PR people, his fate could be announced as early as the 10th.

I suspect he will go to Caterham, replacing Trulli.

Trulli's contract is valid, so maybe not. Wouldn't be surprised though, because Lotus did say that Trulli's seat is open to anyone who could pay his salary. With his Russian money, it's probably more likely to see him take Glock's seat at Marussia. As for Glock, Mercedes 3rd driver role. You heard it here first. He's already German, Mercedes in a top team, his contract allows him to leave Marussia if offered a job form a top team, though Mercedes may not necessarily qualify as a top team. McLaren's reserve role is free now because of de la Rosa leaving for Hispania, so we may very well see Timo Glock in a McLaren reserve driver role for 2012. You also heard that here first.

[RonDenisDeletraz]

I don't think Petrov will go to Catreham

[TomWazzleshaw]

McLaren's reserve role is free now because of de la Rosa leaving for Hispania, so we may very well see Timo Glock in a McLaren reserve driver role for 2012. You also heard that here first.

It'll probably end up going to eternal McLaren test driver Gary Paffert instead.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Marko logic at work again.

If we use that as a basis, then why in the hell would they try to keep both of them on as reserve drivers?

[Captain Hammer]

If we use that as a basis, then why in the hell would they try to keep both of them on as reserve drivers?

To stop other teams from getting them and beating Toro Rosso. Why else?

[RonDenisDeletraz]

If we use that as a basis, then why in the hell would they try to keep both of them on as reserve drivers?

To stop other teams from getting them and beating Toro Rosso. Why else?

It's Marko logic. Nuff said

[mario]

If we use that as a basis, then why in the hell would they try to keep both of them on as reserve drivers?

To stop other teams from getting them and beating Toro Rosso. Why else?

It's Marko logic. Nuff said

It's also rather unedifying to see Marko publicly rubbishing Buemi as an average driver in the manner that he is - regardless of whether or not that is true, he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory throughout this affair.

[Cynon]

Wizzie: If we use that as a basis, then why in the hell would they try to keep both of them on as reserve drivers?

Captain Hammer: To stop other teams from getting them and beating Toro Rosso. Why else?

eurobrun: It's Marko logic. Nuff said

mario: It's also rather unedifying to see Marko publicly rubbishing Buemi as an average driver in the manner that he is - regardless of whether or not that is true, he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory throughout this affair.

Makes you wonder if Marko loves Vergne and Ricciardo the same way he loves Vettel, doesn't it?

[mario]

Wizzie: If we use that as a basis, then why in the hell would they try to keep both of them on as reserve drivers?

Captain Hammer: To stop other teams from getting them and beating Toro Rosso. Why else?

eurobrun: It's Marko logic. Nuff said

mario: It's also rather unedifying to see Marko publicly rubbishing Buemi as an average driver in the manner that he is - regardless of whether or not that is true, he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory throughout this affair.

Makes you wonder if Marko loves Vergne and Ricciardo the same way he loves Vettel, doesn't it?

Or, as others have suggested, there are alternative incentives - James Allen's theory was that Vergne was recruited to spearhead Red Bull's advertising campaign in France. Up until 2008 Red Bull - at least in the form that most people would recognise it - was banned in France due to the taurine content of the drink, so compared to other markets Red Bull has a relatively low presence in France.
The theory goes that, with increasing public interest in Formula 1 due to the expected return of the French GP, a French driver could potentially raise the profile of the team - and its sponsors - within France substantially. What better way, therefore, for Red Bull to promote its product in a market it is trying to break into than recruiting an up and coming French driver?

[solarcold]

Rumours about Petrov to HRT for 2012.

[Peter]

Rumours about Petrov to HRT for 2012.

Source?

Regarding the whole Torro Rosso issue. Sebastian Vettel set the standards for what a Torro Rosso driver would need to do and what Red Bull want from their Torro Rosso driver to ever be able to keep their seat or be promoted. Winning a race in a Torro Rosso. Unforunately, luck won Vettel that race. Of course his talent helped, but that wasn't a pole and win on merit. Red Bull however, have set these sky high standards for their STR drivers, which they realistically cannot reach. Evne if they did, Vettel and Webber aren't going anywhere for now. If Webber shapes up for 2012 and goes back to winning races, then even if the Red Bull Driving Academy students showed similar performances to Vettel, they probably won't get promoted anyway. I mean, if Coulthard didn't retire after 2008, would Red Bull have booted him for Vettel? He was equaling Webber at the time.

[mario]

Rumours about Petrov to HRT for 2012.

Source?

Regarding the whole Torro Rosso issue. Sebastian Vettel set the standards for what a Torro Rosso driver would need to do and what Red Bull want from their Torro Rosso driver to ever be able to keep their seat or be promoted. Winning a race in a Torro Rosso. Unforunately, luck won Vettel that race. Of course his talent helped, but that wasn't a pole and win on merit. Red Bull however, have set these sky high standards for their STR drivers, which they realistically cannot reach. Evne if they did, Vettel and Webber aren't going anywhere for now. If Webber shapes up for 2012 and goes back to winning races, then even if the Red Bull Driving Academy students showed similar performances to Vettel, they probably won't get promoted anyway. I mean, if Coulthard didn't retire after 2008, would Red Bull have booted him for Vettel? He was equaling Webber at the time.

Potentially yes - Coulthard scored 8 points in 2008 against 21 for Webber, and although Coulthard did suffer from a few problems that season with the car (not to mention occasionally being punted off the track by other drivers, Nakajima in particular), Webber was generally more consistent than Coulthard that season. Furthermore, Coulthard was 37 at the time he retired in 2008, and whilst a handful of drivers on the grid are as old or older than him (Schumacher, Trulli, De La Rosa (when he returns), and, if he stays on, Barrichello), most of those drivers have already peaked in their performance.
Possibly, had Coulthard stayed on with the RB5, the upturn in competitiveness of his car might have lead to a short term boost in his performance, as happened with Rubens at Brawn, but it's unlikely he'd have remained competitive for as long as Vettel has. Horner and Marko knew full well that the team was under pressure to put in a better performance in 2009 after being shown up by Toro Rosso, and in the circumstances Vettel would be the better long term bet.

Anyway, on another note Adam Cooper has announced that Kimi will be testing a 2010 specification Renault in Valencia on the 23rd and 24th of January, which is intended to help bring Kimi back up to speed ahead of the first test session.

[Ataxia]

I changed my signature especially in light of the Toro Rosso driver shuffle and subsequent fallout. He's a hypocrite, he was a poor driver back in his day and seems to be far too affectionate for Vettel. Ugh.

[solarcold]

Source?

some Twitters'. plus this

12:30
Former Renault driver Petrov signed for HRT unconfirm reports suggested on Monday.

some other Twitters deny this though.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Source?

some Twitters'. plus this

12:30
Former Renault driver Petrov signed for HRT unconfirm reports suggested on Monday.

some other Twitters deny this though.

Autosport or it didn't happen.

[solarcold]

Autosport or it didn't happen.

didn't happen D
That looks like a hoax. But yesterday russian TV commentator Alexei Popov (a very nice guy though who is very much into the world of F1) told that he knows the situation well and he said that it's nearly 100% that Petrov will be in F1 in 2012. This time the announcement should be near the 20th of jan.

[DanielPT]

Autosport or it didn't happen.

didn't happen D
That looks like a hoax. But yesterday russian TV commentator Alexei Popov (a very nice guy though who is very much into the world of F1) told that he knows the situation well and he said that it's nearly 100% that Petrov will be in F1 in 2012. This time the announcement should be near the 20th of jan.

I can see how HRT imagine Vitale Petrovez being South American...

[solarcold]

I laugh hard

[Pointrox]

Autosport or it didn't happen.

didn't happen D
That looks like a hoax. But yesterday russian TV commentator Alexei Popov (a very nice guy though who is very much into the world of F1) told that he knows the situation well and he said that it's nearly 100% that Petrov will be in F1 in 2012. This time the announcement should be near the 20th of jan.

I can see how HRT imagine Vitale Petrovez being South American...

Or Vitalinho

All I can say to that is... no one really knows who they will sign as their second driver and when. Money talks.
And Vitaly's probably got a pocketful of 'em.

[nome66]

Autosport or it didn't happen.

[Captain Hammer]

This time the announcement should be near the 20th of jan.

I've heard of an announcement some time between the 16th and the 20th. It appears an announcement will be made, it's just a question of when the team making it feels the right time to make it will be.

Although according to some Spanish journalists, Petrov will not be joining HRT. If I had to guess, I'd say he was approached by them, but he turned them down because he was already working on something else with another team.

[solarcold]

Although according to some Spanish journalists, Petrov will not be joining HRT. If I had to guess, I'd say he was approached by them, but he turned them down because he was already working on something else with another team.

To be said, Petrov's compatiots were rather pessimistic about him joining HRT. Alas, this team is considered not serious here by most. Everyone expects he will get Williams seat.

[CoopsII]

Could Raikkonens return make more of an impact than previously thought?

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/h ... ave-gizmo/

[TomWazzleshaw]

Could Raikkonens return make more of an impact than previously thought?

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/h ... ave-gizmo/

If they have found the 'X-Factor" and Kimi decides he can be bothered as a result then dear HWNSNBM help Sebastian Vettel

[DanielPT]

Could Raikkonens return make more of an impact than previously thought?

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/h ... ave-gizmo/

Given the timing of this announcement I would say that either they are desperate and making noises in order for other teams to lose valuable time investigating this or they are idiots. This announcement is a lose-lose situation...

[TomWazzleshaw]

Could Raikkonens return make more of an impact than previously thought?

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/h ... ave-gizmo/

Given the timing of this announcement I would say that either they are desperate and making noises in order for other teams to lose valuable time investigating this or they are idiots. This announcement is a lose-lose situation...

Bullet, meet Eric Boullier's foot.

[mario]

Could Raikkonens return make more of an impact than previously thought?

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/01/h ... ave-gizmo/

Given the timing of this announcement I would say that either they are desperate and making noises in order for other teams to lose valuable time investigating this or they are idiots. This announcement is a lose-lose situation...

Bullet, meet Eric Boullier's foot.

To be fair to Boullier it seems that the team itself were trying to keep this system under wraps - it was due to an outside journalist, Piola, who seems to have worked backwards from pictures that he managed to take during the Young Driver tests in Abu Dhabi that the secret of this system has been leaked. Admittedly the system that James Allen seems to have suggested may not be correct - the system can't be operated by the driver directly - and it seems that, following enquiries by Ferrari about this system (who in turn seem to have been tipped off about this system by Piola), the FIA have announced that the system is legal. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96952
I wonder, though, if Renault might have a trick up their sleeve - Renault have published some details about their suspension system in the past because, rather unusually, they obtained a patent for a fluid inerter system that they appear to have been using recently (see this piece by scarbsf1 on the patent here http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2011/11/2 ... d-inerter/ ). I wonder if they might also try to patent the system they are using now if they fear that it'll be revealed? It looks like another team have already developed their own system - possibly Ferrari if they have been asking about the legality of the system - so there might not be as much to loose if they did patent it.

Meanwhile, on the driver front there is bad news for those hoping to see Kubica back in the cockpit - there are reports that Kubica has badly injured his right leg after slipping on ice and falling to the ground outside his home. There are further concerns that the fall could have caused an existing fracture in his leg that had only partially healed to re-open, potentially delaying his recovery further. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96958

[IceG]

Wander what the sad Kubica situation could do for the driver market?

Massa might have been a good stop-gap at Ferrari until 2013, or late 2012 when Kubica could have had a preparation drive or two.

Now it may be prescient for Ferrari to grab one of the cheap talents going spare. Can't see Petrov pulling over to let Alonso through (Abu Dhabi 2010) so that would be Alguersuari then, giving an all-Spanish line-up. And Massa off to Williams?

[RonDenisDeletraz]

Wander what the sad Kubica situation could do for the driver market?

Massa might have been a good stop-gap at Ferrari until 2013, or late 2012 when Kubica could have had a preparation drive or two.

Now it may be prescient for Ferrari to grab one of the cheap talents going spare. Can't see Petrov pulling over to let Alonso through (Abu Dhabi 2010) so that would be Alguersuari then, giving an all-Spanish line-up. And Massa off to Williams?

Kobayashi.

That is all.

[nome66]

Wander what the sad Kubica situation could do for the driver market?

Massa might have been a good stop-gap at Ferrari until 2013, or late 2012 when Kubica could have had a preparation drive or two.

Now it may be prescient for Ferrari to grab one of the cheap talents going spare. Can't see Petrov pulling over to let Alonso through (Abu Dhabi 2010) so that would be Alguersuari then, giving an all-Spanish line-up. And Massa off to Williams?

Kobayashi.

That is all.

THIS

[Captain Hammer]

To be fair to Boullier it seems that the team itself were trying to keep this system under wraps

It was a mistake to run it at the young driver tests, precisely because this sort of thing could - and did - happen. I get that Lotus wanted to test it on a car that they fully unerstood to evaluate it, but what was stopping them from running it late in the winter tests? That would have kept the whole thing under wraps for longer, rather than seeing it leak out and giving the other teams nine weeks to make their own systems.

[TomWazzleshaw]

It looks like another team have already developed their own system - possibly Ferrari if they have been asking about the legality of the system - so there might not be as much to loose if they did patent it.

The hunch has been proven correct.

Looks like we'll be heading back to status quo very soon at this rate depending on whether this system actually makes that much of a difference

[DanielPT]

It looks like another team have already developed their own system - possibly Ferrari if they have been asking about the legality of the system - so there might not be as much to loose if they did patent it.

The hunch has been proven correct.

Looks like we'll be heading back to status quo very soon at this rate depending on whether this system actually makes that much of a difference

I expect FIA to ban the system somewhere in the mid season only to let the teams race it until the end of 2012 before banning it altogether.

[QuickYoda41]

Not affecting most of you, but it's now confirmed that HWNSNBM's wisdom will be shared in the Hungarian TV during races. Probably just a small bit of it, though, as no ordinary human beings could deal with more.