Grand Prix Rejects

Rob Dylan wrote:

Reject ^8

Reject^9

etc, etc.

But I don't understand. Where does Alex Wurz come into all this?

Swimming horses, Minnie Mouse and Zoran Stefanovic, probably.

This wrote:

Rob Dylan wrote:

Reject ^8

Reject^9

etc, etc.

But I don't understand. Where does Alex Wurz come into all this?

Swimming horses, Minnie Mouse and Zoran Stefanovic, probably.

There's probably 1049 ways he comes into it...

There has to be 1,049 layers of rejectfulness of the car before Wurz shows his evil teeth.

Talking of which, Jocke1 seems to have scarpered. He posted a few times on one day in December, but otherwise hasn't been around for three months...

dinizintheoven wrote:There has to be 1,049 layers of rejectfulness of the car before Wurz shows his evil teeth.

Talking of which, Jocke1 seems to have scarpered. He posted a few times on one day in December, but otherwise hasn't been around for three months...

He probably went to fight in Syria or something like that
Or maybe... Jocke's Wurz' theory is the reason the main website got down? It all makes sense now...

And eh, i know it sounds like an idea that only Bernie could think of, but perhaps we should get back to the topic.

This wrote:And eh, i know it sounds like an idea that only Bernie could think of, but perhaps we should get back to the topic.

You never know what Marussia could do now that they don't exist.

This wrote:

dinizintheoven wrote:There has to be 1,049 layers of rejectfulness of the car before Wurz shows his evil teeth.

Talking of which, Jocke1 seems to have scarpered. He posted a few times on one day in December, but otherwise hasn't been around for three months...

He probably went to fight in Syria or something like that
Or maybe... Jocke's Wurz' theory is the reason the main website got down? It all makes sense now...

And eh, i know it sounds like an idea that only Bernie could think of, but perhaps we should get back to the topic.

I was chatting to him last night on GT6.

roblomas52 wrote:

This wrote:

dinizintheoven wrote:There has to be 1,049 layers of rejectfulness of the car before Wurz shows his evil teeth.

Talking of which, Jocke1 seems to have scarpered. He posted a few times on one day in December, but otherwise hasn't been around for three months...

He probably went to fight in Syria or something like that
Or maybe... Jocke's Wurz' theory is the reason the main website got down? It all makes sense now...

And eh, i know it sounds like an idea that only Bernie could think of, but perhaps we should get back to the topic.

I was chatting to him last night on GT6.

And you're absolutely sure it wasn't one of Wurz's agents?

Simtek wrote:

roblomas52 wrote:

This wrote:He probably went to fight in Syria or something like that
Or maybe... Jocke's Wurz' theory is the reason the main website got down? It all makes sense now...

And eh, i know it sounds like an idea that only Bernie could think of, but perhaps we should get back to the topic.

I was chatting to him last night on GT6.

And you're absolutely sure it wasn't one of Wurz's agents?

Certain.

Back on topic before we fall all the way down that rabbit hole, and Graeme Lowdon reckons Marussia have just 48 hours left before they reach the point of no return:

http://m.skysports.com/article/formula1//9650619

Captain Hammer wrote:Back on topic before we fall all the way down that rabbit hole, and Graeme Lowdon reckons Marussia have just 48 hours left before they reach the point of no return:

I'm a glass-half-full sort of person myself too but surely he's just kidding himself by now? Shame.

roblomas52 wrote:

Simtek wrote:

roblomas52 wrote:I was chatting to him last night on GT6.

And you're absolutely sure it wasn't one of Wurz's agents?

Certain.

How can you be certain? More to the point, how can we be sure that you are not one of his agents yourself?!

CoopsII wrote:

Captain Hammer wrote:Back on topic before we fall all the way down that rabbit hole, and Graeme Lowdon reckons Marussia have just 48 hours left before they reach the point of no return:

I'm a glass-half-full sort of person myself too but surely he's just kidding himself by now? Shame.

Maybe not - Wednesday's auction has been cancelled. No official reason has been given, but it is believed that they could be close to a deal:

http://m.skysports.com/article/formula1//9651987

I want to believe!

Pointrox wrote:I want to believe!

I don't want to Scully you, but this is more of a temporary stay of execution than anything else. They still have no pit equipment and will need to relocate sooner rather than later.

So, they will be coming back, but they already sold their factory? How is that going to work? Or, am I missing something here?

Nothing is set in stone yet. There was an auction scheduled for Wednesday, but it has been cancelled for the time being as they are in talks with a potential buyer. If the auction were to go ahead, it would make a deal impossible as vital equipment would be sold. But if the deal falls through, the auction will likely go ahead at a later date.

As for the factory being sold to Gene Haas, he doesn't need it straight away. They can lease it from him for the time being, and move during the year.

dr-baker wrote:

roblomas52 wrote:

Simtek wrote:And you're absolutely sure it wasn't one of Wurz's agents?

Certain.

How can you be certain? More to the point, how can we be sure that you are not one of his agents yourself?!

Because I have no affiliation with any Alex Wurz fan club and also I could tell that it was Jocke on the other end of the line.

Asked what his level of confidence was that the team would be able to put a rescue deal together, Booth told BBC Sport: "Pretty high."

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/30881741

C'mon Marussia!!!!

Captain Hammer wrote:Nothing is set in stone yet. There was an auction scheduled for Wednesday, but it has been cancelled for the time being as they are in talks with a potential buyer. If the auction were to go ahead, it would make a deal impossible as vital equipment would be sold. But if the deal falls through, the auction will likely go ahead at a later date.

As for the factory being sold to Gene Haas, he doesn't need it straight away. They can lease it from him for the time being, and move during the year.

Even if Gene Haas didn't consent to Marussia/Manor using the factory, there are enough motorsport facilities that one would be able to run a low-level F1 operation out of. Aston Martin/Prodrive is just down the road in Banbury. And there's always the faint possibility that whoever buys the team (if it gets bought) will have their own facilities already (for example, if it turned out that Prodrive were the buyers).

roblomas52 wrote:Because I have no affiliation with any Alex Wurz fan club and also I could tell that it was Jocke on the other end of the line.

Why would Alex Wurz bother to join his own fan club? That isn't proof you're not him!

On topic, if the auction does sadly go ahead, will there be a fresh chance to bid on items, or are bids now closed?

Backmarker wrote:

Captain Hammer wrote:Nothing is set in stone yet. There was an auction scheduled for Wednesday, but it has been cancelled for the time being as they are in talks with a potential buyer. If the auction were to go ahead, it would make a deal impossible as vital equipment would be sold. But if the deal falls through, the auction will likely go ahead at a later date.

As for the factory being sold to Gene Haas, he doesn't need it straight away. They can lease it from him for the time being, and move during the year.

Even if Gene Haas didn't consent to Marussia/Manor using the factory, there are enough motorsport facilities that one would be able to run a low-level F1 operation out of. Aston Martin/Prodrive is just down the road in Banbury. And there's always the faint possibility that whoever buys the team (if it gets bought) will have their own facilities already (for example, if it turned out that Prodrive were the buyers).

Incidentally Prodrive's previous HQ has been completely levelled to make way for an out-of-town retail park. Most of their stuff is in storage (including a bunch of rally and touring cars at the Donington Museum) whilst their new facility is built, which coincidentally is almost next door to the former Marussia factory, and directly overlooks the M40, about here: https://goo.gl/maps/OWa5C

f1andrea wrote:Asked what his level of confidence was that the team would be able to put a rescue deal together, Booth told BBC Sport: "Pretty high."
C'mon Marussia!!!!

The F1 Paddock intensifies (a bit more)!

Rob Dylan wrote:

f1andrea wrote:Asked what his level of confidence was that the team would be able to put a rescue deal together, Booth told BBC Sport: "Pretty high."
C'mon Marussia!!!!

The F1 Paddock intensifies (a bit more)!

Nobody talks about possible drivers? who will be Chilton's teammate?

AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:

Rob Dylan wrote:

f1andrea wrote:Asked what his level of confidence was that the team would be able to put a rescue deal together, Booth told BBC Sport: "Pretty high."
C'mon Marussia!!!!

The F1 Paddock intensifies (a bit more)!

Nobody talks about possible drivers? who will be Chilton's teammate?

Will Stevens mentioned his only chance of getting a drive next year is if Marussia or Caterham make the grid. More likely Alex Rossi will get a drive, especially if Haas and Marussia decide to band together and share resources a bit this year (which is possible as it would be mutually beneficial). Don't count out one of the McLaren test drivers getting loaned out too.

Although, given how silly the silly seasons are getting lately, odds are that none of the above will get a drive and they'll stick someone we haven't even considered in the seat. I've got a 7 year old nephew that might like a go.

I'll drive for nothing... im less likely to fit in an f1 car than Mansell was in 95 and I'm 40, but I do have a better beard than Alonso

WeirdKerr wrote:...but I do have a better beard than Alonso

So did Harald Ertl.

James Allen is implying that the potential investors are connected to a driver or drivers who need experience in Formula 1 to stand a chance at getting a seat in 2016 when the new superlicence regulations come into effect:


http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2015/01/m ... etty-high/


I'm interpreting that to be Jolyon Palmer. He can't compete in GP2 this year as he's the reigning champion, and Formula Renault 3.5 isn't an option given the superlicence points structure.

Captain Hammer wrote:Formula Renault 3.5 isn't an option given the superlicence points structure.

I don't see why? Even if he completely flunks in 2015 should he join, he'll still have enough points as GP2 champion to qualify for one. He could do pretty much anything and still qualify for a superlicense.

Captain Hammer wrote:James Allen is implying that the potential investors are connected to a driver or drivers who need experience in Formula 1 to stand a chance at getting a seat in 2016 when the new superlicence regulations come into effect.

I'm interpreting that to be Jolyon Palmer. He can't compete in GP2 this year as he's the reigning champion, and Formula Renault 3.5 isn't an option given the superlicence points structure.

Admittedly I don't watch GP2, and saw bits of two races last year. But on the face of it it's definitely a shame that GP2 champions are completely unable to get into F1. If Palmer doesn't get in, that makes it the last three GP2 champions that haven't been able to get in. The last I heard about Valsecchi was when he got rejected (pun intended) by Lotus during Raikkonen's notorious "back surgery" incident. Leimer went into endurance racing and hasn't exactly shone as far as I can tell. It's ludicrous that Verstappen gets a seat and these guys can't!

I'm not saying anything, but if Barrichello still wants a chance of a seat in 2016, he would need a bunch of races in 2015 according to the superlicence rules.

The reason Valsecchi, Leimer, and Palmer are having trouble getting into F1 is because it took them all 4 years to become GP2 champions. That's hardly impressive.

The absence of Palmer and Valsecchi is no great travesty. Both took years to win their titles, and both were upstaged by drivers who achieved more in less time, like Vandoorne. If you drew up a list of the twenty open-wheel drivers who deserve to be in Formula 1, Palmer and Valsecchi would not appear on it - but Verstappen would (if not, he'd still be higher up the list than them).

And that's the problem with GP2: as Formula 1 teams look to junior junior series like GP3 for the likes of Bottas and Kvyat, GP2 is increasingly becoming a dumping ground for second-rate drivers who don't stand a chance of making it in Formula 1.

Captain Hammer wrote:The absence of Palmer and Valsecchi is no great travesty. Both took years to win their titles, and both were upstaged by drivers who achieved more in less time, like Vandoorne. If you drew up a list of the twenty open-wheel drivers who deserve to be in Formula 1, Palmer and Valsecchi would not appear on it - but Verstappen would (if not, he'd still be higher up the list than them).

And that's the problem with GP2: as Formula 1 teams look to junior junior series like GP3 for the likes of Bottas and Kvyat, GP2 is increasingly becoming a dumping ground for second-rate drivers who don't stand a chance of making it in Formula 1.

...except 2015 will have Gasly, Lynn, Vandoorne, Marciello and Pic fighting for honours. You can't deny this is something of a mini-renaissance. There's the real potential for a good GP2 grid, especially if some of the dead weight like Canamasas, Berthon, Haryanto and Binder are carted off elsewhere.

Haryanto had potential, but made the mistake of joining Addax while Alejandro Agag was concentrating on Formula E.

Speedweek claim the buyer is Gene Haas. The rationale is that Haas and Ferrari are among the creditors owed by Marussia: Haas buying them would essentially clear both those debts, and allow him to claim the 2014 prize money.

Captain Hammer wrote:James Allen is implying that the potential investors are connected to a driver or drivers who need experience in Formula 1 to stand a chance at getting a seat in 2016 when the new superlicence regulations come into effect:


http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2015/01/m ... etty-high/


I'm interpreting that to be Jolyon Palmer. He can't compete in GP2 this year as he's the reigning champion, and Formula Renault 3.5 isn't an option given the superlicence points structure.

I think we can rule that one out. He's doing practice sessions for Lotus: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2015/01/20/p ... otus-2015/

Backmarker wrote:Speedweek claim the buyer is Gene Haas. The rationale is that Haas and Ferrari are among the creditors owed by Marussia: Haas buying them would essentially clear both those debts, and allow him to claim the 2014 prize money.

This makes too much sense to be happening.

Backmarker wrote:Speedweek claim the buyer is Gene Haas. The rationale is that Haas and Ferrari are among the creditors owed by Marussia: Haas buying them would essentially clear both those debts, and allow him to claim the 2014 prize money.

Would Haas then run Marussia and his own team the following year or just Marussia?

CoopsII wrote:

Backmarker wrote:Speedweek claim the buyer is Gene Haas. The rationale is that Haas and Ferrari are among the creditors owed by Marussia: Haas buying them would essentially clear both those debts, and allow him to claim the 2014 prize money.

Would Haas then run Marussia and his own team the following year or just Marussia?

I suppose he will merge the two teams into one. In my opinion, that would be the logical thing to do.

CoopsII wrote:

Backmarker wrote:Speedweek claim the buyer is Gene Haas. The rationale is that Haas and Ferrari are among the creditors owed by Marussia: Haas buying them would essentially clear both those debts, and allow him to claim the 2014 prize money.

Would Haas then run Marussia and his own team the following year or just Marussia?

If, and it is a big if, Haas were to take over Marussia, it would make more sense to merge his resources into Marussia and make that into his team, rather than starting from scratch. He already owns the prototype car that Marussia made for 2015, along with their facilities, and both he and Marussia would have a common engine supplier (Ferrari), so there would be little value in duplicating everything and stretching his resources over two teams.