2012 Silly Season

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 27 Jan 2012, 18:33

East Londoner wrote:That quote in the article couldn't have been any more wooden unless it was Kimi Raikkonen!

Don't Force India have a tie-up with Mercedes, or is that another team I'm thinking about? Because I was wondering if this test driver deal could affect the tie-up, if there is one

Considering they have Mercedes engines...yeah. I think they also took on some McLaren staff to help said team stay within the RRA. But it's not the first time roles have been reversed - Sauber were a customer Ferrari team while McLaren proteges Raikkonen and Heidfeld were both driving for them in 2001. Had Raikkonen not shown up in the sport the way he did, Heidfeld might have - dare I say it - won a race :shock:

Post by **mario** » 27 Jan 2012, 20:05

kostas22 wrote:
East Londoner wrote:That quote in the article couldn't have been any more wooden unless it was Kimi Raikkonen!

Don't Force India have a tie-up with Mercedes, or is that another team I'm thinking about? Because I was wondering if this test driver deal could affect the tie-up, if there is one

Considering they have Mercedes engines...yeah. I think they also took on some McLaren staff to help said team stay within the RRA. But it's not the first time roles have been reversed - Sauber were a customer Ferrari team while McLaren proteges Raikkonen and Heidfeld were both driving for them in 2001. Had Raikkonen not shown up in the sport the way he did, Heidfeld might have - dare I say it - won a race

Heidfeld was the favoured choice of Mercedes for some time (reputedly, Ron Dennis refused to bow to pressure from Mercedes to hire Heidfeld instead of Kimi); had Heidfeld got the nod, I wouldn't have totally ruled out the chance of a win during that time (even if Ferrari was a dominant team most of the time Kimi and Coulthard did take a couple of wins in the early 2000's, and Heidfeld probably could have performed at around the same level Coulthard did at the time).
As for Force India, they have been tying themselves into Mercedes quite heavily recently - not just the Mercedes engine, but their KERS, hydraulics system and a driver backed by Mercedes (Di Resta), plus that technology sharing deal with McLaren (with McLaren in turn sharing some research with Mercedes). Furthermore, the engine deal that Force India had with Ferrari wasn't the smoothest of deals either, with rumours that Force India were very slow to pay Ferrari for their engines, so the relationship between those two teams will have been slightly strained.

On the other hand, it is possible that Mallya has looked for funding to secure the future of Force India given that some of his companies aren't in particularly good financial health (according to Reuters Kingfisher Airlines are now in talks with an Asian firm specialising in "financially distressed" corporations); if Ferrari are offering him, say, $5-10 million in order to run Bianchi, the short term financial boost will probably be his main concern.

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 31 Jan 2012, 16:12

You've heard it here first!

http://www.f1news.ru/news/f1-72716.html
Oxana Kosachenko in exclusive interview to a russian f1news site confirms that the Petrov's contract is already negotiated and agreed with the team, the only part left to handle is sponsors. If everything goes right, Petrov will drive in 2012 not as a test driver.

Oxana doesn't clarify what team the contract is nearly signed with. If Vitaly's sponsors respond soon, we will see Vitaly in 2012. From what we know, his sponsors are quite active and this means everything is most likely to be OK for Petrov.

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 31 Jan 2012, 22:22

solarcold wrote:You've heard it here first!

http://www.f1news.ru/news/f1-72716.html
Oxana Kosachenko in exclusive interview to a russian f1news site confirms that the Petrov's contract is already negotiated and agreed with the team, the only part left to handle is sponsors. If everything goes right, Petrov will drive in 2012 not as a test driver.

Oxana doesn't clarify what team the contract is nearly signed with. If Vitaly's sponsors respond soon, we will see Vitaly in 2012. From what we know, his sponsors are quite active and this means everything is most likely to be OK for Petrov.

If we're talking about the only seat left in the paddock...

HRT? Are you serious?

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 31 Jan 2012, 22:26

JeremyMcClean wrote:
solarcold wrote:You've heard it here first!

http://www.f1news.ru/news/f1-72716.html
Oxana Kosachenko in exclusive interview to a russian f1news site confirms that the Petrov's contract is already negotiated and agreed with the team, the only part left to handle is sponsors. If everything goes right, Petrov will drive in 2012 not as a test driver.

Oxana doesn't clarify what team the contract is nearly signed with. If Vitaly's sponsors respond soon, we will see Vitaly in 2012. From what we know, his sponsors are quite active and this means everything is most likely to be OK for Petrov.

If we're talking about the only seat left in the paddock...

HRT? Are you serious?

For some people is better to be in racing F1 regardless of the drive than to not be racing there at all...

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 31 Jan 2012, 22:30

DanielPT wrote:
JeremyMcClean wrote:
solarcold wrote:You've heard it here first!

http://www.f1news.ru/news/f1-72716.html
Oxana Kosachenko in exclusive interview to a russian f1news site confirms that the Petrov's contract is already negotiated and agreed with the team, the only part left to handle is sponsors. If everything goes right, Petrov will drive in 2012 not as a test driver.

Oxana doesn't clarify what team the contract is nearly signed with. If Vitaly's sponsors respond soon, we will see Vitaly in 2012. From what we know, his sponsors are quite active and this means everything is most likely to be OK for Petrov.

If we're talking about the only seat left in the paddock...

HRT? Are you serious?

For some people is better to be in racing F1 regardless of the drive than to not be racing there at all...

True, but look at Yamamoto, Klien, Karthikeyan and Liuzzi - All have never been seen in F1 again!

Then again, we have seen Senna Jr, Ricciardo and Chandhok (barely) survive the charades of HRT, so it's not too bad of an F1 graveyard as Marussia...

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 31 Jan 2012, 23:23

My (imaginary) money is still on a Caterham buy-out. My (imaginary) wager on Senna to Williams, Petrov to Caterham and Alg. to HRT is already a third true!

Aerond · Post by **Aerond** » 01 Feb 2012, 00:32

i really hope it is for HRT... De la Rosa and Petrov?? Then Marussia will be last once again

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 01 Feb 2012, 01:01

Aerond wrote:i really hope it is for HRT... De la Rosa and Petrov?? Then Marussia will be last once again

That reminds me of Forti in 1995. A crappy backmarker team with two half decent drivers. The former a highly experienced veteran, the other a younger pay-driver with some actual talent to rely on (albeit not oodles of it).

seleucid23 · Post by **seleucid23** » 03 Feb 2012, 08:03

According to Joe Saward, HRT's second driver will be....

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/ ... an-at-hrt/

Karthikeyan :roll:

Post by **Londoner** » 03 Feb 2012, 08:17

seleucid23 wrote:According to Joe Saward, HRT's second driver will be....

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/ ... an-at-hrt/

Karthikeyan

I'd say this is definitely legit. HRT's Facebook page has confirmed it, as has F1 Fanatic, so Captain Hammer should now be satisfied!

That gives HRT the oldest line up, with PDLR in his 40s, and Karthikeyan pushing 35.

Malinth · Post by **Malinth** » 03 Feb 2012, 08:38

East Londoner wrote:
seleucid23 wrote:According to Joe Saward, HRT's second driver will be....

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/ ... an-at-hrt/

Karthikeyan

I'd say this is definitely legit. HRT's Facebook page has confirmed it, as has F1 Fanatic, so Captain Hammer should now be satisfied!

That gives HRT the oldest line up, with PDLR in his 40s, and Karthikeyan pushing 35.

Young and talented alright! :lol:

eagleash · Post by **eagleash** » 03 Feb 2012, 09:56

Where can you place a bet on the first driver replaced during the season?

Post by **mario** » 03 Feb 2012, 10:01

eagleash wrote:Where can you place a bet on the first driver replaced during the season?

I'm sure that there must be a bookmaker that would be willing to offer you such a deal (probably online) - given what happened last year, I suspect that Karthikeyan will probably last about half a dozen races before HRT replace him with somebody that has a fatter wallet or is quicker to pay up, with another one off performance at the Indian GP in compensation.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:01

mario wrote:
eagleash wrote:Where can you place a bet on the first driver replaced during the season?

I'm sure that there must be a bookmaker that would be willing to offer you such a deal (probably online) - given what happened last year, I suspect that Karthikeyan will probably last about half a dozen races before HRT replace him with somebody that has a fatter wallet or is quicker to pay up, with another one off performance at the Indian GP in compensation.

Or if you don't feel like betting money, the rejectdom avatar challenge should open soon...

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:05

I thought HRT would finish ahead of Marussia in the WCC again. Now, I'm seriously doubting it.

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:14

Okay, guys, seriously now let's stay cool and think logic.

We could say the Petrov - De la Rosa or for example Liuzzi - De la Rosa line-up would be much more competitive and things, but do we not forget HRT's now at the restructurisation rails and that means they've pretty much in the same situation they probably were when the team has very started.

Given Narain brings money, that could be a salvation in this case, whatever pay-driver he is. I really suspect they need money if they did so, thus, it's not a that bad move. If they kept Liuzzi, they most probably would have pay him, as for Petrov, he's already linked to Caterham so they most probably had not much to choose from. Having said that, Karthikeyan looks like a slightly logic choice for me.

And oh by the way, I'm still pretty convinced Narain isn't _that_ bad. He's better than Yamamoto isn't he?

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:16

Karthikeyan has to be the most gullible spineless driver on the entire grid. Is it not painfully obvious to him that the only reason he's there is because of the Tata money he brings to the team? It's not even as if he has any racing credentials at all to justify his position there, HRT are just using him. They've simply taken a look at their finances this year and gone,

"ooh look there's a big hole there, we're gonna need about $20 million to fill that...oh I know lets run Narain for 10 races until the payment comes through, that should cover us nicely!"

If he had any dignity and respect for himself he'd get out of there and find himself a nice quiet job running a kart track in India or whatever.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:22

Disappointastic.

Pointrox · Post by **Pointrox** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:29

And what is Sala doing?

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:30

Pointrox wrote:And what is Sala doing?

Kolles come back and save us?

Phoenix · Post by **Phoenix** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:38

What really stings me isn't that an old pay-driver has been chosen, but rather that it was Karthikeyan again. It's not like there's not a shortage of other filthy rich drivers (some of them with more rejectful potential than Karthikeyan, some others that could be mildly promising) to take the seat. Case in point: Max Chilton

Or even Plamen Kralev, can you imagine that?

Plus, I believe Giedo van der Garde is sitting on a large pile of cash and could be moderately good.

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:50

AndreaModa wrote:Karthikeyan has to be the most gullible spineless driver on the entire grid. Is it not painfully obvious to him that the only reason he's there is because of the Tata money he brings to the team?

I think you could say that about a lot of pay drivers. A drive with a Formula 1 team is a drive with a Formula 1 team, who's going to turn that down?

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:51

fjackdaw wrote:A drive with a Formula 1 team is a drive with a Formula 1 team, who's going to turn that down?

Nico Hulkenberg :lol:

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 03 Feb 2012, 11:55

eagleash wrote:Where can you place a bet on the first driver replaced during the season?

Betfair could be your best bet (excuse the pun) because you place the bet with another person rather than the actual bookie. Other than that I'm not really sure, but would like to know if you find out a definitive answer on this. Also, William Hill might do it, because I've seen them advertise other F1 related bets in the past.

What I know for a fact William Hill does the more simple stuff such as who is likely to win the drivers & constructors championships. Interestingly Jenson Button is currently 7/1 with William Hill to win the 2012 WDC, while team-mate Hamilton is 5/1 along with Alonso, and Vettel is evens. Or if you're feeling really brave, Webbo is 12/1.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 03 Feb 2012, 12:04

kostas22 wrote:What I know for a fact William Hill does the more simple stuff such as who is likely to win the drivers & constructors championships. Interestingly Jenson Button is currently 7/1 with William Hill to win the 2012 WDC, while team-mate Hamilton is 5/1 along with Alonso, and Vettel is evens. Or if you're feeling really brave, Webbo is 12/1.

What about the Mercedes pair and Raikkonen?

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 03 Feb 2012, 12:53

Wizzie wrote:
kostas22 wrote:What I know for a fact William Hill does the more simple stuff such as who is likely to win the drivers & constructors championships. Interestingly Jenson Button is currently 7/1 with William Hill to win the 2012 WDC, while team-mate Hamilton is 5/1 along with Alonso, and Vettel is evens. Or if you're feeling really brave, Webbo is 12/1.

What about the Mercedes pair and Raikkonen?

The Merc drivers were 100/1 and Kimi is 150/1 - the same as Grosjean. Seems the bookies are not buying into the hype and are basing their odds primarily on car performance - the biggest gap between team-mates is Alonso & Massa at 5/1 and 40/1 respectively.

Post by **mario** » 03 Feb 2012, 14:59

Pointrox wrote:And what is Sala doing?

According to Joe Saward, it's bending to the will of the financiers behind the team who are looking to maximise the revenue of the team - in other words, Thesan Capital seem to be the most likely group to have pushed for a deal with Karthikeyan.
Meanwhile, over at Sauber there has been a bit of a reshuffle - James Key has announced that he is leaving Sauber, having received an offer from another UK based team, but is leaving on good terms with Sauber.

Key said: "I've enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team. It has been a very intense and interesting time, in which we had to manage the transition from a much larger team to a smaller one, and everybody handled that very well. I think the team is now well set for the future and I wish it the very best. I have been offered a new role back in the UK, which I decided to accept."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97308

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 03 Feb 2012, 15:38

mario wrote:
Pointrox wrote:And what is Sala doing?

According to Joe Saward, it's bending to the will of the financiers behind the team who are looking to maximise the revenue of the team - in other words, Thesan Capital seem to be the most likely group to have pushed for a deal with Karthikeyan.
Meanwhile, over at Sauber there has been a bit of a reshuffle - James Key has announced that he is leaving Sauber, having received an offer from another UK based team, but is leaving on good terms with Sauber.
Key said: "I've enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team. It has been a very intense and interesting time, in which we had to manage the transition from a much larger team to a smaller one, and everybody handled that very well. I think the team is now well set for the future and I wish it the very best. I have been offered a new role back in the UK, which I decided to accept."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97308

This is quite a blow for Sauber. I rate James Key highly and I think he is one of the responsible people for keeping Sauber afloat and with good performances during a time where the money was a rare commodity. I hope he is well replaced because Sauber is one of my favourite teams. Is Key going to Williams? That could be good for them...

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 03 Feb 2012, 15:40

I don't like it...
I love it!

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 03 Feb 2012, 16:05

http://plus.autosport.com/premium/featu ... o-hrt/?v=1

Sorry for linking a premium article but Karthikeyan seems to portraying himself as the next Piercarlo Ghinzani. Which is isn't!

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 03 Feb 2012, 16:15

tristan1117 wrote:http://plus.autosport.com/premium/feature/4189/why-karthikeyan-went-back-to-hrt/?v=1

Sorry for linking a premium article but Karthikeyan seems to portraying himself as the next Piercarlo Ghinzani. Which is isn't!

Although he has a point - unless you pull out some mega-performance or have proven yourself before as a capable driver (Timo Glock), driving for HRT or Virgin really doesn't expose you as a hero. Makes Hülkenberg's reason for not going there slightly more understable, although still incredibly arrogant.

Post by **mario** » 03 Feb 2012, 16:44

DanielPT wrote:
mario wrote:
Pointrox wrote:And what is Sala doing?

According to Joe Saward, it's bending to the will of the financiers behind the team who are looking to maximise the revenue of the team - in other words, Thesan Capital seem to be the most likely group to have pushed for a deal with Karthikeyan.
Meanwhile, over at Sauber there has been a bit of a reshuffle - James Key has announced that he is leaving Sauber, having received an offer from another UK based team, but is leaving on good terms with Sauber.
Key said: "I've enjoyed the past two years working at the Sauber F1 Team. It has been a very intense and interesting time, in which we had to manage the transition from a much larger team to a smaller one, and everybody handled that very well. I think the team is now well set for the future and I wish it the very best. I have been offered a new role back in the UK, which I decided to accept."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97308

This is quite a blow for Sauber. I rate James Key highly and I think he is one of the responsible people for keeping Sauber afloat and with good performances during a time where the money was a rare commodity. I hope he is well replaced because Sauber is one of my favourite teams. Is Key going to Williams? That could be good for them...

It does seem to be quite a surprise given that Key was evidently enjoying his role - you have to assume that another team has offered him at least an equivalent role or a promotion to make it worthwhile to move. There seem to have been a few hints here and there that he might be going to Marussia, who do have an open position for a Technical Director (Symonds is just a consultant at the moment), but I would have thought that Sauber would be the far better prospect in that situation.

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 04 Feb 2012, 06:12

Pointrox wrote:And what is Sala doing?

Becoming a F-1 Boss Reject. :mrgreen:

solarcold · Post by **solarcold** » 04 Feb 2012, 15:33

Dj_bereta wrote:
Pointrox wrote:And what is Sala doing?

Becoming a F-1 Boss Reject.

Now you see why I'm (and some of us) are HRT fans. pure rejectdom with some rejectful sauce

Post by **Londoner** » 04 Feb 2012, 16:35

F1 Fanatic are reporting that Giedo van der Garde has been signed as the third driver for Caterham.

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/02/04/caterham-announce-giedo-van-der-garde-driver/

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 07 Feb 2012, 07:23

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97359

Now that is just slack, assuring him he had a seat just 2 weeks before they sacked him. I sense a new Go Home campaign coming on... :twisted:

fjackdaw · Post by **fjackdaw** » 07 Feb 2012, 10:18

Wizzie wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97359

Now that is just slack, assuring him he had a seat just 2 weeks before they sacked him. I sense a new Go Home campaign coming on...

That's a very poor show, very unprofessional.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 07 Feb 2012, 11:15

fjackdaw wrote:
Wizzie wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97359

Now that is just slack, assuring him he had a seat just 2 weeks before they sacked him. I sense a new Go Home campaign coming on...

That's a very poor show, very unprofessional.

Agreed. Not that we didn't knew that already with Buemi saying that he was informed when leaving the simulator. Long gone is the spirit of Minardi...

Aerospeed · Post by **Aerospeed** » 08 Feb 2012, 22:48

Do we know what team Alguersuari rejected?