F1 - 2013 Season

[Ritmo]

Lewis Hamilston has agreed to move to Mercedes. Sergio Perez has signed with McLaren. Interesting developments.

Now, Ferrari has not decided yet what to do with Massa. They missed on getting Perez - which was a rumor earlier in the year.

And, Schumi will likely retire.

Mike

[Kingsrule]

Lewis to Merc is a big gamble IMO if he is focused on winning championships. To me this move is all about the $$ and nothing more. Truly disappointing at the moment but time will tell. Preez had his greatest drive at the exact right moment. Timing is everything in F1.
Massa at Ferrari is fairly clear. Ferrari has always run their team with a clear #1 and #2 driver. I don't see that changing. Massa stays

[Amfibius]

I think Massa has to go. He is the reason why they are not leading the constructor's championship at the moment. Somehow the same car that Massa finds undriveable is good enough to get Alonso to the top. Not winning the constructor's championship means losing a lot of money!

[piolaxo]

Yes, all very interesting. I though the move to Mercedes was coming, but I thought
that Rosberg was going to trade the seat. But the fact that McLaren has to pay
for engines now made that move more complicated. Now with Checo's money, that is
different. Not that it's all money, but that opens eyes, and after a couple of
brilliant drives, they made the move much faster. I can't wait to see Checo against
Button in the same car, and probably at the front. That is going to be a thrill.

Now, Hamilton's move? Well, it's been a few years already and the romance is more
than over. McLaren has a different culture and Hamilton needs more freedom, in terms
of sponsorship and in terms of working with the team. It is a gamble, but in the same
mold of that of Schummy to Ferrari when he was at Bennetton (same mastermind - Ross
Brawn). He probably was the only one to allure him to move out, so not huge
surprise. The other ingredient is the regulation changes from 2014 with the turbo
engines, so that will be an advantage. So overall, Lewis can take a transition year
next year, before going all bets for the championship that following one.

And for Schummacher? Well, his latest crash won't help at all. He is like 6 months
older than me, so driving at night at 300kpm is not the same as 10 years ago...

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Amfibius

Not winning the constructor's championship means losing a lot of money!

In F1-- that is all that matters, period.

IMO, MS and Massa are looking at permanent retirement and not surprised about Hamilton -- tea leaves were stirred in that direction. Wonder if he has the true desire though (wonder if he has climaxed in his F1 abilities??).

Bob

[Ritmo]

All good points guys. Unclear to me who would be Massa's replacement. Perez was an interesting alternative. Ferrari's boss said earlier in the year that Perez was too young for the prancing horse.

I don't think Ferrari would go back to Kimi. Would they consider Kubica - although that would be a big gamble.

Stay tuned...

Mike

[Amfibius]

Look at the history of Ferrari's recent No. 2's - Irvine, Barrichello, Massa. None of them were expected, and picked over much more capable drivers. I would wonder whether they would pick Webber, given that he is slow enough but has a good working relationship with Alonso (they were team mates at Minardi). Or perhaps they would pick Maldonado...

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Amfibius

Look at the history of Ferrari's recent No. 2's - Irvine, Barrichello, Massa. None of them were expected, and picked over much more capable drivers. I would wonder whether they would pick Webber, given that he is slow enough but has a good working relationship with Alonso (they were team mates at Minardi). Or perhaps they would pick Maldonado...

Anyone know of whom Ferrari has currently as test drivers? Not far fetched IMO considering all the minute details of signing a current F1 driver.

Bob

[Kingsrule]

I wouldn't make a move like Hamilton did based on the V6.
With the way F1 is run, they could change their mind on the motor spec at any time.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by g997

I wouldn't make a move like Hamilton did based on the V6.
With the way F1 is run, they could change their mind on the motor spec at any time.

IMO, Hamilton made the jump for the money (was paid roughly £10m per year) and will probably come close to doubling that with M/P.

Nico Rosberg has the opportunity to shine with this pairing. Will Hamilton be able to adapt to the new M/M with his agressive style?

Time will tell.

Best

Bob