2015 Silly Season Thread

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 17 Dec 2014, 18:33

I think it was the ability of both Ericsson and Nasr's backers to pay up front immediately that swayed Sauber's decision.

Post by **mario** » 17 Dec 2014, 21:32

Captain Hammer wrote:And it makes sense for Slim to want to be associated with the team. They have far more commercial pulling power than Sauber do.

True, although you would imagine that the price Ferrari are charging the Slim family for advertising rights are likely to be commensurately higher to reflect that - still, the overall publicity is likely to outweigh the higher price.

On another note, it seems that Ferrari have been persisting with their personnel cuts - the latest person to be forced out is Hamashima, the tyre engineer they had recruited from Bridgestone. There is also an interesting rumour suggesting Clear, Hamilton's race engineer, has been targeted by Ferrari and may in fact be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 17 Dec 2014, 21:59

Joe Saward has had a fit of common sense and has suggested that Gutierrez was taken on as a stopgap solution. The plan was to apparently promote Bianchi and draft Marciello into his place. But then Bianchi had his accident, and Ferrari felt Marciello wasn't ready to be promoted so quickly (and they have absolutely roasted him on Twitter for some of his performances in GP2, most notably in Hungary). So they had to find someone to fill in while Marciello continues in GP2, and that someone is Gutierrez.

The question now becomes why they chose the Goo when they could have had their pick of driver. Both Vergne and Kobayashi were free, and arguably better choices. Ferrari don't need the sponsor money, but Gutierrez wouldn't agree to it if he didn't see an opportunity to advance his own career. So what do Ferrari do if Raikkonen quits or is fired at the end of 2016 and Marciello isn't ready for Ferrari?

CaptainGetz12 · Post by **CaptainGetz12** » 17 Dec 2014, 22:20

Captain Hammer wrote:Joe Saward has had a fit of common sense and has suggested that Gutierrez was taken on as a stopgap solution. The plan was to apparently promote Bianchi and draft Marciello into his place. But then Bianchi had his accident, and Ferrari felt Marciello wasn't ready to be promoted so quickly (and they have absolutely roasted him on Twitter for some of his performances in GP2, most notably in Hungary). So they had to find someone to fill in while Marciello continues in GP2, and that someone is Gutierrez.

The question now becomes why they chose the Goo when they could have had their pick of driver. Both Vergne and Kobayashi were free, and arguably better choices. Ferrari don't need the sponsor money, but Gutierrez wouldn't agree to it if he didn't see an opportunity to advance his own career. So what do Ferrari do if Raikkonen quits or is fired at the end of 2016 and Marciello isn't ready for Ferrari?

De La Rosa gets some drive time again?

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 17 Dec 2014, 23:17

Apparently Ferrari are in talks with Bottas, with the Finn agreeing to sit down properly and discuss things some time in 2015. Whether that comes to anything remains to be seen, but they have reached out to him with a view to replacing Raikkonen.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 17 Dec 2014, 23:20

AndreaModa wrote:Apparently Ferrari are in talks with Bottas, with the Finn agreeing to sit down properly and discuss things some time in 2015. Whether that comes to anything remains to be seen, but they have reached out to him with a view to replacing Raikkonen.

Based on 2014, if I were Valterri, I would stay at Williams over Ferrari. And with Merc power and with Williams stability over Ferrari's current instability, I can imagine (and am hoping) that continues.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 18 Dec 2014, 13:25

Ecclestone piles more misery into the Bavarian justice with this. Worse than selling out its justice system is to made fun of doing just that by the guy who bought it.

Merry Christmas OH-OH-OH!

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 18 Dec 2014, 13:51

Seriously?

Post by **Miguel98** » 18 Dec 2014, 14:02

Shizuka wrote:Seriously?

I think he should fire his butler. He keeps forgeting that the senile pills don't last over 48 hours in the human body, to avoid Bernie saying bullshit..

No one, bar Ferrari and Red Bull, will accept this. End of story. Now Bernie, go to a retirement home. There, they can keep your medication healthy and on time, which your butler clearly forgets to do...

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 18 Dec 2014, 17:50

NOOOOOOOOO!

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 18 Dec 2014, 19:44

good_Ralf wrote:NOOOOOOOOO!

I'm not surprised. :roll:

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 18 Dec 2014, 21:28

Felipe Nasr will be #12 next year, bucking the trend established by Carlofifty Fiveainz, Mfourx Chilton and Valterri Boseventy-sevenas of working a number into his name.

dinizintheoven · Post by **dinizintheoven** » 19 Dec 2014, 02:34

I'm just waiting for someone to pick a number seemingly at random from those that weren't in general use for the last 40-odd years. Where is car 47, car 71, car 83, car 59...

Captain Hammer · Post by **Captain Hammer** » 19 Dec 2014, 05:09

Those numbers will be carried by drivers who consider them important. That's one of the main reasons why drivers have picked their numbers - Vettel, Ricciardo, Alonso, Button, Hamilton, Rosberg, Perez, Grosjean, Verstappen and Magnussen all chose their numbers for that reason.

If I were a Formula 1 driver, I'd pick the number 61 since it was carried by the Maserati Tipo 61, one of my all-time favourite cars. If that was taken, I'd pick 37 for the Lancia Rally 037, another favourite. And my third choice would be 83 for the B83, the formal designation of the Old Pacific Highway, a fantastic driving road between Sydney and Newcastle.

James1978 · Post by **James1978** » 19 Dec 2014, 07:52

I must have missed it must what number did Verstappen choose?

Also Nasr took the lowest available number (apart from 2 but who wants that?), even though Chilton's 4 definitely won't be used and Kobayashi's 10 won't be either unless something miraculous happens to Caterham. Can nobody take those numbers now?

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 19 Dec 2014, 08:38

James1978 wrote:I must have missed it must what number did Verstappen choose?

Also Nasr took the lowest available number (apart from 2 but who wants that?), even though Chilton's 4 definitely won't be used and Kobayashi's 10 won't be either unless something miraculous happens to Caterham. Can nobody take those numbers now?

33. Not sure how long a number has to remain untouched for - the sporting regulations say that a driver's number is for their entire career, but I'm not sure how it will handle things like Christian Klien's career, where a driver drops out of Formula One for three seasons and seems unlikely to return to F1, only for Colin Kolles to give them a race seat. Also, the sporting regulations also say that drivers will be allocated permanent numbers if they join the grid as mid-season replacements, but I don't think that 45 and 46 are Lotterer and Steven's permanent numbers, but instead Caterham's 'spare' numbers.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 19 Dec 2014, 13:35

Simtek wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:NOOOOOOOOO!

I'm not surprised.

Been giving a though to this and in the end it is a pity. It was an opportunity to change and improve the F1 brand and subsequently its value but no, everything stays in the same shambolic state where FIA fails to govern and FOM tries to govern. The only hope for change is from a supposedly investigation from the EU to the strategic group and its dealings.

Post by **Londoner** » 19 Dec 2014, 16:50

And suddenly, a wild Frenchman becomes a contender to replace Kimi after 2015

I'd have liked to see JEV try his hand at IndyCar, but this is a great little gig for him.

IceG · Post by **IceG** » 19 Dec 2014, 17:01

Yes Autosport too (winks): http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117199

Excellent for him.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 19 Dec 2014, 17:48

Ooh, tres bon. Isnt he the first french driver Ferrari have officially signed since the mighty Giovanni Alesi?

IceG · Post by **IceG** » 19 Dec 2014, 17:53

Alesi may have been born in France but I always thought of him as a Sicilian

Post by **tommykl** » 19 Dec 2014, 17:54

CoopsII wrote:Ooh, tres bon. Isnt he the first french driver Ferrari have officially signed since the mighty Giovanni Alesi?

Jules Bianchi?

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 19 Dec 2014, 18:07

One week was all that it took to realise that they needed another test driver to 'help' Gutierrez^2. I am also guessing they've split the testing duties the following way: Gutierrez brings the money and Vergne drives. Ok, maybe I am being to harsh on Esteban.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 19 Dec 2014, 18:48

tommykl wrote:
CoopsII wrote:Ooh, tres bon. Isnt he the first french driver Ferrari have officially signed since the mighty Giovanni Alesi?

Jules Bianchi?

Well, yeah, he was part of The Program but was he ever actually designated as a Ferrari Driver?

Post by **Miguel98** » 19 Dec 2014, 19:31

CoopsII wrote:
tommykl wrote:
CoopsII wrote:Ooh, tres bon. Isnt he the first french driver Ferrari have officially signed since the mighty Giovanni Alesi?

Jules Bianchi?

Well, yeah, he was part of The Program but was he ever actually designated as a Ferrari Driver?

Well, he drove for Ferrari earlier this year in Silverstone, in the tests.

andrew2209 · Post by **andrew2209** » 19 Dec 2014, 20:04

dinizintheoven wrote:I'm just waiting for someone to pick a number seemingly at random from those that weren't in general use for the last 40-odd years. Where is car 47, car 71, car 83, car 59...

Eventually someone's going to choose #69.

On the topic of numbers, I'd probably take #96, the last 2 digits of the year I was born

Post by **Miguel98** » 19 Dec 2014, 21:15

Oh Bernie... Oh Bernie....

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 19 Dec 2014, 21:26

Miguel98 wrote:Oh Bernie... Oh Bernie....

If this gets settled in the bank's favour in a court ruling, I will eat Bernie Ecclestone.

Tank · Post by **Tank** » 19 Dec 2014, 21:34

Apparently JEV has signed on as Ferrari development driver - what chance of him partnering Vettel in 2016?

Okay, maybe not...

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 19 Dec 2014, 22:18

Tank wrote:Apparently JEV has signed on as Ferrari development driver - what chance of him partnering Vettel in 2016?

Okay, maybe not...

Given the rate Ferrari are losing staff, JEV will actually be designing the 2016 chassis.

Post by **mario** » 19 Dec 2014, 22:20

CoopsII wrote:
tommykl wrote:
CoopsII wrote:Ooh, tres bon. Isnt he the first french driver Ferrari have officially signed since the mighty Giovanni Alesi?

Jules Bianchi?

Well, yeah, he was part of The Program but was he ever actually designated as a Ferrari Driver?

Bianchi was designated as Ferrari's reserve/test driver in 2011, which I assume you would count as being an official Ferrari driver.

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 19 Dec 2014, 23:07

Backmarker wrote:
Tank wrote:Apparently JEV has signed on as Ferrari development driver - what chance of him partnering Vettel in 2016?

Okay, maybe not...

Given the rate Ferrari are losing staff, JEV will actually be designing the 2016 chassis.

Vettel is already designing the 2015 one.

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 19 Dec 2014, 23:45

UgncreativeUsergname wrote:
Backmarker wrote:
Tank wrote:Apparently JEV has signed on as Ferrari development driver - what chance of him partnering Vettel in 2016?

Okay, maybe not...

Given the rate Ferrari are losing staff, JEV will actually be designing the 2016 chassis.

Vettel is already designing the 2015 one.

It says he's sacked himself and now it appears Kimi's the only one left.

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 20 Dec 2014, 00:07

Simtek wrote:It says he's sacked himself and now it appears Kimi's the only one left.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Even after reading the article yesterday morning (I think) and sleeping, committing it to my medium-term memory, I only paid attention to the headline. I wonder who Vettel will join now, though...?

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 20 Dec 2014, 07:32

mario wrote:Bianchi was designated as Ferrari's reserve/test driver in 2011, which I assume you would count as being an official Ferrari driver.

So not such a long time then, formidable!

Post by **mario** » 27 Dec 2014, 12:37

So, it appears that Honda, via McLaren, is now also publicly lobbying the FIA for a relaxation of the homologation rules for the engines for 2015 - Boullier has now come on the record as saying that the team want the FIA to allow for further development of the engines prior to the freeze kicking in.

"Doing something that will stupidly increase the costs is not what we want to achieve," said Boullier.

"But it's a competition and we can change the cars as much as we want. Within the regulations, I think engines should be frozen once every manufacturer has been able to develop their engines. If you disallow the competition, then this goes against the spirit of the sport."

Of course, Boullier himself admits that it is not so much about "the spirit of the sport" as other manufacturers (which, you would assume, includes Honda) being able to catch up with Mercedes.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117233

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 27 Dec 2014, 14:04

mario wrote:So, it appears that Honda, via McLaren, is now also publicly lobbying the FIA for a relaxation of the homologation rules for the engines for 2015 - Boullier has now come on the record as saying that the team want the FIA to allow for further development of the engines prior to the freeze kicking in.
"Doing something that will stupidly increase the costs is not what we want to achieve," said Boullier.

"But it's a competition and we can change the cars as much as we want. Within the regulations, I think engines should be frozen once every manufacturer has been able to develop their engines. If you disallow the competition, then this goes against the spirit of the sport."

Of course, Boullier himself admits that it is not so much about "the spirit of the sport" as other manufacturers (which, you would assume, includes Honda) being able to catch up with Mercedes.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117233

So one can deduce, therefore, that the Honda engine is not on a par with the Mercedes then, the two engines that McLaren can directly compare. One would imagine that, if the Honda were better, then they would want to stick with it.

Post by **mario** » 27 Dec 2014, 22:00

dr-baker wrote:
mario wrote:So, it appears that Honda, via McLaren, is now also publicly lobbying the FIA for a relaxation of the homologation rules for the engines for 2015 - Boullier has now come on the record as saying that the team want the FIA to allow for further development of the engines prior to the freeze kicking in.
"Doing something that will stupidly increase the costs is not what we want to achieve," said Boullier.

"But it's a competition and we can change the cars as much as we want. Within the regulations, I think engines should be frozen once every manufacturer has been able to develop their engines. If you disallow the competition, then this goes against the spirit of the sport."

Of course, Boullier himself admits that it is not so much about "the spirit of the sport" as other manufacturers (which, you would assume, includes Honda) being able to catch up with Mercedes.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117233

So one can deduce, therefore, that the Honda engine is not on a par with the Mercedes then, the two engines that McLaren can directly compare. One would imagine that, if the Honda were better, then they would want to stick with it.

The comments would seem to hint at that - I would agree that, if the Honda engine was on a similar level to Mercedes, the engine freeze would be advantageous for them and you would assume McLaren would want to capitalise on that.

If this is the case, I imagine that Mercedes might find the Strategy Group meetings on the 2016 engine regulations to be a fractious affair - we know that Bernie is angling for a mechanism that effectively equalises the engine performance to increase "the show" by putting more teams into contention, whilst Ferrari and Red Bull have already threatened to push for a relaxation or to completely tear up the development restrictions for 2016, which only requires a majority vote.
Boullier's comments, although milder, might give Ferrari and Red Bull some hope that they could persuade McLaren to vote along with them in the Strategy Group, which would leave them tying at nine votes each (assuming that the FIA votes with the Mercedes powered teams and against FOM and the other teams). Force India and Williams will probably resist the lobbying efforts of the other teams and FOM quite hard, but I imagine that their larger rivals will be leaning as hard as they can.

golic_2004 · Post by **golic_2004** » 27 Dec 2014, 22:22

andrew2209 wrote:
dinizintheoven wrote:I'm just waiting for someone to pick a number seemingly at random from those that weren't in general use for the last 40-odd years. Where is car 47, car 71, car 83, car 59...

Eventually someone's going to choose #69.

On the topic of numbers, I'd probably take #96, the last 2 digits of the year I was born

Someone already did choose 69. RIP Al http://images.autosport.com/editorial/1399375501.jpg

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 28 Dec 2014, 15:08

The entry list for next year has been updated. Manor and Caterham are still on it, but now Lotus joins them as an entry subject to confirmation.