2016 Silly Season Thread

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 07 Dec 2015, 18:07

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122169
Alonso confirmed for MotoGP Honda seat, 2016.

Fetzie · Post by **Fetzie** » 07 Dec 2015, 18:50

Rob Dylan wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122169
Alonso confirmed for MotoGP Honda seat, 2016.

Fastest he's been all year :/

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 08 Dec 2015, 20:28

Rob Dylan wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122169
Alonso confirmed for MotoGP Honda seat, 2016.

"Confirmed" is... exaggerating it.

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 09 Dec 2015, 10:41

UgncreativeUsergname wrote:
Rob Dylan wrote:http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122169
Alonso confirmed for MotoGP Honda seat, 2016.

"Confirmed" is... exaggerating it.

You heard it here first!

girry · Post by **girry** » 10 Dec 2015, 11:50

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122199

Formula 1 too focused on protecting small teams - Fernando Alonso

...ohhh...dear....

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 10 Dec 2015, 12:33

Small teams like McLaren?

Dj_bereta · Post by **Dj_bereta** » 10 Dec 2015, 16:28

Typical statement from Alonso, but he is forgetting the fact that a small team was very important in his career.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 10 Dec 2015, 18:08

Dj_bereta wrote:Typical statement from Alonso, but he is forgetting the fact that a small team was very important in his career.

He is also forgetting that it were not for the small teams, he and his team would have been dead last for pretty much all the races this season and thanks to them he was spared of such ignominy.

FullMetalJack · Post by **FullMetalJack** » 10 Dec 2015, 20:40

Dj_bereta wrote:Typical statement from Alonso, but he is forgetting the fact that a small team was very important in his career.

Not just that, but said small team was saved before the season began.

Post by **mario** » 11 Dec 2015, 09:20

DanielPT wrote:
Dj_bereta wrote:Typical statement from Alonso, but he is forgetting the fact that a small team was very important in his career.

He is also forgetting that it were not for the small teams, he and his team would have been dead last for pretty much all the races this season and thanks to them he was spared of such ignominy.

I have to agree that Alonso's comments are rather short sighted - asides from the increased competition those teams provide, they are essential outfits for nurturing and developing new talents, both in terms of drivers and in terms of designers. Without those smaller teams, I would wager that the sport would stagnate fairly quickly (we already see many complaining about a lack of opportunities for promising up and coming drivers, a situation that is unlikely to improve if the number of small teams fell).

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 11 Dec 2015, 09:31

Dj_bereta wrote:Typical statement from Alonso.

To be honest, I didn't think it was a typical statement from Alonso. I don't recall him having such a short-sighted view in the past. Ron Dennis must be rubbing off on him (Urgh, what an image)

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 11 Dec 2015, 11:35

CoopsII wrote:
Dj_bereta wrote:Typical statement from Alonso.

To be honest, I didn't think it was a typical statement from Alonso. I don't recall him having such a short-sighted view in the past. Ron Dennis must be rubbing off on him (Urgh, what an image)

New signature I think

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 11 Dec 2015, 13:16

Somebody tie Axel down, he's gonna go ballistic.

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 11 Dec 2015, 13:34

€15 million! For you yanks that's $16.5 million or £10.8 million in Sterling. Not to be sniffed at, but hardly megabucks Maldonado level. Still, I suspect Manor will be delighted with that cash.

AxelP800 · Post by **AxelP800** » 11 Dec 2015, 13:35

AndreaModa wrote:€15 million! For you yanks that's $16.5 million or £10.8 million in Sterling. Not to be sniffed at, but hardly megabucks Maldonado level. Still, I suspect Manor will be delighted with that cash.

15m euros is what Manor ask to Haryanto if he wants to race with them. Source from local newspaper and sites

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 11 Dec 2015, 16:51

Go Manor. Maybe they can actually pay for those Mercedes engines now

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 11 Dec 2015, 17:41

If Manor's new package proves even remotely competitive, I reckon he will be a driver to watch in 2016. Even if that removed yet another seat from more capable and awarded hands.

Post by **Ataxia** » 11 Dec 2015, 17:45

He still doesn't have a valid superlicense though; he had one in 2012, but it will expire and there's no guarantee it'll be renewed. Will Buxton is suggesting that Jean Todt won't want his new points system to be bypassed in the first year, and although I know you guys think it'll be sidestepped, it probably won't be.

It's a letter of intent and nothing more, and I suspect Manor will use it to eke a bit more out of Mercedes for Wehrlein, or from Rossi and Stevens' backers.

novitopoli · Post by **novitopoli** » 11 Dec 2015, 18:12

Who would have, then, enough points to get a superlicense with the new system? Wehrlein?

Post by **Miguel98** » 11 Dec 2015, 18:52

novitopoli wrote:Who would have, then, enough points to get a superlicense with the new system? Wehrlein?

Nope.

You know who has enough points? ANDRE LOTTERER

sswishbone · Post by **sswishbone** » 11 Dec 2015, 21:53

The points system got even more convoluted with the changes due to the originally non-existant F2 championship, introduction of DTM and Indycar and all that. I know that Buemi, Davidson, Webber, Hartley and Bernhard have enough via WEC. Doubt any of them will be battling their way back to the grid any time soon

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 12 Dec 2015, 00:10

Buemi's got to be due a comeback, right?
And I haven't heard about Hartley in like 6 years! Back in 2009 I remember him being touted as "the next big thing" in a few years, and I haven't heard about him since.

AxelP800 · Post by **AxelP800** » 12 Dec 2015, 05:55

Rob Dylan wrote:Buemi's got to be due a comeback, right?
And I haven't heard about Hartley in like 6 years! Back in 2009 I remember him being touted as "the next big thing" in a few years, and I haven't heard about him since.

Hartley is 2015 WEC champion! It's a thing!

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 12 Dec 2015, 06:06

Miguel98 wrote:
novitopoli wrote:Who would have, then, enough points to get a superlicense with the new system? Wehrlein?

Nope.

You know who has enough points? ANDRE LOTTERER

Lotterer-Stevens for '16 lineup, PLEASE, LET ME DREAM ABOUT IT

RonDenisDeletraz · Post by **RonDenisDeletraz** » 13 Dec 2015, 10:46

AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:
Miguel98 wrote:
novitopoli wrote:Who would have, then, enough points to get a superlicense with the new system? Wehrlein?

Nope.

You know who has enough points? ANDRE LOTTERER

Lotterer-Stevens for '16 lineup, PLEASE, LET ME DREAM ABOUT IT

I would love to see a Lotterer-Treluyer lineup in F1, doubt it would ever haapen though

Klon · Post by **Klon** » 15 Dec 2015, 03:00

Ataxia wrote:Will Buxton is suggesting that Jean Todt won't want his new points system to be bypassed in the first year, and although I know you guys think it'll be sidestepped, it probably won't be.

I must disagree with Buxton there. This points system falls under the classic "let's give a "solution" to a supposed "problem" so the unwashed masses keep their worthless traps shut"-method of FIA management (an approach I fully support). I cannot imagine Todt cares about it anymore than he does about a random pimple on his face.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 15 Dec 2015, 10:16

Klon wrote:
Ataxia wrote:Will Buxton is suggesting that Jean Todt won't want his new points system to be bypassed in the first year, and although I know you guys think it'll be sidestepped, it probably won't be.

I must disagree with Buxton there. This points system falls under the classic "let's give a "solution" to a supposed "problem" so the unwashed masses keep their worthless traps shut"-method of FIA management (an approach I fully support). I cannot imagine Todt cares about it anymore than he does about a random pimple on his face.

Funny... Todt always struck me like the kind of guy who went berserk if he woke up with a pimple on his face. After Ferrari one got the idea he went deep on details and now with his tenure at FIA where he got more worried about image and moving up the politics ladder than about ruling the sport and FIA itself, both ideas coupled together clearly show that he would care a lot about a pimple. Although, given how spineless he is, I am sure an arrangement can be made. Like with the engines, the ruling of the sport and pretty much anything else FIA related.

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 15 Dec 2015, 23:02

The Aston Martin deal isn't happening

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 15 Dec 2015, 23:09

Simtek wrote:The Aston Martin deal isn't happening

Hardly a definitive "no". Motorsport.com are reporting the decision has been delayed until January. Whether it goes ahead or not, the wait can't be doing the team any good. You can only be in limbo for so long. Just ask Lotus.

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 18 Dec 2015, 16:00

Ataxia wrote:He still doesn't have a valid superlicense though; he had one in 2012, but it will expire and there's no guarantee it'll be renewed. Will Buxton is suggesting that Jean Todt won't want his new points system to be bypassed in the first year, and although I know you guys think it'll be sidestepped, it probably won't be.

It's a letter of intent and nothing more, and I suspect Manor will use it to eke a bit more out of Mercedes for Wehrlein, or from Rossi and Stevens' backers.

Yes it will. Again, this points system is MEANINGLESS. If they gave Kimi a license back in the day, they are in no way going to deny one to a driver who ALREADY HAD ONE. Plus all Manor has to say is it needs the money or it will fold (which is probably true). No way Todt will let a team go after all the economic backlash of the last 18 months.

Just a shame though, as this locks Rossi out of a race seat....

Post by **mario** » 19 Dec 2015, 22:13

Wallio wrote:
Ataxia wrote:He still doesn't have a valid superlicense though; he had one in 2012, but it will expire and there's no guarantee it'll be renewed. Will Buxton is suggesting that Jean Todt won't want his new points system to be bypassed in the first year, and although I know you guys think it'll be sidestepped, it probably won't be.

It's a letter of intent and nothing more, and I suspect Manor will use it to eke a bit more out of Mercedes for Wehrlein, or from Rossi and Stevens' backers.

Yes it will. Again, this points system is MEANINGLESS. If they gave Kimi a license back in the day, they are in no way going to deny one to a driver who ALREADY HAD ONE. Plus all Manor has to say is it needs the money or it will fold (which is probably true). No way Todt will let a team go after all the economic backlash of the last 18 months.

Just a shame though, as this locks Rossi out of a race seat....

Looking more thoroughly at the regulations, Haryanto might be able to sidestep the points total requirement when you review the additional clauses for former superlicence holders - presumably, the FIA included those clauses to cover drivers who have previously raced in F1 but could theoretically return to the sport.

Asides from points, there are two other ways a driver can become eligible to earn a superlicence:
1) If they have been awarded a full superlicence within the last three years;
2) If they were awarded a full superlicence more than three years ago, but have recent experience in a high powered single seater car.

Now, Haryanto could argue that, having raced continuously in GP2 since he gained his superlicence in 2012 and having finished 4th in the championship this year, he would be eligible under that second clause. That clause effectively allows all parties to save face, since the idea of the points total remains intact whilst allowing the FIA to award a superlicence to Haryanto under that exception.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 23 Dec 2015, 07:55

Mr and Mrs Button are going their separate ways. So, er, where will he end up next?

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 23 Dec 2015, 15:43

So Jessica is single again? Better put on my best cologne...

...but seriously that didn't last too long now did it? Didn't they have a long break-up when they were going out a couple of years ago? Gossip gossip gossip!

andrew · Post by **andrew** » 23 Dec 2015, 16:29

Well that caps off an awful year for Button.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 23 Dec 2015, 18:10

andrew wrote:Well that caps off an awful year for Button.

Not necessarily. He may feel well rid of the miserable cow.

andrew · Post by **andrew** » 23 Dec 2015, 18:13

CoopsII wrote:
andrew wrote:Well that caps off an awful year for Button.

Not necessarily. He may feel well rid of the miserable cow.

Haaha, for. Second I thaught you meant Ron Dennis

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 23 Dec 2015, 18:53

CoopsII wrote:Mr and Mrs Button are going their separate ways. So, er, where will he end up next?

The news is currently the second-most read news story on the BBC News website...

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 24 Dec 2015, 06:45

dr-baker wrote:
CoopsII wrote:Mr and Mrs Button are going their separate ways. So, er, where will he end up next?

The news is currently the second-most read news story on the BBC News website...

It's important gossip.

AustralianStig · Post by **AustralianStig** » 31 Dec 2015, 09:10

New tyre rules finally explained properly:

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24100/ ... -explained

I'm actually really looking forward to this. I don't think it will affect the races all that much, but will certainly throw up some extra strategic options for qualifying, especially Q2.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 08 Jan 2016, 17:14

Pat Symonds feels that Pirelli could've trusted the F1 teams a bit more and pushed the boat out with their 2016 tyres. Because, you know, it's not like what happened at Silverstone in 2013 was the fault of the teams ignoring Pirelli's guidelines or anything, or that if there's ever a problem with tyres, Pirelli has hell to pay.