F1 2017 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

I think the Renault move for Hulk is right for him and a gamble worth taking. He effectively gets 3 years in a works based team as opposed to a year on year deal with a customer team on a limited budget relying on big sponsorship to compete. Once the engine race equals itself I would expect the likes of FI to struggle more.

 

He was going nowhere at FI so had to move as Perez has shown him the way quite a few times over the last couple of years so his stock has fallen

They didn't have the budget to really challenge at the front, as you say in theory Renault could have the budget if they wanted to plough loads of money in. If nothing much happens after those 3 years I reckon he'll leave F1 as his chance will definitely have gone by then.

 

Yeah for sure, Renault and then WEC probably. But it has been a decent run from Hulk so far. Can't be denied that Perez has shown more performance though.

 

Hulk has been very consistent, no doubt, and will be very good for Renault. Jury is out who good Renault will be for him.

I think we all hoped Hulk would somehow have done better than what he has become, which is a very competent, consistent driver who shows the odd bit of flair. Is it something about the name 'Nico' that does this to drivers!?

 

Sauber to use a 2016 Ferrari engine next year to concentrate on car development. With unlimited engine development this is suicide!

 

2017 will again be a right off for them.

 

We knew they were budget restricted, but I think this is boarderline folding the team.

 

Sebastian Vettel puts talks on a new Ferrari contract on hold
Both Vettel and Scuderia team-mate Kimi Raikkonen set to start 2017 season with less than a year left on their contracts
By Pete Gill
Last Updated: 20/10/16 7:24pm

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Sebastian Vettel has revealed talks over a new deal at Ferrari have been put on hold.

Vettel is instead set to to enter the final year of his Ferrari contract without putting in place an agreement to extend his stay at Maranello.

"We are all fairly busy, focusing on the last four races and focusing in particular on next year," Vettel told reporters at the US GP when asked if a new deal was imminent.

 

Kvyat and Sainz confirmed at TR for next season, hands up who saw that coming?

 

It's a bit of an odd one for me. Toro Rosso exists to test out drivers for the main team and they've already decided that Kyvat isn't good enough, so why keep him on?

 

Despite being 2nd in the GP2 championship (admittedly behind his team-mate), Gasly apparently hasn't impressed enough yet, and have they got any other options?

 

Is it my imagination or is he starting to make Nige look like slim gent?

 

Lol, at least those new 2017 tyres wont look too big!

 

Lance Stroll brings his dad's money, I mean talent, to WiIliams for 2017.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/37742698

 

He's actually not a bad driver.

 

True, but I'm sure the extra $$$$$'s helped the decision.

 

Is it only me who thinks Bottas still has an awful lot to prove?

I'd take Hulk, Sainz, and Perez all before I'd take him.

As for Hulks move to Renault- it makes sense for him. It's a calculated gamble. No other works team has a spot right now, Williams and Force India as customers are unlikely to win a race let a lone a title, and Renault do have a history of getting it right in the end so he may as well gamble on them. He could get himself into a Kubica-esque role, mixing it at the front by 2019-2020.

Hulk and Perez for my money would give Rosberg and Raikonnen right good runs for their money if they had the same car levels, and can count themselves as unfortunate not to be in a big team already.

 

I'd put Bottas and Hulk in the same bracket, though to be fair to Bottas his 2014 season was very very good, even allowing for Williams having probably the 2nd fastest car for most of the season, but since then he seems to have gone off the boil a little bit at times. How Hulk is still so highly rated yet still can't get a podium is beyond me.