You could have a point there, unlikely two rival oil companies would be happy sponsoring the same car, unless their markets are so far apart that they aren't really in competition. Sauber seems a good optin. They need the money and always seem to produce a good mid-grid car. There's no doubt Maldo has talent, anyone who can fend off Alonso in Spain for half a race must be doing something right, so even with his £££'s, he is one that deserves a drive.
Maldonado to Sauber would be good, hopefully they'd leave Sirotkin in the junior formulae for an extra season because he isn't ready yet. Bit disappointed Williams are going for Massa, presumably they don't think Bottas is experienced enough to lead development on his own, would've been nice if they grabbed one of the young talents from WSR. Really hope Lotus's eyes don't light up when they see Maldo's money. They could have an excellent driver line up next year, and it would stand them in better stead long term attracting sponsors if they had Hulk's results.
tbh getting the results and being up there hasn't really helped them financially as much as it should, if getting their hands on PDVSA's money help them to develope the car then surely that's to the good, no point challenging for half a season. That said what's the latest on the Venezuelan governments motorsport corruption investigation? Could turn out that Maldonado has no money.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24715901 According to Benson both Hulk and Pastor have finalised contracts with Lotus and are waiting for the team to make their decision.
Interesting that Massa's chances are 50-50. With Maldonado definitely leaving the team, who is the alternative to Massa?
I guess there are loads of drivers who Williams could go for. Whichever Force India driver gets the boot, Petrov apparently has backing now, maybe Kobayashi, Kovalainen or Alguersuari, even Perez if McLaren replace him. Razia could've got some money together again. Heaven forbid PDVSA insist on putting Cecotto in there. Sam Bird could be an outside bet with the Mercedes tie up, and I think Williams would like to put a Brit in there. Massa's experience probably puts him ahead of pretty much everyone else sniffing around it though.
I hope he gets something in the upper echelons of motorsport, it's a real shame that his F1 career is effectively over.
didn't Petrobras split with Williams on bad terms in the past? They dumped them for Honda in 2009 with Senna but obviously that all went south.
FA ‏@joseluisf1 4h There are rumours that Mercedes have made a strong offer to Adrian Newey, Brackley is not very far from Milton Keynes
Please god let it be true, if we get Newey we will get Vettel as well! Newey has been known to dislike Brawn and his 'technical tricks' so probably why he has to accept demotion or leave. Best engine, best designers (Newey/Lowe) and the best drivers Vettel and Hamilton. No wonder Lewis has been acting all buddy buddy with Seb!
Kimi given up already? http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111000 Hope not, would be disrespectful to the team that brought him back to F1. Would change my view on him he had thrown in the towel again before the end of contract.
Potentially could just be the media looking for a story, or the Lotus PR team trying to play up Kimi's "don't care" attitude, as according to Will Buxton, pre-race this weekend he was already told by the team that Kimi would miss the press stuff for Abu Dhabi. Also, the Crofty one's tweeted that Maldo to Lotus is pretty much a done deal.
Force India, Sauber or nowhere (McLaren are unconfirmed, but it doesn't seem very likely) . Such a shame that we're looking at Maldonado in a top team and the Hulk potentially out of the sport! How many teams are there left that take on drivers based on talent now?
