I wonder if they've learnt their lesson from having two rookies together, it makes it pretty hard to compare their relative abilities. To me it makes more sense to keep Vergne for another season to use as a benchmark to compare Kyvat against. That way they've got a reasonably experienced driver on hand if something happens to Vettel or Ricciardo, and they can compare Kyvat to Vergne (and indirectly Ricciardo). It's then much easier to know how Kyvat is progressing, and whether he's worth continuing with.
Autosport reckon Perez is close to agreeing a deal though... one would expect Mclaren to leak the possibility of replacing Perez with Magnussen to give them a stronger negotiating position but I would doubt that it is being given serious consideration.
Instead they will give him a pay increase and #1 status. Hey they might even throw in the orange McLaren F1 road car.
Looks like Mclaren really arent convinced on Perez, which given the car this year and his 5th place the other week seems strange to me even though I thought he was always overhyped. There was a rumour a few months back that his financial backing had stopped or not come through so I wonder if its more down to that than his out and out performance?
Would be suprised if McLaren were too concerned about his financial backing. In view of his improved performances over the last couple of races, it would seem harsh if he were to be ditched without the chance of a second season. Maybe they just are concerned that he is another Heikki and cannot step up to the level needed to compete at the front?
I don't think Perez has been bad enough to deserve being dropped after a season, but it's also not fair to have Magnussen rotting away in the lower formulae, he's been the best driver outside of F1 this year and seems to have more talent than Perez. Hopefully Magnussen gets it, I think they'll have a good car next year and as Magnussen points out himself the new regulations "could be an advantage for us rookies because if anything it means that experience counts for less"; perfect time to come in. I guess Perez will replace Gutierrez at Sauber if he's dropped by McLaren.
I don't see him getting dropped this year. He's just about shown enough promise to keep on for another year, however the tone of the autosport article definitely makes it feel like it will be a "second chance" rather than them being happy with him. The presence of Magnussen serves to put Perez on notice (though however i do expect to see him bedded in at Marussia first) 2014 is looking like a big year for Sergio's career.
Perez to Sauber would be harsh on Gutierrez, who'd presumably be dropped, or it stops Bianchi progressing, assuming Ferrari want to place him there? Magnussen to replace Bianchi, who replaces Hulk, who replaces Kimi, who replaces Massa, who replaces...Di Resta? Maldo?
Newey is worried, he thinks next year will be "engine dominated". Newey's crazy packaging could lead to reliability problems as well. Red Bull's time at the top is over! Forza Ferrari!
Well the last I heard they were saying they have no regrets on the Raikkonen situation. I think the deal is done just needs finalising. I expect the driver lineup to be confirmed in Austin.
Whitmarsh was dissapointed with Perez's performance in Abu Dhabi. Is Magnussen now in? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula-one/24844304 Was it really that bad!? If he had the same race pace as Button was said to have had post accident, Perez would have finished above Alonso!!
