As far as I'm aware (and I could well be wrong here) Alonso has been the only one to veto a driver and it become public. I don't think Hamilton and Vettel would ever veto a driver so much, but they would certainly probably push the team to get one driver over another if it suited their cause. Vetoing by stealth I guess, which I'm sure most drivers try Despite it all I think even teams prefer it when one driver is better than another, generally stops them getting in each others way and stops any infighting (to a point). More often that not having two amazing drivers doesn't pay off, where as one 'amazing' driver and one 'very good' driver does.
I think he is looking for a top driver to replace Button as he doesnt seem to be on top of things at the moment. Alonso seems to be quickly slipping out off McLaren's wish list, so Vettel is the next prize. I remember him saying that he believes Hamilton will come back home... Buit I think after the performances of Mercedes recently I dont think Hamilton will have McLaren on his check list any time soon.
So it begins..... Gene Haas postpones Formula One entry to 2016 season Gene Haas has decided not to enter the 2015 Formula One World Championship. Despite having an entry for next season, he has been advised to postpone entry because the team will have to be built from scratch. Hass has received heavy criticism from Juan Pablo Montoya, Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert because of his desire to build the team’s base in North Carolina and have a satellite base in Italy for European races. The challenge will be the recruitment of personnel with formula 1 experience who wish to relocate to the States. Interesting, Gunther Steiner, who formally headed the Jaguar and Red Bull teams has at present been nominated as Team Principal, though whether this will be a permanent role, is as yet unclear. Steiner reveals, that he will be holding talks with ex-Ferrari boss, Stefano Domenicali. “I have no idea what he’s doing or if he has something but we will certainly talk to him.” Even as a consultant Domenicali would be able to provide off the record insights into how the negotiations with Maranello should best proceed. Steiner is set to travel once again with a U.S delegation to revisit contract negotiations with Ferrari, specifically with their new team principal, Marco Mattiacci, because the previous contact talks had been with the departed Stefano Domenicali. Hopes are high that an accomodation will be reached quickly as Mattiacci was the Ferrari CEO for the last two years and knows the potential of the US market. Discussion will also take place beyond just the supply of a power unit with Dallara providing technical and manufacturing capability. Gianpaolo Dallara and Andrea Pontremoli, CEO and General Manager for Dallara, are keeping schtum whilst talks are ongoing but it is understood that whilst they would collaborate with Haas if a Ferrari partnership is established, their preferred option is that the car is built by the new team rather than using the Parma manufacturer’s factory. Further, the name of another ex-F1 senior figure is being linked with Haas, that of Norbert Haug. Whilst both Haug and Domenicali have a wealth of experience, yet for many they may be perceived as men from F1′s yesteryear. This in itself demonstrates how difficult it will be for Haas to capture the top talent currently employed, who are unlikely to be lured by cash alone.
2016 is a much more realistic goal than 2015. There's no way they could build a team from the ground up in less than a year.
Especially when you need to convince several people who most probably have settled families to move to a different continent. Wonder if they will stick with the US base idea.
I imagine that he has to have a US base otherwise it won't really be seen as a US team. They really need to sell themselves as a US team to attract US sponsors and to prove the US can make a successful F1 team.
It's not just the move out there too, it's the threat of a move back. F1 backmarker's aren't famed for their longevity, so any personnel who move across will know they might be looking to move back to Europe in 2 or 3 years time if the project isn't successful. I agree that a US team need a US base and probably at least one US driver to be authentic enough for sponsors, so I think they may need to move away from trying to entice European staff, and look into retraining US-based aerodynamicists, etc and look to recruit promising candidates with no F1 experience. Perhaps technical link-up with Ferrari could extend to sending Haas team members to Italy in 2015 to work alongside their Ferrari counterparts? Certainly not surprised they've had to push back their entrance, 2015 always seemed ambitious.
Sportbild reporting that from 2015 there will only be one free practice on the Friday for "cost cutting" reasons... The cars will also enter a sort of parc ferme on Friday night to stop the big teams messing around with various updates before qualifying.
Not much for reducing practise sessions, if anything I would increase them with additional allocation of tyres to help development. I like the Parc Ferme rule. I would like to see 3 one hour sessions on the Friday (with a mandatory development driver in the 1st session) and the normal Saturday practise.
Weren't the cars going to be built and run by Dallara anyway, hence the use of the Italian base for European races i.e. Dallara? I can see this just quietly dissolving without a trace again as someone will have to be prepared to put in at least £20 - £30m over the next 18 months before the car even turns a wheel.
Don't want him in, Ferrari can keep him. Monsieur_F1 ( Mr.F1) ‏@MonsieurF1 8m EXCLUSIVE: @alo_oficial will signed a contract with @MercedesAMGF1 in a few days. Same duo as 2007 with @McLarenF1 ( @LewisHamilton ) #F1
Surely First Target would be Vettel. But thats if they want rid of a reliable lap dog in Rosberg. If Alonso goes then maybe Vettel to Ferrari and Rosberg to Red Bull?
as i predicted. Again Alonso would be very foolish to accept, his role would only be to make Hamilton look better than Rosberg is currently doing, and make Mercedes dominance seem more interesting (and more likely be allowed to continue longer before another rule shake up), i'm sure they'll be enforcing the good old "shared data" policy again, just in case. Alonso would be much better off switching with Vettel if he's serious about challenging again.
de Silvestro eyes race seat for 2015 http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113848 May as well be with Sauber as currently both of their drivers are showing no reason to be kept next year. She may also be able to bring in a lot of coverage and sponsorship, maybe Bernie would wade in if he thought she would be a good marketing tool for F1. Not a top class driver, but was able to battle it pretty well over in the States.
https://twitter.com/tgruener/status/465037220156825600 Alonso will not be going to Mercedes next year.
That would be a daft move by Merc anyway. If they were going to try throw money at another WDC, surly the obvious choice would be Vettel. German star in a not so reasonably priced car.
