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PitLaneTalk @pitlanetalk · 30m Big news from La Gazzetta: Fernando Alonso already informed Ferrari about his intention to leave. #F1 #Formula1 PitLaneTalk @pitlanetalk · 25m Spanish media also reporting Alonso is free to leave, there are no penalties or extra costs for breaking the contract. #F1 #Formula1
I think the sport needs a bit of a move around driver wise - it all adds to the mix, especially with dominance of Merc this year. Doesnt look good for Button though and he seemed pretty dejected this weekend.
You get the feeling he knows he is likely to be out of a drive next year, but is contracted not to say anything until McLaren make an official statement.
A month ago Mattiacci said he was certain both drivers would be staying next year. Now, when asked about Alonso, he said "for the moment, yes". I think he's gone.
No driver is going to openly talk about it until the team makes an official statement for risk of upsetting the sponsors. If Alonso is gone I really wonder what will happen at Ferrari. Is Bianchi ready? Would they prefer the more experienced Hulkenberg? Could they continue their "Mclaren rejects" theme by taking Button for a year? And that's ignoring the Vettel rumours.......
Right, I'm going to put on my tinfoil hat and take a look at the possible driver line-ups for next season, with a slight bias towards crazy rumours. MERCEDES Nico Rosberg - Sebastian Vettel Rosberg's contract for next season sticks. Fears over his place cause Hamilton to quit the team. Mercedes outbid Ferrari for Vettel with the promise of a not-s**t car. RED BULL Lewis Hamilton - Daniel Ricciardo Hamilton tried to secure a move to Red Bull before going to Mercedes and now he gets another chance, as Red Bull and Mercedes come to an agreement over a driver swap. FERRARI Kimi Raikkonen - Nico Hulkenberg As Raikkonen has only a year on his contract, Ferrari decide it is worth keeping him during a transition. Hulkenberg is bought out of his Force India deal to give the team experience and prepare him for a long-term role as a possible team leader. MCLAREN Fernando Alonso - Kevin Magnussen Alonso trades the mediocrity of Ferrari for one last roll of the dice at Mclaren, who decide ultimately to keep the pacey but unrefined Magnussen and put Button out to pasture. WILLIAMS Felipe Massa - Valtteri Bottas The only team to retain their driver line-up from the previous year. FORCE INDIA Sergio Perez - Jean-Eric Vergne Force India retain Perez to reap the benefits of his strong performances and the Mexican presence, and, from a pool of experienced drivers, take a punt on Vergne for their second seat. SAUBER Jules Bianchi - Esteban Gutierrez Ferrari offer Bianchi to Sauber for a year to replace the disgruntled Adrian Sutil, who, frustrated at the team's performances, quits for DTM. Gutierrez is retained for the return of the Mexican GP. SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO Daniil Kvyat - Max Verstappen We knew this already. Red Bull say Kvyat is not yet ready for a top seat but that if he continues his development he is one to watch. LOTUS Pastor Maldonado - Roberto Merhi Promising rookie Merhi joins the team, to replace Grosjean who departs for endurance racing. Maldonado is already contracted. MARUSSIA Max Chilton - Kamui Kobayashi Kobayashi jumps ship from Caterham to replace the departing Bianchi. Chilton is not going to be dislodged, but youngsters like Sirotkin circle his seat ahead of 2016. CATERHAM Marcus Ericsson - Robin Frijns Caterham fail to turn up to any of the tests, are unable to qualify in Australia, and ultimately fold for good after three races. Oh, and they retain Ericsson for his money and promote poor old Robin Frijns. FORZA ROSSA They defer to 2016. STEFAN GP Hey we got Villeneuve to have a seat fitting can we be in F1 too? Guys? Guys? Bernie...? Some of these are more likely than others... I think Hamilton/Vettel will stay put, and a lot of the midfield is a complete crapshoot, wouldn't surprise me if Sirotkin, Vandoorne etc get to jump up, I'm just not sure where precisely.
I'll go for a crazy mix or rumors and guesswork, on the basis that Alonso moving sparks a transfer war on the whole grid! Mercedes- Rosberg- Hamilton. Despite all the speculation, they stick with what they have. McLaren- Alonso- Grosjean. Alonso walks but as part of his deal, refuses to work with another McLaren protege like Hamilton, They parachute in Grosjean late on to satisfy Alonso. Ferrari- Vettel- Raikkonen. Vettel Snatched from Red Bull after Ferrari buy out his contract. Red Bull- Riccardio- Kvyat, last minute switch leads to promotion for Danil despite fears he's not ready. Williams- Bottas- Massa, as you were. Toro Rosso- Verstappen-Carlos Sainz Jr. Late call up for Sainz after the Kvyat seat opens up. Force India- Hulkenberg- Magnussen, McLaren "loan" him to FI for free. Lotus- Maldonado- Vergne, Lotus decide to go with a solid driver with a point to prove to counteract Maldonado. Sauber- Bianchi- Perez, Ferrari "pay" for Bianchi's seat, Perez with telemex sponsorship to provide vital finds, returns to his first team. 2 free drivers for a year, in effect. Marussia- Gutierrez- Rossi. Gutierrez pays for his seat, Rossi steps up to race seat in place of Bianchi Caterham- Ericsson and Chilton.... yet people still laugh when Kolles announces his intention to challenge the top teams after an overhaul on and off the track. The people were right.
Well then, if this is a thing! Mercedes Rosberg & Hamilton - Both would be mad to leave and despite it all they work well together Red Bull Ricciardo & Button - Red Bull bring in Button as a stop gap as they compare their rookies Ferrari Kimi & Hulk - Ferrari in a mess, have one of their worst seasons ever McLaren Alonso & kMag - Honda demand Alonso and no one stands out to replace kMag Williams Bottas & Massa Force India Perez & rookie, maybe Mercedes backed STR Kyvat and Verstappen Lotus Maldonado & Nasr - Grosjean walks and Nasr brings in cash Sauber Gutierrez and Bianchi - Both paying one way or another Marussia Chilton & Ferrari backed rookie Caterham folds
I know the rumour mill has gone into overdrive but Alonso was extremely staunch in his defence of himself and distanced himself from rumours in his interview with Sky. He said all the talk never comes from his mouth. McLaren would be a real gamble initially although with Honda to themselves and Prodromu on board they could very quickly become a different animal within two years. Their power unit has to be on the money before anything else, then they can improve the aero.
Alonso would be wise to wait as Mclaren are not delivering with aero. That said Button was curt on the interview and this was most unlike him...I am sure he is out. He was almost bitter. But Alonso is on a big gamble but so was Lewis when he left and look what happened there. Everyone thought he was taking a massive risk. To button I would say he may find happiness and success in another racing pedigree so if our speculation is true he should not be too down...life has other opportunities.
he has a contract until 2015, by that time he'll see if Ferrari are going in the right direction in season 2 of the new regs, and how good the McLaren/Honda package is looking after a season.
I will be extremely disappointed in McLaren if they drop Button. He's got double the points that Magnussen has and he's been pretty loyal to them considering that they've had an awful car the last two years. It also seems a very risky move for Alonso to move when McLaren are in this state of affairs. The Honda engine could prove to be amazing but it's not going to matter if McLaren can't get their aero sorted. Having said all that, if Alonso did move it could be a good opportunity for Button to go to Ferrari. My predictions, though I don't think much will change... Mercedes Rosberg & Hamilton Red Bull Ricciardo & Vettel Ferrari Alonso & Kimi McLaren Button & Mag Williams Bottas & Massa Force India Perez & Hulk STR Kyvat and Verstappen Lotus Maldonado & Grosjean Sauber Van der Garde and Vergne Marussia Bianchi & Rossi Caterham 2 rookies with lots of cash
I agree with westy that most the seats will stay the same but I don't think grosjean will be at lotus. He could be a dark horse contender for McLaren.
Replacement for Button? Would probably be a lot cheaper and his Boullier connections would put him in strong contention.
Only problem I can foresee is if Mobil1 kick up a fuss over Grosjean's association with Total. I'd like to see Grosjean given another chance at the top but I think there's other drivers who deserve it more, tbh.
