Hulk to replace Kimi with Alonso or Vettel? Bianchi to Sauber, Sainz Jr also in somewhere. Button out, Magnussen with Vandoorne or Hamilton. Vettel alongside Rosberg maybe?
Yet more (alleged) fuel onto the Alonso fire today, this time from Ferrari themselves. The new head (Sergio Maccione?) has confirmed Alonso and Mattiaci have fallen out and he won't get involved "It's up to them to sort it out", and that also they are looking at the driver market "depending on what the drivers want to do". Basically, reading between the lines... Alonso is free to leave if he wants to and they expect him to do so.
Jenson says Honda need an experienced driver to help with development. http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116089 Well, yes and no. how much input can the driver have on things like the ERS etc? Do they really know how these things work? Surely what Honda need to make sure is that they have the technicians who understand how these things work!? There is little use a driver telling them what needs doing to these systems, which are still very new, if the people in the factories can't figure out how to get what the driver wants? The power units are so new that its fair to say that not really one driver can definitely say they are experienced with these units, and as the only chance to test these things is the limited time on the track, has the days of the 'development' driver now pretty much disappeared? Debatable how good Jenson is as a development driver has he saw the demise of BAR, then Brawn GP go from domination to a Q2 qualifier and now McLaren to where it is. Seems most teams he goes to end up going backwards......... Clearly Jenson is suggesting that they need to keep him on, however I can't help thinking that McLaren are looking to the future, or simply get a driver who doesn't have such a narrow operating setup need as Jenson does. Honda have worked with Jenson before, so am sure they will have their own views on whether they think he has the qualities they need for their new foray.
Maybe Alonso should stay put, Ferrari (and Mercedes) will have a tiny advantage next year as the nose rules are basically this years noses for their cars.... grasping at, silver lining, all that.
Is that the same source as you got your pre-season Ferrari information from? From The Judge http://thejudge13.com/ Ahh, must be true then.......
I think that all of the big 3 (Lewis, Vettel & Alonso) are unsetteled for various reasons and could all be tempted by a 100 million 3 year deal - regardless of the car. With Ron back at the helm that brings into question who would suit the team the most - he is anal beyond belief and boarderline unworkable with which throws into the question the suitability of both Lewis and Alonso - leaving Vettel as the most likely option - IMO.
Rumours I've heard are Honda have yet to pick their turbo or fuel choice for next year. Might not seem hugely important but, for contrast, Petronas started work on their fuel supply for this season three years ago.
The Honda/Bar package never made it so with Mclaren basic problems...they have a good engine but can't deliver as Williams have, there will be in IMO, a delay in the overall package delivering. A new engine entrant does not mean all will be well. Vetted won't move, Lewis is focusing on the championship, Alonso...maybe but why now vs later? Ok he is not getting any younger but sometimes u move on in life and can u really go back. Mclaren is not the pedigree it once was. So Alonso needs a proof point and confidence to decide IMO otherwise could frying pan vs fire.
The turbo is because they are using an outside supplier and trialling different ones and sizes. I call nonsense on the fuel rumors though, they are exclusively tied to McLaren for 2015 so why won't they use McLarens partner (Mobil), who also now have a year of working with f1 turbo engines? I do think Prodromu moving to McLaren will be huge for their aero, that is where they are struggling IMO, particularly with the floor.
EJ speaks! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29422678 Though it has to be said my favourite part of the article is the bit where he says the team he'd like to buy is Force India. Which used to be Jordan.
I liked that bit too. The question was kinda aimed with the intention he would choose between a back runner: Sauber, caterham or marussia etc but he loopholed with a technicality and picked his old team.
It does at least exist in computer form please log in to view this image http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116104
There's been a lot of discussion elsewhere about EJ's comments, but I think people have really been overlooking the obvious: Ignore the drivers named, EJ believes Mclaren are prepared to have two elite drivers in their team. The rumours might be mainly around Alonso and Vettel, but it suggests Mclaren are prepared to pit two drivers against each other, without a de facto number 1 and 2.
That's been Ron's policy for years, of course. (Though DC disagrees, presumably because he ignored the years where it benefitted him) Can Alonso handle that..?
I was going to say "i think he'd prefer it over a McLaren Protegee again", but then realised that the 2 times he has not been defacto number 1 in his "big team" career, he has fallen out with the teams and walked away (presuming he does with Ferrari). Not sure he has ever been 100% happy they signed Kimi...even though he has had the measure of him.
No idea how reliable these guys are but Alonso to McLaren is looking confirmed: http://www.diariomotorsport.com.br/2014/10/exclusivo-alonso-sera-piloto-da-mclaren-em-2015/ Several people who are generally believable are believing this stroy (if thats a sentence)
