I used to know a guy at work like Bernie. He wasn't the ultimate boss but for some reason he was unsackable despite how much money he lost, dodgy dealing he was obviously part of. 'Teflon' we used to call him. Think I might use it for Bernie
Derek Warwick is disgusted, according to Benson, who writes: The decision is solely that of McLaren chairman Ron Dennis, according to sources. A McLaren board meeting on Thursday broke up without the team deciding on their driver line-up. Asked what was causing the delay, a spokesman said: "The team declines to add further details." He added McLaren would be making "no driver selection announcements until next week at the earliest". http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/30346965
The recent BBC article on the topic suggests Red Bull and Audi have already discussed a potential partnership, but Audi decided against it and would rather enter their own team. But this is information from "sources" written by that "journalist" Benson, so take with an industrial sized pinch of salt. I'm not sure why Audi would want to leave WEC, seeing as they've built up a reputation there. If they can keep doing well in WEC then it maintains brand reputation, and seeing as a lot of people buying Audi's are more interested than reliability than outright pace, I'd say WEC is a better fit for their brand profile than F1. Audi also still have DTM involvement. Granted the advertising potential is more limited than in F1 though. VAG have plenty of other names they could put to good use though. Engine tech is relevant to Audi, so perhaps Audi badged engines would make sense, but Lamborghini's "flamboyant but fragile" character would be more suited to a newly-started F1 outfit, and their engine division is much less developed, nor I suspect as interested in hybrid engines.
I think Ron has ****ed up big style . His arrogance has cost the team Millions in major sponsorship . I honestly hope I am wrong , but I think I am right .��
My guess is that Ron is still banking on getting a major Danish sponsor and if he can he will keep Kev if not he will keep Jens. Ron is all about the business and he knows next year won't be great. If will be more a development year and not a year to go for the manufacturers championship.
Let us not forget who was in charge in 2007. Ron is a character I would not trust. His personality is such he likes Nordic drivers. I think he didn't get his way at the board meeting and there will be a consequence if he chooses his strategy. So he needs time to figure a plan b to the consequence. He didn't manage the consequence of the issues in 2007 well. I am refraining from harsher comment but read between the lines.
Been reading that Ron s trying to get £180million to increase his shares in McL from 25% to 67.5%. This would give him control of McL so he can choose who ever he likes to drive. So my guess is he was stalling to give himself more time to get finance in place. Ron is a ruthless business man.
Ron is an obsessive character. Wants his own way but I wonder if he would be better placed focusing on the car. They have lost my support.
I just thought it was odd he is there at a point McLaren were going to announce the drivers. Alternatively could he be out there on sponsorship luring duty? Emirates maybe?
I still think there will be a twist in all this. Does seem strange he was never going to be at the driver disclosure event that never was.
Some F1 teams targeting engine freeze loophole for 2015 - Sneaky The FIA is facing a challenge over Formula 1's engine freeze, as some teams believe there is a loophole in the 2015 regulations that could hand them extra development time. With attempts to convince Mercedes to relax the freeze rules to allow rivals a mid-season upgrade having failed, Renault and Ferrari are now pondering how best to make up ground over 2015. One issue that has emerged in recent technical meetings with the FIA is that there is no date specified in the regulations for when 2015 engines must be homologated. Although it is widely believed that the new upgraded power units have to be lodged with the FIA for the first race of the season, some teams believe that the way is open for them to not homologate their engine until later in the year. Such a delay could prove valuable in allowing longer development time to make further improvements. The matter was brought up by Ferrari technical director James Allison in recent technical meetings with the FIA in Abu Dhabi, but the governing body argued that although no date for homologation is set, other clauses in the engine regulations make it clear what can be done.
Red Bull aren't expecting to challenge Mercedes dominance next season and even believe the gap at the front might increase. The German outfit secured both titles in style in 2014 after trouncing the competition, partly thanks to a better performing engine than its rivals, Renault and Ferrari. Rumours abounding the paddock suggest Mercedes has found even more performance from the hybrid-V6 which has left Red Bull team principal Christian Horner fearing that the competition could be left behind again. "We are not writing off next year but, for sure, there is a gap there," said Horner. "And, from what we hear, the performance gains that Mercedes are bringing next year, it is going to be a massive challenge to reduce that "Renault can make an inroad but I think it would be unlikely to match this year's [Mercedes] engine." Speculation suggests Mercedes has found between 50bhp and 70bhp through various updates which it will introduce next season. If true, Horner reckons fans could be in for another dominant season. "I think if you believe the numbers that are floating around, the gap could actually grow rather than diminish," he added. "That would be rather depressing if that was the case."
Errr… they are quite interested in hybrid engines. http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/asterion-under-the-skin-2014-12-01
