We haven't heard anything extra from Pirelli about the fears that the tyres would need to be increased in size... which in some ways worries me because if they do then the FIA need to let the teams know. The general suspicion is that all the teams except maybe Ferrari are getting more BHP than was expected, isn't it?
Newey has been said to be designing 2 2014 cars. So I wouldn't write it off Forza being only off by a second.
Massa admitted that not only is he in talks with Lotus, but he is also in talks with McLaren to replace Perez! Glad that Whitmarsh is at least considering the possibility. Perez has had his moments but overall I just don't think he's ready to drive for a top team. Also it would be hilarious if McLaren ditched Perez, teach him a lesson for thinking he knows better than Ferrari. I don't really expect McLaren to challenge for the championship next year given the advantage the works teams are supposed to have a big advantage over their customers, but McLaren is still a big team and they deserve the best driver available. I think Massa, Hulkenburg and even di Resta could score more points than Perez. Even if McLaren are thinking about the long-term, surely Hulkenburg is better than Perez.
Unless they want a more compliant number two for Jenson i can't see why they hire Massa. Sure Perez hasn't scored enough points this season, but Massa hasn't in 4 seasons and it's fair to say Sergio has more room for growth. I think he'll get a second season to improve and having settled in and (hopefully) having a better car underneath him he should do. Hulkenberg on the other hand, i would say there's a case to be made. Downside to that though being they'd have to spend another season bedding in a new driver, face up to the PR loss of admitting they picked the wrong driver and, although i don't believe for a second that its the big decider for a team like McLaren, getting some of Perez's telemex money wouldn't hurt the team...
I can't see McLaren going anywhere near Massa at the moment. These days I'm pretty sure Perez is far better than Massa, plus Perez comes with some serious cash. I can't see many sponsors backing a washed up Massa tbh
Still think (and hope) that Hulk will go to Lotus. Massa goes to the next best seat, FI and partner Di Resta?
Tobias Grüner ams F1 ‏@tgruener 4m Must read for all tech geeks on #F1 engines 2014. Ferrari to high on consumption? Merc & Renault not reliable? AMuS: http://bit.ly/1gnZXn8
Agreed. The 100% reliability of todays cars means the results are more predictable. Throw in a few more random retirements and it should keep things interesting for the WDC.
yarp, my thinkning exactly, might even get to see a caterham/Marussia in the top 10 scoring points and earning money to improve. Why? so Alonso can walk off with the title unchallenged?
I hope the engines all have a advantage in certain distinct areas. I quite like the thought of teams playing to strengths in such a way that we get varied strategies depending on the track.
Rumours suggest Massa might be favourite for the Lotus seat, which I think would be better for Lotus, even if Hulkenburg is the better long-term option. My theory on Massa is that he's lacking self-confidence. It must be tough for a driver to get consistently beaten by their teammate, and then told to move over on the few occasions they're ahead. Along with that, having to deal with constant rumours that you will be replaced will do a lot of damage mentally. In my opinion a change of environment (a weaker teammate and a team prepared to back him), will bring the best out of Massa. Lotus can provide this.
While i'd like to see Massa get another chance somewhere, it would be a travesty if Hulk ends up without a drive and Felipe gets a ninth straight year with a top team. That said, It would probably signal the end of Lotus as a (relatively) top team to line up with Massa-Grosjean anyway.
More! Tobias Grüner ams F1 ‏@tgruener 1h Return of turbo flames from exhausts. Drivers will not use 8th gear at Monaco & 1st gear at Monza. Engine output around 760 hp (600 + 160). -Renault engine chief Rob White Tobias Grüner ams F1 ‏@tgruener 58m @F1Jp044 900hp seems a little high. But the 760hp White mentioned is also not true for sure. Expect sthing between 800-850hp in quali
Fernando Alonso: McLaren target Ferrari driver for next season With the quote of all quotes: The love affair between Alonso and Ferrari is over - that's obvious ” Senior F1 insider Ohhh Benson
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has admitted that he would like to sign Fernando Alonso for 2014. Martin Whitmarsh has admitted that he would like to sign Fernando Alonso for 2014 and refused to confirm that Jenson Button and Sergio Perez will continue to drive for the team next season. Although the Spaniard is contracted to Ferrari until 2016, Alonso's position at Ferrari has been cast in doubt after a couple of high-profile public spats with the team and the potentially-destabilising appointment of Kimi Raikkonen as his team-mate. Alonso's solitary season at McLaren in 2007 ended in bitter acrimony and a swift divorce, but the two perceived catalysts for the friction, Ron Dennis and Lewis Hamilton, are no longer based at McLaren, and, despite this year's downturn in form, the team have considerable appeal in the shape of Mercedes engines for 2014 and a long-term deal with Honda thereafter. Nor is Whitmarsh making any attempt to deny that McLaren wouldn't welcome Alonso back with open arms if the Spaniard could be persuaded to depart Ferrari. "Yes, if I could," the McLaren chief confirmed to Sky Sports News when asked if he would bring the two-time World Champion back to Woking. "Most teams up and down the pitlane would happily sign Fernando Alonso, he's a very talented driver. "I expect our driver line up for next year to stay the same but we are open to anything and in the long-term he would be a great asset. "Fernando is in charge of his own destiny, but we'll see." On Thursday, both Button and Perez assured reporters that they would be staying on. Button's reassurance was particularly emphatic with the Englishman telling Sky Sports News "it's done". Yet far from muting speculation, the absence of official confirmation from McLaren that both Button and Perez had signed contract extensions instead sparked a fresh wave of paddock gossip. With Whitmarsh now openly declaring his interest, the ball would now seem to have been firmly put back in Alonso's court.
