F1 2015 Season: Lineup's - Rumours - News

@MartinUrruty: “@N15ck: McLaren have created a Japanese and Spanish version of their F1 website... http://t.co/kmrGFr9XBO ....For Honda and Alonso?”

 

Provided the manufacturers stick to supplying engines and let the teams build the cars, there will be no problem.

 

Oh yeah. The more engines the merrier.

 

That's it confirmed then IMO. Teams only do language pages of the drivers nationality etc.

Unless they have hired the man... the legend that is Mr Pedro De La Rosa as their number 1 for next season?

 

Still not entirely sure it's the best move for Alonso or McLaren. Alonso is going to be expensive, possibly money that could be dumped in to improving their issues at the factory. And let's face it... Does Alonso have enough time to wait for McLaren to get back to the sharp end?

I could be entirely wrong... but I'm just not convinced it'll work out.

 

Personally, I really wanted to see Button and Bottas at McLaren but the Alonso deal is more than about just having the best driver. It's about galvanizing the team, making a statement for both the McLaren and Honda brands (both for raising sponsorship and building fanbase) and obviously having someone who's consistent on track.

Next year, I'm going to Silverstone (my first GP ever!) and I'll be really gutted if Button isn't there. Seems to me that the obvious decision for any new engine manufacturer is to have 2 experienced drivers to help development. I also think it'd be scandalous if Button leaves the grid when you have both Massa and Kimi in better cars than Button but with less points this year.

 

Always been my thoughts. I dont dispute his ability and that he is worth every penny of his huge salary, but given the stage McLaren are at I would agree that Button would be a third (or even less) of his salary and the money could be reinvested back into development. However, I would imagine that the signing of Alonso would increase premium sponsors giving them an even bigger kitty.

 

Doesn't Alonso bring in some serious sponsorship money with him? Santander, MoviStar, Etc...
Also, isn't most/all of his salary coming from Honda? So any money that McLaren have coming in won't be diverted to his coffers?

 

They technically already have Santander, but I think he will attract a higher premium sponser. Not sure on the Honda thing, but no doubt that will be confirmed either way.

I wonder if McLaren will release shares (like they had with Merc), that would then make more sense on them paying Alonso direct.

 

VDG or Ericsson? Who would you prefer?

Apparently they are both in the running for the sauber seat

 

According to F1 Today, Ericsson has the seat.

 

Presume he has decent financial backing?

 

Ericsson's last few performances, and the fact he's 5 years younger, means he'd get the nod from me.

I'd rather go for Secret Option C though and let a big team stick their latest protege in the seat in return for a fee. Vandoorne and Da Costa seem like better options if available.

 

Stick Mangussen in there and let JB and Alonso face off!

 

Just been announced. Sad how far Sauber have fallen since 2012.

 

Saying that, i think he's a better driver that Gutierrez. Though i still think Van De Gaarde is a better driver than both (probably Sutil as well). So if he gets the other seat, they could have a stronger pairing than this year IMO.

 

Ericcson's been improving a lot in the last couple of races so I'm willing to see how he goes with a (slightly) better team. I'm just surprised that F1today actually got something right for a change!

 

Well a stopped clock is right twice a day

 

I meant to post this here... but stuck it in the race thread in my utter frustration with what's happening to F1 right now.

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The likes of Sauber and Lotus will be next year's Caterham and Marussia.

I'm so mad at Bernie and the rich teams for refusing to address the problems in the sport. They'll all suffer together when all we have are left are manufacturers that no longer see the sport as worth the investment. Pissed off at the lot of the short sighted bastards.

 

Bernie's taking some responsibility finally, not that I expect him or the big teams to do anything about it.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116584