You might know this already but former champions aren't allowed to continue in GP2, if Vandoorne wins the championship this year (which he will) he won't be allowed to race there again next season, so his options for next year are probably limited to McLaren test driver or McLaren no. 2. I can't see them sending him to WSR.
That's something I should have known but didn't - thanks! GP2 at the moment bodes well for the future, actually, we have Lynn and Sirotkin who are doing very well for rookies, Gasly's still involved with Red Bull and Rossi's really turned it on recently so I wouldn't be averse to him joining either. Depends if the teams will take the risk or want to stick with experience when the aero rules change I guess.
All this Button will he won't he talk... Haas have an announcement on Tuesday. Grosjean and Button pairing? How long of a long shot is that?
I'm pretty sure they'll go with Gutierrez for both the Ferrari link and marketing reasons (Mexican driver plays well with a US team, unless you're Donald Trump) but like you I don't believe it really is Mclaren or nothing. My current theory is that Renault will drop Maldonado (despite assertions to the contrary) and Button will be tempted there alongside Vergne. And incidentally if that last one does happen - which it probably won't, cause I thought of it - I'd put money on Maldonado displacing one of the Sauber drivers.
So, the odds on Alonso still being at McLaren next year have taken a dive.......... Did we think it would really last 3 years? http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121037 Maybe if he stopped chucking the toys out of the pram he would have more to play with?
Every single thing we've heard up until today has suggested Alonso is very positive about McHonda - some would say too much so. I can't see anything changing in the last six races, as much as it would shake up the drivers' market. Just put today down to an uncharacteristic outburst.
As I said on the Japanese GP thread , how stupid would he feel if he walked away & McLaren / Honda deliver next year ...........
He walked from McLaren and they won in 2008, he walked from Ferrari and they produce a decent car for 2015. McLaren should pay him off to go, he is clearly now just a curse on the teams he drives for!!!
It's not though, he mouthed off so badly against Ferrari they got sick of him, and before that he went mental at McLaren in 2007. He can put on a false smile and tow the corporate line for a while, but eventually he cracks and the frustration comes pouring out in massive amounts of negativity when he wants to find a way out of a team.
Is it just me or does anybody else think Mclaren isn't yet a lost hope. Why don't people just wait to see what Winter Testing brings.
It's the Japanese Grand Prix, Hondas chief thinks that they have a better engine than Renault, so when a Toro Rosso comes swinging past, Alonso makes a mighty pertinent point in front of their home fans and audience and calls it a GP2 engine right to their face. This is is a shock tactic designed to make Honda understand just how **** this Power Unit is. They needed a clear message because otherwise they will be sleepwalking into another season of struggle. Hopefully the winter will enable them to change the engine design and see a proper energy recovery system put into place. The step can be made- look at Ferrari. However, the testing is seriously restricted this time around so it will take a near pitch-perfect design.
This^ Though both drivers have been very vocal on and off the track about how poor the engine is all season. So the media is kind of making a big deal. Though it did needed to be said and hopefully the Honda company will feel ashamed and double their efforts.
I think Honda will pull through, and for the sake of their dignity I hope they start to get some healthy points and podiums next year.
I think people are just looking too much into a moment of frustration. Honda will have the same numbers that McLaren have. They surely know how bad it is (Arai is just face saving with his bullshit). If they don't then how anyone could trust their judgement to improve? Alonso will stay for at least one more year it think. Who knows what Jenson will do at this point.
