Tell us something we don't already know? http://www.espn.co.uk/tororosso/motorsport/story/108117.html
Berger reckons Ricciardo and Vergne need another year: http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/formula-1/toro-rosso/news/berger-ricciardo-not-ready-for-red-bull_85921.html
Da Costa needs a seat next year. Red Bull are in an awkward situation with their academy really. Raikkonen's the best driver available to them next year (Lotus posted record losses for an F1 team this weekend by the way), if they insist on a promote from within policy they'll miss out on a top driver next year, and if Vettel goes to Ferrari they could be left in trouble. If they want to keep Vergne and Ricciardo at STR next season they need to look at getting Da Costa into another team, but it won't go down well if they have five drivers signed to them on the grid next season. I think the problem with a feeder team is that it's seen that a driver either has to make the step up or be dropped, there's no middle ground, you can't see a driver staying at STR for five years, but if they're doing well why shouldn't they? Toro Rosso should take the two best drivers in the program at any time, and they should only make the step up if they're good enough. If Ricciardo and Vergne were available to Ferrari they wouldn't be touted as potential replacements for Massa, so they shouldn't be for Webber either, that doesn't mean they should be dropped though. It looks like they're going to have three seats open at the end of the year (Webber's and the two Toro Rossos), with Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Vergne and Da Costa vying for them. I'll be disappointed if Raikkonen or Da Costa miss out.
Does he though? I do not want to diminish his talent but I think some people have overplayed his skills. I know he has had some bad luck in this year's WSR but from what I have seen he is not much more 'talented' than the likes of Magnussen and Vandoorne. Maybe a role as a third driver at STR with Ricciardo/Vergne alternating in missing FP1 might be a good idea as it will still be a promotion of sorts for Da Costa, will readily prepare him for F1 and will keep Ricciardo/Vergne on their toes. This of course presuming RBR stick with Webber or go with Raikkonen.
Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but other than Valsecchi, it looks like Hulkenburg and Bianchi are next in line at Lotus if Grosjean doesn't deliver or Kimi leaves: Here are some facts: Lotus are making big losses. Grosjean at the moment is underperforming but at least brings money from Total. Hulkenburg and Valsecchi don't bring money with them. Renault are the most expensive engine supplier. Ferrari are the cheapest. Signing Bianchi could further reduce that cost. See where I'm going with this?
I wouldn't be surprised but, then again, maybe Lopez is just giving Romain a gentle reminder that he's replaceable.
Does Grosjean bring much money? I imagine any money Total pay will be offset next year by the cost of having Renault engines, I can't see another engine manufacturer allowing Lotus to carry Total branding when they're using different fuel. The only stumbling block for Bianchi at Lotus is that Ferrari probably view Lotus as a rival now. It would be incredibly early to put Bianchi in a Ferrari next year, but it would be weird if they took on Hulkenberg and then paid for Bianchi to be at a rival team.
Forza's figures from the last page are: Renault €20-23m per season Mercedes €17-19m Ferrari €15-17m According to this, Total's deal with Lotus is worth an "8 figure sum", however, " the overall monetary value to the team may be less as part of the deal involves funding Grosjean’s drive" Not really sure what the last bit means, perhaps it includes a salary to Grosjean, or payment in kind as lubricants, etc? Either way, a €10m a season deal would be a lot to throw away in search of an engine deal, which would save at most €8m
Benson's non story of the week. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22760347 how does he make a whole story from a tiny quote from vettel taken out of context...
But seriously it's Sun Newspaper worthy. Not BBC 'chief' writer material. I would like to see more stories on the BBC website but this one should have gone in the gossip column.
I read that Toyota are considering a return back to F1 (as Lexus), but not until 2015. Dunno how valid it is, as the story suggests it could be a left over april 1st joke. http://www.carbuzz.com/news/2013/4/3/Lexus-Heading-Into-F1-7713726/ As Kamuuuuuui is a Toyota driver (albiet now driving for Ferrari WEC), could we see a return of the man?
Maybe my post belongs in the BBC/Sky thread but unfortunately that has been the case ever since they decided to wholly cater to the 'casual' audience which in my opinion really began in around 2011 when the viewing figures began to increase massively. Everything on their website is dumbed down I don't have a problem with them making Formula One attractive to people who traditionally might not take an interest in the sport but it has just gone too far now for me both on their actual coverage (the forum consists of them walking round the paddock looking for 'funny' things to find) and on their website. Although Benson's not alone in his Sun style journalism those who write for the broadsheets like Paul Weaver, Kevin Eason and Tom Cary tend to focus on sensationalising things and have articles which are full of conjecture (constantly using lines like 'Lewis Hamilton the fastest man in Formula One').
This is a more credible rumour. Adrian Newey to stand down after 2014 with James Allison to replace. Boom!
