Very glad this has been confirmed. Even if the teams fail to break the Vettel title monotony next season this should provide some intrigue. I believe that Alonso is the better driver, but there are still question marks over his temperament left over from 2007 that years alongside poor no.2s haven't allayed. Kimi provides him with a good opportunity to prove he's as complete as people say. Hopefully Raikkonen leaving isn't a sign that he expects the Lotus to be poor next season. I'd like to see Hulkenberg get a competitive drive.
Surely Hulk to Lotus?! Would give them great hashtags! Either way, I'm happy a big team is taking a plunge and putting two top drivers together
I doubt it will happen. Smedley did an interview last year where he said he was coming towards the end of his career as a race engineer - with Massa going, I don't think he'll want to stay in his current role. EDIT: There are rumours that Kimi will bring Mark Slade with him. I don't know how credible those reports are.
Well Slade did not come last time Kimi moved to Ferrari did he? As so often is the case with British engineers it is likely to be whether or not he is willing to up sticks and move to Italy in order to support Kimi, will be interesting to see if he does as Kimi certainly requested that Slade should become his engineer when he joined Lotus.
Massa and Hulk on shortlist for Lotus http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/463885/Lotus_names_Massa_as_candidate/ Lotus names Massa as candidate 11 September 2013 Felipe Massa has joined Nico Hülkenberg as a leading candidate to replace Kimi Räikkönen at Lotus next year, team boss Eric Boullier revealed on Wednesday. After eight seasons onboard, Massa is to depart Ferrari at the end of the current term, with Räikkönen returning to his former employers on a two-year agreement. But despite the setback, the Brazilian quickly stated his intentions to remain on the grid. "I want to find a team that can give me a competitive car to win many more races and challenge for the Championship which remains my greatest objective," he explained. And with Lotus the most competitive outfit yet to finalise its 2014 driver line-up, Boullier confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Massa's management group, spearheaded by Nicolas Todt, has already been in contact with regards to a potential race seat. After acknowledging in an interview with RMC Sport that Sauber driver Hülkenberg remains an option, Boullier commented: "Felipe Massa is also available, so he is inevitably on the list. These are drivers whose management approached us." Räikkönen's exit is also set to boost Romain Grosjean's hopes extending his stay for a third campaign, with Boullier eager to see the Frenchman take on a lead role. When asked if Räikkönen's decision to leave will benefit Grosjean, Boullier said: "It can be an advantage because it is an opportunity for him to assert himself after two years growing alongside a World Champion. He will be able to unite the team around him and prove on-track that he can be a leader. He has to finish the season well."
I don't think I would be happy with Massa. He seems a bit of a wash up. Lotus should move forward with drivers who are also moving forward. Hulk, Grosjean (he is doing better), Maldonado, Bianchi would be my wish list
Dimi PAPADOPOULOS @f1enigma Autosprint suggests that Smedley is on his way to Williams. Guess that Slade might be on his way to Ferrari?
If that was the case, then surely they'll keep Maldonado, Bottas maybe seen a better prospect for the future but Maldonado brings in a serious amount of money?
Williams Engineering is starting to make some serious money now so hopefully they'll be able to pull themselves out of any hole. That said I can't see the Botas-Mald line up changing, I think Massa is either off to Sauber or into WEC.
Hey.. If we are bringing logic into this made up gossip then.. Maybe PDVSA may see an opening at Lotus (who also need the money) as a better prospect than a struggling Williams to promote their brand. Massa > Williams - Maldo > Lotus Also if Lotus drop grosjean then they would possibly lose Total. .... Logic
