Indeed you are correct! The internet never lies! [video=youtube;b2lfHXdDpSk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2lfHXdDpSk[/video] Still Hulks mistake though.........
Yeah, i think he got a bit overenthusiastic, must have had a fleeting thought of "Bloody hell, i'm going to win in a FI" and took his eye off the ball.
Everyone said the same when Hamilton joined Mercedes. Personally I think Williams would be a better shout than Ferrari or McLaren right now. Apart from Mercedes, the top teams are all in transitional phases now. If Ferrari are going to be a force again they really need to upgrade their windtunnel facilities rather than keep chopping and changin personnel. They'd be better off just moving the whole operation to Cologne and using Toyota's facilities.
I have nothing against Hulk, but if he was that good he would have been snapped up by now from a big team. He doesn't help himself by constantly changing teams.
Very interesting is all this! In regards Alonso, he has stuck by Ferrari who have repeatedly underperformed since he has been there - so it doesn't surprise me he's off. Vettel I was surprised about. But in hindsight he's done everything with Red Bull and needs a new challenge. If it goes wrong they will never take his 4 championships back. Where does this all leave Button though? I see Hamilton moving probably at the end of next season - probably to one of either McLaren or Ferrari. Or maybe joining Red Bull? Interesting times.
The one thing that was a little bit different with the Hamilton situation was that pretty much everyone knew that the rulebook was being completely rewritten in a year or two and that Mercedes, pumping more and more investment into their F1 team, and as a world class engine provider, was not a bad punt. However, I don't for one second think Hamilton had any idea they would be in the position they are now, and I have no doubt financial motivation was a massive part of the deal. He'd let it be known that he was uncomfortable with the sponsor commitments at Mclaren, and limitations on earning. I think, if I were changing teams, I'd want a Mercedes engine in the back of whatever I was going to drive, but it'll be interesting to see how it pans out. I anticipate that the wry smiles of Vettel and Alonso will quickly become tired and depressed sad faces, but time will tell.
Very interesting developments! As others have said, Kvyat the clear winner here, with Ricciardo probably also very happy with the recent movements. Vettel had to move somewhere to prove that he's as good as he believes, and it wasn't just a ridiculously dominant car that won him titles. Ferrari has that allure to it, and succeeding where Alonso couldn't will be quite an attractive challenge. I'm surprised he didn't wait until the end of the season though, as the potential for more fireworks at Mercedes could have opened up a drive there. Alonso is betting on Mclaren-Honda getting their act together quicker than Ferrari, which is probably a fairly safe bet. Whether the improvements will be enough to get him another title remains to be seen, but other than Mercedes I can't see another team giving him a decent shot at the title.
I'm beginning to think That McLaren don't actually want Alonso, in which case... awkward. Where would Alonso even go, Lotus?
Maybe that's Ron's masterplan, rather than building a competent driver line-up of his own, he's going to screw up the other teams instead. Alonso could oust Massa at Williams perhaps?
Considering that Honda have been teasing it and there have been so many rumours I would be staggered if they don't, I think Ron is playing hardball to try and keep negotiations straight. Though you can't help but wonder why Mclaren didn't just up and announce it. Maybe they were going to and Vettel's beating them to it made them want to wait for PR..?
Alonso's rumoured salary buyout is €30m even before you add in the fact he'd demand pay parity with Hamilton and Vettel as a minimum. Williams don't have that kind of money any more.
Nah, they legally can't do or say anything until Alonso is free of his Ferrari contract. The only reason the Vettel deal is done is because he had a clause in his contract. And even then, Ferrari aren't allowed to talk yet until it's all legally tied up. Probably need to get Alonso sorted out too before they can say. Red Bull have been a bit naughty here me thinks! Announcing Vettel out to Ferrari and Kvyat in for them has actually put Alonso in a weak position for himself by narrowing his options (possibly even pushing him out of F1 or just having to take any decent drive he can get) and a very difficult position for Ferrari in that Alonso now knows they want him out and to do so, they might have to now do a Raikkonen and pay him off, rather than him buying out his own contract! Maybe that's why he seems so happy now and claims "This" has worked out... Vettel and Ferrari jumping the gun, in effect has made it Ferrari's decision to break his contract and makes him free, rather than him (or Honda) having to pay them to get out of it.
