Italian press says Valterii Bottas has signed with Ferrari for 2016

There are 2 guys with swords hanging over their heads who keep good composure whatever: Kimi and Button.

Both can constantly read in the media that their days are numbered, both keep calm and pleasant in spite of the tension.

As for what Arrivabene or Dennis would say not to alarm them, I wouldn't believe one word of it. It's better to drive the best you can in view of the circumstances, than start worrying about rumours.

 

I'm going to stick my neck out and predict that Bottas will be WDC within four years.

 

I think you are really sticking your neck out there, but you may be right.

Some people said that Jochen Rindt would never win a GP, even less a championship; he proved them wrong!

 

Not many people talking about his age. He's only 25 and can still improve for sure. His resume is also very impressive.

Plus, depending on how well he does, it gives Ferrari an alternative to Vettel (28 years old) should anything change in that relationship for any reason.

 

I still think Hulk would be better. Bottas didn't really set the world on fire. Consistent, yes, but that's pretty much.

 

+1. A solid number 2. He will never win a wdc without luck. In this case luck means doing a Button and finding himself in a phenomenal car that is a country mile ahead of the rest and paired with a junk number 2 driver for company. Again, just like Button...

 

Are you calling Rubens junk...?

 

In his prime no, but at Brawn yes.

 

All very good points......and all the more reason to revert back to 3 liter V-12 naturally aspirated engines with no driver aids. THEN you will see who the TRULY GOOD drivers are.

 

Well, me thinks the auto makers who want a venue to sell their technology wares dont give a whit about drivers. And the auto makers pay the bills and call the shots. IMVHO

 

Pedro De La Rosa (ex Ferrari test driver) said on TV that they run different mappings in the first lap and in the lap out of pits, and that´s what caught Raikkonen off guard at Canada. OK, it can happen once. But three times (Canada´s hairpin TWICE and Austria)??!!!

Repeating the same mistakes makes me think that Raikkonen is not fully commited to what he´s doing or that maybe he doesn´t understand the current cars.

 

Yeah yeah, and that pretty much spells an end to racing with race cars and race drivers, a parade of techno-scooters. Whoopee!!

 

Isn't that what WEC is for?

 

Motivation and being in the right car is what makes WDCs.
IMO Bottas had it then lost much of it when you compare him to Massa.
The best drivers self motivate over long periods like MS, Alonso, and Hami.
Others need a constant fire under them.

 

Who do you think would win if you put anyone... Verstappen, Ricciardo, Alonso, Button, Bottas, Massa... hell.. even Pastor in a Silver Arrow built around them? If Perez is driving the Merc and Hamilton in the Force India, is Ham still winning races. I don't think so. it's not etched in stone, but if you look at the races the past two years, unless there's something out of the ordinary, the finishes are very predictable.

I'm starting to wonder just how much the driver actually impacts the outcomes these days. I think ratio has swayed heavily towards the ride.

 

WOW !!! It took all of 115 post to get back to the normal conversation

G

 

I think it goes beyond the current situation of MB dominance, though. Yes, a lot of drivers on the grid would be winning if driving the MB. The MB is a good .5-1 second quicker than the field right now. But, as time goes-on, it is likely the rest of the field will get closer. Once the gap between the top 6 cars is .5 second or less, the nuance in the driver can make the difference between a win and a mere point-paying finish.

If you are any of the top 2nd-5th place teams, your choice of driver does make a difference. Ferrari are clearly going for consistency and submissiveness with their pick of Bottas. They believe Vettel will put the car in contention for a win when they are close enough, and Bottas will keep the car in the points as-needed.

 

The problem is the rules no longer allow for the "as time goes-on" catching up. The homologation of the PU and the token system are far too restrictive and all but assure that Merc will continue to dominate until the rules are changed or a new PU is introduced.

 

Jeremy Burgess (Valentino Rossi's crew chief once said the in f1, it was 80% car, 20% driver(and the opposite in Motogp). I would say that is accurate.

 

Possible but I'm backung vettel. The guy is a lot better than people give him credit for.

 

Yes sir the guy is real good just look at the last race the ferrari was just so so and the rain came and the German just blew everyone away the fin ended up a lap down still can't believe ldm hired him the first time I guess ego worth more than the company's name or value. How much has ldm and his ego cost in f1 tv time alone.

 

Cost one fellow his beard.

 

+1
Pete

 

The real shame in all of this is that the seat should have been Bianchi's.

 

Bianchi was 'chosen for Ferrari future', says Luca di Montezemolo - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com