Ferrari to decide on 2014 focus switch - Massa | News | Motorsport.com And hopefully bye bye Massa. The Hulk in and Bianchi at Sauber
I'm glad they are giving up on this season. It is a lost cause and the resources are better used elsewhere.
Well, yes or no. I would be glad if I could hope that next year's car will really be better, indeed. This new excuse of saying: "from now on, we are concentrating on next season's car" reminds me more or less of the famous excuse that Guy Ligier used in the eighties and that became a joke here in France: when his cars were not good, which happened quite a lot of times in the eighties, he always said: "cette année est une saison de transition". (this year is a transition year). But another "transition year" succeded the last "transition year" and so on... How many times did they told us this? How can we be convinced that next year's car will indeed be better? I wish that in the very near future, we will be able to say that the Ferrari of the current season (which, by the way, was last season's "future car", the one onto which all energies were directed since july of "N - 1") is really the fastest thing on track... Rgds
If the switch in Pirelli tires don't suit the car the then what is there to do? Pirelli switched tire construction to the benefit of MB and to the detriment of Ferrari based upon the data at the last race. The early season promise shown has dissipated as Pirelli hAs played with tire construction. If at Spa we have a repeat of Hungary then I can't blame Ferrari-and I hope a new tire manufacturer enters f1 and Ferrari signs with them ASAP.
At least it will not be Michelin, Paul; it remains out of the question for them. They have even said that, under the current format, they will under no circumstances manufacture tyres that last "only seven laps", as they do not see this are very environmentally responsible... Rgds
I don't blame them; I would like to see some competition on the tire front to prevent f1 from what is fast becoming a spec series.
Another year down the tubes. That said, this is the smart move. Red Bull has both titles on LOCK. MB might be able to challenge for the constructors, but the drivers is over unless Seb gets hurt.
Sauber Russian money not approved yet...thats far from a done deal. I dont see Hulk moving or Massa leaving. With a new car Massa stays for continuity for the team. I dont think he goes. Just my prediction. Im a fan but I dont care if he gets renewed. He has had more than enough time to make it work. I like him but at this point I dont care what Ferrari really do as their problems are far greater than the #2 driver identity. Its far far beyond that.
The Hulk will definitely leave. Maybe not to Ferrari, but he's not staying at Sauber. You can mark my words on that one.
Massa's sit will depend on the rest of his season but I could definitely see Hulk out. Maybe at Lotus or back at Force India. It's a shame for Ferrari, though. I thought Red Bull would have paid next year's development more than others given they have only one main person in charge of the technical stuff. I could not name any other competent engineer/designer at the Bulls other than Newey. Lotus are in financial troubles and that's bound to make itself feel as the season keeps going I think MB are in for a real chance if they believe in it, although Wolff seems to be against it. Maybe wrong, but I am really sceptic about next year's Ferrari, especially after not having heard any news about the new engine. This year could still represent Ferrari's best chance.
The fact that the customer's version is the cheapest and it might end up just in the Marussias next year doesn't give much more confidence either.
When teams (claim to) give up on the current season, why would fans continue to watch? I wish there was some sort of incentive for teams to fight for the title even up to the very end. Points carry over? Grid place bonuses? Extra test laps? I dunno. The only incentive they have is making sure they keep in their current spot in the constructors, which is pretty damn boring to me.
For the same reason all non RB fans have been watching F1 over the past 4 years. There is more to a single race than the WDC.
Indeed. As have other teams as well of course. I had dinner with one of the key guys for the 2014 car. Back in May last year and they were already progressing nicely at that point. The difference now is that I bet they will start testing new parts and ideas during the remaining GP weekends on the current car.
