Ian, What I understand from various press releases, rumors, etc...and in so far as they know exactly what's written in his contract (well, I for sure has not read it...) is that the contract ends at the end of the 2015 season, BUT includes a "performance" exit option for Fernando at the end of 2014, that is this season: if Ferrari is not at least third in the Constructor's Championship at a given point in time (Monza?), he would be free to leave "now", that is at the end of 2014, should he choose to do so. Rgds
Fair enough - Sounds about right I guess. I'd be surprised if they weren't still in 3rd after this W/E though. Possible, especially if he should not finish, but then the tin foil hats would appear in force!..... Cheers, Ian
The Scuderia is still in third place at the WCC, but Monza is still a power track, and Frank William's squad, with a powerful engine, is only 8 points behind... And I suppose any top-end lawyer would be happy to work on that contract... But, repeating myself, I don't see Fernando going back under Ron's management... Another question is also the future of Jenson Button and I would be sad to see him simply dropped by McLaren like an old rag. Rgds
Totally agree on all points! If the stories are to be believed, their split got pretty "nasty" the first time, and we know they've both got, lets say, "significant" egos. I too would also be sad to see JB shown the door. OTOH, it's F1, where it's pretty much "what have you done for me lately"? Nevertheless, I just can't see Fred back in Woking. Cheers, Ian
You have to be kidding, unless you mean as a number 2 to Kimi and then we are stuffed! He is not WDC material. If I was Alonso I would either go to RedBull or Williams with Santabcders (sp?) $'s or stay put. Even if Newey goes to McLaren next years RB will be influenced by him and surely the Renault engine will be a good one next year. Williams have the best engine and a chassis that is not that bad and with more $'s and a top flight driver they could be contenters IMO. Pete
The clause might have been in force before Monza. Joe Saward thinks there something brewing with Ferrari and drivers.
For sure. Would be nice to see Sir Frank back in contention IMO. I'm just don't think Fred & Frank would work. I also think they have found a real diamond in Bottas. A little more experience and he could really be a force IMO. Hopefully, the Martini deal gives them the dollars to keep going forward. Cheers, Ian
+1 It would be great to finally see Williams back from that slump they've been in since what...2004? Surely the atmosphere in the team must be one of the best of any right now, a new big sponsor in Martini, climbing from the **** covered slums they where in last year to where they are now, 2 nice drivers (one very unlucky one though!) and 4 or so podiums in the last few races and obviously having Bottas, as you say, a real diamond and a superstar of the future. Seems like a genuinely nice guy and uncontroversial and blindingly quick.
Wouldn't it be great to have Bottas and Dan racing for the pennant rather than these show ponies currently ?
Rather good and entertaining show ponies I'd say, but yes I agree Dan is the man..and Bottas is very impressive right now.
Well, I'm not that convinced that Sebastian Vettel would be delighted to go to Maranello and found "smiling Dan" already behind the wheel of the "second" car... But that just me... Rgds
Who would of been recommending Dan at Ferrari prior to him getting his Red Bull seat? I really don't remember seeing posts about this, it was all about Vettel. Leave the RBR driver's alone, pick up a Torro Rosso if possible - besides, they'll probably come a LOT cheaper.
Huh? He has more than double his teammate's points (70-33) and has beaten him 9-3 in qualifying this year. Last year, he annihilated his teammate in the standings (51-6). He has scored points in all races but one this year in a Force India. How is that "trundling around?" What you do expect, him to be winning races in that car? Hulk is the truth.
We'll beg to differ on that one. I just don't see him as WDC material. Sure, he isn't in the best car by any means, but I guess he just doesn't "float my boat" anymore. Nice enough guy etc, but not quite "hungry" enough maybe? I'd rather see Bottas or even Bianchi in the seat. Cheers, Ian
Alonso is a dead cert for Ferrari next year. McLaren has no chance of getting Fernando in 2015. The Honda-will-be-best line carries no weight because McLaren have the best engine this year and are pretty much doing the worst job with it. I like M&M's comment that the team is not there to make Nando happy, it's there to make the fastest car. IMO that will bring titles and the best drivers.
A full Finnish pairing: Kimi Räikkönen / Valterii Bottas? At Ferrari? Gosh...a journalists' nightmare: "leave us alone, we know what we are doing". And the radio communications with the stand will need to be in finnish too? Rgds
That would be *epic*! As you say, a nightmare for the PR dweebs, but we know they'd let their driving do the talking at least! Cheers, Ian
+1 Although Valterri is not nearly as quiet and delivering quick one liners as Kimi and Mika...So a complete nightmare maybe not .
