F1 F1 Silly Season! (Driver signing rumors)

[Remy Zero]

But Kimi was put on a pedestal since the day he entered F1 and needed to get a controversial super license grant to race. I don't put much stock in what F1 journalists say, especially after some British donkey said Hamilton was better than both Senna and Prost after like ten-races in an allegedly ripped-off car.

I don't think Kimi has ever justified his praise. His ratio of wins to DNFs is still an eyesore. Heck, I don't think he is much faster than Massa, if at all.

thats a bit harsh

but seriously, i'd rate Kimster 2nd out there, behind Alonso on todays grid. but fastest overrall, he's surely numero uno.

i think he demonstrated enough back in 2005 how many times he came from behind the grid to win in a fragile Mclaren.

but in 2007, he seems to lack the fire he used to have like back in 2005. but since France, he's changed

 

[Remy Zero]

If Ferrari does indeed sign Alonso, I will stop becoming a Ferrari supporter, that is how much I hate the guy. Alonso will not can get the number 1 status in the Ferrari team, cause Kimi will be there to show him who is quicker. Also, why can't Ferrari just keep Massa. He is a fast driver, and he has the ability to match and perform better than Kimi from time to time.

I just realised something, Alonso already knows how everything works with the F2007, so he will probably fit right into the car if the impossible happens.

i still will be Scuderia supporter. either i'll support Kimster or Massa or HAmmi, but never Alonso.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

thats a bit harsh

but seriously, i'd rate Kimster 2nd out there, behind Alonso on todays grid. but fastest overrall, he's surely numero uno.

i think he demonstrated enough back in 2005 how many times he came from behind the grid to win in a fragile Mclaren.

but in 2007, he seems to lack the fire he used to have like back in 2005. but since France, he's changed

The reason for the lack of fire on both Raikkonen and Alonso's account relates to different tires, different aero balance and different brakes.
Tough lately they started to get the grips.

Raikkonen's behavior in 2005 made me knick name him "Come-back Kimi".

But with today's cars such races are no longer possible.
The restricted V8s (vs. the unrestricted V10s), the new Flintstone tires and the even more turbulent and sensitive aerodynamics makes races such as Suzuka 2005 impossible.

According to Pat Symonds of Renault F1 with today's (2007) cars, for an overtaking to occur (excluding brake and/or start overtaking) the car in the back has to be at least 2 seconds faster per lap than the car in front. This essentially is the difference between a front runner and a back-marker today.

So 2005 and 2003 was heaven on Earth compared to today, and unless the mecanical grip and ground effects downforce are not improved things won't get better.

 

[Remy Zero]

good post. and very true points. besides the European GP ( wet conditions ), this whole year, i haven't seen a proper race with some decent overtaking.


but then again, MS did have helluva drive at Interlagos last year

 

[Imhotep Evil]

But he had an unrestricted engine and no Flintsones of today.

Today's Bridgestones are more like/similar to the 2000/2001 versions not 2006 ones.

Also when Alonso overtook Massa in the wet he was 2 sec+ faster, as was Sato when he overtook Alonso at Montreal due to tire graining.

 

[Remy Zero]

But he had an unrestricted engine and no Flintsones of today.

Today's Bridgestones are more like/similar to the 2000/2001 versions not 2006 ones.

Also when Alonso overtook Massa in the wet he was 2 sec+ faster, as was Sato when he overtook Alonso at Montreal due to tire graining.

yeap. Fred was on wrong tyres, and Massa's rims were eating the tyres..

 

[Bartek S.]

Hamilton nears $110m five-year McLaren deal

Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of signing a $110 million deal to stay on at the McLaren team until the end of 2012. The German newspaper Bild claims the contract, representing a mammoth pay-rise over his debut salary, is worth $17m every year plus - oddly for a McLaren contract - the ability for his father Anthony to negotiate separate marketing arrangements.

Mercedes-Benz’s Norbert Haug confirmed: “We would like to cooperate with Lewis on a long-term basis. He is a great person and a great driver.” Hamilton’s father said they are yet to sign the deal. “Not yet,” he said, then referring to the upcoming FIA inspections at Woking. “There are still things to go through, such as whether the team is definitely in formula one.”
The news coincides with Hamilton telling reporters in the McLaren motor home that he has earned more respect from the team than his championship rival Fernando Alonso. “And since what’s gone on in the last few weeks they’ve realized who the real people are in the team and who they really should back,” the Briton, 22, added.
“We arrived at Spa and he is sitting there laughing and joking. I don’t understand it.” Hamilton confirmed suspicions that his relationship with the Spaniard is almost non-existent. “He is not the person I imagined him to be,” he said. (GMM)

 

[450SEL6.9]

The German newspaper Bild claims the contract, representing a mammoth pay-rise over his debut salary, is worth $17m every year plus - oddly for a McLaren contract - the ability for his father Anthony to negotiate separate marketing arrangements.

Why would the team allow him to do go around prostituting all sorts of products on his own? Yes, I am not a big fan of celebrity endorsements because I think they provide questionable value.

If he wins WDC, I think some companies would want to associate with him rather than the team. I think TOUI's success and financial muscle ties directly to the fact that it has stable sponsorship. Their sponsors seem to be satisfied most of the time. Why would they tinker with that?

By the way, if a new 5-yr. deal takes Hamilton only to 2012, that means he is only under contract for this year and would be a free agent in the off-season. That would just be stupid, would it not? Why on earth would Mr. Integrity pump millions into a kid's career only to have him under contract for one-season? I think Hamy must be signed to a long-term deal at a very, very good price. He wouldn't have had any bargaining power when he was 13.

$110 million total for years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 means he earns $22 million per year. Why is it listed at $17 million?

 

[PanterroR]

Hamilton nears $110m five-year McLaren deal

Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of signing a $110 million deal to stay on at the McLaren team until the end of 2012. The German newspaper Bild claims the contract, representing a mammoth pay-rise over his debut salary, is worth $17m every year plus - oddly for a McLaren contract - the ability for his father Anthony to negotiate separate marketing arrangements.

Mercedes-Benz’s Norbert Haug confirmed: “We would like to cooperate with Lewis on a long-term basis. He is a great person and a great driver.” Hamilton’s father said they are yet to sign the deal. “Not yet,” he said, then referring to the upcoming FIA inspections at Woking. “There are still things to go through, such as whether the team is definitely in formula one.”
The news coincides with Hamilton telling reporters in the McLaren motor home that he has earned more respect from the team than his championship rival Fernando Alonso. “And since what’s gone on in the last few weeks they’ve realized who the real people are in the team and who they really should back,” the Briton, 22, added.
“We arrived at Spa and he is sitting there laughing and joking. I don’t understand it.” Hamilton confirmed suspicions that his relationship with the Spaniard is almost non-existent. “He is not the person I imagined him to be,” he said. (GMM)

I'm so glad for him and haters: eat your heart!

 

[LaArtist]

freakin great.. i just hope FIA backs the hell off now..
and leave Mclaren alone..
2012 with lewis..
Does that mean 6 championship winns?

 

[450SEL6.9]

With Ralf leaving Toyota, who takes the seat? I hope it's Massa.

I think Ferrari need Alonso better develop their car. What happened to the talk that Alonso can get out of the TOUI contract if the team was found guilty? Right now Bernie suggested Alonso might be dropped, but still kept on the team payroll, which will not allow him to race in '08. Will Bernie get him out of the deal?

P.S. I think Alonso can stomach not getting equal status at Ferrari, but not at TOUI. Kimi is not the boss's baby. Even if Alonso does not get No. 1 at Ferrari, I don't think he will see favoritism that he sees now.

 

[Bartek S.]

Schumacher to bid farewell to Toyota


Ralf Schumacher is to leave Toyota at the end of the season, he confirmed on Monday. Speaking in Shanghai, where he is preparing for his penultimate race with the Japanese team, Schumacher said he has decided to look for a new challenge.

Schumacher joined Toyota from Williams for the 2005 season, but has since enjoyed limited success, with three podiums his best results for the team. In a statement on his official website, the German admitted it had been an interesting, if somewhat frustrating three years.

"I joined Toyota with high expectations,” he said. “On the one hand, I regarded it as a major and exciting challenge to be involved in the development of a new racing car. On the other hand, I also learned to like the Japanese style of living, during my long stay in Japan before entering Formula One. And I still get on well with the Japanese mentality. But I am waiting for years for a competitive car."

He added: "Toyota also was a nice and interesting experience - particularly the cooperation with the team, engineers and mechanics. Still, it’s time now to look for a new challenge."

Concerning his future plans, Schumacher commented: “I'm going to have several conversations in the coming weeks. I will announce my decision when the season is over. For me, the financial aspect is far less important than the chance of being involved in the development of a car and being successful afterwards."

Schumacher, a six-time Grand Prix winner with Williams, has scored five points this season, his best result a sixth place in Hungary.

 

[Bartek S.]

Renault want Alonso back

Renault are desperate to re-sign Fernando Alonso if he walks out on McLaren at the end of the season.
The world champion is frustrated at not being given preferential treatment over his rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton and could be looking for a quick exit strategy at the end of the season.
If he does leave the British team then Renault boss Flavio Briatore, who steered the 26-year-old Spaniard to successive world titles in 2005 and 2006 (pictured), would love to have him back.
"I told Fernando that the moment he is free from McLaren, we would be pleased to have him back," Briatore told Gazzetta dello Sport. "It would be stupid to deny that."
Briatore said that he would not make the same 'mistake' as McLaren chief Ron Dennis and would make it clear that Alonso would be the undisputed number one driver should he return.
"If before signing the contract they [McLaren] told Fernando: 'come with us but you won't have any sort of advantage', he wouldn't have gone.
"If you hire a world champion, then you must give him the number one status. Look at Michael Schumacher."
Briatore's comments came on the same day that Ferrari team chief Jean Todt publicly denied that he would be prepared to off-load Felipe Massa in a bid to get Alonso into the Italian team for next season.
He thinks that the Brazilian will be a much better team-mate for Kimi Raikkonen than Alonso would.
"I wonder: would it be positive to team up Alonso and Raikkonen? The time when you could have two strong drivers in the team are over.
"Now it's important that the roles, number one and two, are clear, otherwise you risk to destabilise the team."
Alonso's frustrations within McLaren became clear when he held up team-mate Hamilton in the pits during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, preventing the Brit from having a final lap while he took pole position.
The bad feeling that emanated from his five-place grid penalty and McLaren's banning from scoring constructors' points in that race soon manifested itself in an ugly episode as Formula One's spy scandal unfolded.
Dennis said that Alonso had tried to bribe him into giving him number one status by threatening to give emails that proved McLaren had knowledge of Ferrari technical secrets leaked to the team, to investigators the FIA.
Dennis did not budge and informed the FIA himself that the information existed, further straining relations between himself and the driver, who has won four races this year and trails Hamilton by 12 points in the championship.
Alonso continues to insist that he is happy to stay at McLaren next year even though Hamilton has publicly said: "It would be better if he left."
Any move for the world champion would mean either Giancarlo Fisichella or Heikki Kovalainen leaving the team.
Jamie O'Leary / Eurosport

 

[Matt530i]

Briatore's comments came on the same day that Ferrari team chief Jean Todt publicly denied that he would be prepared to off-load Felipe Massa in a bid to get Alonso into the Italian team for next season. He thinks that the Brazilian will be a much better team-mate for Kimi Raikkonen than Alonso would.

"I wonder: would it be positive to team up Alonso and Raikkonen? The time when you could have two strong drivers in the team are over.
"Now it's important that the roles, number one and two, are clear, otherwise you risk to destabilise the team."

Is this an actual quote from Todt? If so, doesn't that suggest that Ferrari is now going to treat Raikkonen as number one instead of letting him and Massa race as they did for most of the season this year?

 

[Centurion]

Is this an actual quote from Todt? If so, doesn't that suggest that Ferrari is now going to treat Raikkonen as number one instead of letting him and Massa race as they did for most of the season this year?

I guess so. Kimster is a better driver than Massa and is also ahead in the drivers' championship. In the last two races remaining Kimi will be devoted all Ferrari's resources and attention.

 

[bmer]

Was this posted already?

Todt says no room for Alonso at Ferrari​

Raikkonen and Massa under contract for 2008


30/09/07 10:01

Jean Todt has added his denial to speculation that Fernando Alonso might be bound for Ferrari at the end of the season.

The Italian team's boss confirmed that both Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa are under contract for 2008.

"We respect our contracts," Frenchman Todt told the British broadcaster ITV.

"Alonso is a great driver, I have a lot of respect for him as a driver, but we are very happy with our contracted drivers".

Rumours persist that Alonso, under contract to McLaren next year but unhappy at the British team, might sit out 2008 before moving to Ferrari the year after.

Source: Formula 1 : News ALONSO - F1-Live.com

 

[bmer]

Wurz confirms immediate retirement from F1​

View attachment b04043eff39e2ee089783a449bbb3f20.jpg​

Alex Wurz has confirmed he is retiring from Formula One racing, as revealed yesterday by autosport.com, and the Austrian will not even take part in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"I would today like to announce my retirement from active racing in Formula One," Wurz, 33, said in a statement released by Williams.

"I would like to thank my family and fans, everyone at AT&T Williams and my previous teams, as well as the media, for all of their support during my Formula One racing career.

"In such a hard fought environment as Formula One, I have always maintained that if you have a moment's doubt about what you are doing, then it is time to stop. Privately I began to have these thoughts earlier this year and so have decided that now is the time to make my announcement.

"Racing this season has been a real pleasure, especially securing the podium in Canada which was pretty sweet along with a number of other strong races, but now it is time to call it a day.

"I'd like to thank the team for accepting my decision and I wish them all the best for the last race of the year."

Wurz made his Grand Prix debut in Canada in 1997 and spent several years at McLaren as a test driver before joining Williams last year.

He returned to racing this year but has often been unable to match the pace of teammate Nico Rosberg, especially in qualifying.

"I look forward to my future and perhaps the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and skills in Formula One and I have some discussions underway," Wurz added.

"I may also race again, perhaps in Le Mans or other categories and certainly some of my time will now be committed to the very important subject of road safety."

Team boss Frank Williams added: "Alex has made an invaluable contribution to the team for the past two years, first as one of the best test and development drivers the team has ever worked with, and more recently as a race driver.

"This season Alex has had some very strong drives in difficult circumstances and we would like to thank him for all he has contributed. Alex is well known, immensely popular and widely regarded as one of Formula One's gentlemen.

"I am sure I speak for everyone in the paddock when I wish Alex and his family the very best for the future."

Williams said Wurz will not be racing at the season finale in Brazil, and that his replacement will be announced tomorrow.

The British squad have Kazuki Nakajima as their test driver.



Source: Autosport.com

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Renault pushing for Alonso contract
Alonso shown details of the forthcoming R28
10/10/07 10:03



F1-Live.com

Alonso has a contract with McLaren for 2008
which any team would have to buy-out
Fernando Alonso in Japan two weeks ago was shown details of Renault's plans to return to the world title in 2008 and beyond - including detailed information about next year's R28 single seater, according to reports.

Spanish sources including the magazine Autopista says the 26-year-old reigning world champion met with Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds on the Saturday at Fuji Speedway, where they discussed a possible two or three-year contract starting in 2008.

It is believed that Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is reluctant to enter a one-year arrangement with Alonso, after which he would be free to switch to Ferrari or another top rival for 2009.
Cliquez ici...


Autopista said Alonso's manager Luis Garcia Abad also attended the half-hour meeting, and later with the McLaren driver's wife Raquel they followed the track action from the comfort of Renault's hospitality area.

The magazine claimed that Alonso's team-mate would not be Giancarlo Fisichella, as in 2005 and 2006, because the Roman may be moving to Williams to fill the seat vacated by Nico Rosberg, who is first in line to replace Alonso at Woking based McLaren.

In contention to become Alonso's team-mate, then, are incumbent Heikki Kovalainen and current Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jr.

Source GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Fittipaldi urges Ferrari to sign Alonso
''If he went there, I think Ferrari would gain'' 15/10/07 10:20


Fellow double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi says he has some sympathy for the difficulty Fernando Alonso has faced at McLaren this year.

The Brazilian, who similarly won his titles as a youngster in 1972 and 1974, told the Spanish press at an event in Barcelona on Sunday that Alonso's falling out with the British team is 'very difficult' for outsiders to comment on.

"Honestly, we do not understand everything that is going on there from the outside," he said.

"For example, Fernando complained that the pressure of his tyres was wrong in Japan and China - I think the difference was a pound, which is a lot when in Formula One everything must be very precise.

"So if Fernando said this, it is because he has a reason to do so."

With the press now fascinated to know what team Alonso will drive for next year, Fittipaldi urged Ferrari to consider the 26-year-old Spaniard.

"If he went there, I think Ferrari would gain what they lost when Schumacher went away.

"Michael was really able to improve his cars and I think Alonso can do exactly the same.

"Without Schumacher, Ferrari has gone down, in my opinion. With Fernando, I can imagine Ferrari having the best car," he said.

Source GMM
© CAPSIS International
Formula 1 : News ALONSO - F1-Live.com

 

[450SEL6.9]

Emerson Fittipaldi makes too much sense for a retired world champion! They usually say stuff that is totally ridiculous and lack one tiny grain of objectivity. Fittipaldi and maybe even Mansell seem to be rational after all these years. I think he is so right about Alonso. It saddens me that Ferrari re-signed Massa.