2013 Formula 1 Season Paddock

So is there a #1 there. Or is it going to be result based?

 

Alonso is #1 @ Ferrari

 

Kimi is officially returning to Ferrari:

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/300126/official-raikkonen-seals-ferrari-return/

 

Wow, that's going to be competitive week to week.

 

I wonder where Massa will go

 

Hulkenburg will go fill Kimi's seat at Lotus , so maybe Sauber

 

To the stud farm?


It will be interesting if anyone wants him?

 

True, the other intresting thought is who fills the lotus spot? He who comes with the most financial backing probably. Hulkenberg, Maldonado? I could see Massa racing at Williams if Maldonado leaves.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. Not sure how marketable he is given his inconsistent performance since he had his head cracked. I would think he might take some time off, then maybe pop up at some other racing circuit. But, then again, I did not think Kimi would be back at Ferrari either.....

 

There is no way Lotus would take a chance on Maldonado. They have "Wreckin Roman" Grosjean (who has admittedly gotten better this year). Maldonado is a danger to the other drivers on track and has been since he came up to F1. I don't think Lotus will want to move backwards.

 

I wonder how much brain damage Massa suffered (and is still being plagued by) when he got smacked by that piece of suspension. I've wondered that often watching his performances before and after his accident. No sarcasm meant in that, there is something different. It takes a huge set to get back on that pony and ride it after something like that. No one would have judged him if he had retired at the end of that season.

 

Maldanado brings sponsorship money that Williams needs desperately too , he's not moving

 

^^^ agree, something definitely different, just hard to tell if it's physical or mental. I mean if I had that happen I would have a _very_ serious case of "mortality realization"....

 

Here's my take on the Raikkonen to Ferrari move .

Montezemolo wants two drivers that consistently are in the points , like Red Bull has , so that Ferrari can compete for the Constructors' trophy , and the money and prestige that come with that .

There has been talk that Ferrari don't feel Alonso has pushed the car to it's limit in qualifying , which I don't see but if that's the view they hold , then adding a driver that will challenge Alonso consistently for pace will spur him to push harder

Alonso's contract is up in 2016 , and there have been tons of rumours for over a year that Vettel has signed an agreement to join Ferrari after his current Red Bull contract is up , there are also rumours that Alonso is looking to join Red Bull . Bringing Raikkonen over ensures that they will have an experienced driver should Alonso leave .

Ultimately , Vettel's dominance over the last 4 seasons is largely ( not entirely ) a result of the Red Bull car being consistently 1/2 second faster than the rest of the pack .

Adrian Newey could probably name any salary he wants , and teams would line up to pay it

 

Vettel's contract is only until the end of the 2014 season, maybe 2015, IIRC. The upcoming silly seasons are going to be really fun to watch.

 

I'm going to do my part to ensure Newey stays at RBR. I'm off to the store to buy a case of Red Bull.

 

Anytime you have a great driver, there are rumors linking him to Ferrari. And why not? Ferrari has everything historic to it's name, an absolutely rabid fanbase, and the most prestigious name in the business of racing. It's a no brainer why someone wouldn't at least want their name linked with Ferrari. It's good for business all around.

 

2015

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...act-extension-perfect-timing-says-Horner.html

 

Interesting article

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24048992

 

The goofy chicane at turn 10 in Singapore is replaced with a single apex corner , speeds up and lap times to decrease by 1 second


http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2013/9/14975.html