Silly Season 2012 (79 posts)

  • Profile picture of Prisoner Monkeys Prisoner Monkeys said 1 year, 7 months ago:

    A story coming out of Italy suggests that Adrian Sutil is on his way out of Force India, wth Nico Hulkenberg taking his place in 2012. It’s apparently been taken from Autosport’s digital edition; the AUTOSPORdigi Twitter feed contains the following:

    Autosport mag : Hulkenberg is set to be promoted to a race seat next year alongside Paul di Resta. Story from @eddstrawF1 at @AUTOSPORTdigi

    Posted one hour ago. I don’t know if the poster, f1enigma is our very own @enigma (or @Enigma – last time I tried to mention him, it didn’t work, and if he is indeed enigmaf1, I’d like to heard his take on it).

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  • Profile picture of Enigma Enigma said 1 year, 7 months ago:

    @prisoner-monkeys Not me. He’s a Greek journalist, apparently Dimitris Papadopoulo, @f1enigma on Twitter. I’m from Slovenia, @enigmaf1 on twitter. A tad bit confusing really.

    The reason your @ didn’t work is because you put a dot at the end – it was considered a part of the username and it didn’t find any member with ‘enigma.’ as username. @Enigma should work.

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  • Profile picture of Enigma Enigma said 1 year, 7 months ago:

    About the story, I’m glad if it’s true. Whereas I rate Sutil, as he’s shown he’s a good driver over the last years, I just can’t see him being a champion one day. Di Resta and Hulkenberg on the other hand, both look very promising.

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  • Profile picture of Bradley Downton Bradley Downton said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    Updated 2012 Predictions
    Red Bull
    1.Sebastian Vettel
    2.Mark Webber

    McLaren
    3.Jenson Button
    4.Lewis Hamilton

    Ferrari
    5.Fernando Alonso
    6.Nico Rosberg

    Mercedes
    7.Michael Schumacher
    8.Paul di Resta

    Lotus
    9.Vitaly Petrov
    10.Romain Grosjean

    Toro Rosso
    11.Jaime Alguersuari
    12.Sebastien Buemi

    Force India
    14.Adrian Sutil
    15.Nico Hulkenberg

    Sauber
    16.Kamui Kobayashi
    17.Sergio Perez

    Williams
    18.Kimi Raikkonen
    19.Pastor Maldonado

    Caterham
    20.Heikki Kovalainen
    21.Jarno Trulli

    HRT
    22.Daniel Ricciardo
    23.Giedo van der Garde

    Marussia
    24.Timo Glock
    25.Charles Pic

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  • Profile picture of PieLighter PieLighter said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    My predictions (not necessarily 2012):

    Red Bull
    1: Sebastian Vettel
    2: Mark Webber

    McLaren
    3: Jenson Button
    4: Lewis Hamilton (number swap after JB smashes Hamilton)

    Alonso GP
    5: Fernando Alonso
    6: Sergio Perez?

    Mercedes
    7: Michael Schumacher (can’t see him jumping ship any time soon)
    8: Nico Rosberg

    Lotus
    9: Bruno Senna (if he performs well enough) or Robert Kubica
    10: Vitaly Petrov

    Force India
    11: Paul di Resta (Mercedes the year after that when Rosberg gives up and becomes Heidfeld mk II)
    12: Nico Hulkenberg

    Sauber
    14: Kamui Kobayashi
    15: Adrian Sutil?

    Toro Rosso
    16: Jaime Alguersuari
    17: Sebastien Buemi

    Williams
    18: Kimi Raikkonen
    19: Pastor Maldonado

    Caterham
    20: Heikki Kovalainen
    21: Luis Razia/Davide Valsecchi (can’t see Trulli lasting much longer)

    HRT
    22: Daniel Ricciardo
    23: Felipe Massa (HRT or nothing)

    Marussia
    24: Timo Glock
    25: Robert Wickens

    OUT:
    Vitantonio Liuzzi
    Jarno Trulli
    Rubens Barrichello

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  • Profile picture of Stig Rennfahrer Stig Rennfahrer said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    My thoughts on next year’s season, based on the current discussions, and what has come to light with the young driver tests in Abu Dhabi…

    Red Bull Racing – Renault
    1. Sebastian Vettel – DEU
    2. Mark Webber – AUS
    Reserve: Sebastian Buemi – SUI

    McLaren-Mercedes
    3. Jenson Button – GBR
    4. Lewis Hamilton – GBR
    Reserve: Gary Paffett – GBR

    Scuderia Ferrari
    5. Fernando Alonso – ESP
    6. Felipe Massa – BRA *OR* Sergio Perez – MEX
    Reserve: Jules Bianchi – FRA

    Mercedes GP Petronas
    7. Michael Schumacher – DEU
    8. Nico Rosberg – DEU
    Reserve: Paul di Resta – GBR

    Lotus GP – Renault
    9. Vitaly Petrov – RUS (as he brings in a lot of Russian sponsorship)
    10. Daniel Ricciardo – AUS (Red Bull pay to place him in with LGP)
    Reserve: Bruno Senna – BRA

    Sahara Force India – Mercedes
    11. Adrian Sutil – DEU
    12. Nico Hulkenberg – DEU
    Reserve: Max Chilton – GBR

    Sauber F1 Team – Ferrari
    14. Kamui Kobayashi – JPN
    15. Esteban Gutierrez – MEX
    Reserve: Fabio Leimer – SUI

    Scuderia Toro Rosso – Ferrari
    16. Jaime Alguersuari – ESP
    17. Jean-Eric Vergne – FRA
    Reserve: Stefano Coletti – MON

    PDVSA Williams F1 Team – Renault
    18. Kimi Raikkonen – FIN (all the speculation comes true and he rejoins the grid, taking the place of the newly-retired Rubens Barrichello)
    19. Pastor Maldonado – VEN (bringing the PDVSA sponsorship with him)
    Reserve: Valtteri Bottas – FIN

    Caterham Racing Team – Renault
    20. Heikki Kovalainen – FIN
    21. Alexander Rossi – USA (Trulli decides to retire at the end of 2011)
    Reserve – Luiz Razia – BRA

    HRT – Cosworth
    22. Daniel Clos – ESP
    23. Nathaniel Berthon – FRA
    Reserve: Mirko Bortolotti – ITA

    Marussia – Cosworth
    24. Timo Glock – DEU
    25. Robert Wickens – CAN
    Reserve: Adrian Quaife-Hobbs – GBR

    This isn’t necessarily the grid I’d like to see, but the one I think is most likely…we’ll wait and see!

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  • Profile picture of Adam Tate Adam Tate said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    A driver line up I’d like to see…

    Kubica and Glock at Lotus (Renault)

    There won’t be a change at any of the top 4 teams, so this would be the biggest headline.

    Marussia (Virgin) could pick up Petrov, and Senna, or even Barrichello if he doesn’t want to call it quits.

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  • Profile picture of Bradley Downton Bradley Downton said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    Just a thought but with:
    Barrichello more than likely leaving F1
    Maldonado possibly not returning due to sponsorship troubles
    Raikkonen probably not making a come-back due to his wants of co-ownership of a team
    Petrov maybe leaving Renault after his outburst
    Senna probably making way for Grosjean if it’s not Petrov that leaves
    Sutil more than likely leaving Force India

    Could Sutil and one of the current Renault drivers end up as teammates at Williams next year?
    It’s no secret that Williams need money and if they can’t keep Maldonado’s millions due to legal reasons, Sutil has a lot of sponsorship, as do Petrov and Senna. Plus, with Williams using Renault engines next year the Renault (Lotus) team could pay money to Williams to take a driver and sponsorship.

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  • Profile picture of raymondu999 raymondu999 said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    de la Rosa signs for HRT

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  • Profile picture of katederby katederby said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    How depressing. No offence to DLR who appears to be one of the nicest drivers around, but what about the exciting young drivers from WSR, GP2, F3 etc No more come backs, please!

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  • Profile picture of Stig Rennfahrer Stig Rennfahrer said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    @katederby I completely agree with you! Pedro de la Rosa is a great guy, but F1 (and particularly the newer teams) need to look to young, talented drivers who can bring sponsorship and ambition to a team…I am not saying that de la Rosa does not have ambition, but at 41, he will be one of the oldest drivers in the field, and he will not have the same drive to impress that younger drivers would, as he is probably looking to wind down his career there.

    Personally, I think that HRT and de la Rosa have made the wrong choice here, and that they may regret giving the man a two-year contract. I would love to be proven wrong, but I fear that I may not be in this circumstance…we shall see.

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  • Profile picture of Fixy Fixy said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    Red Bull Racing-Renault
    1. Sebastian Vettel
    2. Mark Webber
    TD. Jean-Eric Vergne

    Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes
    3. Jenson Button
    4. Lewis Hamilton
    TD. Gary Paffett

    Scuderia Ferrari
    5. Fernando Alonso
    6. Felipe Massa
    TD. Jules Bianchi

    Mercedes GP Petronas
    7. Michael Schumacher
    8. Nico Rosberg
    TD. Sam Bird

    Lotus Grand Prix-Renault
    9. Vitaly Petrov
    10. Romain Grosjean
    TD. Robert Kubica

    Sahara Force India-Mercedes
    11. Paul di Resta
    12. Nico Hulkenberg
    TD. Max Chilton

    Sauber F1 Team-Ferrari
    14. Kamui Kobayashi
    15. Sergio Perez
    TD. Esteban Gutierrez

    Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
    16. Jaime Alguersuari
    17. Daniel Ricciardo
    TD. Jean-Eric Vergne

    PDVSA Williams F1 Team-Renault
    18. Rubens Barrichello
    19. Pastor Maldonado
    TD. Valtteri Bottas

    Caterham Grand Prix-Renault
    20. Heikki Kovalainen
    21. Jarno Trulli
    TD. Alexander Rossi

    HRT F1 Team-Cosworth
    22. Pedro de la Rosa
    23. Dani Clos
    TD. Nathanael Berthon

    Marussia Racing-Cosworth
    24. Timo Glock
    25. Charles Pic
    TD. Robert Wickens

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  • Profile picture of Kingshark Kingshark said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    I’d do another one, just for fun. :)

    This is what will probably happen in 2012:

    Red Bull Racing-Renault
    1. Sebastian Vettel
    2. Mark Webber
    TD. Roberto Merhi

    Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes
    3. Jenson Button
    4. Lewis Hamilton
    TD. Gary Paffett

    Scuderia Ferrari
    5. Fernando Alonso
    6. Felipe Massa
    TD. Jules Bianchi

    Mercedes GP Petronas
    7. Michael Schumacher
    8. Nico Rosberg
    TD. Sam Bird

    Lotus Grand Prix-Renault
    9. Vitaly Petrov
    10. Romain Grosjean
    TD. Bruno Senna

    Sahara Force India-Mercedes
    11. Paul di Resta
    12. Nico Hulkenberg
    TD. Armaan Ebrahim

    Sauber F1 Team-Ferrari
    14. Kamui Kobayashi
    15. Sergio Perez
    TD. Esteban Gutierrez

    Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
    16. Jaime Alguersuari
    17. Sebastien Buemi
    TD. Jean-Eric Vergne

    PDVSA Williams F1 Team-Renault
    18. Pastor Maldonado
    19. Adrian Sutil
    TD. Valtteri Bottas

    Caterham Grand Prix-Renault
    20. Heikki Kovalainen
    21. Daniel Ricciardo
    TD. Alexander Rossi

    HRT F1 Team-Cosworth
    22. Pedro de la Rosa
    23. Dani Clos
    TD. Mirko Bortolotti

    Marussia Racing-Cosworth
    24. Timo Glock
    25. Charles Pic
    TD. Robert Wickens

    What I’d like to see in 2013:

    Red Bull Racing-Renault
    1. Sebastian Vettel
    2. Jaime Alguersauri

    Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes
    3. Jenson Button
    4. Lewis Hamilton

    Scuderia Ferrari
    5. Fernando Alonso
    6. Jules Bianchi

    Mercedes GP Petronas
    7. Nico Rosberg
    8. Paul di Resta

    Lotus Grand Prix-Renault
    9. Roman Grosjean
    10. Roberto Merhi

    Sahara Force India Mercedes
    11. Nico Hulkenburg
    12. Amraan Ebrahim

    Sauber F1 Team-Ferrari
    14. Kamui Kobayashi
    15. Sergio Perez

    Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
    17. Sebastien Buemi
    18. Jean-Eric Vergne

    PDVSA Williams F1 Team-Renault
    18. Robert Wickens
    19. Valtteri Bottas

    Caterham Grand Prix-Renault
    20. Heikki Kovalainen
    21. Daniel Ricciardo

    HRT F1 Team-Cosworth
    22. Pedro de la Rosa
    23. Dani Clos

    Marussia Racing-Cosworth
    24. Charles Pic
    25. Sakon Yamamoto or Narain Karthikeyan (for money)

    And 2014 (yes, I’m going this far):

    Red Bull Racing-Renault:
    1. Sebastian Vettel
    2. Jaime Alguersauri

    Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes
    3. Lewis Hamilton
    4. Nico Hulkenburg

    Scudiera Ferrari
    5. Fernando Alonso
    6. Kamui Kobayashi

    Petronas Mercedes Benz GP:
    7. Nico Rosberg
    8. Paul di Resta

    Lotus Grand Prix-Renault
    9. Roberto Mehri
    10. Luciano Bacheta

    Sahara Force India Mercedes
    11. Jules Bianchi
    12. Zaamin Jaffer

    Sauber F1 Team-Ferrari
    14. Sergio Perez
    15. Esteban Gutierrez

    Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
    16. Jean-Eric Vergne
    17. Daniel Ricciardo

    PDVSA Williams F1 Team-Renault
    18. Robert Wickens
    19. Valtteri Bottas

    Caterham Grand Prix-Renault
    20. Heikki Kovalainen
    21. Alexander Rossi

    Let’s see how wrong I was in 2 years time. :O

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  • Profile picture of Prisoner Monkeys Prisoner Monkeys said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    Red Bull-Renault
    1. Sebastian Vettel
    2. Mark Webber

    Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes
    3. Jenson Button
    4. Lewis Hamilton

    Scuderia Ferrari Santander
    5. Fernando Alonso
    6. Felipe Massa

    Mercedes GP Petronas
    7. Michael Schumacher
    8. Nico Rosberg

    Lotus Grand Prix Team-Renault
    9. Vitaly Petrov
    10. Romain Grosjean

    Sahara Racing-Mercedes
    11. Paul di Resta
    12. Sebastien Buemi

    Escuderia Telmex Sauber-Ferrari
    14. Kamui Kobayashi
    15. Sergio Perez

    Scuderia Toro Rosso-Ferrari
    16. Jaime Alguersuari
    17. Jean-Eric Vergne

    Raikkonen Robertson Williams-Renault
    18. Adrian Sutil
    19. Valtteri Bottas

    Team Caterham-Renault
    20. Heikki Kovalainen
    21. Jerome d’Ambrosio

    Addax Hispania F1-Cosworth
    22. Pedro de la Rosa
    23. Daniel Ricciardo

    Marussia Factory Motorsports-Cosworth
    24. Timo Glock
    25. Robert Wickens

    Major notes:
    - Vijay Mallya is forced to give up control of Force India when Kingfisher Airways collapses. New owners Sahara take Sebastien Buemi over Nico Hulkenberg when Buemi is cut loose.
    - Kimi Raikkonen does not join Williams; instead, he buys into the team with a view to running the team when Sir Frank retires. Pastor Malondado is forced out of Williams when the Venezuelans terminate the PDVSA contract.
    - Alejandro Agag buys into Hispania.

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  • Profile picture of Slr Slr said 1 year, 6 months ago:

    Red Bull Renault F1 Team
    1. Sebastian Vettel
    2. Mark Webber

    Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
    3. Lewis Hamilton
    4. Jenson Button

    Scuderia Ferrari
    5. Fernando Alonso
    6. Felipe Massa

    Mercedes GP Petronas
    7. Michael Schumacher
    8. Nico Rosberg

    Lotus Renault GP
    9. Vitaly Petrov
    10. Romain Grosjean

    Sahara Force India
    11. Paul Di Resta
    12. Nico Hulkenberg

    Sauber F1 Team
    14. Kamui Kobayashi
    15. Sergio Perez

    Scuderia Toro Rosso
    16. Sebastien Buemi
    17. Jaime Alguersuari

    AT&T Williams
    18. Kimi Raikkonen
    19. Pastor Maldonado

    Team Caterham
    20. Heikki Kovalainen
    21. Adrian Sutil

    Hispania F1
    22. Pedro de la Rosa
    23. Jerome D’Ambrosio

    Marussia F1
    24. Timo Glock
    25. Charles Pic

    - Renault decide to buy Red Bull Racing making Red Bull now the sponsor of the new Renault F1 factory team.
    - Caterham buy Trulli’s contract, and Sutil replaces him.
    - D’Ambrosio goes to HRT after being dropped by Virgin/Marussia

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