In the round-up: Fernando Alonso has a deal to race at Le Mans for Toyota and could do more WEC races next year.
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Your daily digest of F1 news, views, features and more from hundreds of sites across the web:
Alonso to race Le Mans next year for Toyota (BBC)
"No contract has been formally signed yet but sources say that the Le Mans deal, at least, will happen."
McLaren says Alonso couldn't do dual F1/WEC programme (Motorsport)
"I don't think you can physically do two programmes, it is too complicated. If you commit to two programmes it is a huge distraction."
Ferrari F1 quit talk is bluster, says Horner (Reuters)
"There’ll be a lot of brinkmanship and chest-puffing at the moment. But I think when the music stops, they’ll be there."
Renault: Toro Rosso failures not coincidence (Autosport)
"We do have a little bit of a concern about the way that our engine is operated in the Toro Rosso car, which may explain why we have had so many issues coming from Toro Rosso specifically. There are never coincidences in this sport."
Hulkenberg: Hamilton likes to play around (ESPN)
"I was clearly ahead. If he wants to drive off the track, fine with me!"
Season run-in has set up 2018 perfectly - Vettel Q&A (F1)
"To win the title you have to score the most points – and he scored more points than anybody else so he deserves it!"
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Real grass for a few meters on the edge of the track and then asphalt afterwards! This is what I’ve been talking about for years – no track limits issues! pic.twitter.com/fXQQiLMxt7
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) November 10, 2017
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
Is Daniil Kvyat the best available replacement for Felipe Massa at Williams?
Although he’s had two bad years, he has shown potential in 2015. And he then did look better than Wehrlein has so far certainly. He could easily turn things round. Di Resta and especially Kubica have just been out of F1 for too long in my opinion to be the best option. I still think Massa was the best option. I also keep hearing about Wehrlein being a possibility. But I think Massa has been a huge amount better than him over the past couple of seasons. Especially this year. Ericsson hasn’t been far off Wehrlein at all and many consider him to be about the worst on the grid.
Out of the options that seem to have been discussed, I’d probably go for Kvyat as the best, then Di Resta, Wehrlein and Kubica in that order if the first one couldn’t get it.
Ben Rowe (@Thegianthogweed)
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bull mello (@bullmello)
11th November 2017, 0:53
Ha, Mr. Horner is funny! When Ferrari threatens to quit, it’s bluster. But, when Red Bull was threatening to quit that had to be the real deal for sure, right?
Methinks the boy may have a future in politics.
TR
11th November 2017, 1:02
Well, at the time, weren’t Red Bull in line to have to run their cars with Flintstones Engines, since no one else would supply them?
But I do get your point. Horner is probably the last person who should be talking about Ferrari’s “bluster”.
Neil (@neilosjames)
11th November 2017, 1:53
I think it was bluster at the time from Red Bull because they’d signed up long-term, but I’d be far more inclined to believe they would carry out a threat to quit than Ferrari.
F1 isn’t part of Red Bull’s heart… they’ll walk away as soon as it no longer makes sense to their balance sheets. Despite the floatation and general Marchionne-ness going on at the moment, I don’t think Ferrari are anywhere near that soulless (yet).
BasCB (@bascb)
11th November 2017, 12:28
Or maybe we should rather say that Horner can confidently say so from his own experience of hammering on with empty quit threats @bullmello :-)
TR
11th November 2017, 1:04
On the Renault vs Toro Rosso thing, TR are just getting a head-start on development for next year, is all. No great conspiracy or mystery.
Sundar Srinivas Harish
11th November 2017, 1:51
*Puts on tin foil hat*
Renault are supplying defective parts to Toro Rosso to leapfrog ahead of them in the championship.
TR
11th November 2017, 9:58
Hmmm… Reading over Renault’s statement, they do say there are no coincidences in F1. You might be right!
It’s just a shame they mixed-up a few shipments and sent some of those parts to Red Bull, as well.
Hugh (@hugh11)
11th November 2017, 12:56
Yeah. Hulkenberg has had car issues at the last 5 races, 4 of which being being engine related. It’s clearly just the Renault engines, rather than them trying to sabotage Toro Rosso.
Neil (@neilosjames)
11th November 2017, 1:48
Re CoTD, I do agree that Kvyat has shown in the past that he’s a highly talented driver, but he’s also proved to be somewhat unreliable and inconsistent, and his mental position is questionable. Obviously the decision will be made by people who know a lot more than me, but I’d have massive concerns about whether he could ever return to his best form in F1. If I had a strong driver in Seat 1 I’d probably be tempted to take a punt on him, but I wouldn’t want him as my team leader and that’s what whoever Williams choose will be.
Kubica, I’d consider to also be high risk and high reward, but in a different (and more measurable, predictable) way. And Wehrlein… still not convinced but I’d put him at least on a par with di Resta, and he has recent experience. But di Resta probably has a calmer head and would be a better ‘partner’ for Stroll…
My order (putting finance aside) would have Kubica as the best option. If he can’t manage, Wehrlein would just sneak into P2, di Resta third and Kvyat last.
Toxic (@)
11th November 2017, 7:28
In my view, anyone who thinks Kubica is not the best option for Williams, must be delusional. If Williams want to stay a lower midfield team then yes, go for Di Resta, Kvyat or Wehrlein. Only Kubica from the 4 contenders can get them back to the front… even if he is a risk, his talent is at the WDC level. If RK thinks he can go back, I’d put his view above all the armchair expert’s views.
DanielH (@danielh)
11th November 2017, 8:25
I don’t understand why Wehrlein is being mentioned all of a sudden. Yes, he’s on Merc’s young driver programme, but he’s only 23, and Williams need a 25+ driver for Martini. Or has that changed recently?
Patrick (@paeschli)
11th November 2017, 9:54
@danielh
http://www.thedrive.com/start-finish/15675/williams-f1-racing-team-delays-2018-driver-decision-and-muddies-the-water
I agree with COTD though, Kvyat is the best choice.
anon
11th November 2017, 9:10
@toxic, so you are saying that Williams should base their hopes on a driver where there are still questions about his physical fitness and the impact that the lack of motility in his arm would have on his performance over a season because of the performance that he put in over seven years ago?
He did manage to take part in that test for Renault, but something about his performances evidently did not quite click if they went for Sainz Jr instead over him. As for Williams, whilst he has tested for them as well, Williams have not given any indication of his lap times to give us a feel for his potential competitiveness.
I know that there are a number of people who want to see Kubica there because they think of the Kubica of old, but that is a long time ago now and I think it is entirely reasonable to question what he is capable of now.
Miane
11th November 2017, 4:02
I understand why Williams dropped Massa last season, they had Botas who was not so much faster but he was young and a better driver overall. But I really don’t understand why they don’t want Massa now, they can’t rely on Stroll alone and all other options (besides Wherlein) have huge riskys envolved. It’s not like there’re better driver than Massa available (Sainz? Ocon? Perez? Hulk?), for me they are making a stupid mistake.
Patrick (@paeschli)
11th November 2017, 9:55
Stroll has scored more points than Massa this year…
Mashiat (@mashiat)
11th November 2017, 11:35
@paeschli Almost entirely through luck.
Nunu
11th November 2017, 5:56
Alonso should consider to focus on his team in F1… think they would like to have a driver not being elsewhere all the time…when they are fighting for every tenth..and then start giving the upgrades to VAN first – sick of this spoiled behavier from Alonso…yes I can stand against the Alonso fan comment storm….
Mashiat (@mashiat)
11th November 2017, 6:14
Le Mans is a one-off event. Alonso is NOT participating in the whole WEC season…Hulkenberg even did it 2 seasons ago, and if anything, it invigorated him for a few races.
james2488 (@james2488)
11th November 2017, 6:58
The BBC article seems to suggest Alonso wants to do the full WEC. With the calender limited on races and split over 2 years and only 1 clash it’s a possibility.
Mashiat (@mashiat)
11th November 2017, 7:48
@james2488 Read the link just below that. McLaren wouldn’t allow that, even though Alonso I’m certain would like to do both.
Egonovi
11th November 2017, 9:14
It’s an Andrew Benson article. That should say enough.
He was able to put that crap article together on some facts we all knew and ‘no comments’ from the parties involved.
George (@george)
11th November 2017, 13:43
@james2488
Alonso’s interest is only in winning Le Mans, it doesn’t make any sense for him to do a full season.
schudha (@reganama)
11th November 2017, 7:50
Kubica vs Wehrlein in my eyes
Unicron (@unicron2002)
11th November 2017, 7:55
Great tweet and photo from Karun Chandhok, just shows how simple a solution a bit of grass by the side of the track is.
I’d love to see it in Austin, Sochi, Copse Corner, Parabolica, Turn 3 at Barcelona, penultimate turn at RedBullRing… I could go on.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
11th November 2017, 8:31
Why does ‘being out of F1 for a long time’ matter, as long as they’re not too old to have time to adapt? Rookies have never even been in F1 so should they never get a chance? I think people are forgetting just how talented Kubica is, he is a Hamilton/Alonso type that will be up to speed in no time. All the other options are B listers but taking that risk on Kubica is Williams opportunity to finally get a world class talent. I do have a worry that his physical limitations are going to prevent a comeback though. Williams need to take a risk, they haven’t had a decent top level driver since Rosberg left 8 years ago.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
11th November 2017, 8:38
PS. I’m being a bit harsh on Hulk and Bot here but you know what I mean.
Baron (@baron)
11th November 2017, 10:43
@rdotquestionmark . I think you have to consider that Robert is not ‘race-ready’ in respect of his regular participation in wheel to wheel open wheel racing, whereas ‘rookies’ generally come in hot from another series. If Robert had already completed a successful season in GP2 or even GP3 it would be a no-brainer. The spatial awareness & physical effort in reaction to peripheral events required to race at F1 level are enormous and are not always obvious until you have a Sepang type incident. I think this is what is holding Robert back. There is no doubt he has a fine ‘racing brain’ but it will be rusty at the moment, and this would be the risk, never mind having to perform consistently over 500 kms.
Roth Man (@rdotquestionmark)
11th November 2017, 11:04
@baron I appreciate that but Robert is a highly skilled and experienced racer, he would be up to speed in no time I believe. I suspect it’s his physical limitations are the question mark (stating the obvious).
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
11th November 2017, 10:08
For Williams, my heart wants Kubica, but my head… also says Kubica.
Yes, he’s a risk. But he’s a risk worth taking. Worst case scenario, he’s not as good as Stroll. Best case scenario, he turns out to be as good as he was before the accident. Either way, they’ll still be behind one of the feel-good sporting stories of the year, and will reap all the sponsorship benefits that come with it.
Williams have still got Stroll – they’ve got that consistentcy in the driver lineup that is apparently so important to them. It makes no sense to go for Di Resta if they have any aspirations of stopping their decline. Now is the time to take a chance.
Baron (@baron)
11th November 2017, 10:49
Yes but Robert’s well-being must also be considered, and Williams would have a kind of ‘duty-of-care’. It’s not so cut and dried as it appears, otherwise they would have made an announcement. I fear that if Williams had found Robert suitable, he would have been already signed, and remember that Renault walked away from him earlier.
George (@george)
11th November 2017, 13:48
@baron
Yes, but Renault had Hulk in the pocket and the prospect of Sainz on the horizon. Williams have Stroll and the prospect of di Resta…
Nigel
11th November 2017, 12:50
Renault are investing a huge amount of money to compete head to head with the big teams – the risk/reward calculus is entirely different for them than for Williams.
Duty of care is a bit of a red herring – Kubrick has already completed multiple GP distances. The real question is how competitive he will be.
Baron (@baron)
11th November 2017, 14:15
Hey Nigel, I’m pretty sure you mean Kubica not Kubrick, but he did make good movies! It’s not a red herring. Williams experienced a torrid decade of legal activity from Italy, trying to prove they were to blame for Senna’s death. Do you really think they want to risk it again? Completing multiple GP distances is not an issue. It appears he’s done that ok but the team have to consider his ability with 19 other drivers around him in the heat of competition. Despite our (F1 fans) preferences, it would appear that Robert hasn’t satisfied those requirements at least for Renault, and increasingly, Williams. As I say, I hope I’m wrong but if Robert were to prove he could compete wheel to wheel with Hamilton, Vettel and Verstappen, he would be signed in a heartbeat.
Baron (@baron)
11th November 2017, 14:23
I want to add that Robert could have easily competed with the best we have now, in his day.. I would give my left arm for a competition between Hamilton Kubica & Verstappen and perhaps Alonso if he wasn’t such a diva. These guys have something special.