The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1 

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SagarisGTB
Quite the paradox, as Gasly is a GP2 driver himself (back of the grid type) for the second half of this year.

And I have trouble agreeing. Just last year, Merhi was rubbish in DTM and Sainz was average in GP3. Suddenly, they are great when they are up against big car rookies (Gasly, Rowland) and unimpressive journeymen (Jafaar, Amberg, Stockinger, Fantin, etc). Not buying it.

For me, the last couple of meets have raised Vandoorne significantly (from a good rookie, to one of the best in the field) and is now the best prospect on the doorstep of F1 to me. Evans and Nasr are very good also, I'd rate these two on the same plane as Sainz, Gasly (who needs more time) and maybe Rowland. Marciello is obviously very talented, his performance at Spa race 1 was jaw dropping (made Vandoorne look average at his home track), but he clearly needs another year or two. His racecraft was very average (at least compared to his phenomenal pace) in F3 and it has been further exposed in his first year of GP2.
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I wouldn't compare DTM to single seaters as you don't usually get a smooth transition from the driver(F1 drivers have never fared well when they go there and previous single seater champions need a transition time).

Merhi in his last season of open wheel won Euro F3 so there is some pedigree.

Also I wouldn't read too much into Gaslys performance in GP2, everyone else has had done pre season testing and most of the grid has done several seasons with the car so they have much more knowledge of it, doing a proper season from the start is the best way to judge the talent.
The simple Fact you have Palmer Dominating GP2 right now who is very much been midfield to lower midfield driver for the last 3 years in the series doesn't exactly highlight the talent there, Vandoorne who was no where untill the 2nd half of the season now is probably the one of the best drivers now.

Also I wouldn't call Sainz and Merhi experienced in Big cars, GP3 and F3/DTM not exactly the what i would call Big car Experience.
 
mustafur
Chances are he was the one to sign Alonso off before they came in.
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From what I heard, Montezemolo asked Alonso if he had any last wish before he left, and he asked to be released from his contract. I can't remember where that was though for a source...
 
If Alonso does indeed join McLaren I hope it is Jenson who is shown the door, and not Kevin. I have the utmost respect for him; he's one of the most humble guys out there. But he's not as quick as he once was, and I'd hate to see Magnussen get shafted like Perez did.
 
There are rumors saying that either Perez or Gutierrez will go to Lotus if Grosjean doesn't renew his contract, which he has time to do so until the U.S. GP weekend.

I don't think PDVSA would let that happen.

I hope Perez stays at Force India, Gutierrez should've stayed in GP2 for another year.
 
Lotus wouldn't be much of a gamble, they have the ability to be up the front which force india don't and with Mercedes power I would expect them to be miles better then this year.
 
That would be a likely scenario. Maybe Penske has reached out to him? Speculation, of course... but it still gives him the opportunity to return to his home country.
 
SVT Cobra GT
Sam Michael's leaving McLaren.

http://www1.skysports.com/f1/news/1...ael-to-leave-mclaren-at-the-end-of-the-season
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This is good for McLaren. I always thought Williams would improve when he left... and they did. At the same time McLaren started to suffer from the same stiltedness that seemed to have afflicted Williams.

TenEightyOne
In my own opinion, Sam Michael is part of Williams' problem. I've no doubt that he's a keen, intelligent engineer... but as part of the senior technical hierarchy he's presided over a perpetual spiral into ignominy for Williams.
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So I did, 2011 :D
 
it's speculation, i would say it's Pat Symonds taking over that made the biggest difference in the team.
 
mustafur
it's speculation, i would say it's Pat Symonds taking over that made the biggest difference in the team.
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I certainly think he's made a huge difference; I hope they fix his diet/smoking and he's around for a lot longer. Very clever man led astray by Flavio The Thongster.

That doesn't change my view on Sam Michael, his instrumental thesis was excellent but I see the same basic mistakes at McLaren week-after-week that were a hallmark of Williams during his tenure there.
 
Further silly season rumours:

- Vettel/Ferrari and Alonso/McLaren deals are expected to be announced at or around the USGP.
- Esteban Gutierrez could be out of a seat next year; alternatively, he (and Sergio Perez) has been linked to a move to Lotus.
- Officially, Lotus expect to retain Grosjean, but Ocon has been touted as a replacement if Grosjean leaves.
- Caterham is in administration, and workers have reportedly been locked out of the Leafield base. The new owners claim Tony Fernandes hasn't transferred ownership; Fernandes has fired back claiming the new owners haven't paid up.
 
prisonermonkeys
Me, too. I wondered what on earth McLaren had been thinking when they hired him.
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Hiring him looked to me like another of Whitmarsh’s epic calls.

Ranked right up with him deciding to junk the fastest car on the grid in favour of a new car when the rules for the following season stayed the same.
 
^ I remember saying early on launch day that I didn't want to see a stepped nose on the 2013 car. "Don't be silly, why would they do that?" everyone said, until they unveiled the stepped nose + vanity panel ensemble... They took the time and effort to develop ideas that would be redundant a year later - and knowingly so. Formula 1 doesn't stand still, let alone allow any team to walk backwards...
 
I was thinking....

What if... Ron Dennis has decided to put one back over on Alonso. He plans to wait until the last minute and confirm Magnussen and Button.

Kvyat has played his part for Red Bull and accepted a fantasy drive for next year; Kimi (with a big Red Bull sponsorship history) is going to take the seat alongside Ricciardioioio.

That leaves the most poisonous seats in modern F1 open at Ferrari; I haven't got much further than that :D
 
Silly, certainly. Remember when everyone was convinced Raikkonen's move to the WRC was foreshadowing a glorious return to Formula 1 with Red Bull?

On the back of his dismal season, Raikkonen isn't fit to drive a garbage truck. Why Ferrari haven't fired him is a mystery that may never be solved.
 
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