The F1 driver transfer discussion/speculation archiveFormula 1 

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@Wardez - Force India may resist having two German drivers (Vijay Mallya has resisted too close a relationship with a works supplier), and Wehrlein has been linked to a seat with Manor. It could be that Mercedes are following Red Bull and Ferrari's lead and having a two-step driver advancement programme, putting drivers in backmarker teams, then promoting them to the midfield before they get a works seat.
 
@prisonermonkeys, that makes sense. So perhaps PW goes to Manor and Ocon becomes FI reserve and lands in GP2 next year.

Then who goes to FI?
 
Wardez
@prisonermonkeys, that makes sense. So perhaps PW goes to Manor and Ocon becomes FI reserve and lands in GP2 next year.

Then who goes to FI?
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Wouldn't be surprised if Force India take him. They have avoided a very tight relationship with engine suppliers to retain their independence, but that doesn't mean that they won't take a driver with ties to a supplier of their own volition. Wehrlein might be the rising star of the Mercedes stable, but Ocon has more open-wheel experience and so could probably make the transition to Formula 1 a little more smoothly.

That said, if Perez leaves, I genuinely have no idea who they are likely to take.
 
Reading Joe Saward's blog - yes, I was desperate - he reckons Grosjean is bound for Haas and that Perez is talking to Lotus as a means of putting the screws to Force India, but he has to be careful because Vijay Mallya (though Saward was surprisingly benign about him) might opt for Kevin Magnussen if Magnussen can come up with some funding, leaving Perez with no choice but to go to Lotus, who are facing a mass staff exodus, even if the Renault deal goes through (which he seems to think is likely).

Now, just imagine all of that in a condescending tone, and you've got the Joe Saward experience.
 
I wonder in what extent the Volkswagate will impact Formula One. Red Bull is/was in discussions for a sale to VW group (likely Audi), and i don't think making such step forward is in VW mind right know. Other manufacturers could be impacted, among which Renault, as the Diesel engine market is huge in its home market (France taxes encouraged diesel adoption during the last decades).
 
prisonermonkeys
Buying into Formula 1 would give them access to technology that they could use to restore their reputation.
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What technology could VW get access that isnt on a LMP1 cars already ? I dont see it personaly.

LMP1 cars are pretty bad ass atm technology wise.
 
+1 RX-7_FD3S, especially since that wouldn't include engine technology.

Edit: According to Fortune, VW was the company in the world that spent the most in R&D in 2013, with $13.5 billion. Followers were Samsung, Intel and Google (!). Formula One isn't strategic for VW, technology wise.
 
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RX-7_FD3S
What technology could VW get access that isnt on a LMP1 cars already ? I dont see it personaly.

LMP1 cars are pretty bad ass atm technology wise.
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Depends on what RBR have in the works as well as past technologies that could be further utilized in different ways in perhaps WEC or road going stuff. There are things that RBR have done that haven't been in WEC, and some of the more controversial stuff, like the materials to make body work flex in such a way that it passes tests it shouldn't.
 
LMSCorvetteGT2
Depends on what RBR have in the works as well as past technologies that could be further utilized in different ways in perhaps WEC or road going stuff. There are things that RBR have done that haven't been in WEC, and some of the more controversial stuff, like the materials to make body work flex in such a way that it passes tests it shouldn't.
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I think I've remember seeing in the Le Mans preview a similar sort of wing on LMP1 cars ? Might be my mind playing trick. Nope just made a search and Porsche was using a flexible motor wing on his LMP1 cars. So that went to WEC already.

You gotta remember that VW lost already 16 billion on stock market and is supposed to loose another 15 billion in court in the US alone.

Atm it's just wait and see. I can see RBR going off the championship actually unless they settle for a Honda engine, which I doubt. Ferrari dont seems to be as open to give them engine as they were before singapour. Which is obvious why.
 
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RX-7_FD3S
I think I've remember seeing in the Le Mans preview a similar sort of wing on LMP1 cars ? Might be my mind playing trick. Nope just made a search and Porsche was using a flexible motor wing on his LMP1 cars. So that went to WEC already.

You gotta remember that VW lost already 16 billion on stock market and is supposed to loose another 15 billion in court in the US alone.

Atm it's just wait and see. I can see RBR going off the championship actually unless they settle for a Honda engine, which I doubt. Ferrari dont seems to be as open to give them engine as they were before singapour. Which is obvious why.
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I know what they lost, I'm purely suggesting what they could learn. Since RBR is a massive tech center for anyone who buys it without having to spend the time doing so.

As for Porsche the Flexible engine cover was fixed as soon as it was noticed not the same as the RBR situation where multiple pieces (most famous the front wing) would flex at speed to reduce drag but beat load testing as well.
 
LMSCorvetteGT2
Depends on what RBR have in the works as well as past technologies that could be further utilized in different ways in perhaps WEC or road going stuff. There are things that RBR have done that haven't been in WEC, and some of the more controversial stuff, like the materials to make body work flex in such a way that it passes tests it shouldn't.
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Between that and VAG's ability to make engines pass tests they shouldn't you may be on to something :D
 
Magnussen is a much better driver than Vandoorne hope he gets a Mclaren seat.
I think Gutierrez is capable of being a good driver he had a poor Sauber seat his Ferrari testing might have matured him a bit. Grosjean another underrated driver: I hope this move doesn't damage his career. Hope JEV gets the Lotus/Renault seat.
 
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Luke
Button would be pretty amazing in WEC, if you ask me. Consistency, pace, weather specialist etc. He would be at the top end IMO.
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I'd say that's where JB may end up. He's been linked with Porsche which is where Webber is isn't it who's been trying to get him on board but I would really miss JB as he's my favourite driver and been a fan of his for most of his career. I'd have loved him to have gotten one more win for his Dad.
 
TelepathicCow
Magnussen is a much better driver than Vandoorne hope he gets a Mclaren seat.
I think Gutierrez is capable of being a good driver he had a poor Sauber seat his Ferrari testing might have matured him a bit. Grosjean another underrated driver: I hope this move doesn't damage his career. Hope JEV gets the Lotus/Renault seat.
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The class that Gutierrez came from in GP2 was one of the worse, and to put it in perspective he barely beat Max Chilton. Not very inspiring. His first season he and his team mate were new to Sauber and the car they built and as should be he was soudly beat by his team mate in a car that was worse than the previous year Sauber that found podium a few times. After that he was paired with Sutil, who was an easier test than Hulkenberg and still lost (though by a smaller margin it could be said). He also drove and finished about as well as he did his first year in Sauber with what was a better car...

Sorry but not very inspiring stuff from Gutierrez
 
Meanwhile, the mood over at McLaren...

alon-butt-2.jpg
 
Anthony Davidson has pointed out that Romain Grosjean cannot drive for Haas F1 as the French do not really pronounce the "H" sound, meaning that Grosjean will be driving for Aas F1.

Ted Kravitz reckons Mercedes will place Pascal Wehrlein at Manor next year, with the second seat sold and Rio Haryanto being the likely winner of the seat.
 
That doesn't tell us anything new except that McLaren won't force him to stay if he doesn't want to - and which team principal in their right mind would try that? Look at Marco Melandri in MotoGP; he didn't want to be there this year, but Aprilia stuck him on the bike anyway. He lasted all of half a season before things inevitability fell apart.

Anyway, ither rumours from Suzuka have Button starting his own World Rallycross team and/or going to the WRC.
 
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