2012/2013 Silly Season

[Hammer278]

Andrew is having a hard year, Vettel is having to work hard, proof god doesn't like Vettel fans.

Back on topic. How about for 2013, a scenario that goes something like... a young driver joins a strong team and proceeds to give the two time world champion a hard time in his own house?

High chance for it to happen...we have Massa performing like he should've retired 2 years ago, and Webber who might be looking to go elsewhere. Not to mention, a few seriously talented newbies really making their mark already this year.

[What's Burning?]

ESPNF1; McLaren boss Ron Dennis has hinted Lewis Hamilton may have to take a pay cut if he wants to stay at the team beyond the end of his current contract.

Hamilton's current deal with the team, estimated to be worth £14 million a year, expires at the end of this year and there were rumours in Monaco that McLaren were keen to sign him up for another five years on a deal worth £20 million per annum.

Hamilton told the press in Canada that he is not yet thinking about next year, but Dennis hinted on Sunday that the current economic climate could mean the offer from McLaren is not as lucrative as has been reported.

"It's a complex situation," Dennis told Sky Sports. "He's on the end of a contract which was signed at a time when the economy was somewhat different and now there has to be a balance between that. You're always going to look at what's available and where can he go. He's going to look at that, we're going to look at who's available. At the end of the day, hopefully, with the fact that he's been a part of this team from the beginning of his career will play a significant role in the decision both sides make. But it's a little early to be talking about it."

Asked specifically if he would have to take a pay cut, Dennis said: "He's very highly paid. He's certainly paid more than I am."

After a difficult season in 2011, in which Hamilton was beaten by his team-mate for the first time in his career, Dennis is confident his driver has bounced back.

"Lewis had a tough year last year for lots of reasons and not all of them on track or in car, some of them came from things that happened in his life," he said. "He's still a young guy and I always think, slightly morbidly, the last thing you learn is how to die and everybody learns every single day. He's in a challenging part of his life, I think he's come through it well now, he's much more focused and more relaxed.

"Being relaxed is what the team needs to be. We were too tense in the last races. Some of these mistakes which were made were too much pressure and this race will relax the team as a whole."

If that's the case, and I was in Lewis Hamilton's shoes, I'd ask for a % of corporate profits at Mclaren.

[Hammer278]

Lol...the last part of Dennis' words sound like he's the teams grandfather... "relax the team as a whole".

Anyway, I think Lewis should look at how much he's paid in relation to his teammate. If it's not at least double, then maybe think of moving. But if it's a meaningful amount compared to Mr No Grip, he might want to think about the fact that it's this team which helped him along massively on the road to F1 and the Championship.

[TeamMcLarenF1]

Mr No Grip

Hammer, is this what it's come to? Good stuff.

I'm just saying...

[LRW]

If that's the case, and I was in Lewis Hamilton's shoes, I'd ask for a % of corporate profits at Mclaren.

If I was in Hamilton's position I'd ask for £25M a year, and if they don't like it, tell them to stick it. And then go and tell Christian Horner you are ready to drive for him and RedBull for £5M a year. Just to rub salt in the wound.

[andrew]

I'm saying it's plausible but it seems far fetched. I'm in 2 minds over it. That clear enough for you?

How is it plausible? I think it's your dislike of Hamilton that makes it plausible. I mean a guy on wet tyres passing a guy on dries in the wet is realllly weird huh

Anything's possible Bud. Think what you like, I couldn't give a .

Andrew is having a hard year, Vettel is having to work hard, proof god doesn't like Vettel fans.

Back on topic. How about for 2013, a scenario that goes something like... a young driver joins a strong team and proceeds to give the two time world champion a hard time in his own house?

No I'm not having a hard year at all.

[Hammer278]

I'm saying it's plausible but it seems far fetched. I'm in 2 minds over it. That clear enough for you?

How is it plausible? I think it's your dislike of Hamilton that makes it plausible. I mean a guy on wet tyres passing a guy on dries in the wet is realllly weird huh

Anything's possible Bud. Think what you like, I couldn't give a .

Andrew is having a hard year, Vettel is having to work hard, proof god doesn't like Vettel fans.

Back on topic. How about for 2013, a scenario that goes something like... a young driver joins a strong team and proceeds to give the two time world champion a hard time in his own house?

No I'm not having a hard year at all.

[What's Burning?]

[andrew]

We need Tex with his "adult" discussion.

[What's Burning?]

The title of this thread does have the word "silly" in it.

[zpetrov]

The whole thing with Ferrari replacing Massa fascinates me.

There are so many options. Pastor Maldonado is lightning-fast and awfully erratic. Paul Di Resta is steady and unspectacular. Sergio Perez is an enigma.

And of course, I wouldn't write off one of the big names as a possibility if Massa does move on.

But IMO, with Alonso in one seat, Ferrari ought to take a long hard look at Paul di Resta. He has the quiet determination of a driver that won't cause trouble but will produce results over the course of a long season and might even challenge Alonso in the final standings if not in each individual race.

[InKimiWeTrust]

Di Resta could be a very good move for Ferrari, especially as he is still young, ambitious and has the potential to become a very quick driver. I think someone like Grosjean might move to Ferrari, it is unlikely, but not impossible.

To be honest, Ferrari have the finances to sign any driver they'd want, with maybe the exception of one or two, it just depends who and what sort of driver they.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Rosberg move to Ferrari. There's just so many options.

[LRW]

The whole thing with Ferrari replacing Massa fascinates me.

There are so many options. Pastor Maldonado is lightning-fast and awfully erratic. Paul Di Resta is steady and unspectacular. Sergio Perez is an enigma.

And of course, I wouldn't write off one of the big names as a possibility if Massa does move on.

But IMO, with Alonso in one seat, Ferrari ought to take a long hard look at Paul di Resta. He has the quiet determination of a driver that won't cause trouble but will push Alonso to the limit over the course of a long season.

I think Paul would just end up getting lost in the team as a long term No.2, and not fulfill his potential. I would like someone coming to the end of their career to take the seat. Nice wadge of cash and a seat in one of the best teams in the sport - excellent way to end a career.

*cough*webber*cough*

[vaptin]

Jackie Steward recommended Paul join Ferrari as Alonso's understudy, I think it's a little unfair to call Di Rista unspectacular he's spent his f1 career driving a Force India.

[zpetrov]

Jackie Steward recommended Paul join Ferrari as Alonso's understudy, I think it's a little unfair to call Di Rista unspectacular he's spent his f1 career driving a Force India.

By unspectacular I meant more in his character as well as unspectacular just as much in the sense of no high-profile errors or on-track vagaries (i.e. no spectacular crashes or tangling with other drivers).

Based on the interviews I've read and his performances so far he seems very determined and confident but also very composed and disciplined. I don't see him as being an entertaining, unpredictable hotshot on and off the field but I think he can deliver over the long haul and do a good job in any team, including Ferrari.