FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[richindarlo]

I can imagine Rosberg in a McLaren, but i can also imagine Heidfeld in one too, so i think its between the two of them for Hekki's seat next year.
I just dont think Kubica is gonna be in F1, i dunno y, but i just dont. The most interesting seat really is Ferrari. They must have had to face the prospect that should Massa not be fit, they may have 2 seats.

[Leo-The_Red]

I would love to see Nico in a Mclaren. He suits the team pefectly

[Jensonb]

It wasn't as bad as that by the time Melbourne rolled around. The problem McLaren had was they started the racing season with a decidedly mediocre car, having only partly cured the gremlins that had made the car so poor in the Winter Testing.

At the start of season McLaren carried on developing it's car in the same direction to make quick gains but by the time they got to Barcelona they were pretty much at a dead end with none of the problems fixed just negated. After that they completely changed direction of development more towards the Red Bull and Brawn way of aerodynamic thinking. Thats why it took a long time to get the new package but as they have only just started to down this development avenue gains should be made quite rapidly until that direction is optimised. I still don't think McLaren can be beaten in terms of development race and moving forward from a poor start. Another interesting thing is that it looks like LH helped out in driving development forward which is really encouraging because for a while i was not sure if we had drivers who knew how to guide development to see what i mean have a look at this video http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 211911.stm

Just to be clear, you didn't read a dig at McLaren in what I said did you? Because my intention was to praise them for managing to turn around the flaws and make the car quick.

[Frosty]

It wasn't as bad as that by the time Melbourne rolled around. The problem McLaren had was they started the racing season with a decidedly mediocre car, having only partly cured the gremlins that had made the car so poor in the Winter Testing.

At the start of season McLaren carried on developing it's car in the same direction to make quick gains but by the time they got to Barcelona they were pretty much at a dead end with none of the problems fixed just negated. After that they completely changed direction of development more towards the Red Bull and Brawn way of aerodynamic thinking. Thats why it took a long time to get the new package but as they have only just started to down this development avenue gains should be made quite rapidly until that direction is optimised. I still don't think McLaren can be beaten in terms of development race and moving forward from a poor start. Another interesting thing is that it looks like LH helped out in driving development forward which is really encouraging because for a while i was not sure if we had drivers who knew how to guide development to see what i mean have a look at this video http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 211911.stm

Just to be clear, you didn't read a dig at McLaren in what I said did you? Because my intention was to praise them for managing to turn around the flaws and make the car quick.

Yeah I didn't read it as dig i hope my reply didn't seem defensive. I just wanted to add more reasons why McLaren is a team who will continue to move forward in the future and that the top drivers such as Rosberg should be attracted to them. I also wanted to say why development ebbed away quite a bit after Barcelona as well as showing that the current development path should have good pace. Another thing i wanted to point out is that they now quite clearly have a lead driver who pushing the team and development forward which is always a positive thing to have in a team. But yeah i didn't take it as a dig.

[Jensonb]

It wasn't as bad as that by the time Melbourne rolled around. The problem McLaren had was they started the racing season with a decidedly mediocre car, having only partly cured the gremlins that had made the car so poor in the Winter Testing.

At the start of season McLaren carried on developing it's car in the same direction to make quick gains but by the time they got to Barcelona they were pretty much at a dead end with none of the problems fixed just negated. After that they completely changed direction of development more towards the Red Bull and Brawn way of aerodynamic thinking. Thats why it took a long time to get the new package but as they have only just started to down this development avenue gains should be made quite rapidly until that direction is optimised. I still don't think McLaren can be beaten in terms of development race and moving forward from a poor start. Another interesting thing is that it looks like LH helped out in driving development forward which is really encouraging because for a while i was not sure if we had drivers who knew how to guide development to see what i mean have a look at this video http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 211911.stm

Just to be clear, you didn't read a dig at McLaren in what I said did you? Because my intention was to praise them for managing to turn around the flaws and make the car quick.

Yeah I didn't read it as dig i hope my reply didn't seem defensive. I just wanted to add more reasons why McLaren is a team who will continue to move forward in the future and that the top drivers such as Rosberg should be attracted to them. I also wanted to say why development ebbed away quite a bit after Barcelona as well as showing that the current development path should have good pace. Another thing i wanted to point out is that they now quite clearly have a lead driver who pushing the team and development forward which is always a positive thing to have in a team. But yeah i didn't take it as a dig.

That's cool, was just making sure I didn't unintentionally upset you

[scotty]

McLaren awaits Alonso Ferrari move

By Jonathan Noble Friday, August 21st 2009, 11:38 GMT

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says his outfit is happy to hold back on a decision about its 2010 driver line-up because he believes the market will be blown wide open once Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari is confirmed.

Heikki Kovalainen's future with McLaren is in doubt unless the Finn delivers an upturn in performance in the next few races - but Whitmarsh insists there is no rush for his team to make a swift decision about what to do.

And he suspects that Alonso's 2010 Ferrari deal is done, with continued speculation there will be announcement confirming the move at the Italian Grand Prix.

"At the moment we have not, and we are not in any conversations with drivers and we will see in the future," Whitmarsh told the BBC about his team's driver plans going forward.

"I think in reality there are some changes probably with Fernando at Ferrari. That frees up the driver market and every year there is a number of pivotal points during the season which determine what is going to happen in the driver market.

"This year I think we all know that the Fernando/Ferrari move has a knock-on and that ripples through the other teams.

"Clearly the BMW withdrawal has also had an impact. I think we don't see a need at the moment to rush into it, we are concentrating on developing the car and making sure we are more competitive, which I hope we will be this weekend."

Whitmarsh said the focus for Kovalainen's improvement was in producing more pace in the race, rather than speed in qualifying.

"I think Heikki is doing a great job as a team player. He is very, very popular in the team and he has done some great qualifying," he said.

"He knows and we know that he has got to a better job during the race. He has got to be more consistent with his race pace. So he is working hard to do that.

"We are not talking to any other drivers at the moment, we want to see Heikki be successful in this team but at the same time we are obliged to have as competitive drivers as we can, so he knows what he has got to do. He'll be working hard and who knows this weekend maybe he can do a good job."

I found it pretty intruiging that he should say this, before i was thinking Alonso would definitely not move until 2011, but these guys usually know something we don't so now i'm not sure at all...

[Frosty]

McLaren awaits Alonso Ferrari move

By Jonathan Noble Friday, August 21st 2009, 11:38 GMT

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says his outfit is happy to hold back on a decision about its 2010 driver line-up because he believes the market will be blown wide open once Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari is confirmed.

Heikki Kovalainen's future with McLaren is in doubt unless the Finn delivers an upturn in performance in the next few races - but Whitmarsh insists there is no rush for his team to make a swift decision about what to do.

And he suspects that Alonso's 2010 Ferrari deal is done, with continued speculation there will be announcement confirming the move at the Italian Grand Prix.

"At the moment we have not, and we are not in any conversations with drivers and we will see in the future," Whitmarsh told the BBC about his team's driver plans going forward.

"I think in reality there are some changes probably with Fernando at Ferrari. That frees up the driver market and every year there is a number of pivotal points during the season which determine what is going to happen in the driver market.

"This year I think we all know that the Fernando/Ferrari move has a knock-on and that ripples through the other teams.

"Clearly the BMW withdrawal has also had an impact. I think we don't see a need at the moment to rush into it, we are concentrating on developing the car and making sure we are more competitive, which I hope we will be this weekend."

Whitmarsh said the focus for Kovalainen's improvement was in producing more pace in the race, rather than speed in qualifying.

"I think Heikki is doing a great job as a team player. He is very, very popular in the team and he has done some great qualifying," he said.

"He knows and we know that he has got to a better job during the race. He has got to be more consistent with his race pace. So he is working hard to do that.

"We are not talking to any other drivers at the moment, we want to see Heikki be successful in this team but at the same time we are obliged to have as competitive drivers as we can, so he knows what he has got to do. He'll be working hard and who knows this weekend maybe he can do a good job."

I found it pretty intruiging that he should say this, before i was thinking Alonso would definitely not move until 2011, but these guys usually know something we don't so now i'm not sure at all...

Bye Bye Kimi!

[richindarlo]

lets all be honest, its not a shock

[texasmr2]

lets all be honest, its not a shock

Your right it's not.

[McLaren Fan]

Rumours about Rosberg going to McLaren have been around nearly as long as the rumours about Alonso going to Ferrari. I think Rosberg and Williams have been a decent pairing, but they're coming to he end of what they can achieve together. Although efforts are being made to cut costs in Formula One, the changes won't be kicking in for another couple of years, so there is still more than enough time for McLaren to spend their way out of trouble and produce faster cars over the next few years. Moreover, McLaren have done relatively badly this season because of being caught up a long title battle with Ferrari last season leaving them much less time to develop their 2009 car, not because they are in danger of entering an era of average results like the mid-1990s. And most worryingly, McLaren's facilities enable them to develop their cars faster than anybody else on the grid. Despite Williams starting off with a much better car this season, McLaren overtook them in relatively short order. Williams are developing their car pretty much to stay where they are each race and I don't see them challenging for the title next season, unless they are allowed to pull a fast one with their KERS technology. Finally, I don't see there being any major financial problems at McLaren, whereas Williams are only racing today because of Ecclestone's charity. The only negative for Rosberg is that he will be up against Hamilton, not clowns such as Nakajima. It's a no brainer.

[darwin dali]

McLaren awaits Alonso Ferrari move

By Jonathan Noble Friday, August 21st 2009, 11:38 GMT

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says his outfit is happy to hold back on a decision about its 2010 driver line-up because he believes the market will be blown wide open once Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari is confirmed.

Heikki Kovalainen's future with McLaren is in doubt unless the Finn delivers an upturn in performance in the next few races - but Whitmarsh insists there is no rush for his team to make a swift decision about what to do.

And he suspects that Alonso's 2010 Ferrari deal is done, with continued speculation there will be announcement confirming the move at the Italian Grand Prix.

"At the moment we have not, and we are not in any conversations with drivers and we will see in the future," Whitmarsh told the BBC about his team's driver plans going forward.

"I think in reality there are some changes probably with Fernando at Ferrari. That frees up the driver market and every year there is a number of pivotal points during the season which determine what is going to happen in the driver market.

"This year I think we all know that the Fernando/Ferrari move has a knock-on and that ripples through the other teams.

"Clearly the BMW withdrawal has also had an impact. I think we don't see a need at the moment to rush into it, we are concentrating on developing the car and making sure we are more competitive, which I hope we will be this weekend."

Whitmarsh said the focus for Kovalainen's improvement was in producing more pace in the race, rather than speed in qualifying.

"I think Heikki is doing a great job as a team player. He is very, very popular in the team and he has done some great qualifying," he said.

"He knows and we know that he has got to a better job during the race. He has got to be more consistent with his race pace. So he is working hard to do that.

"We are not talking to any other drivers at the moment, we want to see Heikki be successful in this team but at the same time we are obliged to have as competitive drivers as we can, so he knows what he has got to do. He'll be working hard and who knows this weekend maybe he can do a good job."

I found it pretty intruiging that he should say this, before i was thinking Alonso would definitely not move until 2011, but these guys usually know something we don't so now i'm not sure at all...

Bye Bye Kimi!

And bye bye to the other Finn, so we might end up w/o a single Finn on the grid for the first time in how many years?

[headless]

Bring in Mika Kallio

[7UpJordan]

Rumours about Rosberg going to McLaren have been around nearly as long as the rumours about Alonso going to Ferrari. I think Rosberg and Williams have been a decent pairing, but they're coming to he end of what they can achieve together. Although efforts are being made to cut costs in Formula One, the changes won't be kicking in for another couple of years, so there is still more than enough time for McLaren to spend their way out of trouble and produce faster cars over the next few years. Moreover, McLaren have done relatively badly this season because of being caught up a long title battle with Ferrari last season leaving them much less time to develop their 2009 car, not because they are in danger of entering an era of average results like the mid-1990s. And most worryingly, McLaren's facilities enable them to develop their cars faster than anybody else on the grid. Despite Williams starting off with a much better car this season, McLaren overtook them in relatively short order. Williams are developing their car pretty much to stay where they are each race and I don't see them challenging for the title next season, unless they are allowed to pull a fast one with their KERS technology. Finally, I don't see there being any major financial problems at McLaren, whereas Williams are only racing today because of Ecclestone's charity. The only negative for Rosberg is that he will be up against Hamilton, not clowns such as Nakajima. It's a no brainer.

And there he goes on another anti-Williams tirade.

If Williams are staying where they are how come Nico's results have been getting progressively better since Monaco?

All he needs is a nicely timed podium to seal his stay with the team for 2010. Despite Sir Frank and Sam Michael defending Nakajima, I can't see them being too pleased if he finishes the year on nil points. Toyota helped Nakajima get the Williams seat but he is not contractually obliged unlike his father was with Honda.

Meanwhile it looks like Kubica is being touted by Sir Frank according to the BBC;

Kubica, the more highly rated of the two, has been linked to a move to Williams in place of Rosberg on a one-year deal, but could also interest Brawn and Renault, who would need a top-liner to replace Alonso, assuming his move to Ferrari goes ahead.

[Frosty]

Rumours about Rosberg going to McLaren have been around nearly as long as the rumours about Alonso going to Ferrari. I think Rosberg and Williams have been a decent pairing, but they're coming to he end of what they can achieve together. Although efforts are being made to cut costs in Formula One, the changes won't be kicking in for another couple of years, so there is still more than enough time for McLaren to spend their way out of trouble and produce faster cars over the next few years. Moreover, McLaren have done relatively badly this season because of being caught up a long title battle with Ferrari last season leaving them much less time to develop their 2009 car, not because they are in danger of entering an era of average results like the mid-1990s. And most worryingly, McLaren's facilities enable them to develop their cars faster than anybody else on the grid. Despite Williams starting off with a much better car this season, McLaren overtook them in relatively short order. Williams are developing their car pretty much to stay where they are each race and I don't see them challenging for the title next season, unless they are allowed to pull a fast one with their KERS technology. Finally, I don't see there being any major financial problems at McLaren, whereas Williams are only racing today because of Ecclestone's charity. The only negative for Rosberg is that he will be up against Hamilton, not clowns such as Nakajima. It's a no brainer.

And there he goes on another anti-Williams tirade.

If Williams are staying where they are how come Nico's results have been getting progressively better since Monaco?

TBH to me that was more of a McLaren are better than Williams tirade, but i can't argue with that McLaren are the better team :p

[7UpJordan]

Rumours about Rosberg going to McLaren have been around nearly as long as the rumours about Alonso going to Ferrari. I think Rosberg and Williams have been a decent pairing, but they're coming to he end of what they can achieve together. Although efforts are being made to cut costs in Formula One, the changes won't be kicking in for another couple of years, so there is still more than enough time for McLaren to spend their way out of trouble and produce faster cars over the next few years. Moreover, McLaren have done relatively badly this season because of being caught up a long title battle with Ferrari last season leaving them much less time to develop their 2009 car, not because they are in danger of entering an era of average results like the mid-1990s. And most worryingly, McLaren's facilities enable them to develop their cars faster than anybody else on the grid. Despite Williams starting off with a much better car this season, McLaren overtook them in relatively short order. Williams are developing their car pretty much to stay where they are each race and I don't see them challenging for the title next season, unless they are allowed to pull a fast one with their KERS technology. Finally, I don't see there being any major financial problems at McLaren, whereas Williams are only racing today because of Ecclestone's charity. The only negative for Rosberg is that he will be up against Hamilton, not clowns such as Nakajima. It's a no brainer.

And there he goes on another anti-Williams tirade.

If Williams are staying where they are how come Nico's results have been getting progressively better since Monaco?

TBH to me that was more of a McLaren are better than Williams tirade, but i can't argue with that McLaren are the better team :p

Only because McLaren have the ability to throw money at everything, Williams have been on a dip and are on their way out of it. McLaren also steal other team's documents and lie to the stewards to get another driver penalised.