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[racechick]

Cannot see Massa to team Hamilton but, then again like you have all said stranger things HAVE happened.
Kubica + Vettel to Ferrari? I don't know.
Another team is gonna have to get competitive at the top to get the best out of drivers with potential.
I mean Hamilton is gonna be around for like 10 years - so he's not gonna budge.
Then there is Kubica, Vettel, Rosberg, Sutil who should be around for a while. Then you have upcoming drivers like Senna.
Surely the out of driver changes cannot continue like the last few years. For example the commentators said only 10 drivers had raced an F1 car at Hockenheim. So thats 10 drivers have left in 2 years.

I dont think Hamilton will move but some folk have him going to Ferrari . Ferrari gonna get very overcrowded

[headless]

They'll have to buy two more teams and run 6 cars.
Still wont be enough room.

[digitaleye]

Its true stranger things have happened in F1 but I really cant see Flip in at Mclaren. Ron didn't much like having a quick aggressive driver up against Lewis when Alonso was there so its seems unlikely he'd go for Massa. Sure, Massa is no Alonso but, as Kimi can attest, he can be damn quick at times. Heikki is much more consistent, consistently slower than Lewis and that makes the McLaren family dynamic a lot more harmonious. Ron needs someone he knows will let Lewis by easily as soon as he makes the call (just like on Sunday). Alonso wouldn't do that and I don't think Massa would either. Thats what made DC such a great number 2 for all those years at Mclaren, he always played his role

[McLaren Fan]

Its true stranger things have happened in F1 but I really cant see Flip in at Mclaren. Ron didn't much like having a quick aggressive driver up against Lewis when Alonso was there so its seems unlikely he'd go for Massa. Sure, Massa is no Alonso but, as Kimi can attest, he can be damn quick at times. Heikki is much more consistent, consistently slower than Lewis and that makes the McLaren family dynamic a lot more harmonious. Ron needs someone he knows will let Lewis by easily as soon as he makes the call (just like on Sunday). Alonso wouldn't do that and I don't think Massa would either. Thats what made DC such a great number 2 for all those years at Mclaren, he always played his role

More rubbish. If Ron Dennis didn't want a fast driver to partner Hamilton, why did he sign Alonso to partner him in the first place? Why, if Dennis wants a harmonious, happy McLaren family did he have teams consisting of Lauda and Prost, and Prost and Senna? Kovalainen and Coulthard had their chance to compete for the title. They have to look no further than themselves for winning nothing.

Also, God Knows how many people at McLaren have said that Kovalainen will be staying at McLaren next season; he is great in qualifying, half decent at car development and there is more to come from him. Norbert Haug called him "a star in the making".

[digitaleye]

More rubbish. If Ron Dennis didn't want a fast driver to partner Hamilton, why did he sign Alonso to partner him in the first place?

Because at the time Lewis hadn't turned a wheel in F1 and no matter how good any of these guys do in the lower formulae , Ron knows theres no guarantees in F1 . How many GP2 and F3000 standouts are already washed out of top level racing? If he hadn't signed a top driver and Lewis didn't pan out his season would have been wrecked
before it began. As it was he lost with what turned out to be the best 2 drivers on the grid.

Why, if Dennis wants a harmonious, happy McLaren family did he have teams consisting of Lauda and Prost, and Prost and Senna? Kovalainen and Coulthard had their chance to compete for the title. They have to look no further than themselves for winning nothing.

At the time of Prost and Senna there was no other competition, Ron learned his lesson trying to pair Lewis and Alonso up when a strong rival (Ferrari) was there to pick up the pieces of any conflict. It cost him the drivers title.

Kovalainen and Coulthard had their chance to compete for the title. They have to look no further than themselves for winning nothing.

Somewhat true, but not entirely. DC was ordered to move over numerous times (according to DC's book) to ensure Mika got wins and aiding his championships. DC claims he was never supported as a championship contender. Overall I agree though they never dominated and I can see Ron's point in doing so.

Also, God Knows how many people at McLaren have said that Kovalainen will be staying at McLaren next season; he is great in qualifying, half decent at car development and there is more to come from him. Norbert Haug called him "a star in the making".

No argument there, I don't think he'll be gone either, he's the perfect number 2.

[al4x]

its possible, but unlikely i think, it would allow ferrari to get alonso tho

[McLaren Fan]

At the time of Prost and Senna there was no other competition, Ron learned his lesson trying to pair Lewis and Alonso up when a strong rival (Ferrari) was there to pick up the pieces of any conflict. It cost him the drivers title.

I thought he had learned that before, with Coulthard and Hakkinen, remember?

Somewhat true, but not entirely. DC was ordered to move over numerous times (according to DC's book) to ensure Mika got wins and aiding his championships. DC claims he was never supported as a championship contender.

You say 'according to Coulthard's book', quoting this as if it were a completely reliable source. Would this be the same David Coulthard who claimed that McLaren never made cars that understeered to suit his driving style, despite him having driven several in his tenure at the team?

Also, God Knows how many people at McLaren have said that Kovalainen will be staying at McLaren next season; he is great in qualifying, half decent at car development and there is more to come from him. Norbert Haug called him "a star in the making".

No argument there, I don't think he'll be gone either, he's the perfect number 2.

You're right that there is no argument there, because you've completely avoided the point.


Also about Massa, if he's not good enough for Ferrari, why would he be good enough for McLaren next season?

[headless]

He would be an alright back up but not a 100% one.
Button would probs be a good one.

[bmwpower]

I dont think they'll ditch Heikki. He's not on Lewis's pace (I never expected he would be) but he's not as far off as his results show.When his car is right for him he pushes lewis over a lap. i just wish he could carry it through a bit more into the race.

He's far off more then you think. He's got the same car has LH but he 18 points behind Heidfeld and laying in 6th place. With that car I expect him at least beat both BMWs and at least one Ferrari but he's not even close to that. The argument is that he's great in qualifying, great qualifying don't score you points because at the end of the season nobody cares how many poles you have but how many points you scored.

[headless]

Yes the points do speak out massivly against Heikki.

But McLaren claimed earlier this year that they rebuilt Kovalainen (what that involved, I don't know?) but now he looks like he's needing it again.

[McLaren Fan]

Yes the points do speak out massivly against Heikki.

But McLaren claimed earlier this year that they rebuilt Kovalainen (what that involved, I don't know?) but now he looks like he's needing it again.

That was a bit of a stupid comment from Ron Dennis anyway, no matter how well Kovalainen was doing at the beginning of the season. (Thankfully, he has shut his gob since his series of gaffes at the end of last year and beginning of this season.) Kovalainen does have potential, it's just a case of unlocking it. No doubt he and McLaren will be going through all the data etc. to improve on things. With Kovalainen doing well, McLaren's chances of winning the constructors' championship will be zip all squared.

[headless]

I'd like Heikki to improve loads for next season and give Lewis a good bottom kicking

[McLaren Fan]

I'd like Heikki to improve loads for next season and give Lewis a good bottom kicking

It would be nice to see Hamilton taken down a peg or two, not just by Kovalainen, but by any driver, to be honest.

[headless]

Yes it would.
I'd like to see Hammy in a situation like Schumi. Where he is in a position where he could wipe someone out for his own benefit, and see if he would do it.
Also see what he would do if a backmarker wiped him out while leading the race and lapping people on the way to a win.
Like Juan Pablo Montoya at Australia getting hit by Verstappen. (am I right I dont know what year though?) 2002?

[nikon133]

on the McLaren forum there is this thread

A little birdie tells me that Massa is in talks with McLaren for next season to replace snail-man Heikki. The deal is set to be finalised by the start of the European GP.
Wait and watch this space for more info.

i do not believe it for one second but thought it would be funny to have more silly season discussion.... SILLY

but if true it would open up the seat next year at Ferrari for Alonso and Raikkonen eh?

but i do not think McLaren will ditch Heikki for Massa

Nah... well, Massa does have better results than Heiki, but he's not champion material. Plus, Heiki and Lewis seem to be coexisting more than good enough... how would Massa fit?

If Alonso moves to Ferrari, I'd bet Massa will go to Renault - can't really see why 3rd team would be involved in their shenanigans.