silly season - F1 2017 driver line up
- Thread starter lunarwolf
- Start date
updated OP with most recent news
Sauber signs Wehrlein http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-agrees-wehrlein-deal-for-f1-2017-862405/?s=1
only Manor driver line up is left up in the air. however, Manor just going into administration leaving their 2017 F1 participation very doubtful http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/manor-f1-team-goes-into-administration-863419/?s=1
Sauber signs Wehrlein http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-agrees-wehrlein-deal-for-f1-2017-862405/?s=1
only Manor driver line up is left up in the air. however, Manor just going into administration leaving their 2017 F1 participation very doubtful http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/manor-f1-team-goes-into-administration-863419/?s=1
I wonder if they might be able to fill the gap with some pay drivers?
Not sure who has enough funding and is willing to drive around at the back though
Not sure who has enough funding and is willing to drive around at the back though
I wonder if they might be able to fill the gap with some pay drivers?
Not sure who has enough funding and is willing to drive around at the back though
either way they don't have much time to sort it out before the start of the season.
also could they even run last year's car? with all the uncertainty, it doesn't seem likely that they would have made much progress on their 2017 car.
Soldato
I suppose in theory they could run last years car with basically extended new wings and bodywork, which shouldn't take much work to get them legal, and beefing up the suspension to cope with the extra loads. Obviously it won't be fast if they've been unable to dedicate resources to develop them though.
Even ignoring the potential loss of jobs it's a shame as last year was the first where any of the new teams got close to one of the established teams and the main pack to a degree - we had Bianchi getting points at Monaco in 2014 of course, but that was down to the nature of the track and strategy as much as anything - in terms of raw pace they were still relatively slow.
Apparently the team is still operating as per "normal" at the moment, as it is Just Racing Services Limited who are in administration.
So, separate from my earlier musings that it would be catastrophic even with new funding if they lost development time from not working for a few weeks, it is conceivable that if funding can be found, they might be able to maintain function, and not lose too much?
A mule car would be no fun, slow and probably unreliable. I suspect they have the core (tub/gearbox/engine packaging/suspension/etc) for the 17 car well and truly done, and are just working around the edges (control systems/process/bodywork/aero) for added speed/performance.
So, separate from my earlier musings that it would be catastrophic even with new funding if they lost development time from not working for a few weeks, it is conceivable that if funding can be found, they might be able to maintain function, and not lose too much?
A mule car would be no fun, slow and probably unreliable. I suspect they have the core (tub/gearbox/engine packaging/suspension/etc) for the 17 car well and truly done, and are just working around the edges (control systems/process/bodywork/aero) for added speed/performance.
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Soldato
A seat for Crashmanaldo at Manor?
Soldato
The team is probably finished, the F1 entry may be worth something.
Soldato
Could Ferrari potentially buy it as Alfa Romeo to feed drivers to their main team?
Soldato
So Bottas is confirmed then.
How will he get on with LH?
How will he get on with LH?
I think he'll get on with him ok. Although at the same time i can't see him wanting to upset things in the hope of making Mercedes a long term thing. Which is a shame.. Hopefully the other teams will close up to Merc to provide some more competition.
Soldato
Obviously some rivalry is good, but I don't like to see it turn sour.
Let's home the new cars add some extra excitement this season.
I understand Williams wanting the experience in the team etc but I still don't think bringing back Massa was the best option. I guess it only being a 1 year contract means they will be looking for a new driver again next year once Stroll has had a season in the car.
updated OP
- Bottas confirmed @ Mercerdes http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-confirms-bottas-as-hamilton-s-teammate-865891/?s=1
- Massa confirmed @ Williams http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa-returns-to-f1-as-bottas-replacement-865853/?s=1
Manor in buyout talks http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/manor-f1-team-has-buyout-offer-865886/?s=1
- Bottas confirmed @ Mercerdes http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-confirms-bottas-as-hamilton-s-teammate-865891/?s=1
- Massa confirmed @ Williams http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/massa-returns-to-f1-as-bottas-replacement-865853/?s=1
Manor in buyout talks http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/manor-f1-team-has-buyout-offer-865886/?s=1
Soldato
I can see Bottas doing well at Merc. Will be rooting for him.
Soldato
How likely is that the "interested party" is Ron Dennis?
0 if this is to be believed
http://www.f1today.net/en/news/f1/221262/ron-dennis-not-in-manor-talks-reports