Webber to leave F1 for return to Le Mans with Porsche

[DcD]

Really can't see Kimi accepting to play second fiddle to Vettel, he's got a team that doesn't order him about at Lotus.

My money would be on Ricciardo.

 

[Glaucus]

2014 McLaren.

I'm actually more excited about what this does for Le Mans than the vacant seat next to finger boy. The P1 class is on a bit of a knife edge with limited teams in it, a big name like Porsche joining with headline drivers like Webber is great for Le Mans and the WEC. Do we know if Porsche plan to field 2 or 3 cars? A 7 or 8 car fight for the win should make 2014 Le Mans epic.

Ditto, however I agree with some of the others, likely to be Audis last year, why field two teams and what have Audi got left to prove.

 

[~Mike~]

2014 McLaren.

Your optimistic.

 

[Jonny69]

Great news for endurance racing. A big name like Webber can only be a good thing!

Ditto, however I agree with some of the others, likely to be Audis last year, why field two teams and what have Audi got left to prove.

Well the Audi team are sticking with hybrid diesel technology and they filter a lot of innovation back into the road car programme. Audi openly admit it's money well spent for the research side, hence they keep funding it. The Porsche is going to be a petrol car which is different technology, so although VAG as a group will now be funding two teams I think they'll keep justifying it because they'll be able to skim both technologies.

 

[Skeeter]

Audi have said they won't be replaced by Porsche. Not sure how true it is however. But Audi do enjoy fighting themselves so I don't think they will mind if its 3 cars or 6. Looks good for the brands and like Jonny69 said they are developing 2 very different power trains.

It does leave VAG in a position of needing to find up to 18 top drivers for their cars though!

 

[rpstewart]

It does leave VAG in a position of needing to find up to 18 top drivers for their cars though!

There are quite a few folk who I'm surprised weren't in top line cars this year - Mike Rockenfeller and Nic Minnassian for a start.

 

[Jonny69]

It does leave VAG in a position of needing to find up to 18 top drivers for their cars though!

When you put it that way, that's quite a big ask!

 

[Glaucus]

it also means one VAG team will lose.

cant wait for next year, webber and Porsche and a much bigger LMP_1 field.

 

[Duke]

Bit more on JB here - http://www.espn.co.uk/mclaren/motorsport/story/114555.html

 

[RoboCod]

An article hinting that Kimi might be set to stay at Lotus.

I hope there is some reliability in the reporting because I do want him to stay there and not go to RB

http://f1fanatic.eu/cikk/lotus-set-for-raikkonen-f1-contract-talks-amid-red-bull-interest

 

[Duke]

With Hulk leaving Sauber at the end of the year, it could get interesting

 

[RoboCod]

Ya I said Hulk earlier last month. Both of them together at RB would be a good team. I think Hulk would be great there

 

[Guerrilla]

Lotus should sell a stake of the team to Kimi, make sure he stays, get some investment... and most importantly a good excuse to change the name to something cool like Ice 1 Racing

 

[Duke]

Lotus ready for Hulk if Kimi leaves it seems - http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns25869.html

 

[Guerrilla]

It's a shame they can't afford to keep Raikkonen and get Hulkenberg, that'd be a really good driver line up.

 

[Duke]

Yeah that would be good but can't see Grosjean with his Total backing going anywhere.

 

[Skeeter]

He's managed by Eric Boullier too

 

[Guerrilla]

Can't imagine either of those things are hurting his chances.

 

[TaKeN]

Maybe they'll suspend Ted over the Pit Lane aswell?

 

[MooMoo444]

Maybe they'll suspend Ted over the Pit Lane aswell?

Wrong topic perhaps?