2013 Silly Season Thread

[Shizuka]

Turun Sanomat reckons Peter Sauber is unhappy with both his drivers, and is eyeing off Heikki Kovalainen to replace one of them next year.

Unhappy with Perez - I highly doubt that.
Since when didn't they scored a podium as Sauber? Indy 2003, IIRC? And that was down due to strategy to change to inters. Sepang 2012 was a lot stronger performance. Montreal 2012 was down to strategy, I admit, but Perez used it out as good as possible...

[FullMetalJack]

Turun Sanomat reckons Peter Sauber is unhappy with both his drivers, and is eyeing off Heikki Kovalainen to replace one of them next year.

Facepalming doesn't signify how badly that fails.

Perez has scored two podiums, almost won one of those races. And Kobayashi is bringing in fairly regular points.

[East Londoner]

It sounds like Turun Sanomat is the Finnish equivalent of the Sun or the Mirror in this country.

There's no logical reason whatsoever why Peter Sauber would want to get rid of either Perez or Kobayashi. If he instead had the current Williams or Toro Rosso drivers, I could probably see why...

[FullMetalJack]

It sounds like Turun Sanomat is the Finnish equivalent of the Sun or the Mirror in this country.

There's no logical reason whatsoever why Peter Sauber would want to get rid of either Perez or Kobayashi. If he instead had the current Williams or Toro Rosso drivers, I could probably see why...

This. Williams would be well ahead of Sauber right now if they had a decent driver line-up.

[Wizzie]

It sounds like Turun Sanomat is the Finnish equivalent of the Sun or the Mirror in this country.

There's no logical reason whatsoever why Peter Sauber would want to get rid of either Perez or Kobayashi. If he instead had the current Williams or Toro Rosso drivers, I could probably see why...

This. Williams would be well ahead of Sauber right now if they had a decent driver line-up.

Hell, they might be giving Bad Luck Schumi and co a run for their money as well if they did.

[Stramala]

IIRC Turun Sanomat has said in the past that Sebastien Ogier had signed for Ford WRT, and then later said Ford were withdrawing from the WRC. They are clearly just making guesses with their stories

[Wizzie]

As far as I can tell from this article, Kovy and Caterham may not be such as happy marriage afterall.

[JeremyMcClean]

As far as I can tell from this article, Kovy and Caterham may not be such as happy marriage afterall.

He finally found out that team is ruining his career?

[Yannick]

As far as I can tell from this article, Kovy and Caterham may not be such as happy marriage afterall.

He finally found out that team is ruining his career?

If Massa were to be released by Ferrari at the end of the year, the team would need a successor for one year until Perez is ready. Kovalainen, a proven race winner, could be that guy who would fit the "Johansson mold" best at this point.

[giraurd]

well, TS is pretty much the only media in finland which is on the map about F1, they have relatively often been correct with the (F1) rumours in the past. So the source isn't that unreliable really.

Other finnish media have been drumming Heikki to Sauber or Ferrari for ages already, you can pass those ones away with laugh, but now this makes me worried Peter has lost his mind and plans to drop Kamui ..

[eurobrun]

But now this makes me worried Peter has lost his mind and plans to drop Kamui ..

I really hope this doesn't happen.

[AdrianSutil]

But now this makes me worried Peter has lost his mind and plans to drop Kamui ..

I really hope this doesn't happen.

To be honest, he's slowly slipping into, dare I say it? Obscurity. Perez has been a complete revelation this year with two podiums whilst the only decent race we saw from Kamui was Spain. I like the guy, his banzai driving is a breath of fresh air, but the only way I can see Kobayashi staying is if Perez leaves.

[CoopsII]

Perez has been a complete revelation this year with two podiums whilst the only decent race we saw from Kamui was Spain. I like the guy, his banzai driving is a breath of fresh air, but the only way I can see Kobayashi staying is if Perez leaves.

Agreed, he hasnt yet capitalised on his attacking style to bring home consistent points. Sauber is, sadly, right to look elsewhere. But lets look on the positive; Kobayashi has surely done enough to be attractive to another team, perhaps Caterham?

[madmark1974]

Perez has been a complete revelation this year with two podiums whilst the only decent race we saw from Kamui was Spain. I like the guy, his banzai driving is a breath of fresh air, but the only way I can see Kobayashi staying is if Perez leaves.

Agreed, he hasnt yet capitalised on his attacking style to bring home consistent points. Sauber is, sadly, right to look elsewhere. But lets look on the positive; Kobayashi has surely done enough to be attractive to another team, perhaps Caterham?

I think Sauber's choice of strategy, which usually leans towards long stints and as few pitstops as possible, has not helped him show his true qualities. Put him on a 3-stopper every race, then we'll
see the true Kamui!

P.S. when I first read this discussion, I instantly thought of Caterham as well.

[Stramala]

I have been in denial. But I have to come out and admit that Kobayashi has looked well beaten by Perez. Checo looks like a more complete driver than Kamui. Kobayashi-san has better one-on-one racecraft but in other aspects he's either equal to or worse than Perez. If Sauber are announced as signing Kovalainen or another driver, I hope it means that Perez is going to Ferrari rather than the other option

[giraurd]

well, if Pérez goes then I fully expect Telmex to put Gutiérrez into that seat.

---

I wouldn't say Kamui is slipping into obscurity - the reason of lack of results imo is that he's been very inconsistent which is very unlike his previous seasons. For example China, a slow P10 drive from P3 on the grid. Or Valencia, arguably had he not had a bad pitstop and dropped behind Kimi during it, he would very well have challenged for P2 at least, rather than getting engaged in eliminating the Brazilians. And then another silly mistake at Silverstone after showing some decent speed.

He's had his flashes like Sergio - just seems like Pérez can make use of them much more efficiently

[AdrianSutil]

I can't see Kobayashi without a drive for next year, although a direct swap with Kovalainen would be interesting. Especially if these upgrades push Caterham into the actual midfield, they'll be able to tempt a decent replacement for Hiekki.

[cbbcisace]

This isn't 2013 info but its seem Narain is only going to drive for HRT until India and then Clos or Liuzzi will drive the last 3 races.

[FullMetalJack]

This isn't 2013 info but its seem Narain is only going to drive for HRT until India and then Clos or Liuzzi will drive the last 3 races.

And Liuzzi will finish 6th at USA, it will be HRT's race.

[UgncreativeUsergname]

This isn't 2013 info but its seem Narain is only going to drive for HRT until India and then Clos or Liuzzi will drive the last 3 races.

And Liuzzi will finish 6th at USA, it will be HRT's race.

After two disappointing races from Liuzzi, HRT decide to try out Clos for Brazil. He shocks the paddock by beating both Marussias on merit and Force India take him to replace Hulkenberg for 2013. He completely drives over di Resta and gets a McLaren seat to replace Button after Button has an even more disappointing 2013. In 2014, McLaren turn out to be far and away the best team, much like 1988, and Clos takes the championship by eight points ahead of Hamilton.

[AdrianSutil]

This isn't 2013 info but its seem Narain is only going to drive for HRT until India and then Clos or Liuzzi will drive the last 3 races.

And Liuzzi will finish 6th at USA, it will be HRT's race.

I'd imagine it'll be Clos. Has Liuzzi even done anything for HRT this year?!

[FullMetalJack]

This isn't 2013 info but its seem Narain is only going to drive for HRT until India and then Clos or Liuzzi will drive the last 3 races.

And Liuzzi will finish 6th at USA, it will be HRT's race.

I'd imagine it'll be Clos. Has Liuzzi even done anything for HRT this year?!

No, i'm just imagining a very unlikely scenario where Liuzzi gets that final 6th place to unrejectify himself.

[LellaLombardi]

Kamui is a very good, quick and exciting driver, undoubtedly better than a large chunk of the grid . He is unlucky really to have Perez as his team mate who seems to be destined for great things and is putting him in the shade somewhat. How he responds to this now is critical for his future. I think Caterham could be a great place for him, as could Williams.

If Hamilton or Button do leave McLaren, I think Perez should go for the seat. There seems to be no opening at Ferrari for the foreseeable future apart from this possible one year contract. Makes you wonder why they bothered having a driver academy really when they find someone as good as that and then recruit away from it.

[Benetton]

A Kobayashi-Kovalainen swap would be interesting and it would not necessarily mean the end of Kamui's career at all as he could have a car built around him at Caterham (read no more save the tires strategies). Sauber benefit from a injection of stability in Heikki, and it would be nice to see if Heikki could match Perez and revive his career.

[tkcom]

Kobayashi will probably leave F1 if he can't get a drive with a midfield team. Toyota's Le Mans programme would definitely want him with open arms.

[JeremyMcClean]

Kobayashi will probably leave F1 if he can't get a drive with a midfield team. Toyota's Le Mans programme would definitely want him with open arms.

Kobayashi would be crazy if he joined Toyota, the perennial useless contenders once again. They seem to have a talent to be completely average in F1 and in the World Endurance Championship.

[Meatwad]

While I support Finnish drivers, including Kovalainen, and would like to see him in a better team, I don't want these Sauber rumors to be true unless Pérez replaces Massa at Ferrari. Kobayashi should not be replaced. With the exception of the last two races where he made mistakes, he has been both fast and consistent, only losing to Pérez because he has often had an inferior strategy. He has even out-qualified Pérez more often than not, unlike last year.

Regarding Finnish drivers, according to a rumor Bottas will replace Senna (who is said to have sponsorship problems) after Hungary. I think it would be better for both Williams and Bottas to wait until next year as mid-season replacements have rarely succeeded.

As for Di Resta replacing Schumacher, I'm not sure if I want it to happen. I have been impressed with Di Resta's driving since his debut race and believe that he could even win the championship in a good car. On the other hand, I would like to see Schumi have his twentieth season in F1 as Barrichello sadly didn't reach that milestone.

[eurobrun]

I still think that Williams need to sign the Alguersaurus for 2013.

[Captain Hammer]

Perez has scored two podiums, almost won one of those races.

Yes, he's had two podiums. But he's only had two other points-scoring finishes this year - an eighth place in Australia and a ninth in Valencia. That's four points-socring finishes from nine races.

And Kobayashi is bringing in fairly regular points.

His best result of the season has been fifth in Spain. Plus sixth in Australia, ninth in Canada and tenth in China. Again, four points-socring finishes from nine races.

The Turun Sanomat report posits that Peter Sauber is unhappy with his drivers because they're not making good on the C31's potential. As Perez has proven, the car is capable of podiums, but neither driver is capitalising on its potential often enough to satisfy Sauber. I think he may feel that they should be challenging Mercedes, but right now they could be coming under threat from Williams.

I believe the article also suggests that Sauber will only consider dropping Kobayashi and/or Perez if the trend continues for the rest of the season. So long as they start banking points finishes regularly, they should be okay.

[LellaLombardi]

If that is true, then my respect for Peter Sauber would be gone. The C31's good, but inconsistent. I don't think that necessarily reflects on the drivers.

But I don't think it is true.

[Yannick]

Turun Sanomat could just as well be trying to talk up Heikki Kovalainen's chances on a Sauber drive for next year.

I wonder if The Whole Spanish Press would do the same thing for Jaime Alguersuari's chances on a Sauber drive but I'm afraid they might have deleted their account on the F1 Rejects board.

[JeremyMcClean]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

[LellaLombardi]

I think Schumacher is biding his time before making his decision. He'll definitely want to go out on a high now that his form has improved. If that happens this year, I think he'll retire. But if it needs another year before the comeback is the finished product then he'll do it.

Either way, I think it is highly likely we will see Alguersuari back on the grid and my money's on Ferrari.

[AndreaModa]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

Yes, yes you are.

That's a rather hopeful theory that has little weight supporting it, and plenty of evidence to dis-prove it. Mercedes have a whole host of drivers lined up for the future, so Alguersuari won't just drop in, and the only reasoning behind that theory is Jaime himself saying he'll be back with a top team, and McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull look to have their seats finalised.

[Ferrarist]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

For a DTM seat maybe, but definitely not for F1. As for Schumi: I think he wants to go out on a high (as others have already said), so he won't have to say in hindsight that his comeback was a failure.

[eurobrun]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

He should go to Williams. And no, I won't shut up about that.

[JeremyMcClean]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

For a DTM seat maybe, but definitely not for F1. As for Schumi: I think he wants to go out on a high (as others have already said), so he won't have to say in hindsight that his comeback was a failure.

The only way he could say that with any dignity is if he won the title like he did in 2004!

[Captain Hammer]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

Alguersuari seems to think he already has a deal for 2013.

[mario]

Am I the only one here who thinks Alguersuari is going to Mercedes in 2013 and Schumacher will retire?

Yes, yes you are.

That's a rather hopeful theory that has little weight supporting it, and plenty of evidence to dis-prove it. Mercedes have a whole host of drivers lined up for the future, so Alguersuari won't just drop in, and the only reasoning behind that theory is Jaime himself saying he'll be back with a top team, and McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull look to have their seats finalised.

I could possibly see Alguersuari appearing at Mercedes as a test driver, although you would suspect that Mercedes would be happy to stick with Sam Bird as their test driver, but I think that it is quite unlikely that we'll see him turn up there as a race driver. Di Resta has better links with Mercedes through his work in the junior series and DTM with them, so he is more likely to end up in Mercedes than Alguersuari, whilst Ferrari would presumably push Force India to replace him with Bianchi.
That is not to say that I think Alguersuari has no chance of returning to the grid - as Captain Hammer points out, Alguersuari himself seems pretty confident that he has something lined up for 2013 - but if he does reappear on the grid next year, it'll probably be in a midfield team.

[sswishbone]

If Grosjean continues to bin it don't rule out Algersaurus at Lotus, even having Boullier as a manager can't save you if the team owners burn you