F1 Thread

[Daniel 7]

Alonso or Bottas though? Alonso every time.

[RichC]

...whereas Alonso give a cryptic, smiley "I hope to have some dood news for you all in 3 weeks..."

He must be going to McLaren. Ron Dennis has been smiley and cryptic recently as well - it would be hilarious if he has pulled off the Vettel signing as well.

I reckon Vettel would be massively up for that challenge - everyone denigrates his 4 titles as being ""just the car" (Alonso has been pretty vocal about it in the past) so the chance to take on Alonso - the drivers' best driver - and beat him in the same machinery must be massively tempting.

I wonder which way Ferrari are going? Even if they do get Vettel, they have a massive problem wih Kimi, who is busted and past it. I wonder if Bianchi was being lined up for that second drive.

I think McLaren will be where he ends up and if they manage to get Vettel as well that would be a massive coup and certainly the strongest driver line up on the grid for next season.

Vettel has been shown up this year by Ricciardo who's been immense this season and if he were to go to where there is someone like Alonso or even a Hamilton will be a risk for him as questions will be asked if he couldn't outscore them.

Bianchi was a Ferrari academy driver wasnt he? Perhaps Jenson could be an option as if they miss out on Vettel I'm not sure of the other viable options, maybe Hulkenberg? Lotus could be interesting for next year, moving to the Merc power train should at least make them a more competitive car

[CJ]

Alonso or Bottas though? Alonso every time.

That was not the debate. As I have repeatedly said. I think bottas if good enough will end up at merc.

Also isn't Alonso only willing to do a one year deal at macca in case something better comes along?

[RichC]

Alonso or Bottas though? Alonso every time.

If you had the pick of any driver it would be a toss between Alonso and Lewis every time.

[Daniel 7]

Bottas is a Mercedes link because of Wolff. He could well end up there, think he has massive potential. He's the best of the new lot coming through.

Yeah, I heard that Alonso was only after a year, but at his career stage, that makes most sense - he doesn't have tiime to be ****ing about building teams anymore. That was supposed to be his Ferrari thing, but they reverted to type (ie being ****) and let him down. Alonso would be the best signing McLaren could make - he's still arguably the best on the grid. If they get Vettel as well, its proper succession dominance. That Honda engine has the rumours going already - it'll be good. McLaren will be back.

[G]

I think you're right with Jenson and Magnusson and if so I fancy we'll see either Alonso or Vettel there come next season if not the pair of them.

Lewis today looked at points to be coasting around that track occasionally giving it a bit to fight off boredom !

I just hope the title is decided on the track and not through the car breaking down

My fear too and given it's Lewis car that breaks more often I really hope it doesn't end that way. Stupid, stupid rule.

[RichC]

That was not the debate. As I have repeatedly said. I think bottas if good enough will end up at merc.

Also isn't Alonso only willing to do a one year deal at macca in case something better comes along?

No it wasn't I said Bottas could leave in 2016 and McLaren depending on 2015 could be an option but it would also depend on where other drivers such as Hamilton and Alonso were going to drive.

You also made a point about McLaren being a fading giant and won't be able to attract the drivers etc....

[RichC]

Bottas is a Mercedes link because of Wolff. He could well end up there, think he has massive potential. He's the best of the new lot coming through.

Yeah, I heard that Alonso was only after a year, but at his career stage, that makes most sense - he doesn't have tiime to be ****ing about building teams anymore. That was supposed to be his Ferrari thing, but they reverted to type (ie being ****) and let him down. Alonso would be the best signing McLaren could make - he's still arguably the best on the grid. If they get Vettel as well, its proper succession dominance. That Honda engine has the rumours going already - it'll be good. McLaren will be back.

Bottas is an excellent driver and he could end up with the Mercs in 2016 depending on other moves also be interesting to see about Ferrari as it would be tough to turn them down if they're interested.

Aye the Honda engine is supposedly looking really good already

[CJ]

Bottas is a Mercedes link because of Wolff. He could well end up there, think he has massive potential. He's the best of the new lot coming through.

Yeah, I heard that Alonso was only after a year, but at his career stage, that makes most sense - he doesn't have tiime to be ****ing about building teams anymore. That was supposed to be his Ferrari thing, but they reverted to type (ie being ****) and let him down. Alonso would be the best signing McLaren could make - he's still arguably the best on the grid. If they get Vettel as well, its proper succession dominance. That Honda engine has the rumours going already - it'll be good. McLaren will be back.

Yes the Wolff link is why I think that is where he will go. I have said it quite a few times

[CJ]

No it wasn't I said Bottas could leave in 2016 and McLaren depending on 2015 could be an option but it would also depend on where other drivers such as Hamilton and Alonso were going to drive.

You also made a point about McLaren being a fading giant and won't be able to attract the drivers etc....

[Daniel 7]

To be fair, you did make the point that they were fading...

[CJ]

Yep and they are.

[RichC]

If they end up with Alonso & that's an if that to me wouldn't be a team fading away.

As I said it will depend hugely on this incoming engine and the package they can get together for it for next season.

[CJ]

Ifs and buts.

[RichC]

It's the same for every team next season bar the Mercs!! Everyone will be trying to improve and the team with the best resources is without a doubt the McLaren outfit, to argue you that is ludicrous whether they do it which I've said time and again is complelty different but they will throw resources at doing so.

Fwiw I think Williams will have another decent season