Oh goodie, another potential night time street race, like Singapore... rrr: Thailand moves closer to Formula 1 grand prix deal (AutoSport.com)
Here's hoping at least some teams ignore this option. So the broken noses aren't pretty, the solution is a "modesty" panel? That's just pathetic IMO. Formula 1 teams will be able to hide stepped noses in 2013 (AutoSport.com)
Fixed that for ya. Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes in $100m move from McLaren Lewis Hamilton will on Friday bring to an end one of the most controversial and long-running transfer sagas in Formula One history by announcing that he is leaving McLaren, the team he has been with over half his life, for rivals Mercedes in a three-year deal which could be worth as much as $100million (£61.6million). Lewis Hamilton to join Mercedes in $100m move from McLaren - Telegraph
Hate it for Michael, but me feared that last run over would bring this about... Now we shall see if Lewis's arrogance can bring about a winning team at Mercedes.... My money is on not.
Could Kimi get it, he has certainly shown that he still has the stuff this year or will they go for a up and comer....
Assuming this actually happens, I wonder how Rosberg will react. Though he was fairly diplomatic in his working after they hired Schumacher you could tell he was pissed about being relegated to #2. I agree with Dave, DiResta to McLaren.
OOps! Pez to McLaren, not Diresta....... Silly season in full swing now that the first domino has fallen. So, Michael to Toro Rosso, or Caterham, or HRT as a development driver? Or into retirement as a consultant or ambassador or something?
No way, he'll only stick with teams that are or have the potential to be top flight teams. I'd put my money on him being a consultant to Mercedes.
I'm actually surprised by this. I really did think it would be DiResta. Perez had a tie to Ferrari (he was part of their young driver program) and I think Ferrari really did want to hire him one of these days...just not yet. On the other hand, with Hamilton off the payroll McLaren had a lot of money to throw around. Interesting that Perez was one of the guys criticized as a pay driver when he started. He also said earlier this year when all the Ferrari speculation was going strong that he was still not ready to switch teams and would stick with Sauber. I wonder what it cost McLaren to change his mind. Pérez confirms multi-year deal with McLaren (GPUpdate.net)
Presumably Schumi's feelings aren't too hurt. Merc claim he wasn't even sure he wanted to continue with Merc next season and that's actually what caused them to start shopping Hamilton. Schumacher's indecision prompted Mercedes to chase Hamilton (AutoSport.com) Schumacher to Sauber? :skep: I suppose anything's possible.
The latest schedule, minor changes + NJ still TBD: 2013 Formula 1 calendar 17/03 AUS Grand Prix of Australia 24/03 MYS Grand Prix of Malaysia 14/04 CHN Grand Prix of China 21/04 BHR Grand Prix of Bahrain 12/05 ESP Grand Prix of Spain (Barcelona) 26/05 MCO Grand Prix of Monaco 09/06 CAN Grand Prix of Canada 16/06 USA Grand Prix of Jersey (New York) * 30/06 GBR Grand Prix of Great Britain 14/07 DEU Grand Prix of Germany 28/07 HUN Grand Prix of Hungary 25/08 BEL Grand Prix of Belgium 08/09 ITA Grand Prix of Italy 22/09 SGP Grand Prix of Singapore 06/10 KOR Grand Prix of Korea 13/10 JPN Grand Prix of Japan 27/10 IND Grand Prix of India 03/11 ARE Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 17/11 USA Grand Prix of USA (Austin) 24/11 BRA Grand Prix of Brazil
Michael wears the big boy's pants, he knows that if the old magic was going to happen, it would have happened by now at Mercedes. Stuck in the bottom of the top 10 is not where one would think he is happy to run at, so it is very doubtful that his feelings were hurt. Question is, is whether it was a lack of drive from Michael or Mercedes that kept them from advancing to the front, or was it just a lack of that cherished "chemistry," that lightning in a bottle that makes a team Champions? Micheal hasn't forgotten how to drive, but does he still really want to win....and could he still win somewhere else if he does... Tis just another part of this, one of the best F1 seasons in a long, long time!!
Rosberg definitely didn't believe it the last time they told him this ... when Schumacher joined. I'm sure he has a lot more confidence now so maybe he's buying it this time 'round. Nico Rosberg will have equal status with Lewis Hamilton in 2013 (AutoSport.com)
There's an interesting, though longish, piece on the personality and idiosyncrasies of Ron Dennis at Pitlane Magazine. A bit of insight into the man vs.the persona. Written by Marc Priestley, a member of the McLaren F1 team. The Real Ron Dennis