F1 2018 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

Norris doesn't drive around tracks. The tracks drive around him

 

Here comes the McHonda divorce....

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-motor-f1-mclaren-brown-idUKKBN18Y28H?rpc=401&

And talks down Honda's financial benefits...

 

I thought McL had already declared to FIA the PU partner for 2018 is. Are they allowed to change that? Seems silly that FIA have a deadline for teams to submit their 2018 entry if they can change it!
I do feel sorry for McL as Honda really don't seem to know what they are doing. I really can't understand Honda. Surely they need to hire Illmor or someone like that to get the sorted. Even if they kept external involvement secret surely it would help them save face. To me Honda not hiring external help and following their advice shows more ineptitude on Honda's part. Battling on blindly seems so stupid and damaging.....

 

Pretty harsh words, but they are at ultimatum stage. As Ched says why have a deadline if it can be changed - Zak seems to infer there is a change coming.

 

I bet they can change but will incur a substantial penalty of some kind. Bring back Mclaren Mercedes.

 

I thought to change after deadline all teams must agree to allow a team to change pu supplier. This is thinking back to Brawn and their 'ironic' switch from Honda to Merc!!!!!

 

I think Mclaren have suffered enough for the other teams to agree to let them change.

 

Enter stage left - Horner

 

Audience participation...
"He's behind you!"
"Boooo!"

 

Where will this leave Sauber?

 

about the same place they have been for the last few years I expect.

 

As a works team i suppose. A **** works team, but hey swings and roundabouts.

 

All sauber can do is hope and pray that Alonso stays at McLaren. Because if he does and McLaren ditch Honda we just know Honda will come good. A sauber walk over in 2018.

 

Following so quickly after Zak Brown's comments, more kicks in Honda's nuts...

Fernando Alonso: McLaren driver will leave F1 team if they are not competitive - http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/40206808

Winning before September?

Does anyone see them even being contenders before September? If he's talking like that, I'm guessing:

• he's preparing the ground for something that he see as almost inevitable; and/or
• he's trying a last desperate attempt to get Honda to sort itself out; and/or
• Honda have made some big promises about big improvements, and he believes that, if they come good, the chassis is good enough to be a front runner.

Whatever, if the relationship has got this sour in public, imagine how much worse it's been in private. It must be a horrible working environment at the moment.

It's hard to see how a relationship this sour can be salvaged without fundamental changes at Honda - changes that they seem unable (technologically) or unwilling (operationally) to deliver.

 

The issue with Alonso is that unless he is willing to drive for free, I can't see him having an alternative drive. Is he willing to retire or take a sabbatical?

 

I hope Alonso retires, or takes a year out. I pity whatever team takes him. This is not anti Fernando at all, but wherever he goes, it always goes the shape of the pear!

Would not want to be at sea with him.....

 

That Frenchman who left recently, I am sure I read that he left because they would not heed his advice. Proud race the Japanese, I expect them to fall on their Swords. Mind you, if Honda built them, I expect they would end up with just a bit of bruising.....

 

please log in to view this image