please log in to view this image As to Bottas, I'd say he was the best they could realistically go for, the other drivers are all stuck in contracts and would be too hard to release, I couldn't see RBR letting DR, MV or CS go to their main rival, same with Vettel and Alonso. I think he's a step up from Rosberg, about as fast but with a bit more aggression. It will e interesting to see how he gets on against Hamilton, who will be smarting at being beaten by Rosberg and out to prove a point. the 1 year contract seems a bit silly from the outside, but if he performs he'll be retained, unless he feels he's been marginalised, so, in a way, both sides are protecting themselves
Can't see early 2017 being much good for them, but Strolld's and Mercedes money for Bottas may help them develop the car a lot with the regulations so they should certainly be able to do better in 2018. their main issue seems to be producing a consistent car from season to season. Look at 2011, 2012 and 2013. they went from crap car, to race winning and podium consistent car (if they'd had better drivers) and back to crap car in the course of 3 seasons. Why did they not build on the 2012 car instead of doing something completely different for 2013?
Sounds like Honda may be supplying Sauber with PU in 2018!!!!!! That sounds like a bit of a gamble at this stage.
My thoughts entirely. At least half the discussion on this board is about what constitutes a "foul" versus what constitutes hard racing. The stewards can't make up their minds as it is.
I think they'll be registered under the 'hard-racing' get-out clause. SV ....."and then he got out of his car and slashed my *Beep*ing tyres!!!" CW, "yeah, well, we've looked at the incident and seen the telemetry, did you never play Road Rash, Seb? Some would say that's just hard racing" SV "*Beep* you Charlie, and *Beep* Trump, *Beep* May, *Beep* Clarkson and that midget *Beep* that works with them, *Beep* Mercedes, *Beep* Ford, *Beep* that man that sells the Ice creams at Interlagos, *Beep* those silly packets that never open at the right place and split down the seam, and *Beep* Mark Webber"
In the most shocking event of the silly season, i think this is actually a decent article by Benson (provided any of it is true...) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/38679158 Here's a list of the problems Bernie's replacement sees in F1 and wants to adress Also a mention that Liberty Media plans to protect the historic European races and that new events will be seen as investments rather than short term cash grabs. Call me a crazy optimist but i think we have half a chance of F1 being under competent management pretty soon.
Well, it sounds like a group that knows Formula 1 history! If they achieve fair financial distribution and tell Ferrari to get over it, then they really would mean business. Gonna be some tough conversations for them though I should think.