Official F1/Motorsport thread

[Roddie]

We could see a swap of teams for Webber and Hamilton next year I think.

Hmm, interesting.

For what it's worth, Mateschitz says Webber's not leaving and Marko Helmut says that when he does, his seat will be taken by one of their 3 junior drivers (Buemi/Alguersuari/Ricciardo).

[Harry]

Well, the car is the main star of the show these days in F1 where split second times can make all the difference but I still think the driver skill level between Webber and Red Bull's Junior drivers are leaps and bounds between each other, I'm not sure if Red Bull would take the risk of putting one of them in the no. 2 seat yet.

Alguersuari would be prime candidate if they did however.

[Bort]

Red Bull aren't a normal F1 team, they solely exist to promote and further the brand. If they weren't winning they'd go the same way as the NASCAR team. Part of the brand is nurturing talent and helping them reach their potential. It isn't unthinkable that one of the four main Red Bull proteges would take the #2 seat but they all need prove themselves.

And the Hamilton to Red Bull is just tosh spun up for alternate reasons. I highly doubt Vettel would want to give up his golden egg.

[Harry]

Would he have to?

[Rossco]

I could see Webber and Hamilton switching teams. I could also see Massa getting the boot and Hamilton going there. It's all possible, maybe unlikely, but definitely possible in the mixed up world of F1.

[Bort]

Presume you mean Vettel. With Hamilton as a team mate he'd be sacrificing a lot and neither he or the Austrians would accept that.

From the current crop I'd expect he'd feel okay with any driver except Hamilton or Alonso in the team. Although not publicly he'd be as Alpha as either of them.

Rossco, Hamilton and Alonso, Really? Preposterous notion.

[NecronomiconUK]

I could also see Massa getting the boot and Hamilton going there. It's all possible, maybe unlikely, but definitely possible in the mixed up world of F1.

I'm sorry, but I've just gotta hit the brakes here. You can see Hamilton going to Ferrari as team mate to his best buddy Fernando Alonso, a guy who is already adored by his team and the Tifosi?

Whatever you are taking to see those sorts of mental hallucinations, is there enough to share?

[Harry]

I could see Webber and Hamilton switching teams. I could also see Massa getting the boot and Hamilton going there. It's all possible, maybe unlikely, but definitely possible in the mixed up world of F1.

Yeah, I forgot Massa. Criminal really considering how well he has been doing just recently, he's an excellent driver.

I believe it's entirely possible for Massa, Webber or Hamilton to change teams next season.

[Rossco]

Yeah totally, Hamilton wants to win. And for a while now his team and his car are both not performing to his standards. Only solution is move to one of the other big teams. I can't see him going to a smaller team, even Mercedes.

[NecronomiconUK]

While there is a strong possibility that Hamilton wants to change team, that is very different to there being a team suitable for him to move into. I will say now, 100% without a shadow of a doubt HE WILL NOT BE ALONSO'S TEAM MATE AT FERRARI, like really. It doesn't matter how McLaren are under performing, he wouldn't want to dig up all that crap from 2007 again. Red Bull is a fairly viable option, if Webber walks then I think Hamilton would love to drive an Adrian Newey car. But I just can't see it happening. Vettel is the star at Red Bull, the team adores him and I think Hamilton would inject far too much turbulence. If Webber were to just leave then I think RBR would be more likely to take one of their 'program drivers' or another set of safe hands like Nico Rosberg or someone like Paul Di Resta.

EDIT: Personally, I feel the only sane choice for Hamilton would be to stay at McLaren. Potentially screw them for a lot more money and also be a bit more choosy over PR commitments. Changing team to pursue the one with the technical advantage is always a risk because who knows which team will be best next time around (re. Senna & Williams)

[Rossco]

Yeah that all makes sense, I guess I'm looking at it more from Lewis' side where I think he would chance a move but the other teams probably wouldn't go for it considering who their current number 1 drivers are. I think Lewis will become desperate soon though and something will happen.

[Harry]

While there is a strong possibility that Hamilton wants to change team, that is very different to there being a team suitable for him to move into. I will say now, 100% without a shadow of a doubt HE WILL NOT BE ALONSO'S TEAM MATE AT FERRARI, like really. It doesn't matter how McLaren are under performing, he wouldn't want to dig up all that crap from 2007 again. Red Bull is a fairly viable option, if Webber walks then I think Hamilton would love to drive an Adrian Newey car. But I just can't see it happening. Vettel is the star at Red Bull, the team adores him and I think Hamilton would inject far too much turbulence. If Webber were to just leave then I think RBR would be more likely to take one of their 'program drivers' or another set of safe hands like Nico Rosberg or someone like Paul Di Resta.

EDIT: Personally, I feel the only sane choice for Hamilton would be to stay at McLaren. Potentially screw them for a lot more money and also be a bit more choosy over PR commitments. Changing team to pursue the one with the technical advantage is always a risk because who knows which team will be best next time around (re. Senna & Williams)

There's gonna' be changes, whether you like them or not. It's pretty evident. lol.

[PeteJ]

I can't see Lewis or Button leaving McLaren yet, Whitmarsh on the other hand...

[Harry]

Issue on blown diffusers has come to a close:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/14157976.stm

I'm sure Horner will be happy with the decision but I think he might be panicking next season. That is unless they find a way to exploit the car elsewhere!

Does anyone know of any good unofficial sites that have videos you wouldn't normally find on www.formula1.com or http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...os/default.stm?

I want to see the press conference video with the argument between Whitmarsh & Horner on blown diffusers.

[Bort]

There is an official transcript of that (and all) press conferences on the FIA site. I don't think they are video taped or we would have seen it already.

RB won't be panicking. They already had a large aero change ready for Silverstone to aid the potential loss (two large blades under the drivers legs to shape and move the air flow).

edit,

Couldn't be fannied earlier but,

MotoGp Sachsenring, Germany

Saturday 16 July
MotoGP qualifying: 1150-1500, BBC Red Button/online
Sunday 17 July
125cc & Moto2 races: 0950-1205, BBC Red Button/online
MotoGP live: 1235-1405, BBC Two/online
MotoGP Extra: 1405-1430, BBC Red Button/online

edit #2,

Oh ****. Laguna next weekend. \m/ \m/