[Fullrevs]

Probably doesnt fit in the for the 2017 silly season but does anyyone remember Sebastien Buemi? After his stellar performances in Formula E and FIA Endurance racing, he has been offered a Red Bull test at Mugello when the teams test the 2017 'wider' tyres.

This will be quite a story if he can impress and make a comeback. It seems like the team are looking to get rid Kvyat.

Source

[Hatari]

Any news on why McLaren werent at the Pirelli 2017 tire test?

[iceman7]

And Claire Williams sets out the cat among the pigeons!!

Read here - http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/he...tton-2017.html

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by iceman7

And Claire Williams sets out the cat among the pigeons!!

Read here - http://www.formula1.com/en/latest/he...tton-2017.html

I think Williams have realised that their earnings will drop going forward as the Mercedes PU advantage has begun getting negated.

More millions required. Perez would be a good long term signing for sure. Button too. I have a feeling they are playing the market and will select only one of them. I dont see them dropping Bottas.

[avdhesh15]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Any news on why McLaren werent at the Pirelli 2017 tire test?

If I'm not wrong, only Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari were there.

EDIT: Yes... only top-3 teams involved: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/125607

The tests are completely blind, with each of the three teams involved in Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes -the latter next to test in September at Paul Ricard - not given information on what they are testing by Pirelli and the FIA.

All information from the tests, including driver feedback, will be shared with the remaining eight teams not involved.

[shortbread]

The person McLaren needs to get rid of first and foremost is Ron Dennis. They wasted most of their money on Alonso when their car was a dud!! I mean he knew Honda was developing an F1 engine at relatively short notice and will be a good 2-3 years before they become one of the top team again.

In such a state anyone with sense would invest in the car and not a driver. You spend a fortune on a driver when you have a championship or atleast a podium potential car.

McLaren have spent a fortune on a top jockey when having donkeys at the stable! All those millions should have been spent on the car and engine development.

What exactly has Alonso achieved?! Button looks more committed and reliable. Alonso might outqualify him but come the race Button ends up on top, provided the McLaren does not break down.

If McLAren have the 'balls', what they need to do is get rid of Alonso and give Button another 2 year contract on the cheap. Develop the car and the new driver over the next two years. Leave the racing in Buttons safe hands, he will get most out of the car. In two years time when the car is good enough sign the likes of Hamilton, JV, Bottas etc.... and go for championships!!

[MCR]

Originally Posted by shortbread

The person McLaren needs to get rid of first and foremost is Ron Dennis.............
............... In two years time when the car is good enough sign the likes of Hamilton, JV, Bottas etc.... and go for championships!!

While I agree with your comments, not having a champion driver is a big let down for teams (read Sponsors) and the fans. You can see this with Williams and precisely the reason why they want Button.

As far as the rumor mill goes, Button is wanting to be in a championship winning car next season. But by looking at the current team forms, if they are any indicator to the next season (forgetting the drastic rule changes for 2017), then there is no such spot is available.

But considering the rule changes of 2017, it can be anybody's game. It will be crystal clear in the winter testing of 2017. Till then the guessing games continue.

[shortbread]

Originally Posted by MCR

While I agree with your comments, not having a champion driver is a big let down for teams (read Sponsors) and the fans. You can see this with Williams and precisely the reason why they want Button.

As far as the rumor mill goes, Button is wanting to be in a championship winning car next season. But by looking at the current team forms, if they are any indicator to the next season (forgetting the drastic rule changes for 2017), then there is no such spot is available.

But considering the rule changes of 2017, it can be anybody's game. It will be crystal clear in the winter testing of 2017. Till then the guessing games continue.

I think Williams with Mercedes power will be a better bet than McLaren Honda. For starters the Merc powerunit is the best out there. Regarding chassis, grip, aero well it's anyone's game in the first year of new regulations. The problem is Williams do not have the money and McLaren don't have the power. That said Williams is a better team for Button. Ron Dennis doesnt want Button, but he wants the points he brings. He keeps raving about Alonso but in return the Spaniard simply keeps moaning.

Even with Mercedes power, McLaren were struggling towards the end of their McLaren Merc days. Which goes to show a weak engine isnt their only problem. Its a team in slow decline over the past 8 years!

[Monolithic]

Originally Posted by shortbread

What exactly has Alonso achieved?! Button looks more committed and reliable. Alonso might outqualify him but come the race Button ends up on top, provided the McLaren does not break down.

Isn't it Eric Boullier who is running the team now? Also, Alonso has better race results than Button this season. Button had 4 DNFs and Alonso has 6. Alonso performed better on almost all the races where they didn't have any problems. Button's Hungary GP was just bad luck to him with the Brake problem and then the penalty. Alonso is expensive, that is correct, but he is better than Button.

[Hatari]

Originally Posted by shortbread

The person McLaren needs to get rid of first and foremost is Ron Dennis. They wasted most of their money on Alonso when their car was a dud!! I mean he knew Honda was developing an F1 engine at relatively short notice and will be a good 2-3 years before they become one of the top team again.

In such a state anyone with sense would invest in the car and not a driver. You spend a fortune on a driver when you have a championship or atleast a podium potential car.

McLaren have spent a fortune on a top jockey when having donkeys at the stable! All those millions should have been spent on the car and engine development.

What exactly has Alonso achieved?! Button looks more committed and reliable. Alonso might outqualify him but come the race Button ends up on top, provided the McLaren does not break down.

If McLAren have the 'balls', what they need to do is get rid of Alonso and give Button another 2 year contract on the cheap. Develop the car and the new driver over the next two years. Leave the racing in Buttons safe hands, he will get most out of the car. In two years time when the car is good enough sign the likes of Hamilton, JV, Bottas etc.... and go for championships!!

Ron Dennis is the one keeping Mclaren towards the top of the F1 teams, and not a Sauber/Williams who are fighting for survival.

Mercedes had been an exclusive partner for decades before which they decided to enter the sport (again) as a manufacturer. At this point, Ron had to look for solutions, he alone brought Honda back. Thats a huge step. Now McLaren can look to challenge at the top again.

You got the order wrong, they signed Alonso and then realised the car was a dud. No way of knowing otherwise. You cant just throw $40 million on the car and expect to find a miracle in 1 season. Thats not how F1 works now. They cant bring big aero updates as that will invariable result in some drag, lowering their top speeds further, something ehy cannot afford.
Ask yourself how long Michael took to win after he joined Ferrari in 1996. And that was in a simpler time.

Renault are looking for a top driver for 2017.. why?

In this sport you need to be pro active not reactive. Alonso had a contract till end 2015, Ferrari had already handed him an extension in 2014 for 2016 onwards. So if Ron didnt get Alonso out, it would have been a much longer wait.

With respect to Alonso vs Button, that opinion is your own, even if the facts say otherwise.

Originally Posted by shortbread

I think Williams with Mercedes power will be a better bet than McLaren Honda. For starters the Merc powerunit is the best out there. Regarding chassis, grip, aero well it's anyone's game in the first year of new regulations. The problem is Williams do not have the money and McLaren don't have the power. That said Williams is a better team for Button. Ron Dennis doesnt want Button, but he wants the points he brings. He keeps raving about Alonso but in return the Spaniard simply keeps moaning.

Even with Mercedes power, McLaren were struggling towards the end of their McLaren Merc days. Which goes to show a weak engine isnt their only problem. Its a team in slow decline over the past 8 years!

McLaren have already started to beat Williams, compensating for PU advantage with chassis and aero, the gap will only widen next year.

[Chetan_Rao]

Williams were handed an opportunity in a unique era - a significant PU advantage in a development restricted Formula - but they failed to take proper advantage, partly because their chassis/aero development has been lackluster and partly because they don't have as much money as the front-runners.

With the rule changes next year, power units will no longer be the difference maker anymore, and Williams are yet to demonstrate they're capable of innovating in another area. They may yet turn that around but I find it hard to believe they'll be near the sharp end of the grid anytime soon.

McLaren for all their mess-ups have the money and the backing of an engine manufacturer. Honda are already looking much better this year, and the regs next year will give them more elbow room to develop. I'd bet on McHonda over WilMerc on current evidence.

[polopm]

Originally Posted by Hatari

Ron Dennis is the one keeping Mclaren towards the top of the F1 teams, and not a Sauber/Williams who are fighting for survival.
.....

You got the order wrong, they signed Alonso and then realised the car was a dud. No way of knowing otherwise. You cant just throw $40 million on the car and expect to find a miracle in 1 season. Thats not how F1 works now. ....
With respect to Alonso vs Button, that opinion is your own, even if the facts say otherwise.



McLaren have already started to beat Williams, compensating for PU advantage with chassis and aero, the gap will only widen next year.

Perfect. McLaren now is a huge business with interests in high performance cars, components for F1, a catering business (absolute taste) and quite a few.
Ron Dennis has steered the group out of depths lot of times and he looks to do it again. Honda is building their engine steadily. The Japs are very good in kaizen and can build steadily with alarming pace. The gaps now are so small that Force India and Williams have started realizing that McLaren is very close to them. (does not reflect the old McLaren, but considering the disaster in 2015, 2016 is shaping out nicely).
With tokens gone, next year is going to be much easier. You have the others going fast too, but Honda will not be restricted by token. They understand very clearly where they need to fix. 2017 Aero proposals were pushed hard by RBR and McLaren Honda.

Coming back to the thread - Ocon is locked on to Manor and Rio is gone.
Jensen is still in limbo.

[Hatari]

Breaking news.. Stoffel confirmed as race driver door 2017.. with Jenson staying on till 2018 in a development and 3rd driver role!
Master stroke by Ron Dennis.. retaining the highly commercially viable Jenson.

[jfxavier]

US firm Liberty Media has bought Formula 1 in a £6bn deal.
CVC Capital Partners is handing over its ownership after taking a controlling stake in 2005.
Liberty is backed by John Malone, the American media tycoon.
The takeover might see the sport gain a public stock listing for the first time through a tracking stock called Liberty Media Group.

A takeover will yield a windfall of more than $400m (£300m) for veteran F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, who owns a 5.3 per cent stake.

The 85-year-old will remain in his role it has been confirmed - at least for a transitional period of a few years.

In a statement, he said: "I would like to welcome Liberty Media and Chase Carey to Formula One and I look forward to working with them."

Its terms include the scope for teams to purchase a share in the new structure.

At present, no team has a stake in F1 of any description, although it is understood they were once offered the opportunity to buy CVC's shares, only to baulk at the asking price.

A Liberty Media statement on the takeover read: "The teams will be given the opportunity to participate in the investment in Formula 1, and the detailed terms of that investment will be agreed in due course.

"Certain teams have already expressed an interest in investing after completion of the acquisition."

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...ng-in-6bn-deal

http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/124...him-to-stay-on

[avdhesh15]

Originally Posted by jfxavier

US firm Liberty Media has bought Formula 1 in a £6bn deal.

This is great news and hopefully now F1 will get a shot in the arm which it desperately needs to overhaul itself.

Owners need to remember that F1 is not endurance racing with a need to preserve engines, tyres etc. It's the pinnacle of motorsport and teams needs to go all out with screaming engines, aggressive drivers, etc.

Imagine in current scenario with a grid full of Mercedes cars and drivers such as Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso driving them!