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OK, the BRDC (British Racing Drivers' Club, current owners of Silverstone) needs to annul and then renegotiate the contract they signed with Bernie a few years back, simply because the 5% year-on-year escalator clause was and is outrageous and unsustainable (good for F1, shite for the BRDC).
I like the proposal that Liberty purchase Silverstone (where the first F1 championship race was held in 1950) and officially transform it into the spiritual "Home of F1," complete with a museum and other "heritage" attractions/events. This would make Silverstone a sort of F1 Mecca and generate all sorts of revenue streams outside of the race weekend itself. Following this path would dovetail very nicely with Liberty's broader mission of expanding the fan-base and improving the F1 fan experience.
Thoughts?
Or F1 could just go to Brands Hatch.
My understanding is that Silverstone is in the middle of nowhere. So I doubt that making a museum will appeal to enough people to bring in a profit.
1. Bottas is for realz.
2. Sergio disses Kimi, but rules out Nando as well.
3. RBR is trying to lock down its driving talent, esp. Mad Max.
4. Media concocted "handshake-gate"
5. Stefan GP actively seeking an F1 tender.
1. Bottas is for realz.
2. Sergio disses Kimi, but rules out Nando as well.
3. RBR is trying to lock down its driving talent, esp. Mad Max.
4. Media concocted "handshake-gate"
5. Stefan GP actively seeking an F1 tender.
I recall Bottas' first F1 race driving for Williams in Australia thinking he was a pretty special talent. IIRC, he got 6th at that race.
Sehr interessant.... By my count, there are 7 actual corners, not 10 as tallied by the FIA....
They said during FP2 or Quali? Cant remember which one it was but the corner numbering change here had more to do with the Moto GP cycle racing governing body or something like that
A 4.5 kilometre-long racing track, which would see Formula 1 cars racing through the heart of Copenhagen, has been developed by a consortium and approved by the motor sport’s bosses.The track would include a sharp corner in front of the Christiansborg parliament, a 300 kilometre per hour straight over the Knippelsbro bridge and a fast stretch along the Slotsholmsgade road behind the Børsen stock exchange, reports newspaper Jyllands-Posten.
By also taking in a second bridge, the Langebro bridge, the track offers a brand-new spectacle to the sport – Formula 1 cars driving over two bridges in a city Grand Prix.
Proposed for introduction during the 2020 Formula 1 season, the route, developed by a consortium including Danish business magnate Lars Seier Christensen and former MP Helge Sander, has been approved for further development by Formula 1 owner Liberty Media, according to the report.
Public access documents at Copenhagen Municipality confirm the existence of the plans, writes Jyllands-Posten.
The municipality’s finance department participated in a review of a potential Formula 1 track at the request of business minister Brian Mikkelsen when renowned track designer Hermann Tilke visited Copenhagen in March this year, according to the report.
“The track we have submitted to Formula 1 in London is not with complete certainty the final version, but it is the basis, and if there are any changes they will be minimal. The track has been approved by Hermann Tilke who also had questions and ideas for adjustments. But that is something we will look at on an ongoing basis,” Sander told Jyllands-Posten.
Tilke was “very enthusiastic” about the proposed track, the former MP, who has worked for a number of years to bring a Grand Prix to Denmark, added.
“The proposed route has far fewer obstacles than he expected, considering it is a track in the middle of a city,” he said.
The reported proposed route takes in central Copenhagen as well as the Amager and Christianshavn districts
Danish racing driver Jan Magnussen, who also participated in the design for the proposal, told Jyllands-Posten that motorsport fans could look forward to something special should a Grand Prix in Copenhagen become reality.
“The track could be the basis for a fantastic race. It could end up being similar to the Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan… there will be some extremely long straights where cars can reach top speeds and some intricate sections that will be technically difficult. But I think the most interesting aspect is the surroundings – drivers will race right by Christiansborg and Tivoli.
“There will be incredibly beautiful surroundings, maybe the most beautiful of all Formula 1 tracks,” Magnussen said.
The locations of the finish line and pit lane on the proposed track had not yet been set, Magnussen added.
A Danish Grand Prix was first made possible after Liberty Media announced that it was looking to extend the sport’s current 21-race programme after taking over ownership in 2016.
Hosting a Formula 1 race carries an estimated cost of 300 million kroner (40 million euros), according to Jyllands-Posten.
Sander told the newspaper that the Danish bid would now enter a new phase.
“We need to qualify our budget so that we can secure the capital needed to organise a Formula 1 race. The next six months will contain a year’s worth of work in which many things must be secured, since we now have a number of formalities resolved. We must also start negotiations with the government which has given its in-principle backing to Formula 1 in Copenhagen,” he said.
It'll be interesting to how Ferrari fill their two open seats and MB their one open seat for 2018.
With Hamilton's contract expiring end of 2018, I can really see Alonso or Vettel (especially for his age and nationality) going to MB.
As good as Bottas is, I kinda expect Kimi and him to be out of their current drives for 2018.
They said during FP2 or Quali? Cant remember which one it was but the corner numbering change here had more to do with the Moto GP cycle racing governing body or something like that
It'll be interesting to how Ferrari fill their two open seats and MB their one open seat for 2018.
With Hamilton's contract expiring end of 2018, I can really see Alonso or Vettel (especially for his age and nationality) going to MB.
As good as Bottas is, I kinda expect Kimi and him to be out of their current drives for 2018.
With Bottas working his way into contention this season, I could see MB retaining him another year; unless one of the desireables from another team comes up as available.
It'll be interesting to how Ferrari fill their two open seats and MB their one open seat for 2018.
With Hamilton's contract expiring end of 2018, I can really see Alonso or Vettel (especially for his age and nationality) going to MB.
As good as Bottas is, I kinda expect Kimi and him to be out of their current drives for 2018.
Indeed, silly-season is set to be particularly intriguing this year.... so many moving parts!
If Bottas doesn't remain at MB (I think he might), I'll be curious to see where goes. And how much higher has he raised his stock with his impressive performances this year?
I'd like to see Sainz Jr. get a more competitive seat, but doesn't sound like that's really in the cards.
I can't see Bottas at Ferrari, especially not partnered with Kimi.
A Ricciardo/Bottas team would be interesting, but RBR seems set with RIC/VER. (BTW, when they changed his marker from VES to VER, it threw me off, since only a few seasons back VER was for Vergne)
Maybe a return to Williams, but I'd want them to have a more competitive package.
With Bottas working his way into contention this season, I could see MB retaining him another year; unless one of the desireables from another team comes up as available.
Agree Bottas has done very well at MB, but Alonso maybe a more attractive drive from a performance point of view.
Problem there is the Hamilton/Alonso chemistry which is bound to have issues but I can also see Wolff looking at Alonso as a equal performer but perhaps with less drama?
Originally Posted by nanxun
Indeed, silly-season is set to be particularly intriguing this year.... so many moving parts!
If Bottas doesn't remain at MB (I think he might), I'll be curious to see where goes. And how much higher has he raised his stock with his impressive performances this year?
I'd like to see Sainz Jr. get a more competitive seat, but doesn't sound like that's really in the cards.
+1 agree, this silly season is very intriguing. F1's current best drivers are getting on in their years (Alonso's 35, Hamilton's 32, and Vettel is 30) so it'l be interesting to see where Vettel and Alonso wind up next year.
Wolff likes to have long term drivers and team harmony but I can also see Hamilton's antics have also worn thin with him and MB board too. That's why I could see Vettel going there, being German also helps with MB too.
The upcoming drivers are also interesting. I'd like to see Sainz Jr., Perez, and Ocon get into a winning car.
It'll be interesting to see who the next new WC will be? Verstappen, Ricciardo, ...?
Vettel going to MB makes too much sense. OTOH, it's hard to imagine Vettel leaving Ferrari if he wins the championship this year, or to see Vettel and Hamilton on the same team.
^ I see Vettel as the more critical driver in this silly season jigsaw puzzle since he stands a very good chance at winning the WDC. The problem I see at Ferrari is the disrespect Vettel gets from Maurizio Arrivabene and Sergio Marchionne, Vettel had two good chances of winning in 2016 when bad team strategy failed him. Add to that the comments both made about his contract in late 2016, the revolving door of Ferrari senior personnel (which lately has helped it surprisingly!) and I could see Vettel looking at MB.
Alonso? I think he just wants to get back in a winning car for any salary
Marchionne already extended the invite to Vettel to stay in 2018, it's in Seb's hands now (contract talks). I can't see how MBZ would not extend Bottas' contract given his accomplishments thus far.
^ in David Couldhard's 1st full season in F1 he placed 3rd in the WDC (1995), Williams still dropped him for Villeneuve so to me anything is possible.
Saw the Marchionne statement, Vettel's wisely said he's not getting into negotiations in the summer while focusing instead on the championship. It'll be a interesting silly season no matter where Vettel winds up at,
Agree Bottas has done very well at MB, but Alonso maybe a more attractive drive from a performance point of view.
Problem there is the Hamilton/Alonso chemistry which is bound to have issues but I can also see Wolff looking at Alonso as a equal performer but perhaps with less drama?
Originally Posted by Chief F1 Fan
I can't see how MBZ would not extend Bottas' contract given his accomplishments thus far.
I got back into F1 with the new regs, so wasn't following much when Alonso & Hamilton were teammates, but HAM & BOT seem to be getting along well. I recall Bottas saying that the team is sharing telemetry & data across both cars; Lewis radio comments asking about VB's status (seemed genuine). As a team, they seem to be doing well together.
Unless Hamilton pulls a Rosberg & retires out of the blue (doubtful) & we end up with an Alonso/Bottas MBZ team.
I got back into F1 with the new regs, so wasn't following much when Alonso & Hamilton were teammates, but HAM & BOT seem to be getting along well. I recall Bottas saying that the team is sharing telemetry & data across both cars; Lewis radio comments asking about VB's status (seemed genuine). As a team, they seem to be doing well together.
Unless Hamilton pulls a Rosberg & retires out of the blue (doubtful) & we end up with an Alonso/Bottas MBZ team.
As long as Hamilton can beat Bottas, then that works out well for Lewis. If Bottas was Rosberg level I doubt that relationship won't be so chummy. Same goes for Vettel and Kimi, as long as Sebastian and Lewis are #1 in the team it's good.
FWIW, sharing telemetry within the team is the norm now-a-days. There have been cases where it was wasn't. In their 4 years together IIRC, Rosberg and Hamilton shared telemetry and settings per the team hierarchy.
Vettel going to MB makes too much sense. OTOH, it's hard to imagine Vettel leaving Ferrari if he wins the championship this year, or to see Vettel and Hamilton on the same team.
IF Vettel were to win the championship this year with Ferrari i dont see him leaving any time soon.
It is believed that a disagreement over the Honda deal was one of the reasons behind Kaltenborn's sudden departure. In effect, the new owners decided that the team could not afford to be uncompetitive next season, and that it had to focus on getting a decent engine.
Yes. Throughout history, harmony is only achieved when there is a clear number one and number two. Senna and Berger had peace. Senna and Post had war.
In general that is true, there are occasional exceptions where there was no number 1 and the drivers got along very well and competed equally, Prost/Lauda at McLaren, early Couldhard/Häkkinen also at McLaren, and a few others.
Good question, I can only see MB as Renault does not show much potential.
Ferrari publicly said no, and RBR said Max/Daniel are their 2018.
The big if here is if Vettel goes to MB, then Ferrari would want a mature competitive driver and that would be Hamilton or Alonso.
Another factor here is James Allison whom is the new MB technical director (replacing Paddy Lowe), Vettel worked with him at Ferrari and with Allison being at MB I think that would be an appeal to Vettel.
Whatever happens it makes for a very interesting silly season.
07-10-2017, 11:02 AM
Didn't expect that.
With Bottas working his way into contention this season, I could see MB retaining him another year; unless one of the desireables from another team comes up as available.
Precisely correct Legend. As soon as Bottas is a persistent threat to Hamilton then the relationship will sour.
IF Vettel were to win the championship this year with Ferrari i dont see him leaving any time soon. 
