iSport F1 Special: Shocked aren’t you too? iSporter Kunal Shah updates us on the rumours that are doing the rounds of the paddock for next season.
The 2010 season is barely a few months old and the rumour mills for the 2011 are already on their way!! Formula1 teams and drivers have to deal with a lot of media speculation – which is one of the byproducts of the global exposure that they gather.
F1 2010 has been closely matched for the Red Bulls, Ferrari and the Mclarens. While the Mercedes GP seem to be struggling, I trust them to get there sooner than later. But at the same time, I don’t trust Red Bull (read Adrian Newey) to be able to make their fast car less fragile!
However, over with 2010, there’s already talk about 2011 in the boardrooms – and of course much of these I believe are rumours! The first one that surprised me was Felipe Massa’s alleged move to Red Bull Racing next season. For those who haven’t followed the driver market off-late: Massa’s contract expires at the end of the current season and is in talks with Ferrari for an obvious extension. The rumour mills are that Ferrari are keen to sign up Robert Kubica and in fact have already signed an ‘option contract’ with the Pole. Kubica no doubt had a brilliant season last year with BMW and is already showing his class in the under-performing Renault this year.
Kubica’s ‘option’ contract has in turn delayed Felipe signing his extension with Ferrari. While the reports are of course unclear, the media somehow read a clear sign that Felipe will indeed be butted out of Ferrari. What was even more funny was them linking Felipe with a possible move to Red Bull Racing next year!
Mark Webber has been over-shadowed by his younger and faster team-mate Sebastian Vettel. However, his win in Spain should’ve silenced his critics, but instead they’ve only accelerated their belief in him retiring from competitive F1 this season. So the media bandwagon has added two plus two together and concluded that Felipe would be on his way to Red Bull, making way for Kubica in Ferrari. Going by Red Bull’s current form and pace, I don’t think Felipe would be in two minds should Christian Horner actually make him an offer!!
While Felipe is see-sawing with options in Red Bull, Ferrari and sometimes even the Renault, Aussie hero Mark Webber has suddenly been linked to retirement. The Red Bull driver is having his best F1 season so far and instead of touting him for the title the critics are predicting a retirement!
The other rumour mill is the return of KERS and this rumour is more or less to be confirmed for the positive. Teams and of course the green-chasing FIA are keen to reduce the carbon footprints of Formula1. As a result, they are keen to re-use the energies that F1 cars tend to generate while braking from high speeds – this is exactly why we had KERS come to light last year. While the implementation of KERS was optional and the development of the machine wasn’t most optimal and unfortunately KERS was dis-allowed this season, this revolutionary technology might just return next season.
A good move I would agree – however, there are still some choices that they teams need to make. They could either choose to invest a few extra millions in developing these machines, or just use a standard KERS mechanism. While I am not in favour of standardization in Formula1, I think semi-standardization can be implemented if it saves everyone costs. The only other worry that the teams will be the placement of KERS – with already rear-heavy cars, adding KERS to the rear will only make the cars heavier!! Back to the drawing board for the car designers!!
Talking of semi-standardization, the one thing that I believe should be totally standardized is tyres!! Formula1 tyres are a special make and design and we have had multiple tyre manufacturers supply rubber to the teams. As a result, we’ve also seen championships been won by teams that used a better tyre than by the team that had the fastest car and driver combination. Not an ideal situation!
However, Bridgestone have decided to exit F1 at the end of 2010 and the FIA have invited global tyre manufacturers to bid for their participation. Pirelli, Good Year and even Michelin have shown interest – but here’s the twist. Michelin is keen to participate only if there’s a competing manufacturer involved too. Which could mean that we go back to the tyre war era! A move that could again shuffle up the on-track action!
To throw all the tyre rumours out of the window, Bridgestone is to have said to be re-considering their exit from F1. Now as you see, F1 doesn’t fail to deliver on the on-track action and the off-track rumours yet again!
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a guest
said:
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... Webber tp retire? What twaddle! He's in the form of his life and why would Red Bull get rid of him?! |
a guest
said:
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... Is this all done over Monaco? What's the percentage chance of this coming true, Kunal?  |
a guest
said:
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... Is this all done over Monaco? What's the percentage chance of this coming true, Kunal? |
Kunal Shah
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... Guys, these are the rumours rampant in the paddock. Of course Webber's in the form of his life and will be stupid to retire and for us to even think of it. Monaco GP is where the rumours were spread - infact after he won it. Massa's condition we do know - Ferrari are taking their time and he's already mentioned that he's talking to the other teams. Enjoy the rumours! |
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