Disappointed to be honest as it doesn't say much for your youth driver programme when you cart someone out that you've been preparing for years after one season. Not everyone can have Hamilton's debut season, particularly with limited testing. Hopefully Vandoorne won't suffer the same fate if he ever gets the chance...
The F1 Thread 2015 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Not every youth driver has to pan out, McLaren don't need to bring a talent through, they need to be winning again. Button outscored K-Mag by more than double, he's a known quantity to pair with Alonso, if Honda/McLaren think they can win next season or atleast compete at the front again its logical to put out the strongest pairing.
Not denying K-Mag could and most likely would improve in his 2nd season but its no given and with Alonso as a teammate its sort of sink or swim, with Button you know he can handle that.
Youth programmes are great for the sport but its not like football where teams should be judged on bringing them through, in F1 you need to win first and foremost, years gone by McLaren wouldn't even have dreamed of putting rookie's in their seats, I think Hamilton has sort of set the benchmark too high for Rookies where as someone like Danny Ric did it the more natural way.
Not denying K-Mag could and most likely would improve in his 2nd season but its no given and with Alonso as a teammate its sort of sink or swim, with Button you know he can handle that.
Youth programmes are great for the sport but its not like football where teams should be judged on bringing them through, in F1 you need to win first and foremost, years gone by McLaren wouldn't even have dreamed of putting rookie's in their seats, I think Hamilton has sort of set the benchmark too high for Rookies where as someone like Danny Ric did it the more natural way.
Giving him more than one season would've been a start, if you judged everyone on this year alone you'd think Raikkonen and Vettel were lemons. Hopefully he'll get back in the sport one day, can't see it being soon though.
Jenson leaving would have been one less reason to keep following things, so I'm glad it looks like he's staying.
I'm beyond pleased. Get in Jenson.
The livery!
<3
I hope they do well... We dont need another season like 2014.
Glad both are staying at Mclaren. Hope Magnussen gets back on the grid next year.
Right decision by Mclaren and really happy for Button. For me, Magnussen has not shown anything spectacular bar his debut race but he will probably end up having a decent career in F1 for another team.
They're old cars but hopefully a hint at the livery for next year.
Jenson Button will partner Fernando Alonso at McLaren next year, after the team announced the two former champions as their race drivers for the 2015 Formula One season on Thursday.
Kevin Magnussen, who drove alongside Button for what was his rookie campaign in 2014, will serve as McLaren’s test and reserve driver.
McLaren Group chairman and CEO Ron Dennis said a partnership of Button and Alonso - whose return to McLaren had been widely predicted following his departure from Ferrari - would drive the team forward for what will be the first year of their renewed partnership with Honda.
“McLaren’s policy has always been to assemble the strongest line-up possible, and in Fernando and Jenson I firmly believe that is exactly what we have,” said Dennis. “We signed Fernando a little while ago, but we decided not to announce the fact until we had also re-signed Jenson as his team mate.
“For many reasons our negotiations with Jenson took quite a long time, but, now that they have been concluded, we are confident that our collaboration with him will continue to thrive in the future every bit as well as it has in the past. Make no mistake about it, Jenson is 100 percent committed to McLaren-Honda, to Formula One, and to winning.
“As a pair, he and Fernando are supremely experienced. Fernando has started 234 Grands Prix, has converted 32 of those starts to victories, has stood on a Grand Prix podium 97 times, and has won the drivers’ world championship not once but twice. He is a class act.
“He is 33 - which, for an athlete as physically fit as he is, constitutes a Formula One driver’s professional prime of life. Moreover, he is old enough to be experienced and expert, yet young enough to be enthusiastic and energetic. I therefore firmly believe he will deploy those four e’s - experience, expertise, enthusiasm and energy - to drive forward McLaren-Honda’s on-track success next season and for quite a few seasons to come.”
Alonso said he was delighted to finally confirm his switch from Ferrari to McLaren, for whom he previously contested the 2007 season.
“I am joining this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may require some time to achieve the results we are aiming for, which is no problem for me,” commented the Spaniard. “Over the past year I have received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current performance of some of the teams that showed interest. But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to take part, in a very active way, in the return of their partnership - a partnership that dominated the Formula One scene for so long.
“McLaren-Honda’s repeated and open desire, perseverance and determination in making it possible for me to join their exciting renewed partnership, have been some of the main factors that made me take this decision, not forgetting the most important factor of all: we share a common objective and expectations, and there is a very solid future, with confidence, ahead.
“I have had in-depth discussions with all the senior people at both McLaren and Honda, I have viewed their fantastic facilities in both the UK and Japan, and it is clear to me that, together, McLaren and Honda are in the process of beginning what is sure to be a long and successful partnership. And I intend to give 100 percent effort to help make it exactly that.”
Button said he was excited to line up for what will be his 16th F1 season. The Briton had been vying with Magnussen for the right to partner Alonso. The two were evenly matched for pure pace in 2014, with Button out-qualifying the Danish rookie 10-9. The Briton had a more pronounced advantage in the races, however, scoring twice as many points over the season.
Kevin Magnussen, who drove alongside Button for what was his rookie campaign in 2014, will serve as McLaren’s test and reserve driver.
McLaren Group chairman and CEO Ron Dennis said a partnership of Button and Alonso - whose return to McLaren had been widely predicted following his departure from Ferrari - would drive the team forward for what will be the first year of their renewed partnership with Honda.
“McLaren’s policy has always been to assemble the strongest line-up possible, and in Fernando and Jenson I firmly believe that is exactly what we have,” said Dennis. “We signed Fernando a little while ago, but we decided not to announce the fact until we had also re-signed Jenson as his team mate.
“For many reasons our negotiations with Jenson took quite a long time, but, now that they have been concluded, we are confident that our collaboration with him will continue to thrive in the future every bit as well as it has in the past. Make no mistake about it, Jenson is 100 percent committed to McLaren-Honda, to Formula One, and to winning.
“As a pair, he and Fernando are supremely experienced. Fernando has started 234 Grands Prix, has converted 32 of those starts to victories, has stood on a Grand Prix podium 97 times, and has won the drivers’ world championship not once but twice. He is a class act.
“He is 33 - which, for an athlete as physically fit as he is, constitutes a Formula One driver’s professional prime of life. Moreover, he is old enough to be experienced and expert, yet young enough to be enthusiastic and energetic. I therefore firmly believe he will deploy those four e’s - experience, expertise, enthusiasm and energy - to drive forward McLaren-Honda’s on-track success next season and for quite a few seasons to come.”
Alonso said he was delighted to finally confirm his switch from Ferrari to McLaren, for whom he previously contested the 2007 season.
“I am joining this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may require some time to achieve the results we are aiming for, which is no problem for me,” commented the Spaniard. “Over the past year I have received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current performance of some of the teams that showed interest. But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to take part, in a very active way, in the return of their partnership - a partnership that dominated the Formula One scene for so long.
“McLaren-Honda’s repeated and open desire, perseverance and determination in making it possible for me to join their exciting renewed partnership, have been some of the main factors that made me take this decision, not forgetting the most important factor of all: we share a common objective and expectations, and there is a very solid future, with confidence, ahead.
“I have had in-depth discussions with all the senior people at both McLaren and Honda, I have viewed their fantastic facilities in both the UK and Japan, and it is clear to me that, together, McLaren and Honda are in the process of beginning what is sure to be a long and successful partnership. And I intend to give 100 percent effort to help make it exactly that.”
Button said he was excited to line up for what will be his 16th F1 season. The Briton had been vying with Magnussen for the right to partner Alonso. The two were evenly matched for pure pace in 2014, with Button out-qualifying the Danish rookie 10-9. The Briton had a more pronounced advantage in the races, however, scoring twice as many points over the season.
"Tough shit, Fernando - you can't disrupt a pacemaker just by slapping it."
"Hang on...where's my wallet gone?
They're just showing the past McLaren Hondas, which all had that livery. I'm hoping for more orange.
I've got a good feeling about McLaren this year. With Alonso joining Button, I can see them coming second in the championships, competing with Ferrari for that spot.
feck me, who'd have thunk it?
Never, would I have expected Alonso to return to Mclaren, that too with Dennis in charge.
A picture I could have never imagined seeing. It's great though, I can't help but like Alonso and paired with Button I'll be pulling for McLaren again next year.
It'd be easier if Ron wasn't involved, but yea I hope they do well.
Looks to be a good all-round decision. Mclaren get the strongest line-up possible for the first season of their renewed partnership with Honda and one that will score them the most points, providing that Honda have a competitive engine. Kevin stays with the team and continues his development with a familiar environment and many miles of driving time with testing the new McLaren and helping set-up various race settings.
It seems he has been told what the future holds for him and he seems very happy to drop back out for a season or two. McLaren know what they are doing with young drivers and have the best program for them. Red Bull have done well in that regard in the past few seasons, having Toro Rosso obviously helps but McLaren have been running their program for decades.
It seems he has been told what the future holds for him and he seems very happy to drop back out for a season or two. McLaren know what they are doing with young drivers and have the best program for them. Red Bull have done well in that regard in the past few seasons, having Toro Rosso obviously helps but McLaren have been running their program for decades.
I only hope Dopey Dennis can give Alonso a car that will challenge for the title.
Ron already trying to shift some 2007 blame onto Lewis, a completely different tune he is singing now Alonso has him well and truly bent over. Predictable.
Pre-season testing is minimal and will be done almost entirely by the race drivers, as will running in practice, and in-season testing is still extremely limited. Kevin will basically be in the simulator all season, not great when you're still developing as a driver. Vandoorne will move ahead of him in the pecking order if he wins GP2 next season (I don't think Magnussen can drop down to it as he's completed a full F1 season).
So excited now for next season after seeing the confirmed McLaren line up, exactly what I was hoping for!
Hopefully he doesn't completely burn his bridges with Lewis and ruin what we all want to see - Hamilton vs Alonso round two in 2017.
I don't see Lewis ever going back to McLaren, that part of his career is a closed book. If he moves from Mercedes (which I don't see him doing anytime soon) then it will likely be to Ferrari, Hamilton/Ferrari/Tifosi would be awesome if they are competitive again, they loved Mansell for the very same reasons people love Hamilton, be great to see that one day but its probably 5 years away minimum.
Bernie Ecclestone has explained South Korea had to be added to the 2015 calendar for legal reasons.
The race in Yeongam was a surprise addition to 2015 following December’s meeting of the World Motorsport Council.
After four seasons the race was dropped this year having proved unpopular with fans, leaving many empty seats in the grandstands for each grand prix. That in part was caused by the circuit’s geographical location and the lack of accommodation in the surrounding area.
"They (local organisers) would rather it not happen," Ecclestone said.
"We have a contract with Korea... we have to put it on the calendar. If we hadn't have done they could have sued us. We let them off for a year on the understanding they would be back."
Ecclestone also revealed that the chances of a grand prix in Qatar are slim as Bahrain organisers can veto any new race in the Gulf area.
The oil-rich state was the venue for the FIA prize giving gala in December and the Losail International Circuit currently hosts a floodlit MotoGP race. The country will also hold the 2022 FIFA World Cup and are understood to be keen to add to their sporting calendar.
"It was an idea I thought would work," said Ecclestone, who added talks had taken place with the Qataris for a race with some reports suggesting the race fee could be $50m.
"But I've got a bit of a problem which nobody knows about really but I'm sure they soon will.
"I made a deal with the people in Bahrain and they said, 'If we are going to be something new in this area, which we are, will you give us a guarantee you won't put another race on in the area, in the Gulf?'.
"I said yes. Typical Ecclestone handshake deal with the Crown Prince."
The race in Yeongam was a surprise addition to 2015 following December’s meeting of the World Motorsport Council.
After four seasons the race was dropped this year having proved unpopular with fans, leaving many empty seats in the grandstands for each grand prix. That in part was caused by the circuit’s geographical location and the lack of accommodation in the surrounding area.
"They (local organisers) would rather it not happen," Ecclestone said.
"We have a contract with Korea... we have to put it on the calendar. If we hadn't have done they could have sued us. We let them off for a year on the understanding they would be back."
Ecclestone also revealed that the chances of a grand prix in Qatar are slim as Bahrain organisers can veto any new race in the Gulf area.
The oil-rich state was the venue for the FIA prize giving gala in December and the Losail International Circuit currently hosts a floodlit MotoGP race. The country will also hold the 2022 FIFA World Cup and are understood to be keen to add to their sporting calendar.
"It was an idea I thought would work," said Ecclestone, who added talks had taken place with the Qataris for a race with some reports suggesting the race fee could be $50m.
"But I've got a bit of a problem which nobody knows about really but I'm sure they soon will.
"I made a deal with the people in Bahrain and they said, 'If we are going to be something new in this area, which we are, will you give us a guarantee you won't put another race on in the area, in the Gulf?'.
"I said yes. Typical Ecclestone handshake deal with the Crown Prince."
McLaren chairman Ron Dennis is trying to take back control of the McLaren Group.
The 67-year-old has agreed with his fellow shareholders a price at which he could take a majority shareholding if he can raise the necessary money.
Dennis owns 25% of the McLaren Group, long-time partner Mansour Ojjeh 25% and the Bahraini royal family's Mumtalakat investment fund the remaining 50%.
All parties will remain shareholders if the deal is finalised.
A McLaren spokesman said: "No transaction has taken place, but the shareholders have had discussions on how to best facilitate and enhance the future growth of the McLaren Group.
"When and if a transaction takes place, it is not envisioned that the current shareholders will exit McLaren completely, and announcements would be made at the appropriate time."
Dennis has not yet raised the money required to buy the shares he would need to take his holding past 50%, and the other shareholders are not obliged to sell if he does.
McLaren refused to say how much Dennis needed to raise, but the company is said to be worth about £1bn so he would require at least £250m.
The 67-year-old has agreed with his fellow shareholders a price at which he could take a majority shareholding if he can raise the necessary money.
Dennis owns 25% of the McLaren Group, long-time partner Mansour Ojjeh 25% and the Bahraini royal family's Mumtalakat investment fund the remaining 50%.
All parties will remain shareholders if the deal is finalised.
A McLaren spokesman said: "No transaction has taken place, but the shareholders have had discussions on how to best facilitate and enhance the future growth of the McLaren Group.
"When and if a transaction takes place, it is not envisioned that the current shareholders will exit McLaren completely, and announcements would be made at the appropriate time."
Dennis has not yet raised the money required to buy the shares he would need to take his holding past 50%, and the other shareholders are not obliged to sell if he does.
McLaren refused to say how much Dennis needed to raise, but the company is said to be worth about £1bn so he would require at least £250m.
Esteban Gutierrez has joined Ferrari as test and reserve driver for 2015 after being dropped by Sauber.
The Mexican made his F1 debut in 2013 and his finished in the points just once during his two years with the Swiss team.
However, having been powered by a Ferrari engine throughout his F1 career, the Scuderia feel Gutierrez has the experience to assist their development after they failed to win a race in 2014 – the first time that has happened since 1993.
“While confirming our full confidence in a formidable race driver pairing, made up of four times world champion Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, a past champion with Ferrari, I am pleased to welcome Esteban Gutierrez,” said new team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to Esteban who, although young, has plenty of experience relating to the new generation of Formula 1 cars. I am sure that, with his experience, he will make an important contribution to the development work of the team in the simulator.
“Welcoming Esteban also means opening the gates of Ferrari to a driver from Mexico, a country where the Scuderia still has a lot of fans, just as was the case fifty years ago in the days of the Rodriguez brothers.”
Having faced the prospect of his F1 career being over at the age 23, Gutierrez was delighted to join arguably the most famous name in motorsport.
“It is an honour to become part of the Scuderia Ferrari family, a team with such an exceptional history,” he said.
“It is for me the beginning of a new path for my future and I’m going to do my utmost to contribute to the achievement of the targets set by the Scuderia.
“I want to thank everybody for their belief in my potential; this will bring a great opportunity for me to develop further and get to the top in the near future. With all my passion and dedication, I’m now looking forward to the start of this new venture.”
The first 2015 test starts on Sunday February 1 at Jerez in Spain.
The Mexican made his F1 debut in 2013 and his finished in the points just once during his two years with the Swiss team.
However, having been powered by a Ferrari engine throughout his F1 career, the Scuderia feel Gutierrez has the experience to assist their development after they failed to win a race in 2014 – the first time that has happened since 1993.
“While confirming our full confidence in a formidable race driver pairing, made up of four times world champion Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, a past champion with Ferrari, I am pleased to welcome Esteban Gutierrez,” said new team principal, Maurizio Arrivabene.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to Esteban who, although young, has plenty of experience relating to the new generation of Formula 1 cars. I am sure that, with his experience, he will make an important contribution to the development work of the team in the simulator.
“Welcoming Esteban also means opening the gates of Ferrari to a driver from Mexico, a country where the Scuderia still has a lot of fans, just as was the case fifty years ago in the days of the Rodriguez brothers.”
Having faced the prospect of his F1 career being over at the age 23, Gutierrez was delighted to join arguably the most famous name in motorsport.
“It is an honour to become part of the Scuderia Ferrari family, a team with such an exceptional history,” he said.
“It is for me the beginning of a new path for my future and I’m going to do my utmost to contribute to the achievement of the targets set by the Scuderia.
“I want to thank everybody for their belief in my potential; this will bring a great opportunity for me to develop further and get to the top in the near future. With all my passion and dedication, I’m now looking forward to the start of this new venture.”
The first 2015 test starts on Sunday February 1 at Jerez in Spain.
Pat Fry and Nikolas Tombazis have been ousted from Ferrari in a dramatic shake-up of the Scuderia's management by new team boss Maurizio Arrivabene.
As part of the dramatic restructuring, James Allison has been appointed Technical Director with the additional remit of directing 'track engineering activities'.
Along with Fry, the team's head of engineering since 2010, chief designer Tombazis has also lost his job following a dismal season in which F1's most famous outfit finished a distant fourth in the Constructors' Championship and registered just one podium finish.
The Scuderia's dismal start to F1's new turbo era has triggered unprecedented upheaval at Maranello this year. Not only is Arrivabene the team's third boss since April, following the sudden sacking of Stefano Domenicali and the short-lived reign of Marco Mattiacci, but President Luca di Montezemolo stood down in September after two decades in charge while star driver Fernando Alonso has joined McLaren.
Allison will be assisted by new chief designer Simone Resta and engine boss Mattia Binotto while, in further behind-the-scenes reshuffling, Renato Bisignani will stand down as the team's press officer to be replaced by Alberto Antonini.
Arrivabene himself was only appointed team boss three weeks ago, taking on the titles ofManaging Director of Gestione Sportiva and Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari.
Former world champions Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will drive for the team next season, with Esteban Gutierrez appointed the Scuderia's new reserve driver on Monday.
As part of the dramatic restructuring, James Allison has been appointed Technical Director with the additional remit of directing 'track engineering activities'.
Along with Fry, the team's head of engineering since 2010, chief designer Tombazis has also lost his job following a dismal season in which F1's most famous outfit finished a distant fourth in the Constructors' Championship and registered just one podium finish.
The Scuderia's dismal start to F1's new turbo era has triggered unprecedented upheaval at Maranello this year. Not only is Arrivabene the team's third boss since April, following the sudden sacking of Stefano Domenicali and the short-lived reign of Marco Mattiacci, but President Luca di Montezemolo stood down in September after two decades in charge while star driver Fernando Alonso has joined McLaren.
Allison will be assisted by new chief designer Simone Resta and engine boss Mattia Binotto while, in further behind-the-scenes reshuffling, Renato Bisignani will stand down as the team's press officer to be replaced by Alberto Antonini.
Arrivabene himself was only appointed team boss three weeks ago, taking on the titles ofManaging Director of Gestione Sportiva and Team Principal of Scuderia Ferrari.
Former world champions Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will drive for the team next season, with Esteban Gutierrez appointed the Scuderia's new reserve driver on Monday.
All ex-top designers seem to end up at Williams these days, wouldn't be surprised to see either end up there. Although Pat Fry in particular hasn't actually delivered a leading car since 2007.
Lewis Hamilton to lose senior engineer Jock Clear to Ferrari
By Andrew BensonChief F1 writer
One of Lewis Hamilton's key technical staff at Mercedes is to leave the team and move to Ferrari.
Jock Clear, Hamilton's senior performance engineer, will effectively be the replacement for Pat Fry, Ferrari's former engineering director.
Fry was sacked this week as part of a purge of senior personnel at Ferrari as they seek to arrest years of decline.
Clear is to lead Ferrari's track-side engineering once he has worked a lengthy notice period with Mercedes.
The 51-year-old handed in his resignation immediately after the final race of the season at the end of November and has a 12-month notice period.
Lewis Hamilton fended off childhood friend and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to win his second Formula 1 world title, six years after his first, last month
It is unusual for F1 engineers to work out their full notice and an accommodation is likely to be reached with Ferrari over the coming months.
Clear continues to work for Mercedes, who will assess how to reorganise Hamilton's engineering staff in the new year.
He is likely to be moved away from his current role, which focuses on the cutting edge of performance, given that he is to leave for a major rival.
Clear, who has previously worked with former world champions Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, had been at the team for 15 years.
He joined British American Racing alongside Villeneuve, with whom he had worked at Williams, when the team were founded in 1999 and stayed through the team's guises as Honda and Brawn and into Mercedes.
His role at Mercedes was as one of three chassis engineers assigned to Hamilton's car, assisting the new world champion's race engineer, the primary contact with the driver, with data analysis.
Mercedes were happy to release Clear as they were unable to offer him a role similar in seniority to his Ferrari position.
Ferrari have also tried to recruit Mercedes' former technical director Bob Bell, who resigned in April and left the team in November.
Bell, 56, had been lined up for a senior role at Ferrari but is said by insiders to have been unable to take it up in the immediate term because of personal issues.
Meanwhile, former Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has taken his former race engineer Andrea Stella with him to McLaren for next season.
McLaren refused to confirm or deny the move, and it is not year clear exactly what role Stella will take with the team.
One of Lewis Hamilton's key technical staff at Mercedes is to leave the team and move to Ferrari.
Jock Clear, Hamilton's senior performance engineer, will effectively be the replacement for Pat Fry, Ferrari's former engineering director.
Fry was sacked this week as part of a purge of senior personnel at Ferrari as they seek to arrest years of decline.
Clear is to lead Ferrari's track-side engineering once he has worked a lengthy notice period with Mercedes.
The 51-year-old handed in his resignation immediately after the final race of the season at the end of November and has a 12-month notice period.
Lewis Hamilton fended off childhood friend and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to win his second Formula 1 world title, six years after his first, last month
It is unusual for F1 engineers to work out their full notice and an accommodation is likely to be reached with Ferrari over the coming months.
Clear continues to work for Mercedes, who will assess how to reorganise Hamilton's engineering staff in the new year.
He is likely to be moved away from his current role, which focuses on the cutting edge of performance, given that he is to leave for a major rival.
Clear, who has previously worked with former world champions Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, had been at the team for 15 years.
He joined British American Racing alongside Villeneuve, with whom he had worked at Williams, when the team were founded in 1999 and stayed through the team's guises as Honda and Brawn and into Mercedes.
His role at Mercedes was as one of three chassis engineers assigned to Hamilton's car, assisting the new world champion's race engineer, the primary contact with the driver, with data analysis.
Mercedes were happy to release Clear as they were unable to offer him a role similar in seniority to his Ferrari position.
Ferrari have also tried to recruit Mercedes' former technical director Bob Bell, who resigned in April and left the team in November.
Bell, 56, had been lined up for a senior role at Ferrari but is said by insiders to have been unable to take it up in the immediate term because of personal issues.
Meanwhile, former Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso has taken his former race engineer Andrea Stella with him to McLaren for next season.
McLaren refused to confirm or deny the move, and it is not year clear exactly what role Stella will take with the team.
12 months notice 
12 months isn't all that long in terms of notice
Nice promotion for Jock, I'd imagine a nice salary bump too, must be for him to leave a team after 15 years and being there from the start.
Race engineer is far more important for the driver though, Hamilton seems to work well with Bonnington so I don't see this effecting anything.
Race engineer is far more important for the driver though, Hamilton seems to work well with Bonnington so I don't see this effecting anything.
Walked around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve today. Incredibly cool, couldn't stop smiling.
Must say I don't usually care for season reviews but the BBC have done a great one this year, although its obviously dominated by the Mercs but its got some good insights, some new radio snippets (Hamilton's immediate reaction to Monaco and a very British FFS at Hungary quali) but most importantly some great editing and a fantastic soundtrack.
It's on the iPlayer.
It's on the iPlayer.
The Lotus team have been listed as “subject to confirmation” on an updated FIA entry list for the 2015 Formula 1 season.
The Enstone-based team have already confirmed both Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado for the new campaign, along with a switch to Mercedes power.
However, the financial strife of the multiple-championship winning outfit has been well documented in recent years and after a dismal 2014 dropped from fourth to eighth in the Constructors’ Championship, missing out on valuable prize money. The poor on track performance also means the team have now lost their seat on the F1 Strategy Group.
The Times report that there are fears amongst F1 executives that ‘a third team will collapse in the new year as the sport dithers over a multimillion-pound plan to slash costs’.
Caterham and Manor F1 - formerly known as Marussia - are both still included on the entry list, subject to confirmation, despite the two teams remaining in administration and the latter’s assets being auctioned off in mid-December.
The updated entry list also revealed that Lewis Hamilton will opt not to carry number one on his Mercedes in 2015, with the reigning world champion deciding to remain with the number 44 on his car.
The Enstone-based team have already confirmed both Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado for the new campaign, along with a switch to Mercedes power.
However, the financial strife of the multiple-championship winning outfit has been well documented in recent years and after a dismal 2014 dropped from fourth to eighth in the Constructors’ Championship, missing out on valuable prize money. The poor on track performance also means the team have now lost their seat on the F1 Strategy Group.
The Times report that there are fears amongst F1 executives that ‘a third team will collapse in the new year as the sport dithers over a multimillion-pound plan to slash costs’.
Caterham and Manor F1 - formerly known as Marussia - are both still included on the entry list, subject to confirmation, despite the two teams remaining in administration and the latter’s assets being auctioned off in mid-December.
The updated entry list also revealed that Lewis Hamilton will opt not to carry number one on his Mercedes in 2015, with the reigning world champion deciding to remain with the number 44 on his car.