2013 FIA Formula 1 World Championship

Raikkonen out for rest of 2013 season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably be Davide Valsecchi who subs for him... I'd prefer to see Calado or Hulkenburg but i think James would be bound by his Force India reserve role.

BG Beanz wrote:

 

Still be interesting to see a GP2 Driver step up into a decent F1 Team, albeit for 2 races.

Hulks manager has said he's very unlikely to fill in

My head says Valsecchi will get it. However , in order of preference:

1 Filippi
2 Frijns
3 Calado
4 Marciello
5 Daly

If I could put any GP2 Driver in the car I'd definitely put Calado or Bird in

Just heard from a reliable source that Hulk will indeed replace Kimi at Austin and Brazil and for '14

However from another source Petrov has a lot of money to try and secure the seat.

My choice would be Kobayashi.

Look at Sauber w/Kobi and w/o him. Night and day difference maker in my opinion.

Petrov? That'd be hugely left field. Though A LOT of Russian money is heading F1's way it seems so not implausible.
I'm guessing the Hulk won't be able to do the last two races unless his contact with Sauber allows him to. Hasn't he also not been paid this year? Could be a good 'out' for him.

Perhaps Petrov to replace hulk at Sauber next year alongside Sirotkin then? I'd much prefer to see Filippi, Valsecchi or Calado in the Lotus than hulk moving early

Pretty disappointing news about Raikkonen, but then again the WDC is won, Ferrari next year so whatever. He needs to be in top shape to go up against Fred.

Breaking Now (yet to be confirmed officially)
Via - Joe Saward

Perez out at McLaren
Sergio Perez will leave McLaren at the end of the current season, after just one year with the Woking team. The news has yet to be confirmed by McLaren, but it appears that the team chose not to take up its option for the Mexican to continue in 2014

McLaren have decided to sign novice Kevin Magnussen as Jenson Button's team-mate next year.
The Dane's contract is not signed but team principal Martin Whitmarsh is set to give him the drive, sources say.
McLaren have chosen to promote the 21-year-old in place of Sergio Perez, who joined ahead of the current season, after conducting extensive analysis.
"We haven't confirmed our driver line-up. We haven't signed contracts with drivers," said Whitmarsh.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/24903504

Personally, I find this to be good news. I never rated Perez as a potential world champion & believe that there is at least a dozen drivers more worthy of that seat than him.

Perez just doesn't cut it, he can barely match Button who I don't consider a top tier driver either. It won't surprise me if Mclaren try and snatch Alonso for 2015 to replace Button as well.

Apparently Magnussen is doing a 1000km tire test at Vallelunga this week.

Massa & Bottas confirmed at Williams today too.
http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/303118/williams-confirms-massa-bottas-for-2014/

Mike V what you smoking mate ? Perez has matched button since Bahrain, if I had to choose Id keep Perez over Button

MichaelJGroves wrote:Mike V what you smoking mate ? Perez has matched button since Bahrain, if I had to choose Id keep Perez over Button

Neither are great to be honest. I don't know who i'd keep, i know it's not possible but i'd hand them both their P45's...

What are YOU smoking?   Perez has a little over half the points that Button has, and he's been involved in a lot of controversial driving this season. He's just not good enough to be in a team like McLaren. Perez himself even admits his performances are not up to par.

edit: Correct me if I'm wrong but Button has also qualified better than Perez for most of the races this season, and I definitely would not say that qualifying is Button's strong point.

Perez is way over rated but he atleast deserves 1 more year after mclaren failed to deliver a decent car.

BG Trash McNish wrote:Perez is way over rated but he atleast deserves 1 more year after mclaren failed to deliver a decent car.

Partially agree, but look at what Lewis managed to do with the dog of a 2009 Mclaren...

BG Trash McNish wrote:Perez is way over rated but he atleast deserves 1 more year after mclaren failed to deliver a decent car.

100% agree that he should be given another year... I like Magnussen and if anyone HAD to replace Perez i'd be glad if it were Kevin.

I just don't think it's fair that Perez may be replaced after 1 year. He has shown that he can match and beat Button on several occasions and has managed to 'find grip' when Button apparently can't (Which is pretty much always...)

Fairness does not apply here, their is way too many talents sitting on the sidelines because they don't have backing. It's nice to see McLaren take a chance on one of their own instead of taking a pay driver from the Ferrari stable. (Who btw, Ferrari didn't even want to employ in the first place because of his lack of experience)

KM's results in F3.5 were very impressive considering how competitive it is there, he absolutely killed it.

Like I said, I'm glad Magnussen is getting a drive (if it does happen, still not official, just very likely)

Yes, Perez is a Pay Driver, but at least he has talent unlike some other pay drivers (Max Chilton)

Perez has talent, but i'd say he's pretty inconsistent, lacks a bit of pace and is just plain dirty at times.

jgroves1996 wrote:Yes, Perez is a Pay Driver, but at least he has talent unlike some other pay drivers (Max Chilton)

Don't forget Mr Maldonado...