Love this silly season..... http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/8076702/-Hamilton-To-Merc-Perez-To-McLaren-
Are you saying that Ferrari wants true #2 driver? I think Ferrari wants the WCC with 2 of the best drivers over congratulating a WDC at the end of a season.
AXing MS for KR then paying him to sit on his hands two years later was wise and prudent ? Keeping Massa to sooth Alonso's delicate mental state. Enzo would be proud. Not. The guy is an ego trip waiting to happen.
The record of the guy speaks volumes, championships, total turnaround of the firm, global brand record profits, political wins, the guy has done it. There will be collaterall damage around him too, I didnt like the break up of the Schumi team either, but all genius is a little crazy. No one here knows the full details of all that goes on, I just think we need to separate things out. The perez comments say to me that Luca is trying NOT to undermine Massa's fragile state at the moment as his points are necessary for the Constructors Championship, and we all know that the BS spouted by everyone in F1 at the moment happens every year at this time, Hamilton to Merc, maybe he'll drive for Lotus if they agree to a free Elise, Button Red Bull, Mark Webber to the Tour de france, lots and lots of BS...... The real machinations are kept deep down and secret, its millions of dollars, we will only know when we are truly told, till then, speculation is great and fun.
Yeah, crazy times indeed. I kept saying earlier that if somebody can allure LH to move out of McLaren it would be Ross Brawn. Then the issue that McLaren has to pay for the Mercedes engines now, then there you go. Now Perez moving in... well that would be an interesting proposition. McLaren would then use Telmex money to pay for their engines. It's all like a chess game. It would be very very interesing how Perez will take #2 position against Button.
At Mclaren there is the impression of 2 drivers who race openly. Button has said this week he is not about to help LH. If Perez were to show up, the precedent is open racing for each driver. Breath of fresh air for the team no matter, assuming anything of this is true.
One cannot forget that Ron Dennis had Jo Ramirez back in the day of Senna and Prost. Not that it matters now, but it'd be a good twist for Perez. I'm sure Jo would give him an advice or two. All speculation I know, but it's all fun, right.
Jo Ramirez has been cheerful of Perez in his newpaper column but he's been retired for several years. Don't know how much Jo could do to help his cause. Slim's money may be a greater motivator.
I agree. I won't matter much *until* there is a contract. Jo can give a lot of insights of what McLaren is and how the team is run. Actually he is among the ones that knows too much. I'm sure his advices would prove useful being in a top team like McLaren. Sal
True, Jo was a key figure in McLaren for many years so definitely he has insight. I'm sure he would put a good word for Perez if Ron was to ask.
Alonso doesn't want anyone else. No stunning news there. Does Ferrari want a No. 1 on their car or the actual WCC ? Most of their customers see the '1' (if they're remotely interested in F1 at all, that is) and are more than satisfied. If cars # 3 + #4 are the rightful WCCs the previous year, who, outside of the addicted, are going to care ? McHam going to the fifth best team in 2012 after he wins (imho) the 2012 WDC ? Never. Posturing at best. Salary reduction at the cost of another WDC ? No way. Brawn and all the money in the world are not going to turn next year's sled into an 04 Fezza world beater. '14 is another story. Ahh, Perez. Remember (you ancient pelicans...) the Mobil Economy Run ? The kid is the true El Magico ( no disrespect, Fred fans..) of how to elicit the last remnant of traction for the longest millimetre from those Pirellis. No mean feat mind you, but given he routinely has the best tires at the end of the race, no wonder he stuns the peanut gallery whilst climbing past notables as though they were Formula Ford rejects. In a 20 lap sprint, give me KK every time ( he's a latter day semi-GV in essence...) but in the year of the chance/random wins (those Usual Suspects have been notably quiet of late...), Checo reigns.
If 2014 is the key year with the new V6's, why wouldn't LH want a "transition" year in '13 and then come uber strong with the new Mercedes turbos and take it all? And in the process earning quite a bit more? Most of yesteryear's greatest drivers changed teams from F to Mc to W at some point. It is actually rare that a driver stays in one team forever. I mean he's not going to retire there, right? A change of fresh air could help him and maybe in a couple of years come back.
We also know LH desires some freedom over his personal earning as well. Plus LH and Ron look like they are having sooooo much fun together right now.
Santander pays Alonso's fee. Carlos Slim (Telmex) pays Perez's salary. Carlos Slim is a self centered pig. Despite being called a philanthropist, there is no record in Mexico that he gave even one peso to charity. He would likely never agree to have his brand be second to any other on a race car. I do not believe that Santander would like to see the name Telmex as an equal name on a Ferrari race car. Marlboro's identity is hidden, the color red compliments Santader's colors, no conflict there, so unless Perez brings other money I doubt he will be at Ferrari in the very near future.
I read something over here about him having been in the Ferrari simulator and was terribly slow. Not sure when he would have been there but anything is possible. He is certainly not slow on the track in the Sauber! Does LdM have issues with Slim in general?
If this is all about sponsors, then he can´t go to McLaren either, as I suppose Telmex can´t go together with Vodafone.
Good point! I suspect Vodafone have all kinds of clauses preventing another "telecom" supplier being another sponsor. Hadn't thought of that, thanks! Cheers, Ian
It is a battle of ego's imho. Yes Slim has no team racing heritage like Luca does but I believe Luca's ego has breached his level of common sense and must go.
Yes of course. Lets hope someone can work something out whether Perez moves to Ferrari or somewhere else. A great young talent and so fun to watch!!
And I would beg to differ again, Ferrari needs money as much as anyone else these days. thats what the whole Ferrari Academy is about, just another profit centre.
Yes that would be a clash, but there is a rumour that Vodafone can quit F1, right, so that would leave the door wide open. Sal
Fair enough...... I disagree. From Autoweek; Hardly "hurting" in any way shape or form! I certainly don't know, but recall reading somewhere that their *merchandise* sales could fund the F1 team if needed! Marlboro (Philip Morris) continue to more than bank roll the whole F1 operation. Same thinking why finishing 2nd or 5th in the WCC really doesn't bother them - That's huge money to the others (even Mclaren I suspect) but irrelevant to Ferrari. I don't think so. That is one little exercise wherein they are funding a few kids - I don't believe it's any kind of profit center. Cheers, Ian
