Emmcee 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 Well this is interesting, Williams confirm Massa on one year deal. http://m.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/348569/massa-returns-to-williams-on-one-year-deal/ so that cements bottas move to Mercedes basically a formality. Just waiting on official announcement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 One year deal for Massa was expected. What is not known whether Bottas is getting two or just one year as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 Quote "Felipe re-joining us provides stability, experience and talent to help lead us forward – he is a great asset for us." Why then did you let him go? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmcee 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 And bottas has been confirmed for Mercedes. http://m.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/348571/mercedes-officially-confirms-bottas-deal/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 Contract details - not revealed. I do suspect it will be more than just a single season. Too much is invested into integration to throw it again all out in December. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmcee 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 We shall see as Massa is only a one year deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted January 16, 2017 I think this is a big mistake. Bottas blows hot and cold and there will certainly not be the points accumulation they have previously enjoyed. Lewis will dominate and Verstappen will be chasing the hell out of him. The cars will be quick but the necessary aero could have a detrimental effect on overtaking. Only RBR have the resource to tackle that I feel. Then again, the new spec could see Merc in all kinds of bother. Never looked forward to Barcelona as much as this.Think the marshals are going to need a lot of dustpans and brushes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maure 1 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 8 hours ago, Sakae said: Why then did you let him go? Indeed. While happy for Bottas, both Mercedes and Williams are cheating the fans. 59 minutes ago, Insider said: I think this is a big mistake. Bottas blows hot and cold and there will certainly not be the points accumulation they have previously enjoyed. Lewis will dominate and Verstappen will be chasing the hell out of him. The cars will be quick but the necessary aero could have a detrimental effect on overtaking. Only RBR have the resource to tackle that I feel. Then again, the new spec could see Merc in all kinds of bother. Never looked forward to Barcelona as much as this.Think the marshals are going to need a lot of dustpans and brushes. I like your posts... so I remember the one when you said that Massa was a no-go on account of certain wife promises and some such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KoolMonkey 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 13 hours ago, Sakae said: Why then did you let him go? Because at that time, they had Bottas and all of Daddy Stroll's money. There were plenty of other drivers to pick apart from Massa, but he's familiar with the team and thus they don't have to waste time on that. What happens to Rob Smedley now? Massa's gonna need him to tie his shoes! 6 hours ago, Insider said: I think this is a big mistake. Bottas blows hot and cold and there will certainly not be the points accumulation they have previously enjoyed. Lewis will dominate and Verstappen will be chasing the hell out of him. The cars will be quick but the necessary aero could have a detrimental effect on overtaking. Only RBR have the resource to tackle that I feel. Then again, the new spec could see Merc in all kinds of bother. Never looked forward to Barcelona as much as this.Think the marshals are going to need a lot of dustpans and brushes. Does anyone honestly feel Bottas would have got the seat if Toto had not been his manager? I don't. Toto's done his job at Bottas' manager, but I feel he's let down Merc in his role by not getting the best driver they could, or thinking of the long term plan. This seat needed to be Pascal's. Lewis I think is going to romp away with the title, thus Pascal could have had a nice low pressure environment to get acclimatized to the team. I too any looking forward to testing, but I think it will be the usual sand bagging ordeal. Merc will claim everyone has caught up and they are working round the clock blah blah. But come the first race, they'll annihilate everyone with their improved pace. At this point I just want Ferrari to be on the improvement, but I feel as long as Sergio is running that team it won't happen. He brings the wrong type of experience and energy to the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 I beg to differ regarding test sessions, or as it is mostly known as a borefest full of hugging of a crystal ball, who is sandbagging most. News awaited - some corners redefined as straits, results of simulation of Alonso's horrifying accident with Hallo attached, and a few more... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insider 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 8 hours ago, maure said: Indeed. While happy for Bottas, both Mercedes and Williams are cheating the fans. I like your posts... so I remember the one when you said that Massa was a no-go on account of certain wife promises and some such. Hi Maure. I think a one year contract and a load of cash may have oiled the way for the broken promise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 It would be pretty funny if we learn that switching from the F1 to E-series is actually called retirement. (It was noted on several placed that Massa has signed a contract for next season already.). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Publius Cornelius Scipio 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 19 hours ago, Sakae said: Why then did you let him go? It would be great if Clare took the time to explain us why they let Massa go at the end of last year, but since that won't happen I guess that we will have to figure that out by ourselves Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Publius Cornelius Scipio 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 6 hours ago, KoolMonkey said: Does anyone honestly feel Bottas would have got the seat if Toto had not been his manager? I don't. Neither do I Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 18 minutes ago, Publius Cornelius Scipio said: It would be great if Clare took the time to explain us why they let Massa go at the end of last year, but since that won't happen I guess that we will have to figure that out by ourselves First they let him go, and that at the end is their decision, but please don't then come back with blah blah how indispensable and valuable Massa is a driver. That rubs me really wrong way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Publius Cornelius Scipio 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 3 minutes ago, Sakae said: First they let him go, and that at the end is their decision, but please don't then come back with blah blah how indispensable and valuable Massa is a driver. That rubs me really wrong way. yeah you're right, it doesn't look great Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 7 hours ago, KoolMonkey said: Does anyone honestly feel Bottas would have got the seat if Toto had not been his manager? I don't. What do you think will happen, should Bottas wins a race or more? All he** would break loose probably is not good enough to describe aftermath. That would be my guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radical-one 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 I think Lewis will mess with Bottas mentally as he did with other team mates specially when he perfected his evilness against Nico. Bottas might end up shot after couple of years against Lewis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmcee 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 Wait wait wait, I am I reading this correctly? Since when has Williams said or anywhere anything similar that they let Felipe go? I've heard he was offered another deal for next season but hadn't decided what to do and once he decided to retire, he never signed the contract extension. That's what I've heard but looks like another story is doing the rounds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakae 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 I am not so sure that Massa wanted to retire, because he has signed almost at the same time as he left Williams another contract with E-series. How can you then say that this is retirement? Rosberg is also semi-retired, because now he will do PR work for Mercedes. For me retired from racing = no more of driving (any) fast cars competitively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KoolMonkey 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 Massa was not offered a contract for this year. Thus he "retired" in a way that made it look like it was his decision. It wasn't. He didn't have a seat, and thus Williams pretended to go along with the story that it was Massa's decision to retire when it fact they no longer wanted him. The lack of any other options meant Massa accepted his time had ended and thus all the celebrations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmcee 0 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 8 hours ago, Sakae said: I am not so sure that Massa wanted to retire, because he has signed almost at the same time as he left Williams another contract with E-series. How can you then say that this is retirement? Rosberg is also semi-retired, because now he will do PR work for Mercedes. For me retired from racing = no more of driving (any) fast cars competitively. Massa wanted to stop the frequent travel and pressure associated with f1. Like why webber left, wants to drive fast race cars still but is over the week in week out formula becomes of your life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maure 1 Report post Posted January 17, 2017 13 hours ago, Insider said: Hi Maure. I think a one year contract and a load of cash may have oiled the way for the broken promise. What kind of cash is a load for this guy at this point? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radical-one 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 13 hours ago, KoolMonkey said: Massa was not offered a contract for this year. Thus he "retired" in a way that made it look like it was his decision. It wasn't. He didn't have a seat, and thus Williams pretended to go along with the story that it was Massa's decision to retire when it fact they no longer wanted him. The lack of any other options meant Massa accepted his time had ended and thus all the celebrations. This is my understanding as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
radical-one 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2017 4 hours ago, maure said: What kind of cash is a load for this guy at this point? Neighborhood of 4-5 Mil Euros, I heard? Not sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
