[f1mad]

(Original post by dhr90)
But surely if 1 engine was so much better than others the FIA would allow the others to be improved so there wasn't such an advantage? They don't seem to like 1 team being really dominant these days.

I don't really see that, it'd be natural for one engine manufacturer to perform better than another after a regulation change. I'd imagine things would stabilise though; also MHPE are probably sharing more vital information with Mercedes's works team, than they would with their customer teams.

[f1mad]

(Original post by mikeyd85)
I'd have said this was all utter rubbish if it wasn't coming from EJ. As much the clown he is... he does get the inside scoop from places like nobody else does. Can't say I like it though!

Why? He's got a few things correct, however, most of the time he's incorrect. Not that he cares, he's a tit anyway.

He saw Bernie's comment about Schumacher and Hamilton's distress with McLaren, thus put two-and-two together. Hardly genius.

[419]

Where have I been with all the inside scoope EJ gives. I've never found the man to be justified

[dhr90]

(Original post by f1mad)
No chance.

That was my thought, Alonso is doing so well with Ferrari and really gelled with the team, so he wouldn't leave, nor would he want to be a number 2 driver. I really can't see those two working in the same team unless Schumacher is willing to be number 2 which is very unlikely in my opinion. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

[Marc Fiorano]

(Original post by dhr90)
That was my thought, Alonso is doing so well with Ferrari and really gelled with the team, so he wouldn't leave, nor would he want to be a number 2 driver. I really can't see those two working in the same team unless Schumacher is willing to be number 2 which is very unlikely in my opinion. Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Yeah but I don't even see where this idea of no.1 and no.2 driver comes into question with regards to Schumacher. Ferrari aren't going to make Schumi no.1 just because he's Schumi. They're both at different stages of their careers, and at different levels as well.

If you look at the dynamics at Mercedes, Schumi has the respect and seniority of a no.1 driver but performance wise Rosberg has had the measure of him for all 3 years (although imo Schumi has matched and even outperformed him more often this year). Schumi has been okay with a driver like Rosberg having the legs on him, I think he'd be fine acknowledging that a driver as accomplished as Alonso in the prime of his life will be ahead.

As for Alonso's perspective, does anybody seriously think he'll be worried that Ferrari won't back him for the championship? Even if they're given equal treatment Alonso will establish the high ground simply through out performing Schumi.

Alonso's benefit in all this will be that he has the best in the business for developing the car, team and strategies forward. Coupled with his own leadership that would just compound the driving force.

Schumi's benefit is he'll be in a competitive car that can make podiums and fight for wins every now and again, thus finally being able to end his comeback as a successful one.

But this is all pure speculation. For all we know, Schumi, Hamilton and Massa may stay in the same teams next year, no movement between teams at all.

[Fuzzed_Out]

(Original post by f1mad)
I don't really see that, it'd be natural for one engine manufacturer to perform better than another after a regulation change. I'd imagine things would stabilise though; also MHPE are probably sharing more vital information with Mercedes's works team, than they would with their customer teams.

Now Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains They're seriously good but apparently JLR have stolen a lot of their staff so I'll be curious to see how it goes. I've got a couple of friends working there, one on the V8 and the other on the new V6 project but it's impossible to squeeze any information out of them!

[SciFiRory]

he won't leave, it's pretty obviously just a ploy by his management to get more money or whatever, McLaren and Lewis know that they work together so I expect near the end of the season a new deal to be confirmed.

[mikeyd85]

Lewis has said we will know come Singapore which team he will race for.

[dhr90]

Got bored in the car today and looked up the BBC gossip column, one of which suggested Heikki could go back to McLaren to replace Lewis if he left. Not sure I see that happening, he seemed to leave with a sour taste I think.

[SciFiRory]

(Original post by dhr90)
Got bored in the car today and looked up the BBC gossip column, one of which suggested Heikki could go back to McLaren to replace Lewis if he left. Not sure I see that happening, he seemed to leave with a sour taste I think.

that and the fact he is nowhere near good enough to race for any of the top teams.

[Raiden10]

(Original post by ForensicShoe)
End of Schumie's career if he does go?

Can't really see how a move to Mercedes would benefit Lewis though?

Probably. But you just never know. Maybe Rosberg will go to McLaren and Schumacher will stay. However Kovalainen is hotly rumored to be lined up to replace Hamilton at McLaren, he deserves a much much better car than what he has right now.

[Raiden10]

(Original post by Marc Fiorano)
If you look at the dynamics at Mercedes, Schumi has the respect and seniority of a no.1 driver but performance wise Rosberg has had the measure of him for all 3 years (although imo Schumi has matched and even outperformed him more often this year). Schumi has been okay with a driver like Rosberg having the legs on him, I think he'd be fine acknowledging that a driver as accomplished as Alonso in the prime of his life will be ahead.

Alonso will be even harder to beat than Rosberg. Right now Schumacher has beaten Rosberg something like 4 races in a row, and has beaten Rosberg *loads* of times since the mid-point of the 2010 season, I don't know what everyone talks about when they talk about this.

*However* Rosberg has been ahead when the car has been good. When the car has been good, Rosberg has been able to take it closer to the limit. If you put them back in 1997 cars, I reckon Schumacher would be faster in qualifying and the race. The 2013 Ferrari will not be like that, it will be a good car and I can't see Schumacher beating Alonso in it. He needs a game-changing improvement if he is to do that. I can see him beating Alonso in the wet, but not in the dry.

Can't see everyone staying where they are. Kovalainen is going somewhere.

[SciFiRory]

I still think Hamilton will stay, I think the Mercedes stuff was just his management trying to get more money and such out of McLaren, I expect Lewis to confirm he is staying put sometime in the next week or so.

[bm127]

If Hamilton does leave I think Perez (even though he has said he really likes sauber) would be a great replacement, especially after his performance at monza

[ZRO]

I think perez would be a better replacement for massa...

[SciFiRory]

(Original post by ZRO)
I think perez would be a better replacement for massa...

I think Massa will still be at Ferrari next year tbh, there have been rumours about Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 for over a year now, I expect them to keep Massa for next year and then get Vettel or someone like Perez in 2014.

another option that is unlikely though would be interesting: ditch Massa, Hamilton goes Mercedes, Schumacher has a last hurrah season with Ferrari in 2013 then 2014 is replaced by Vettel or Perez.

[ZRO]

(Original post by SciFiRory)
I think Massa will still be at Ferrari next year tbh, there have been rumours about Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 for over a year now, I expect them to keep Massa for next year and then get Vettel or someone like Perez in 2014.

another option that is unlikely though would be interesting: ditch Massa, Hamilton goes Mercedes, Schumacher has a last hurrah season with Ferrari in 2013 then 2014 is replaced by Vettel or Perez.

I agree. I don't think they have anyone at the moment that can replace massa. No one is really available. I'm not sure how Alonso and Vettel would work together considering neither of them are "second drivers" yet Alonso prefers being the first driver.

[SciFiRory]

(Original post by ZRO)
I agree. I don't think they have anyone at the moment that can replace massa. No one is really available. I'm not sure how Alonso and Vettel would work together considering neither of them are "second drivers" yet Alonso prefers being the first driver.

would be interesting dynamic within the team yeah, though it seems to have worked fine for McLaren with Jenson and Lewis (in so much as no major falling outs or anything)

[ZRO]

(Original post by SciFiRory)
would be interesting dynamic within the team yeah, though it seems to have worked fine for McLaren with Jenson and Lewis (in so much as no major falling outs or anything)

I agree that Mclaren has seemed to be running smoothly but if you recall that when Hamilton was racing with Alonso, they did not get on together and in the end were not racing partners.

[Raiden10]

(Original post by SciFiRory)
I think Massa will still be at Ferrari next year tbh, there have been rumours about Vettel to Ferrari in 2014 for over a year now, I expect them to keep Massa for next year and then get Vettel or someone like Perez in 2014.

another option that is unlikely though would be interesting: ditch Massa, Hamilton goes Mercedes, Schumacher has a last hurrah season with Ferrari in 2013 then 2014 is replaced by Vettel or Perez.

Schumacher must have known that coming back at 41, if another young hotshot wanted his seat he might be in a difficult position. I doubt he will stay in F1 except at Mercedes.