As the end of October approaches, options in various contracts will be running out and some of the F1 teams and drivers will therefore be free to make announcements about the future.
It is a good time for teams to be at peace with their drivers, if they want to keep them in 2013. There may, for example, be drivers who we think are settled but who might be able to walk out of their current situations if they can argue that their team is in breach of its contract with them.
It is no great surprise that there are rumours about the Force India drivers, given the financial pickles that the two team owners have got themselves into. Last year Vijay Mallya was very high profile on India. It would not be wise to be in the spotlight this year. At his last FIA press conference Mallya was savaged by the F1 media and, given what has happened since then, he is not going to get off as lightly if he tries to play the role of benevolent Mr Motorsport in front of an Indian press corps that is obviously not very keen on The King of Good Times.
The word is that Nico Hulkenberg is on his way to Sauber and the Indian GP would be a good place to announce that given that – incongruously – the Sauber team principal is an Indian. That would be a bit of a bloody nose for Mallya, but c’est la vie. F1 is a rough place and if you cannot take the heat, you don’t deserve to be there.
joeblogsf1 
Mallya and Force India do not feature in the team press conference on Friday as fears are growing over substantial Kingfisher staff demonstrations http://wp.me/p2HWOP-ez
Hulkneberg is the lone representative for the team at the drivers conference and it is rumoured another court summons or two is in the air, seeing as Joe pointed out, the last one got paid fairly quickly after warrants were issued.
LOL at the “Massa Kerb”! We could name some turn ones after a few drivers this year, also . .
Seems like Paul Di Resta could be the biggest potential loser here and another great reason for Paul to have fired Anthony Hamilton. When the banks come for their money Paul won’t have any options left and his management should never have let that happen. (Yes, he fired Hamilton a few months ago but the new management has not had enough time to do much.)
Maybe Di Resta parted with Anthony Hamilton due to a conflict of interest over the Mercedes drive?
No
the rumour is it was an argument over energy drink rights, it seems Di Resta thought Hamilton had tried to con him out of a sizeable chunk of cash.
I hope not, regards PdiR’s future. Tricky place to be, wondering when VJM will implode, yet push comes to shove wanting the silly businessman to get a temporary pass so as not to hurt the team. I had totally not noticed di Resta’s management call. That looks a sensible longer term move. Poor management, though, I mean I’d simply hate to have to deal with a VJM type in any capacity.
Might they move him out of FI just for sanity’s sake, or is the risk too much?
I’ve just this week felt the toll of how it is trying to get sense out of someone who might just be exhibiting a bit of VJM style careless attitude, and if there’s anything comparable (no matter how stretched a comparison) I’d say the sheer headache and contagiousness of second guessing that can be a function of dealing with a type who is given to fiat like that, is very destructive. It’s very hard to extricate oneself from, or isolate thought processes from a person who knows the value of being non committal, indecisive and capricious. As it happens, the reason I am persevering, is because on principal I promised to watch out for someone else’s interests in what I am dealing with. But I really feel the diminishing returns, and how close I am to not being able to do right by my promisee. I’ve had to aggressively manage expectations downwards. What it feels like (my silly deal scenario) is the best I can do is a tactical retreat. That bad.
No way am I suggesting PdiR’s new management are in a silly situation like I just found myself in, I sleep walked into this one I’ve got on my hands, but I reckon they have a tough call to make, and if it’s exit FI, that could be a defining moment. Some people have a way of always making others decisions to demur as if it was theirs to tell begone. If they did make such a call, upbeat thought, that’s a true test of how strong the relationship and trust is.
I’m probably just worn down, and far from state of the art as to my perception presently. But the thought di Resta might get squeezed before he can get onto more solid career ground is not a happy one. Really like the guy.
Hmmm I would have thought his biggest problem has been his performance against hulkenberg?
Someone will buy Force India. Its not like they’re HRT who are perpetually on the market – and like some beaten up Trabant no one can see them as the Ferrari they could be – just a place to plant street flowers.
The problem with Force India is that while it is very competitive, this is in part due to the alliance with McLaren. If the team is to take the next step forward it needs to invest in all the stuff that it does not have, which it gets from McLaren. That will require time and money.
I agree Jimbo. Hulkenburg has done a good job this season. Sauber could have easily taken Paul on, but I don’t think he’s as well rated as Nico.
Di Resta has to really be on it in the final races of the season, otherwise I fear he may not have a seat going forward.
Any rumours about where di Resta will end up?
I wonder if the team is nervous about their equipment being confiscated as soon as it hits the ground in India? Separate companies they may be on paper, a judge may decide differently depending on the quality of the arguments placed in front of them. F1 has a history of financial disputes leading to locks put on transporters in the paddock until the difficulty’s ($$) are settled.
One rumour reported in the Indian press is that the Airports Authority of India may try to seize Mallya’s private Airbus if/when it flies into New Delhi. Fly in and stranded – a few people would like that……..
Well they could have sold and leaded it back, so to claim it’s not theirs. If they own anything outright in the first place.
any truth in rumuours that someone is planning on buying up lola assets and cosworth with a view to moving force india up to huntingdon?|
That would not be wise
please elaborate
And what of the word that Di Resta is off to Lotus?
Does not sound very likely
How about he goes testing for McLaren or Mercedes for a year. Maybe After a year McLaren will want to get rid of Button (if Perez can do the job) and Merc replace Rosberg if he gets trashed by Hami?
Di Resta can’t beat hulkenberg so he won’t be beating jenson button. Rosberg will be a perfectly adequate second driver (unless it turns out he’s better as hamiltons team mate much like jenson was in 2011).
Di resta is fine but I can’t see many teams getting too desperate to chuck their top drivers out for him.
Even as a test driver.
Di Resta has looked like he’s chewing a wasp for the last few GP, suspect that means he’s at FI next year. But seat #2? Bianchi, KK or the return of Medion, sorry, Sutil?
Could it be even more radical than that?
I believe that Paul’s seat at FI is not unrelated to their engine deal. However, now Merc have signed Lewis to partner their Golden Boy, are they still interested in Mr Di Resta?
I can’t see that he will bring much backing other than from Mercedes – unfortunately UK drivers generally have to make it on talent alone – so it could be that if both Mallya and Sahara are running a bit short on readies they need two pay drivers for next season…
At the very least, assuming Sutil still has access to the Medion Millions, I can see him back next year.
Charles Pic seems to have a few bob spare and Max Chilton’s Dad is looking for a way to buy him a Marussia seat (which just goes to disprove my comment above…) so could we see those two at FI next year?
Caterham have employed two paid drivers before and seem to have decent enough backing not to be desparate for a pay driver so maybe Paul’s only hope is to partner Heikki there?
I struggle with the Di Resta comments to be honest. He’s reasonably fast – and the BBC absolutely love him to bits – but he’s not *that* special in F1.
Or is he?!
Sorry, I have been struggling to keep track because he is so boring – he might have won a couple of races and I missed them. Every interview I see with him or read he trots out nothing but classic motorsport cliches and I tune out.
Fully agree – the BBC is desperately in awe of DiResta but I notice they’re much more lukewarm on Sky.
He seems a nice guy but terribly boring – I know it’s shallow but I do have to mute his interviews for fear of becoming unconscious.
I fear he may be one of those drivers who excelled in DTM but isn’t going to leave much of a mark in F1. At least unlike a lot of F1 drivers who do poorly in DTM he’ll probably shine when he ends up back there.
BBC love for di Resta, might just be how well he interviews . . and a bit of DC bias towards a fellow Scot? I know I’m biased by his off track presentation. It’s some relief drom other young drivers’ typical words being excuses for lousy driving . .
I’ll really stretch a thought here, and wonder if PdiR is keeping his head down (on track) because driving for FI is not replete with security whilst VJM runs it (or whilst, as Joe notes, the McLaren support is not guaranteed forever) and if he was lumped with the bad driving habits of other newbies, that would do him no favours at all.
Digressing here, but does anyone know what TV coverage is for next season? Is the deal the same – i.e. half the races live on the BBC?
Any news who is replacing Jake?
And, do we know if Sky is intending to keep the F1 channel free to anyone who has HD as now, or will they move it to a proper sports package now they have lured viewers to move in the first year?
Stephen, I can’t answer as to how BBC will be involved, but I have been mindful that Sky might bait and switch, and start charging for their F1 next year.
So I had a closer look . .
Disclosure / confession : I capitulated early to Sky, but it felt so bad to do that, I never really engaged with the product. I just cannot get comfy with remote controls and adverts.
After a lot of messing around, I think the following is the best deal if you plan to sit on the fence:
you can get month by month internet only Sky Go, with sports, I am quite sure for the internet only deal, you must get sports to get F1,
– we are assuming they might renege on the free F1 channel and push you to buy more next year, but for current Sky Go internet only you would need sports subs I believe –
and it is indeed expensive. 38 quid or so.
But you – under the current plan – can have two receptions. It’s “multiroom”, and basically it looks like (we’ve tested this) you can split the subscription with a friend. They can be anywhere.
Now, that is without committing to a year or whatever, so you could in theory just pick and choose when you really want the live feed.
I mean, if BBC cover half the races, you might be able to not pay for Sky every month, and share it with a pal.
Obviously this is not set in stone. But it seems a cheaper way to go.
When I was kicking my ankle’s skin off, deciding to take Sky this year, my consternation was that they were being very vague about internet broadcast (even though the trade press was adamant they had something in the works) and quite a few people to say the least wondered if they would pipe F1 to Virgin Media at all. Actually, they did all of that, only long after people like me had pulled the trigger on a sub. They’re good, at dangling carrots, are Sky.
So just expect they will play silly buggers again, for next season. They will keep you guessing.
What is the punishment (having tested this this weekend) for electing to go internet only?
1. No HD feed.
Actually that is a bit variable, the same internet fed for movies is very good, but whilst the F1 internet is very stable, no jerkiness, there’s tons of compression artefacts. Yup, F1 cars move fast, so for the same bandwidth, that’s what you get. That’s a function of the codecs, and also I am yet to upgrade this old computer, so a new one might do far better. I found it watchable, though, no distractions.
2. You *may* – may – have to take the sports channels. I could never pin a rep down on this issue. F1 comes with the box and dish HD feed. Over the internet thing you – fairly sure actually – must buy the sports. Possible upshot, it’s almost nothing extra to take all they will give you, movies, ESPN and the lot. That was our test, though my access was a freebie because I called in to cancel my sub!
(that’s even more complicated because you get Sky Go standard with a sub, but this was a separate account login, I blagged it a bit saying we were moving this Christmas and all sorts to argue for being given the straight internet thing to try)
3. I still am not sure if the internet only sub is calendar date to calendar date, or month start to month start, so timing it to cover back to back races might be tricky.
4. Pricey. Looks like the internet only gig wants to sell you more, and it’s only the Sky channels, not even their free to air relays. So no substitute for broadcast telly, if you think you’ll just use your tablet / laptop.
5. Bit undecided on this, the picture as very adequate to follow the race, but nothing like the HD from the box and sat cable. It was disappointing, but not actually spoiling the race for me. I know this is a duplicate entry, but you need to make your own call on this most definitely. This gets a extra entry because if you were watching on a laptop or iPad, it may not matter so much. On my telly, at least the colors and sound were accurate.
6. No Sky box recording, because you are not using that box.
What’s good?
1. Will be up to your own ears, but I thought the sound over the internet Sky thing was better than BBC. My venerable speaker setup died, and I was stuck on the inbuilt speakers to a modest (but very good, THX spec for picture, not for audio mind) Pany plasma. The inbuilt speakers delivered great sound. I can’t pinpoint how this is, but the same happened for movies and all sorts. On the same kit, broadcast BBC sound is awful to my ears / setup / room. Far far better than a DVD played from my PC . .
2. Obviously the way they are selling this now, you get sold a bundle. I can’t say that Sky Movies has anything I like much, but for internet delivery, what I saw was really close to DVD picture, and impressive as such. It’s essentially a capable system, but at the limits for fast action.
3. I reckon this is the least advertised feature: though you may only have one PC or Mac desktop, my bud was able to tune in with a iPad, and watch whatever he wanted (of the more limited internet channels) so you get “multiroom” for free.
4. Pay only each month, no contract, no kit, and no installation.
Four point two five: maybe if you are a sit up to a computer desk viewer, you’ll find having it in a window more “natural”. That was handy because I was working a little whilst watching.
The thing is that whilst the base Sky HD package gets you F1 now, it may not next year. However I reckon the internet only deal will likely continue to offer you two “seats” because it’s not competing with the full installation directly. Internet only just isn;t prime time quality, though it is close, so they may likely contnue to give the extra multiroom deal, especially while they charge that bit more for not having a long term contract.
Push to shove, the internet only deal, if you have a friend, and don’t mind some compulsory extras, might have been the best ticket this year. They just didn’t exactly tell anyone. I’ll not blame them, it’s new stuff, and dependant I think on a setup with BT to multicast the video.
. . .
If Sky were really smart, I think they could break out the F1 channel, over the internet, in far better picture, for something like 10 to max 15 quid a month. Well, I’d be happy. Just they have so carefully first stratified all these deals so that they are different things, and second, made it hard work to find out what is actually available. I can;t beat the pros at slicing and dicing these kind of deals.
. . .
Bottom line, I still can’t decide whether anything of the new coverage is any good, let alone better. But at least hopefully now anyone who didn’t know knows they can just buy the Sky coverage for the time they need. Ouch, I feel like a shill, but really, it isn’t a deal I’d write home about. My impression has been it’s all very so so. But there are the options. I did enjoy the race just as much over this internet thing, as I might over the regular box. Without a thesaurus, I’m lost for alternatives to “so so”, nonetheless.
I should be careful, giving a fair hearing to Sky. Turned over to The Guardian front page and there was the advert for “Head of PR Sky 1”. It’s sheer devilry how good web tracking is now 🙂
Reminds me of listening to Ja…….
…
what was I saying? Oh yes Jackie Stewart.
Enjoy India Joe!
Are you there yet Joe, or have you the joy of Indian immigration/customs to come?
Can’t help but feel Di Resta is one of most overrated drivers on the grid – he seems to mentioned in the same breath as every available F1 drive, but I honestly can’t see that he is any better than a Hulkenberg, Heikki, Glock or even a Kobayashi.
I’m just an armchair expert, and would happily accept I’m wrong, but I really think our love for a ‘plucky underdog’ elevates his talent above its true worth.
Again I concur with this. It’s a little like the plucky Brit argument used when talking of Lewis. That’s Lewis who’s had 6 seasons in a top top team, and has 1 WDC to show for it, scraping a win against Massa. Yet Vettel and Alonso who are pretty much in a battle for their 3rd titles are rated as at best his equal, and perhaps in Sebs case a lesser driver. I’d sweing that round, and say vice versa; but then again although I’m British I don’t especially support the British drivers etc etc
Personally, Nico Hulkenberg strikes me as a better prospect than Di Resta – I remember his debut at Williams (one pole). He was unlucky to lose his seat to Maldonado (finance again) and sit out a year ‘on the bench’. Well done Sauber – good choice.
I think Di Resta would be ideally placed at Williams next year as a safe pair of hands next to whoever is bringing the sacks of cash.
I was at Williams last weekend as part of the national Motorsport week open day. My god they love BOTTAS. Each Williams staff member mentioned him at least once, with various compliments flying around. Mike Coughlan declared him “an amazingly sensitive and intelligent human being” – extraordinary stuff, and this in response to a question about whether Senna’s seat is safe next year.
If BOTTAS isn’t in the second Williams seat next year I’ll eat my toes. Failing that Coughlan will probably marry him….
could Di Resta be going to sauber too???????????
Would be sad if FI goes under. And I’ve no idea what will happen to the team. Honda is rumoured to return, but not just yet. Let’s hope Dr. Malaya doesn’t take himself down.
I’d like to see Tata buy him out (keep the interesting India connection) and then throw some money around with a revamped Jaguar F1 team. Their planned ‘something-75’ hypercar has some interesting hybrid tech… they are doing well and growing in confidence. I’m sure they are not too far away from F1 making sense again.
Hello Joe…I think that a very few months ago it was easier to “guess” which driver was going to be moving where…but nobody or at least very few people was counting on a surplus instead of a shortage of drivers…If Force India “bites the dust” there will be a difficult time for some pilots that are in F1…imagine those that are currently out from F1 (Heidfeld, Alguersuari, Sutil, etc.)…..Regards….Be carefull with the coffee!!!!!!!
the team principal of sauber may be of indian origin , but she is of austrian nationality
I believe she is an Indo-Austrian
Look foward to seeing a post about the prospective musical chairs Joe.
Any insight as to whether Di Resta is in the picture for Williams? This would make a lot of sense as the current drivers, in my opinion, haven’t made the most of the car given to them.
Joe,
I don’t recall ever reading where your dislike of someone comes through so strongly, what don’t casual fans know about VJ? You’re also sending strong hints that a deal is in the offing, care to speculate?
Dear all.
David- have you not read Joe’s comments on one D Bahar?? And, in that case, and this, seemingly well justified! Neither person would seem to have read the legend of Icarus. (particularly symbolic in the case of Mallya:-)
Cheers
MarkR
You just can’t get the quality of wax nowadays. 🙂
It was all bought by a disgraced ex team manager . .
Assuming Gutierrez gets Perez’s seat (Telmex $$$), what happens to Kobayashi? Is there any truth to the rumour(s) regarding Maldonado moving to Force India (and talking is sacks of money — from Chavez — with him)?
You should not assume Gutierrez. I think you will find that Williams has a contract with PDVSA.
Frank did say himself that the Pastor contract is water tight.
Di Resta was wrong to sack Anthony Hamilton. Hamilton took Di Resta out of DTM and got him to F1 when no one else had the smarts to be looking at DTM let alone Di Resta. Hamilton’s son is wealthy and a ‘MUST HAVE’ race driver as Stefano Domenicali of Ferrari stated recently whereas Di Resta is not a ‘must have’ driver hence he has not been signed by a top team and probably now won’t be. He is a good driver, but not a “must have”. Sacking Hamilton snr was the worst thing Di Resta could have done because if anyone had the sway in the McLaren or Mercedes decision it would have been Hamilton snr. Had Di Resta been sensible and kept Hamilton snr he would now be sitting in a Mercedes or McLaren car for 2012. 🙂 Signing Button’s management was a huge mistake. Mclaren and in fact most f1 teams do not like managers let alone both their drivers under one management company. I’m afraid Di Resta’s delusions of grandeur have cost him his future in a top team. Plus, the top teams don’t like driver controversy, Di Resta is being sued by Hamilton snr, there is no smoke without fire in F1 and the only person this will be bad for is Di Resta. Consider this – Di Resta moved to Monaco, became cycling buddies with Button, got big headed because of cheap tv coverage by the beeb and sky who could not get as much access to the quality British drivers Hamlton and Button, he trumped up some charges against Hamilton to get out of his management agreement, his performance has dropped off since leaving Hamlton, he can’t consistently beat his teammate Hulkenberg in fact he couldn’t even beat Sutil last year – I’d say this is one driver who has shot himself in the foot believing he is God’s gift too soon 🙂
It looks like quite a bit was not going well:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/9439780/Lewis-Hamiltons-father-Anthony-goes-to-court-in-dispute-with-Force-India-driver-Paul-di-Resta.html
“[…] in defence papers laid on Monday Di Resta alleges that he dismissed Hamilton after learning he had been misled over a multi-million pound deal with the Energy Drink company Go Fast, which never came to fruition.”
so who was pumping things up? PdiR is good, but worth millions in – what looks to be personal naming, not for the drive – sponsorship just yet?
One thing to recognise Anthony Hamilton did good by his son, another totally, to imagine he can bang out media deals.
Oh, to make it worse, FI were involved. Is that not a sure fire recipe for – ahem – “commercial misunderstandings”?
I’ll try to look it up. Soon as I’ve gotten over my own little awfulness of dealing with a bit of a git in business.
Oh, my, it looks worse: ” the Scot claims Hamilton told him it would make sense to buy the sports drinks rights from Force India so they could proceed with the deal, which he informed Di Resta would cost £1.5m.”
So Hamilton Sr is trying to get a driver to pay into VJM’s coffers? FAIL.
trip to the BL required, save on subbing to Courtel. Libraries rock, especially when you need a rest ;~)
Congratulations – you’ve just made two plus two…….equal five.
Hi Arthur
Apart from your two Smileys – I am wondering if you have undeclared inside knowledge here or if this is mostly supposition . . .
Hulkenberg is a smart choice for Sauber.
It would be a shame if we lost Kobayashi from the grid his only peer in the overtaking game is Hamilton.
One thing is for sure, Di Resta isn’t a ‘must have’ driver and relatively speaking isn’t a sponsors dream where one would pay millions for an association in a mid order team to a driver who hasn’t even proved they are F1 podium material so I think this is unlikely. Also, the court papers give a number of reasons why Hamilton snr was sacked none of which makes any sense including the fraudulent misrepresentation charge. Me thinks something is not quite right in the Di Resta camp! Anyway, from what I hear he’s soon to be toast in F1. He’s been overlooked by the top teams, beaten by his teammates and there are plenty of talented drivers coming up with bags full of sponsorship cash ready to buy their drives. In a year or two he’ll be lucky to be driving a HRT. It’s amazing the people you meet in F1! 🙂
Arthur, I am jumping the gun, because I’m not free ’till Tuesday to go look up what’s been filed, but the Di Resta / Hamilton Snr thing looks funny to me. It seems like Di Resta was lined up for a sponsorship by Ham Snr, but then Ham Snr suggested that Di Resta buy some kind of rights from Mallays for a cool million or so, maybe in cash, so he could supposedly benefit from this sponsorship deal. I genuinely read this – based on the little I have found on the ‘net – as less sophisticated than a “419” scam. Who pays out up front to receive a sponsorship?
If you have the papers already, can you save me the bother and put them up?
Despite I have a big soft spot for Paul Di R, I’m not going to side with him blindly. Just I really start distrusting the claimed record the minute money is supposed to go to a Mallaya company. The building where I live has just been bled of millions, suddenly demanded for “emergency repairs”, the claim starting within two weeks of the very well known parent of the management company filing insolvent. (Perevel Group, tons in the press about them for other things, but this is a subsidiary and it’s even worse than you would read about Perevel) So I have seen first hand some desperate moves by technically insolvent companies, which apparently is just what Mallay’s group is . .