Formula One's Latest Rumours and Talk: Paddock News from 2014 US Grand Prix
With the 2014 United States Grand Prix just days away, Fernando Alonso continues to run rings around anyone trying to find out what his plans are for 2015. All he'll say is that people will, apparently, be very excited when he finally makes his revelation.
Marcus Ericsson's 2015 plans are also uncertain, but reports have surfaced linking him (and his $20 million annual backing) with Sauber. A third driver unsure of his future is Jean-Eric Vergne, whose "fan club" continues to grow.
Romain Grosjean isn't entirely sure where he'll end up either. But he's quite clear about his intentions to leave Lotus for a "big team," preferably sooner rather than later.
With Caterham and Marussia missing, it looks set to be a straight fight between Sauber and Lotus for the wooden spoon in Austin.
But Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn has more pressing issues on her mind, and wants the FIA to take action on Formula One's current financial crisis before more teams are forced off the grid.
In other news, seven drivers have given their thoughts on the idea of having three-car teams. Five came out in favour, while one added a condition to his support. Jenson Button was the only one to agree with (most of) the fans and media, saying he wasn't a fan.
Read on for a full round-up of the top stories heading into the race weekend.
Bleacher Report United States Grand Prix Essentials
Monisha Kaltenborn Calls for FIA Action over Finances
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Sauber team principal and part-owner Monisha Kaltenborn has called on the FIA to act where FOM and the big teams will not.
With Caterham and Marussia in administration and not present in Austin, the Swiss team faces a battle with Lotus to avoid becoming the new back-marker. But more pressing is the battle Sauber fight every day just to stay alive.
The big teams are too busy looking after their own interests to allow a more equal distribution of revenues, and the commercial rights holders would seemingly rather see the sport collapse than give up the massive wedge they siphon out every year.
But couldn't the FIA do something? Kaltenborn told press including Autosport ahead of the race weekend:
"I think I am beyond the stage of frustration.
I am first of all very disappointed, because it is one thing to always talk about this terrible scenario that some teams are not going to be there. But that the sport as such and the people responsible for the sport have let it come this far is extremely disturbing.
I think some stakeholders or people are just not willing to understand where the problems lie. For me it is the duty of our federation to take some action. This is a sport under their ruling.
They have outsourced the commercial aspects to it which is fairly normal. But we are a part of the FIA. We are under their governance and this can be very much part of the governance.
It is for the FIA to see if something has been done that is damaging the sport. And that is very much the responsibility of the FIA.
"
Unfortunately, the FIA appears unable to blow its nose without permission from the promoter and big teams, and it's hard to see that changing any time soon.
Hopefully those with the real power will have a change of heart.
Drivers Weigh in on 3-Car Teams, Jenson Button the Dissenting Voice
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A number of drivers have indicated they are not averse to the idea of three-car teams in F1—most actually seem to like it.
During the FIA's official pre-race press conference, the six drivers present were asked for their views on the topic.
Esteban Gutierrez was the most enthusiastic, saying, "It could bring more opportunities for the drivers and also I think it would be good for the level of competition overall, so, yeah, all in all, it’s a positive."
Valtteri Bottas sounded keen too, adding, "Everyone wants to see more cars on the grid and the more is better, so we just need to find out how soon that would be possible for the teams to make it happen."
Romain Grosjean and Sergio Perez considered the question from their own point of view. Both indicated they may benefit from the opportunity to take one of the third seats at a top team.
Daniel Ricciardo said Red Bull would "try to make it happen" if needed, adding he wouldn't object to having more than one team-mate. Lewis Hamilton was alone in adding a condition to his support. He said:
"I haven’t really thought about it to be honest but I think, as you said, we would have to expand the team to make sure the efforts aren’t diluted, as you said. But yeah, if it’s a position for a younger driver, it could be quite good. Especially bringing then on, giving them the best experience and especially putting them alongside top drivers who have the experience. Perhaps they will come along a lot more than they ever have in the past.
"
But away from the press conference, Jenson Button made it clear he likes things the way they are. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said:
"If you have one team like this year [Mercedes] that have been a step above then they lock out the podium in the top three places. So personally I feel it is a shame if it goes in that direction.
Two cars is the way it always has been and it is the way it works in Formula One.
"
Button stuck to his viewpoint, even when it was pointed out three-car teams may help him remain in the sport, and appears more in touch with what a majority of fans think.
But as Hamilton said, if third cars would result in more deserving young drivers getting a shot at F1—Stoffel Vandoorne and Robin Frijns, for example—maybe they would be more palatable.
Romain Grosjean Openly Courts "Big Teams"
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Romain Grosjean has not ruled out a switch to one of the "big teams" for 2015.
After a breakthrough year in 2013, Grosjean has struggled this term with the woefully uncompetitive E22. The Renault power unit isn't up to standard, and the chassis itself proved a major disappointment for the team which ended 2013 with the second-fastest car.
Lotus are switching to Mercedes engines for next year, and that alone should help move them back up the grid. Pastor Maldonado has been confirmed in his seat, but Grosjean has not.
It appears the delay is at least in part down to his long-term goals.
Speaking in an interview on Formula1.com, the Frenchman was asked whether he would still be driving for Lotus next season. He said:
"I have a contract. I have an option to walk out. It is no secret that I want to be part of a big team—which is Ferrari, McLaren or Mercedes—and some of them haven’t announced their 2015 line-up yet, so there is still hope as I want to join such a team by 2015, latest 2016.
I don’t want to leave Lotus on such a low—and I think that next year it will not be so bad to be here. If I stay I am happy to stay as I think we can probably taste champagne again—a few times! But I want to be champion and to achieve that I have to move on.
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Grosjean even borrowed Fernando Alonso's sense of humour. Asked for one change he'd make to the Lotus, he laughed, "I’d go over to Mercedes and snatch a car, paint it black and drive it!"
It's unusual for a driver to be so open about a desire to leave his current team for a more successful outfit. The last guy who tried that was Paul di Resta, and it didn't turn out well for him.
Unlike Di Resta, Grosjean has proved he deserves a shot at driving for one of the big teams. But it's difficult to see where he'd fit in.
Ferrari have three drivers who are better than Grosjean, and only two seats. Red Bull don't really go shopping in the wider market and Mercedes don't appear even slightly interested; the only option appears to be McLaren.
But even with his old boss Eric Boullier in charge, a move to the Woking team would have to be considered an outside bet. They have plenty of other options.
It seems likely he'll remain with Lotus for 2015.
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Fernando Alonso's Future Still Undecided
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Fernando Alonso's quest to surpass the Enigma machine continues.
After months of evasive, mysterious and confusing responses to all manner of questions, the Spaniard's future remains cloudy. A move to McLaren is possible, or he could end up remaining at Ferrari. Maybe he'll take a year out, then try to get a seat at Mercedes.
Or perhaps he'll do something else.
Speaking to press (h/t crash.net) in Austin, Alonso remained firmly behind the smokescreen. He said:
"My own future is very low priority at the moment. In my opinion I know there is some speculations and rumours, but they are normal when you are in Formula One.
I cannot say categorically anything now. I think that there is a very ambitious plan in my head for my future and I think this is the best thing for Ferrari as well. If that happens then people will be very, very excited—as I am.
I am extremely happy and all the things in the last two or three months follow exactly the plan that I had.
"
Autosport quotes his closing comment: "Let's wait and you will know much more. You want to know the taste before cooking the plate."
Alonso is doing a masterful job of ensuring we keep talking about him, while giving absolutely nothing away. A seat at McLaren still seems to be his most likely destination, but what can anyone glean from comments like that?
It's a shame Alan Turing isn't still around...
Marcus Ericsson Linked with 2015 Sauber Switch
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Reports have surfaced suggesting Marcus Ericsson is set to join Sauber in 2015, alleviating some of the team's financial issues.
The Swede's future had looked uncertain after the apparent demise of his Caterham team, but his incredible personal sponsorship package appears to have saved the day.
Blick's Roger Benoit (h/t motorsport.com) reports he will be replacing either Esteban Gutierrez or Adrian Sutil.
Benoit adds his presence will be worth CHF20 million ($20.8 million) to the team. Exactly who is paying that much to keep Ericsson in F1, or why, is unclear—but one pay driver replacing another isn't too tragic an occurrence.
Sutil probably has more to fear than Gutierrez—but with Giedo van der Garde also sniffing around, maybe both should formulate back-up plans.
Jean-Eric Vergne's List of Supporters Grows
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Another man hoping to remain in F1 next season is Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne.
The Frenchman looked set for the F1 exit after three seasons with the Red Bull sister team—which exists solely to try out new talent—but Daniil Kvyat's unexpected promotion to the main team has thrown him a lifeline.
Red Bull's great new hope, Max Verstappen, will be just 17 when he makes his debut for Toro Rosso at the Australian Grand Prix next season.
With so much expected of the Dutchman, several senior figures—including Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost and Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz—believe keeping Vergne for another year may be better for Verstappen's development.
The youngster himself has now added his voice to the pro-Vergne lobby. Verstappen was quoted by ESPN saying:
"For the team it's better to have an experienced driver, so in the end I think it will be better if Jean-Eric stays. I think at the end it is also better for me because he has a lot of experience and can help me to improve myself as well.
I think he has great talent, otherwise he would not even be in F1 before. I think he deserves it [to be in F1].
He's relaxed and he's a good guy. He's friendly to me and I appreciate that a lot. Hopefully we can work together next year.
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Vergne does indeed deserve to stay in F1, while it's not entirely clear any of the eligible Red Bull juniors are ready.
Four seasons at Toro Rosso would be unprecedented, but these are special circumstances. Vergne should stay.
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