2014/15 Silly Season

[adrianjordan]

Since we're talking marketing appeal, it's probably worth highlighting that Button is still one of Santander's main athletes used on marketing materials etc in the UK. Can't see Alonso having the same pull here...assuming Santander are increasing their sponsorship of McLaren as a result of Alonso moving there, could this play into Button's corner?

[lebesset]

if I was a sponsor I would want hamilton [ unless spain was my market ] ; compared to hamilton alonso is virtually unknown outside of motor racing circles , and most main sponsors aren't from motor racing

How do you know that?

To correct that info: http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/03/a ... uk-stakes/

all that actually shows is that ferrari are the biggest name in the sport ....just have a look at the figures for massa and ask why ! above a 4 times world champion !
but in case you haven't noticed neither mass or alonso are any longer at ferrari

the company who did this survey specialise in sports marketing ; if I was marketing director for an auto related company I might use them but otherwise ?

remember the old adage ...past results are no guarantee of future performance and also that peoples answers to these surveys don't represent the truth , just look at pre- election polls

[alexx_88]

lebesset: Fair enough. It's just very common around the F1 forums to throw ideas around based on personal opinions and present them as facts. My mistake.

So, your professional opinion would be that Alonso's name is carried by Ferrari and that his marketing power is tightly related to the one of the Scuderia? That meaning that from 2015 we'll see him drop in the marketing rankings? On the other hand, is Hamilton marketable on his own or is that also related to the power of the Mercedes brand? Just curious.

[Miguel]

Ted Kravitz said JEV was negotiating with Williams as third driver.

Some people here say they understood Button's doughnuts as F1 goodbye. I saw the JEV vs. RIC battle as the sign JEV is no longer employed by Red Bull. Oh, gosh, how I wish the 4-car team became something more normal.

[GitanesBlondes]

Marco Mattiaci out at the Scuderia.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/30179916

Unbelievable.

[Thunder]

Mattiaci was a Montezemolo Man right? If yes it wouldn't surprise me if Marchione wants a clear Cut und his Men in Position to get Ferrari where he wants it to be.

[turbof1]

I never ever understood what he did there. He had no experience in racing whatsoever. Being a good manager in your field of expertise is no guarantee at all you'll do good in a completely unknown area.

[Blanchimont]

Will the replacement really be a Marlboro Man? What do you think, will he wear a hat and smoke all the time?
Maybe he can make the small cavallino jumping again.

Come to Ferrari, come to where the flavor is

[Kiril Varbanov]

I never ever understood what he did there. He had no experience in racing whatsoever. Being a good manager in your field of expertise is no guarantee at all you'll do good in a completely unknown area.

He was sent to take the tough decisions - Alonso gone, sign Vettel, then depart. Marco was known to be a short term replacement. Arrivabene is a great surname It means (sort of): The good comes|arrives. As my colleague was joking on TV air: Ferrari now needs Scott Speed and they are all set when it comes to surnames. We've announced that Mattiaci is gone on Sunday TV air, btw.

[zeph]

AFAIK Mattiacci is Marchionne's man, handpicked to be Montezemolo's successor as Ferrari CEO. In Ferrari's company culture you can not become CEO without first having run F1. So this stint as Domenicali's replacement was simply a stepping stone to the top spot.

At least, this was what I read when he was first appointed earlier this year.

edit:

Oops, turns out he is gone completely...

[Alain Frost]

if I was a sponsor I would want hamilton [ unless spain was my market ] ; compared to hamilton alonso is virtually unknown outside of motor racing circles , and most main sponsors aren't from motor racing

How do you know that?

To correct that info: http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/03/a ... uk-stakes/

I agree with Alexx_88. He clearly stated "outside of racing circles". Yet somehow a link is produced to prove Alonso is top dog within F1 circles.

For what it is worth here is a link supporting his view.
http://www.espn.co.uk/f1/motorsport/story/158827.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motors ... erson.html

For the last two years Hamilton and Alonso where almost equally the two top paid drivers in F1. Why?
Why is a four time champion Vettel on "peanuts" compared to these two? Maybe peanuts is an exaggeration but......

Although not confirmed, why is it believed Vettel will not earn the amount of money Alonso was earning at Ferrari?

It's more than just about speed for the manufacturing team. It's about marketing power. If Honda want Alonso, they will get Alonso and it has far more to do than him being a top driver.

The constant booing Vettel suffered the last two years is not seen as a positive. The driver of your engine being booed at being shown to large TV audiences across the globe can never be seen as positive for any company. Has he been pushed out of the way for a charming, smiling and skilful Australian? Business is all about results but just as important is the image.

The best thing that could have happened to Vettel was Ricciardo. Vettel dropped out of the limelight and became a very average driver in 2014.

Maybe at Ferrari he can rebuild himself. I hope he does.

[sAx]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfIgmTr8CYQ

mentioned this video before, still funny

Something else that is interesting I. This video is KM's face in the back. A big fake smile plastered all over it while it looks like he is thinking "oh s**t I am out of luck now"

KM?? This video?? Well hidden if he is there!

[ringo]

Why is button's twitter saying he is stepping into a Rolls Royce wraight for the last time in abu dhabi?
I think he's gone gentlemen.

[adrianjordan]

Maybe he's selling it..??

[adrianjordan]

Or perhaps he knows that next year he'll be driving a Civic...!!