my feeling that he left in a wrong time for a wrong reason is growing. if he is not taken by any team soon he will miss all initial constructions of 'project 2014' and then who would take him on board on the same position as he had in Lotus? and there are no real openings in any top team... unless McLaren takes him (out of blue)
My gut is telling me he has a job in place, since Lotus confirmed his exit was planned and accounted for. But the longer I don't hear about an official hire, the more I give credit to D's theory. Usually engineers leave and are confirmed with other teams immediately. " title="dunno" />
The destination of former Lotus F1 Team Technical Director James Allison remains unknown, and it seems that the original stories suggesting that he had signed a deal with a rival team may have been wide of the mark, which helps to explain why everyone was previously denying having signed a deal.
If no deal was agreed no-one involved would have been telling lies.
There is a lot of talk in the paddock about Allison returning to Ferrari, and while the team is not denying that talking could be taking place, some of my sources continue to insist that no deal is yet done and there is a suspicion that there may be other teams involved in the negotiations. It is thus safe to assume that the mystery of Allison’s destination has come about because he himself is not sure where he is going, which in turn confirms the theory that he left Lotus without knowing his future, because he decided that he no longer wanted to work with the Lotus F1 Team. Some sources say that this came after a number of senior staff were laid off. If there was an NDA (as some of the teams have said) it may now have run out.
Allison cannot work for anyone until at least September – given the six-month “gardening leave” stipulations – and will thus have very little input into the cars for 2014.
Horner furious as details of secret Mercedes Pirelli test emerge
A major controversy has erupted in Monaco after it emerged that Mercedes conducted a secret three-day test with Pirelli at Barcelona after the Spanish GP.
Pirelli’s viewpoint is that it is allowed to call on a team to help with testing in a situation that it faced after Barcelona, when there were moves to make changes and understand the issues that had led to tyres losing treads.
Clearly the test would also have helped Mercedes with the specific issues that it has suffered recently.
However rivals are angry that they were not informed – and the fact that Mercedes has got on the front row again has clearly inflamed passions.
Indeed it’s extraordinary that in the modern era a team could test in secret without anyone knowing.
“We found out secondhand last night,” said Christian Horner. “I think there’s confusion between what is contractually permissible and what isn’t, and what a team when it enters the World Championship is allowed to do within the sporting regs. It’s a situation that we need clarification on, and our position is that we are going to request that clarification.
“I can understand Pirelli wanting to test the tyres – they’ve obviously got issues with the tyres. What’s disappointing is that it’s been done in not a transparent manner. A three-day test has taken place running a current car on tyres that are going to be used in the next Grand Prix. Irrelevant what you call it, that’s testing.
“First of all we need to deal with it through the proper channels, so that’s what we’ll look at doing.”
Asked if he thought the test had helped Mercedes, Horner said: “They’ve got both cars on the front of the grid, so it’s not hurt.
I can't believe it.. That is a terrible, terrible idea regardless of any 'sporting regs.' If there is no 'in-season' testing for all of the teams, there shouldn't be any testing for ONE team. I can't wait to see what comes of this.
No one pick up on one of the articles that, 'a number of senior staff have been laid off''? That stood out to me, might explain why he left abruptly without a contract in place.
As for Mercedes,
I think this is unfair, and I'm surprised other teams are not protesting.
They, unlike Ferrai after Bahrain, used this years car from what I've heard, they've managed to gain extra mileage, doesn't matter if it's different tyre compounds, they still got the extra mileage.
Ferrari used their 2010 car which is allowed, so that's probably why they've protested along with Red Bull.
Mercedes should be penalised, if not, then all the other teams should get to test the tyres used on their current car, which is unlikely.
yeah that's worrying and might explain why he left but then we don't know if it's true..
Red Bull and Ferrari protested (apparantly Lotus didn't protest because another time when they protested Red Bull didn't support them?? " title="dunno" />)
ZitatThe Stewards of the Monaco Grand Prix received protests from Infinity Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari concerning an alleged breach of Article 22.4 h) (Track and Wind Tunnel Testing) of the FIA Formula One Sporting regulations by Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team. The stewards summoned representatives of the protesting teams, Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Pirelli. After hearing and collecting information the Stewards will write a report to the FIA who may bring the matter before the International Tribunal.
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