When to hire drivers?

[P7uen]

When exactly are you guys hiring drivers? Of course we should be able to hire drivers for the end of their contracts, but failing that, is there any way to hire at the end of season?

Right now I either hire after the last race and have to pay breaking contract fees, or wait a bit longer into the off-season until my drivers contracts are up and see the best drivers get snapped up.

Any advice on the best time to hire and fire?

[Silverangel]

Best time is when you are in need, isnt it? :)
For a Contract you need round about a week (longer when you must change something to make him happy) and haveing +7 (or was it 8?) days to Sign the Contract when hes fine with.
So when you plan this right, you should be able to get a Driver right after end of Contract.

Most of the Time i go for Free drivers, so i have not to pay a fee and i like more to form a Driver myself than taking already full or nearly full skilled ones. And there enough Talents on the Market.
But when im really in need and want a specific one(mostly Staff), I dont care about the Fee and just sign him.
I like it bit more Roleplay, so i do this at End of Season (no matter if they have still contract), cause midseason you normally not changing the Important Staff and Drivers.

[Racer D]

Well.
You answer your own question, no?

If you want to get drivers early you pay the firing fee and otherwise you wait until December.

I use a weak cheap 3rd driver who I can fire cheaply if I want to hire a driver early without paying too much.
He won't be happy to sit in Reserve but you will just have to promote him when the other guy's contract runs out.

[P7uen]

Originally posted by Mighty Twix:

Best time is when you are in need, isnt it? :)
For a Contract you need round about a week (longer when you must change something to make him happy) and haveing +7 (or was it 8?) days to Sign the Contract when hes fine with.
So when you plan this right, you should be able to get a Driver right after end of Contract.

Thanks friend, understand exactly. So like you, my aim is to have drivers at the end of their contracts (it doesn't make sense to be "fired" one day before their contract was expiring anyway). So would you recommend starting negotiations in the last week of December? Or am I missing somewhere it says exactly our driver contract end dates.

[Racer D]

You can negotiate end of November already I think, the first offer can be sent.
In december you dont have to pay any breakout fee.

[P7uen]

Originally posted by Racer_D:

You can negotiate end of November already I think, the first offer can be sent.
In december you dont have to pay any breakout fee.

Great stuff, thanks mate I'll have a go at the end of this season!