The Official F1 2025 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Looks like things are getting a bit clearer for 2025. Here's how I see it:
Ferrari - Leclerc & Hamilton
Mercedes - Russell & ?
Red Bull - Verstappen & ?
McLaren - Norris & Piastri
Aston Martin - Alonso & Stroll
Williams - Albon & ?
Haas - Magnussen & Bearman
Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri/Visa Cash App Red Bull - Lawson & Tsunoda
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber/Audi - Hulkenburg & ?
Alpine - Gasly & Ocon
Potential drivers left fighting for the remaining seats-
Perez
Sainz Jr
Zhou
Riccardo
Bottas
Sargeant
Antonelli
Ferrari - Leclerc & Hamilton
Mercedes - Russell & ?
Red Bull - Verstappen & ?
McLaren - Norris & Piastri
Aston Martin - Alonso & Stroll
Williams - Albon & ?
Haas - Magnussen & Bearman
Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri/Visa Cash App Red Bull - Lawson & Tsunoda
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber/Audi - Hulkenburg & ?
Alpine - Gasly & Ocon
Potential drivers left fighting for the remaining seats-
Perez
Sainz Jr
Zhou
Riccardo
Bottas
Sargeant
Antonelli
Hustle_ said:
Does Hulkenberg leaving Haas save Magnussen or will it be all change for 2025?
Magnussen clearly the worser driver
Haas will want an experienced driver if they are going to put Bearman in the car next year.Magnussen clearly the worser driver
So at the moment they can pick from (who are available and would realistically move to them)
K-Mag
Bottas
Ricciardo maybe if he dumped??
Zhou
One of the Alpine drivers??
Edited by SoulGlo on Friday 26th April 13:55
SoulGlo said:
Haas will want an experienced driver if they are going to put Bearman in the car next year.
So at the moment they can pick from (who are available and would realistically move to them)
K-Mag
Bottas
Ricciardo maybe if he dumped??
Zhou
One of the Alpine drivers??
I think Bottas and Ricciardo will be out at the end of the season. Both have had their chances in the top teams.So at the moment they can pick from (who are available and would realistically move to them)
K-Mag
Bottas
Ricciardo maybe if he dumped??
Zhou
One of the Alpine drivers??
Edited by SoulGlo on Friday 26th April 13:55
With the departure of Newey, the media frenzy about Max leaving RB is intensifying. I can’t see it myself, but hypothetically speaking if he went, could he leave at the end of this season or is he tied for 2025?
The only only reason I think it’s got any credibility is that Sainz is stalling on committing. Which makes me wonder if he knows something is afoot and is pausing for a RB seat.
The only only reason I think it’s got any credibility is that Sainz is stalling on committing. Which makes me wonder if he knows something is afoot and is pausing for a RB seat.
wiliferus said:
With the departure of Newey, the media frenzy about Max leaving RB is intensifying. I can’t see it myself, but hypothetically speaking if he went, could he leave at the end of this season or is he tied for 2025?
Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until 2028Word is, that contract has clauses in it should key Red Bull personnel leave.
One of those people could be Newey.
In any case, contracts can be bought out, although to do that with Verstappens would be international telephone number figures.
Unless Horner decides that he’s hacked off with the Verstappens calling the shots. However, if he loses Newey and Verstappen, his position is very weak.
wiliferus said:
With the departure of Newey, the media frenzy about Max leaving RB is intensifying. I can’t see it myself, but hypothetically speaking if he went, could he leave at the end of this season or is he tied for 2025?
I believe Max will stay at least until 2026 in RB. If the RBT/Ford engine is crap, he will then use his performance contract clause to leave. Muzzer79 said:
It feels like there's too much 'needle' between Verstappen and Mercedes for an effective partnership to be formed.
I suspect they're both pragmatic enough to put it behind them if they feel it gives both parties the best chance of winning. It's hard to see that being the case for a good few years though, with Mercedes in their current situation (unless Newey somehow ends up there). kambites said:
Muzzer79 said:
It feels like there's too much 'needle' between Verstappen and Mercedes for an effective partnership to be formed.
I suspect they're both pragmatic enough to put it behind them if they feel it gives both parties the best chance of winning. Muzzer79 said:
It feels like there's too much 'needle' between Verstappen and Mercedes for an effective partnership to be formed.
Bit like Mansell going to McLaren.
Far stranger things have happened however.
From what I recall, the needle with Mansell and McLaren was more Mansell and Dennis. Most of the team were keen to have him but in any case, ended up more as a marriage of convenience rather than a love affair. Much like Hunt and McLaren and I guess there must have been some who thought the same magic could be replicated. Bit like Mansell going to McLaren.
Far stranger things have happened however.
As for Mercedes, as time marches on, I'm beginning to think that they've see their best years. I've no doubt they will become regular contenders again but I think Max or anyone, thinking they'd regain the dominance they had in past is somewhat shy of the reality.
kambites said:
Muzzer79 said:
It feels like there's too much 'needle' between Verstappen and Mercedes for an effective partnership to be formed.
I suspect they're both pragmatic enough to put it behind them if they feel it gives both parties the best chance of winning. I suspect at the moment that neither party is what the other needs in order to create wins.
But Verstappen, realistically, has nowhere else to go now that the Ferrari door has been shut.
I'd be surprised if he moved anywhere before 2026, but it depends how much disarray the power struggle at Red Bull is causing.
Muzzer79 said:
kambites said:
Muzzer79 said:
It feels like there's too much 'needle' between Verstappen and Mercedes for an effective partnership to be formed.
I suspect they're both pragmatic enough to put it behind them if they feel it gives both parties the best chance of winning. I suspect at the moment that neither party is what the other needs in order to create wins.
But Verstappen, realistically, has nowhere else to go now that the Ferrari door has been shut.
I'd be surprised if he moved anywhere before 2026, but it depends how much disarray the power struggle at Red Bull is causing.
Muzzer79 said:
kambites said:
Muzzer79 said:
It feels like there's too much 'needle' between Verstappen and Mercedes for an effective partnership to be formed.
I suspect they're both pragmatic enough to put it behind them if they feel it gives both parties the best chance of winning. I suspect at the moment that neither party is what the other needs in order to create wins.
But Verstappen, realistically, has nowhere else to go now that the Ferrari door has been shut.
I'd be surprised if he moved anywhere before 2026, but it depends how much disarray the power struggle at Red Bull is causing.
One can well imagine that Toto (and he won’t be the only one!) has met with them both in recent weeks, and can put his hand in his pocket and pull out two very large cheques if required.
Neither man is irreplaceable at RB, and they won’t go sliding down the field overnight if they both leave, but they are key cogs in the machine that’s bought the team’s recent success. There is a much broader and deeper level of talent at Milton Keynes though, and I can’t see any other teams coming through in ‘24 or ‘25.
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