The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Kraken said:
Out of Norris, Russell, Leclerc and Ocon. Ocon is the only one who doesn't have a wealthy background to the best of my knowledge. At the end of the day it's an expensive sport to get into and so 90% of the drivers will have family money behind them these days. No reason to think that they don't have the talent as well as if the majority have money then talent is the way to get noticed.
But the issue with Ocon isn't lack of support, it's that the support is tied to Mercedes?ELUSIVEJIM said:
Wonder what it is about Mercedes.
It's a tricky one - they want him for the long term, had looked to agree to release him to Renault for 2 years (presumably to then replace Hamilton or Bottas) - but then with that falling through the remaining teams down't want or can't commit to a Mercedes backed driver.DanielSan said:
Mercedes don’t want another Hamilton v Rosberg situation to its easier to keep Bottas in the car who whether he believes it or not is a the number 2.
As much as people don’t like Red Bull they’re the only team with a young driver program who put their money where their mouth is and use those drivers.
You mean, other than Ferrari who have had an active academy (Bianchi, Perez) and released drivers when they got other opportunities, and have now promoted Leclerc?As much as people don’t like Red Bull they’re the only team with a young driver program who put their money where their mouth is and use those drivers.
Interesting point from Joe Saward:
"And, of course, there will need to be money from the Strolls to purchase Lance's freedom from his Williams contract. Normally these things are for five years and Lance has done only two, so the pay-off will need to be well into the double-digit millions."
So maybe Williams will be ok next year for budget despite losing Martini.
"And, of course, there will need to be money from the Strolls to purchase Lance's freedom from his Williams contract. Normally these things are for five years and Lance has done only two, so the pay-off will need to be well into the double-digit millions."
So maybe Williams will be ok next year for budget despite losing Martini.
hairyben said:
hes great at winning from the front in the fastest car, which isn't necessarily as feint praise as it sounds, but the thing is he never really has been much cop at hacking it wheel to wheel, something most of the pundits seem to be blinded by the 4xWDC to.
Here's a thought that occurred to me though, Kimi at sauber not making a whole lotta sense to me or many others, but it does put a very reliable driver in an immediately accesible place should ferrari want one at any point hmm?
Or more simply - he still wants to race and it's one for the few seats left?Here's a thought that occurred to me though, Kimi at sauber not making a whole lotta sense to me or many others, but it does put a very reliable driver in an immediately accesible place should ferrari want one at any point hmm?
http://www.statsf1.com/en/statistiques/pilote/gp/m...
Listed by most races together (roughly equating to seasons)
Listed by most races together (roughly equating to seasons)
thegreenhell said:
Mercedes are pulling out of DTM at the end of the season, so they won't be placing anyone there. That was one of the reasons given by them for releasing Wehrlein. The sad thing for Russel is that if he wins the F2 title this year he won't be able to race there next year if he can't get into F1, so he'll be forced to take a step sideways or backwards.
It's ironic that Mercedes have a surfeit of young drivers who they can't find F1 drives for, and yet Red Bull have two cars they are struggling to find drivers for. It's just more anti-competitive behaviour by the big businesses ruining the sporting side of F1.
To some extent RB were unlucky - they have invested a lot in young drivers, I think DR's exit really surprised them. It's ironic that Mercedes have a surfeit of young drivers who they can't find F1 drives for, and yet Red Bull have two cars they are struggling to find drivers for. It's just more anti-competitive behaviour by the big businesses ruining the sporting side of F1.
I don't see it as anti-competitive - they are investing heavily in talent. The alternative is more "pay drivers".
thegreenhell said:
True, they are investing, but it's creating silos. There are Mercedes drivers, Ferrari drivers, Red Bull drivers, and then the rest, and it's becoming increasingly difficult for any driver to move from one to another. With their factory teams and sub-teams, the big three have 2/3 of the grid sewn up, which makes it near-impossible for any driver not supported by those young-driver programmes to get in unless they have $20m+ of independent backing, and even then there's only one or two teams where they might be able to buy a seat.
I've said it before that F1 needs more independent teams, otherwise it's just going to become a complete manufacturer lockout.
I don't disagree. They are silos, but the drivers are also assets. I think Daniel Ricciardo (I forget, it may not have been) wanted to leave RB a few years ago and was told "fine, you owe us £10M to recover the cost of our investment in you" I've said it before that F1 needs more independent teams, otherwise it's just going to become a complete manufacturer lockout.
At the cost level, it is going to be manufacturer only, I agree.
exelero said:
Kvyat in Torro Rosso next year alongside Wehreiln,, they will confirm it in Russia 
Good, I like the idea that he gets another chance. He had/has raw pace. Better Kyvat then a sponsor backed driver or someone unequipped from their driver pool (not that they have many choices)
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