The Official F1 2022 silly season *contains speculation*

[anonymous-user]

vaud said:

But it's not mutually exclusive. Regional series and a global pinnacle series.

Anyway, just speculating. If I was running Indycar I'd be worried.

I wouldn't.

Indycar is a cheap spec series with very small crew sizes. It's a completely different animal.

[paulguitar]

jsf said:

vaud said:

But it's not mutually exclusive. Regional series and a global pinnacle series.

Anyway, just speculating. If I was running Indycar I'd be worried.

I wouldn't.

Indycar is a cheap spec series with very small crew sizes. It's a completely different animal.

Also, the cars do look a bit like the sort of vehicle it is possible to rent at the fairground, next to the dodgems.

[MissChief]

paulguitar said:

jsf said:

vaud said:

But it's not mutually exclusive. Regional series and a global pinnacle series.

Anyway, just speculating. If I was running Indycar I'd be worried.

I wouldn't.

Indycar is a cheap spec series with very small crew sizes. It's a completely different animal.

Also, the cars do look a bit like the sort of vehicle it is possible to rent at the fairground, next to the dodgems.

It’s reckoned you can run an Indycar season for $15m on a shoestring. Someone like Penske or Andretti probably more like $25m but they’ll have higher level sponsors too. Compare that to the cost cap now and it’s 10-15%.

[vaud]

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

[carl_w]

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

Why would Alonso go to AM?

[vaud]

carl_w said:

Why would Alonso go to AM?

No idea.

[McAndy]

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

I can understand the first part, but not the second.

[Muzzer79]

carl_w said:

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

Why would Alonso go to AM?

Just as pertinently - Why would AM want Alonso?

The only reason is makes sense from an Alonso perspective is if Renault have decided he's over the hill and are putting Oscar Piastri in his seat.

Stranger things have happened.

Edited by Muzzer79 on Thursday 5th May 14:15

[MissChief]

Muzzer79 said:

carl_w said:

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

Why would Alonso go to AM?

Just as pertinently - Why would AM want Alonso?

The only reason is makes sense from an Alonso perspective is if Renault have decided he's over the hill and are putting Oscar Piastri in his seat.

Stranger things have happened.

Edited by Muzzer79 on Thursday 5th May 14:15

My question is why would Alonso even consider this? The Alpine is fourth or fifth best car depending on who’s driving the Haas (Sorry Mick!) and has potential to improve too. The AM seems to be in the bottom three cars and I wouldn’t be surprised if they make little to no progress up the field either. Quite why Alonso would even think about this is beyond me. His wage will be more at AM I’m sure but he’s far behind chasing a pay check and wants success. The chances of an Alpine podium are far, far higher than it seems even an AM top 6 finish. He’d be mental to consider it.

[HustleRussell]

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

Nah.

[talksthetorque]

Is that a Flavio I can smell?

[vaud]

HustleRussell said:

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

Nah.

It's why I said "noise", it's just that a couple of sites have picked it up and J Saward, IIRC, thought there would be at least one driver swap, possibly mid-season. He's not always right but he is normally very well connected and trusted in the paddock.

Ricciardo/Gasly makes more sense though as a rumor.

[SturdyHSV]

vaud said:

Ricciardo/Gasly makes more sense though as a rumor.

I can see why McLaren may fancy Gasly, but would Ricciardo's ego allow him to go and sit in the Red Bull feeder seat where if he's good he might get a chance to be Max's team mate?

[Muzzer79]

MissChief said:

Muzzer79 said:

carl_w said:

vaud said:

Lots of noise/rumours that Vettel is quitting and being replaced by Alonso.

Why would Alonso go to AM?

Just as pertinently - Why would AM want Alonso?

The only reason is makes sense from an Alonso perspective is if Renault have decided he's over the hill and are putting Oscar Piastri in his seat.

Stranger things have happened.

Edited by Muzzer79 on Thursday 5th May 14:15

My question is why would Alonso even consider this? The Alpine is fourth or fifth best car depending on who’s driving the Haas (Sorry Mick!) and has potential to improve too. The AM seems to be in the bottom three cars and I wouldn’t be surprised if they make little to no progress up the field either. Quite why Alonso would even think about this is beyond me. His wage will be more at AM I’m sure but he’s far behind chasing a pay check and wants success. The chances of an Alpine podium are far, far higher than it seems even an AM top 6 finish. He’d be mental to consider it.

As I speculated - maybe Alpine have decided that Piastri is the future and, at knocking on 41 years old, Fernando most definitely isn't.

Piastri needs a drive. If Alpine don't give him one, they may lose him somewhere else. So, a risk on Piastri and the benefit if he's the real deal or give Fernando another 2 years and risk losing Piastri to another team?

[thegreenhell]

As mad as it seems, it would tie in with this rumour from last week.

ralphrj said:

Imminent driver swap?

Albert Fabrega from Spanish broadcaster DAZN said:

The market is already moving. Something is happening, but I can't say, because I wasn't allowed to say anything [from whom he got the news]. I am not surprised by those who leave, but I am surprised by those who arrive. Well, it is a change of drivers between teams.

[MartG]

The reason there isn't a replacement for the Russian GP...

https://trans.info/en/f1-grand-prix-brexit-289488

[anonymous-user]

MartG said:

The reason there isn't a replacement for the Russian GP in the EU...

https://trans.info/en/f1-grand-prix-brexit-289488

And if they wanted it, they would do it, just as they do now when multiple EU based events take place.

That really is a stretch to state that's the reason for this global multi billion $ circus.

[thegreenhell]

Surely if it was an issue for that then it would still be an issue for the EU-based triple-header immediately before that. I'm sure the F1 teams will be well aware of it and have in place whatever system they need to circumvent the requirement to completely return to base between every event, such as using EU-registered haulage trucks.

More likely is that they decided the logistics of moving the circus from somewhere in western Europe to Singapore in three days was asking too much. Sochi as a flyaway event that's already nearly half way there was much easier to do, which is why the real alternatives they considered were either Middle East (too hot at that time of year, plus something to do with football, apparently) or Asia.

But spin it to blame Brexit if you want.

[Blib]

The article's last paragraph gives a lie to the whole piece.

As if the F1 teams would not apply for both a UK and EU licence. Maybe they couldn't afford both?

[vaud]

MartG said:

The reason there isn't a replacement for the Russian GP...

https://trans.info/en/f1-grand-prix-brexit-289488

trans.info

The reference site for F1 news.