The Official F1 2025 silly season *contains speculation*

[vaud]

White-Noise said:

I really hope sainz lands something at the front. He's proving himself, I used to think Charles was the better driver but my opinion has really changed. Would be a shame to see him at a team further back... assuming audi aren't at the sharp end.

Audi will take 5 years to be competitive - look at how long it took RB to get to the front - and how long a full factory team in the form of Alpine have failed to get to the front...

[vaud]

B.Eccelerock said:

And Ocon leaving Alpine to goto Hass?!
Apparently Gene doesn't want a rookie (Bearman).
Although could be two openings at Hass.

I think some have said that Gene doesn't want two rookies. Anyway all a negotiation on engine costs...

[vaud]

732NM said:

Gene wants cheap, the tight arse.

Given his lack of investment in the wider operation, why pay for a top driver?

[vaud]

kambites said:

I suppose Mercedes managed it in four years and arguably Audi have actually entered F1 this year, even if it's not with a works engine yet (I think they now own all of Sauber?). They also have the benefit of what I believe Newey called "the biggest single change to the technical regulations in the history of the sport" coming in 2026.

I still don't think they'll be competing for wins before about 2030, but I wouldn't say it's impossible that they hit the ground running.

I think it is much harder in a cost cap world...Mercedes did it free of any caps.

[vaud]

Pat Symonds to join Andretti-Cadillac

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13140885/f...

[vaud]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Would Mercedes really take a chance on a (currently) 17 year old rookie who isn't exactly setting the F2 championship alight?

Running 6th (36pts) vs Bearman (6pts)

[vaud]

ralphrj said:

Is it really fair to say "out performing" when there have only been 4 rounds, 1 of which Bearman missed to take part in the F1 race?

I think they are both great.

[vaud]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

If you were Sainz surely you would only go to Williams if they had signed Adrian Newey?

No chance Newey is going back to Williams in my view. Possibly not Ferrari after what the Italian courts did after Senna died.

[vaud]

tele_lover said:

thegreenhell said:

Williams have big ambitions, and James Vowles is a man on a mission to deliver them. The revised cost cap in the next Concorde agreement should allow them to invest in the infrastructure they need, and there are whispers that the 2026 Merc PU is looking very promising.

I would be very surprised if anyone who is in the know, would reveal this outside of the office?

And no-one would have comparative data.

[vaud]

ajprice said:

Ocon out of Alpine for '25

I doubt he will find another seat - Indycar or WEC for Ocon.

[vaud]

Sandpit Steve said:

with the US Congressional investigation into FOM/Liberty?

That's noise in my view.

[vaud]

thegreenhell said:

And yet he's been there for nearly four years, and just been given another two years, without ever really being close to swapped out. They've had plenty of opportunities to do so, but it's never seemed like it was going to happen.

If Yuki hasn't had a chance by now then he isn't going to get one. His backer is leaving Red Bull after next season, so he's likely to be looking for another drive elsewhere then anyway. There's even been rumours that he might leave at the end of this year, so it could be Lawson and Ricciardo in the RB next year.

Yuki will be in an Aston Martin Honda... though he might have to wait a year on the sidelines for Lance to get bored.

[vaud]

PRO5T said:

thegreenhell said:

vaud said:

Yuki will be in an Aston Martin Honda... though he might have to wait a year on the sidelines for Lance to get bored.

Maybe, but there's also a rumour that Alpine are fishing for a Honda engine deal for '26 so that Renault can abandon its plans for a new PU and make the team more saleable.

I've been saying this for ages-I'm not sure there's anything more in it than it would seem like the most sensible option for Renault if they actually do want out and folk like me putting 2+2 together.

French executive boards can be very stubborn and naive though...

[vaud]

TheDeuce said:

Renault are openly questioning their commitment to develop a new regs PU, so I would imagine that until they've made a decision one way or another, they haven't even started on one just yet. Or the other way of looking at it is that they've got as far a the drawing board and concluded it's going to be a nightmare for them and very costly.

Who knows!? I personally think it's quite unlikely they'll be a PU manufacturer come 2026, and very unlikely that they'll be leading the field even if they are..

I agree - why be a manufacturing team with no customers for your engine in a new regs environment and where the bosses won't even let you catch up with the pack?

[vaud]

hondajack85 said:

The new engine is less complex. The bits renault were struggling with are the bits not in it anymore. Thats why red bull think they can get involved with making engines.
Its only 2 years away. Do people think renault haven't started on it yet?

I think the question is how advanced their development is and how real is the support from the board long term... maybe better for a valuation to get a customer engine (Honda) and fully package the team as Alpine with minimal connection to Renault, and cash in for $1bn?

[vaud]

More funds available to not spend on the F1 team?

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Forester1965 said:

The problem is race teams wanting to be businesses. F1 is suffering from this now.

F1 is suffering? The cost cap was great for the sport, it made them all viable.

I'm not sure I see the suffering from a full grid, very close times from front to back, new teams angling to join, no pay drivers and a global audience. OK the leader has been a bit predictable until recently, but I'm not seeing the suffering?

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Forester1965 said:

What sporting reason is there for a team to turn a profit rather than breaking even?

For the same reason that universities turn a profit (sorry surplus) - to build some reserves for lean times? Better to have a team that knows it can ride a few waves (loss of sponsor) and not live just month on month. Employees also like to know they are going to get paid every month.

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Mark-C said:

Any source for this? I'm not seeing anything.

And I know this is a speculation thread but it feels like we're due some concrete news ...

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1050405/1/toto-wolff...

More pointers than absolute...

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honda_exige said:

FIA have just adjusted the rules to let 17yr olds race F1 cars.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with Kimi Antonelli still being 17 and Sargeant having binned it again last weekend...

Not sure why they bothered, they only had to wait until August for him to turn 18