The Official F1 2024 silly season *contains speculation*

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OK... lets start now

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Joey Deacon said:

I think Yuki Tsunoda and Zhou Guanyu will continue to unimpress in 2023 and will most likely be let go unless there is literally nobody else to replace them.

Zhou Guanyu was pretty good. Look at the qualifying gap to Bottas close through the year, plus for a rookie he didn't crash much so saved the team money. I think he has at least 2 more years.

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I can't think of many worse brand names to bring in, but if GM are behind it then they do carry considerable R&D and financial firepower and I guess it is one way to redefine a brand.

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ajprice said:

They're entering the LMDh prototype series so F1 seems logical from there, they wouldn't be coming into F1 completely blind.

I hadn't seen that. OK, so they are trying to convert a legacy brand into something new... there are worse ideas.

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I'd put money on them at least to have made him an offer.

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thegreenhell said:

Still Mulling said:

thegreenhell said:

...as far as I know they don't have anybody else lined up to fill the seat when that happens.

A certain Mr G. Russell may have something to say about that, no?

George is already driving the other car. I don't think he can drive both of them.

Great more anti-George stuff.

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Heathwood said:

I appreciate its pure speculation but who do would think would make way for Lewis at Ferrari? Straight swap with CLC?

That would be my guess. If Mercedes think they are in a rebuilding phase for 2-3 years.

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DanielSan said:

Not completely sure Sainz or Leclerc seem that keen to stay in the Ferrari at the moment..

Sure but where do they go to….? Alpine or McLaren for a driver swap?

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Bowser87 said:

You’d have thought someone will want to chance it with Audi, and that they would want a marquee signing too.

https://formu1a.uno/en/audi-at-least-six-months-be...

Already 6 months behind though...

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HustleRussell said:

Albon’s in a Williams, he ought to consider anything except maybe Alpha Tauri or Haas. If Helmut called him with a Red Bull seat he’d be mad to turn it down unless he’s got an imminent nailed on opportunity in another winning team.

Didn't go that well last time alongside Max.

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thegreenhell said:

I still don't see why Red Bull need to change anything in their line up.

Really? Perez performance might last this year but if the other teams close up a bit the WCC will be very tight.

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number2 said:

They don't need another star but someone who can at least get near the podium when they're in the best car. They're reliant on one driver scoring points now - they've got one hand tied behind their back.

I had a lot of time for Perez, but this is more than one bad day at the office. RBR must be thinking about alternatives.

Tsunoda seems pretty consistent and seems to be a super nice guy.

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thegreenhell said:

Not a chance of anything being really tight this year for Red Bull. They will easily walk both championships, and they showed last year that they don't care about finishing 1-2 overall, just winning.

Sorry I meant close up for next year.

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number2 said:

They all say that, and while it might technically be true, they can't and won't want to hold someone hostage. If lando (or other) wants to go, he can buy his way out.

He can not race, not get paid but also they could prevent him from driving at another team until his contract expires. There may not be an automatic right to buy his way out.

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MustangGT said:

I actually think Perez is perfect for RB. The last few races has taught him he is not going to be able to race Max for the WDC (if he ever thought it) and I reckon that in the next race or two we will see a big improvement again. Unless RB have made some 'Max' changes that means Checko is not at all comfortable with the car.

Possibly but they need him as a rear gunner, not P10.

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Pflanzgarten said:

Rear gunner? Has there been a single overtake on Verstappen at all this year?

No, but I'm thinking of 2024 when I expect more design convergence and therefore closer racing (plus the winner aero penalty making some effect)

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Fundoreen said:

All lost on the F1 fanbase who view everything as max/lewis like/dislike.

Not all of us! I'm non partisan these days and just watch every race with an open mind, enjoying the very high quality of the drivers that we have at the moment. No pay drivers (in the traditional sense). Ultra close qualifying results. Enjoying all of it.

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He is under contract to end of 2025.

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thegreenhell said:

Pflanzgarten said:

Saward reporting rumours of Binotto to McLaren.

Just what they need - another chef.

It was a pretty vague rumour.

"I have heard all manner of strange stories including Mattia Binotto to McLaren, although it is not clear what role – if any – he would take"

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Pflanzgarten said:

Angela Cullen just liked one of my posts on social media, which basically stated Hamilton has wasted two years and needs a change.

Personally I think he does. He has nothing to prove, he is a brilliant driver, up with the greatest ever (not getting into rankings)... so why not roll the die and be the one that turned around Ferrari, or quit at the top to do Indy, Le Mans, etc. I don't see an upside for him at Mercedes at the moment.