The Official F1 2019 silly season *contains speculation*

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KevinCamaroSS said:

Bit of a hollow 'victory' don't you think? Given that only 2 cars (both from the same team) had any chance of winning with the heavily biased rules currently in operation. Still, it is a tick I suppose.

Not really, no.

[Vaud]

Kraken said:

In F1 he is only really interested in the championship so I could see him leaving to go IndyCar with a clause to come back if McLaren are competitive in the next big rule change era.

He'll be 40 in 2021. I think it will be too late.

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Dr Z said:

Now that RBR have made their engine supplier decision, expect a decision to follow from Ricciardo.

Tough one for him.

I don't think he has a choice anymore. Not Mercedes and nothing emerged from the pre-contract rumours with Ferrari.

I think he will take a 2+1 year deal and look to be a free agent in 2020, hoping Hamilton is heading off...

[Vaud]

Angpozzuto said:

Really? I haven't read anything about newey going to Renault

He is out of contract at the end of the year and when it was put to him at Le Mans if he was going to Renault (fishing by the journalist?) he said "no comment" rather than denying it... so may be something, nothing or just negotiation tactics.

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housen said:

mclaren are just lost mechanically

nice pay day but he wants to win

Of course. But if Mercedes and Ferrari seats aren't available - and with the rumours of Newey leaving, where would you go?

McLaren-Renault or risk RedBull-Honda with an uncertain engine and maybe without a Newey?

If he can't secure Mercedes or Ferrari, then a 2 year stint somewhere else?

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LaurasOtherHalf said:

Do they want CSjnr back in, destabilising Renault at a key point?

That is a very good point... at least back into TR.

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HustleRussell said:

Deesee said:

Red bull with the Honda money could afford Vettel or Hamilton...

They could afford them now if they wanted, they just don't need a Vettel or Hamilton.

And at their level, it isn't about money. It's a handy byproduct but not their motivation.

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

Of course the red bull owner Dietrich could fund a $100 mill a season deal, having a contribution from Honda would certainly ease the burden.

They need a front man and a lead driver.

I know... But money won't persuade Vettel or Hamilton out of a winning car into the 3rd fastest car. Even for $100M.

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

DR Z, I had assumed/presumed the 3 year deal with the Kimo* brand (co owned by Alonso) with McLaren/kimoa was in liu of salary, if Mclaren have a 3 yr deal surely they will want a 3 year drive?

Kimoa placement might be in lieu of some salary, but not all of it. There isn't that much placement?

[Vaud]

Joey Deacon said:

Like Vettel would have allowed Ricciardo to join Ferrari considering how silly he made him look when they were both at Red Bull.

Congratulations to Kimi for lasting as long as he did, guess whatever blackmail material he had has no leverage anymore.

What a corrosive post.

There were rumours that Vettel underperformed to trigger the performance clause. As for Kimi, I'd agree that he is at the end of his career; I welcome Ferrari taking a risk on a young talent, but their selection of Kimi was partly due to the lack of other options...

[Vaud]

Angpozzuto said:

I'm sure kimi and kubica could help Williams build a decent car

The driver input is largely irrelevant to building a decent car... Williams screwed up this year in the design phase in aero - not something a driver can help with.

[Vaud]

Mark-C said:

This nails it ... Williams haven’t got the best drivers but it doesn’t really matter right now given the car. The problem they have is they’ve taken the big dollars from their drivers and seemingly made a complete arse of using it to build a decent car.

If I was Daddy Stroll or one of Sirotkin’s backers I’d be looking elsewhere with my money ASAP

If I was Force India I’d be my smiling very sweetly at the Strolls

If I were the Strolls I'd be waiting until Force India fold, will get it for a much better price.

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

If nothing else, he should be able to negotiate a big pay rise for himself where he is now.

You can only negotiate from a position of strength. If Mercedes and Ferrari don't want him at present, then he loses his bargaining power?

[Vaud]

thegreenhell said:

Newey back to McLaren? If the rumours are correct that he's looking to leave Red Bull, and McLaren are said to be searching for a new TD...

They could probably get Newey and Ricciardo for the same as they're paying Alonso.

In exchange for a nice % of McLaren and involvement in the road car business?

[Vaud]

MartG said:

Hmmm - can't see why he'd want to go to McLaren

https://www.essentiallysports.com/kimi-raikkonen-p...

Unless he's just interested in the money

Well IF he is out at Ferrari then he has few options... McLaren need experience and he is a WDC which is key for sponsors. I can think of worse ideas to replace Alonso.

But then I'd release Alonso and Vandoorne and promote Lando Norris. Kimi would be a good balance?

[Vaud]

A solid, non-political driver, probably quite cheap compared to Alonso (base + £ per point). WDC. No BS.

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Stan the Bat said:

It's the refreshment bill that mounts up.

You missed the ice creams.

[Vaud]

rdjohn said:

“Has-been” driver, joins “has-been” team?

There are just too many good young drivers for this to become a reality, with only 20-seats available. I doubt Kimi is good at pleasing sponsors / hangers-on.

He is apparently fine at sponsor events. Dry, funny, witty by accounts I have heard. it's just the mass press he disengages with?

Let's face it, phrases like "Leave me alone, I know what I'm doing" are remembered for years. What was the last memorable phrase by other drivers? I recall this one, and "Monaco baby, yeah" from Button.

[Vaud]

Cold said:

"It's my favourite circuit with the best fans in the world."

Said every driver ever?

[Vaud]

Stan the Bat said:

Alonso has given some good quotes as well.

I'm trying to remember them, sadly the last few years have been "no power, no power"