The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*

[Deesee]

Vaud said:

McLaren confirm Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz for F1 2020

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11759386/m...

One team down...

[Andy S15]

Good call by Mclaren. Both drivers doing a solid job so far this year, it's nice that their efforts have been rewarded so early so they at least don't have the worry of seat availability hanging over their heads for the rest of the year.

[Petrus1983]

StevieBee said:

andburg said:

Schumacher isnt meeting his targets in F2, he'll still be there next year

IIRC, his Dad didn't exactly set the world alight in the lower leagues. Even Frentzen tended to get the better of him.

And his future wife

[HustleRussell]

Matthew Carter on Missed Apex: Esteban Ocon in at Mercedes for 2020 to replace Valterri Bottas

[TheDeuce]

HustleRussell said:

Matthew Carter on Missed Apex: Esteban Ocon in at Mercedes for 2020 to replace Valterri Bottas

There is a reason I don't listen to missed apex

I'm aware everyone is a bit sad that Ocon is side-lined - but c'mon, Bottas is perfect for Mercedes. Compliant and consistent - consistently not enough to ruffle their star driver. They would be insane to swap him for another driver and risk a less predictable situation.

They don't need either driver to improve or be swapped for a better driver. They're already good enough to win this year and next.

Well, that's my theory/logic. I will be amazed if Ocon gets a seat there in 2020. In fact, make note of this: I will change my forum name to "chuffnut" for a month if he gets a 2020 drive at Mercedes - unless Bottas voluntarily leaves, in which case, Ocon will probably be in.

[M3ax]

Ok Chuffnut.
I like missed apex. They don’t pretend to be accurate but there are gems in some of their podcasts.

[Vaud]

TheDeuce said:

unless Bottas voluntarily leaves, in which case, Ocon will probably be in.

He is out of contract, year by year extensions it wouldn't be "voluntarily leaving" - it would just be non-renewal. I don't believe they have an option on him.

[TheDeuce]

Vaud said:

He is out of contract, year by year extensions it wouldn't be "voluntarily leaving" - it would just be non-renewal. I don't believe they have an option on him.

Fine, if he chooses not to renew. Not sure where he thinks he can for a better drive though..

If Mercedes choose ocon over him, I'm chuffnut.

[M3ax]

Maybe Williams will see the light and become a proper Mercedes B team. Then Bottas goes back there to replace RK. Ocon then gets the Mercedes drive to future proof the team.

[TheDeuce]

M3ax said:

Maybe Williams will see the light and become a proper Mercedes B team. Then Bottas goes back there to replace RK. Ocon then gets the Mercedes drive to future proof the team.

If they became a B team, surely Ocon would go there.

[anonymous-user]

Bottas isn't fast enough in the races.

[JonChalk]

Think Mercedes should jump Russell over Ocon and go full on with their support of him.

Ocon's had his chance; if he was good enough he would have replaced Bottas this year.

Edited by JonChalk on Wednesday 10th July 19:29

[ajprice]

If Williams not being happy with Mercedes and going Renault for 2020 is true, that would mean a Mercedes engine deal and Ocon for A. N. Other team?

[TheDeuce]

janesmith1950 said:

Bottas isn't fast enough in the races.

Really? He's either finishing first or second - what will faster than that achieve?

He's as fast as Mercedes can possibly dream for without de-stabilising their current driver pairing.

[thegreenhell]

ajprice said:

If Williams not being happy with Mercedes and going Renault for 2020 is true, that would mean a Mercedes engine deal and Ocon for A. N. Other team?

Or Mercedes will only supply two teams. I can't think of any other team that would pick it up, as they're all locked in to current suppliers. McLaren I think is the only one who could, but I think it's unlikely they'd switch again so soon after picking up the Renault supply. If it's even true at all.

[thegreenhell]

janesmith1950 said:

Bottas isn't fast enough in the races.

He's as fast as Mercedes want him to be, at least while they have the best car. They can't be better than their current 1-2 in the WDC and massive lead in the WCC, so what's the point of changing?

[ajprice]

So. Vettel.

If he does pack up at the end of the season, who takes the Ferrari seat? EJ seems to think there's a move around with Hamilton to Ferrari for 2020 or 2021. Seems silly, but he did call the Hamilton to Mercedes move. Other than that, Perez? Giovanazzi? Bring back Kimi? Mick Schumacher?

[Europa1]

Eddie Jordan redefined silly season over the course of this weekend.

That said, I remember being at an event where he was both participant and part of the entertainment and he called Michael Schumacher's return to F1, with Mercedes, months ahead of any announcement.

And I'm still kicking myself I didn't take that to the bookies.

[Graveworm]

ajprice said:

So. Vettel.

If he does pack up at the end of the season, who takes the Ferrari seat? EJ seems to think there's a move around with Hamilton to Ferrari for 2020 or 2021. Seems silly, but he did call the Hamilton to Mercedes move. Other than that, Perez? Giovanazzi? Bring back Kimi? Mick Schumacher?

There is a rumour that a Merc. or Ferrari seat would trigger a release clause for Danny Ric.

[anonymous-user]

Europa1 said:

Eddie Jordan redefined silly season over the course of this weekend.

That said, I remember being at an event where he was both participant and part of the entertainment and he called Michael Schumacher's return to F1, with Mercedes, months ahead of any announcement.

And I'm still kicking myself I didn't take that to the bookies.

Many say that EJ is a joke but he has had the correct information so many times in the past.

As you stated MS returning to F1 with Mercedes and also Hamilton moving to Mercedes as well.

He has a lot of contacts in F1 and many of his statements might sound far fetched but I would not be too quick to state he is talking rubbish as many do.

I really can't, however, see Lewis moving from the best team in F1 to Ferrari.

But time will tell. Might put a bet on in case