The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Supersam83 said:
Mercedes have announced that they will reveal their Formula E car and drivers on the 11th September 2019.
Will we see Bottas joining the team and Ocon taking his seat. Can't see Bottas being reserve driver at Mercedes F1 or going anywhere else.
If I was a mid-field team I’d pay big money to get Bottas. His knowledge of the team/car by now will be invaluable to some teams. Plus he’s a good driver. The only thing is if Mercedes know that too and would make it too attractive to not stay in the Merc fold.Will we see Bottas joining the team and Ocon taking his seat. Can't see Bottas being reserve driver at Mercedes F1 or going anywhere else.
Petrus1983 said:
Supersam83 said:
Mercedes have announced that they will reveal their Formula E car and drivers on the 11th September 2019.
Will we see Bottas joining the team and Ocon taking his seat. Can't see Bottas being reserve driver at Mercedes F1 or going anywhere else.
If I was a mid-field team I’d pay big money to get Bottas. His knowledge of the team/car by now will be invaluable to some teams. Plus he’s a good driver. The only thing is if Mercedes know that too and would make it too attractive to not stay in the Merc fold.Will we see Bottas joining the team and Ocon taking his seat. Can't see Bottas being reserve driver at Mercedes F1 or going anywhere else.
)Petrus1983 said:
Supersam83 said:
Mercedes have announced that they will reveal their Formula E car and drivers on the 11th September 2019.
Will we see Bottas joining the team and Ocon taking his seat. Can't see Bottas being reserve driver at Mercedes F1 or going anywhere else.
If I was a mid-field team I’d pay big money to get Bottas. His knowledge of the team/car by now will be invaluable to some teams. Plus he’s a good driver. The only thing is if Mercedes know that too and would make it too attractive to not stay in the Merc fold.Will we see Bottas joining the team and Ocon taking his seat. Can't see Bottas being reserve driver at Mercedes F1 or going anywhere else.
They're drivers, not designers or engineers. They know what a good car drives like and how a good team works, but they can't make a poor car better
Of examples I can think of:
Eddie Irvine to Jaguar. Didn't end well
Jacques Villeneuve to BAR. Didn't end well
Damon Hill to Arrows/Jordan. Didn't go well/mediocre
Felipe Massa to Williams. Didn't achieve much
Rubens Barrichello to Honda. Didn't go well until the Brawn GP miracle
The only example I can think of where it's been beneficial was David Coulthard to Red Bull. He was a real asset to them but the benefits weren't realised by him - it was a couple of years later and some huge investment in Newey, etc.
A good driver is important but a good driver is a good driver - I don't see much value in getting someone just because they're been at Mercedes and expecting them to arrive with a briefcase-full of go-faster knowledge.
Petrus1983 said:
If I was a mid-field team I’d pay big money to get Bottas. His knowledge of the team/car by now will be invaluable to some teams. Plus he’s a good driver. The only thing is if Mercedes know that too and would make it too attractive to not stay in the Merc fold.
Toto Wolff has already said that he will look after Bottas if Ocon takes his seat.Toto Wolff said:
"We are responsible for both the juniors and those who drive our car now. We will not do anything that complicates their future career," he said.
"Whatever we decide, we will take into account the possibilities of a driver to go somewhere else. Whether that is for Esteban who wants to make progress somewhere else or for Valtteri who can make a 'soft landing' somewhere.
"He deserves that," Wolff added.
This soft landing could be Formula E with a Formula 1 size salary..."Whatever we decide, we will take into account the possibilities of a driver to go somewhere else. Whether that is for Esteban who wants to make progress somewhere else or for Valtteri who can make a 'soft landing' somewhere.
"He deserves that," Wolff added.
Exige77 said:
There seems to be rumours circulating of 3 new possible entrants to F1 for 2021 including Lotus / Geely.
Sure it’s far too early to know if there’s any substance to this.
You'd have to start building up a team way before now to be ready for 2021 - you can do an awful lot before the regulations are settled. Rushing into it with only a season to go generally doesn't lead to long term stability and success. (Look at what happened when Mastercard Lola tried to enter a year too early)Sure it’s far too early to know if there’s any substance to this.
Poppiecock said:
You'd have to start building up a team way before now to be ready for 2021 - you can do an awful lot before the regulations are settled. Rushing into it with only a season to go generally doesn't lead to long term stability and success. (Look at what happened when Mastercard Lola tried to enter a year too early)
As it's just rumours, it could as easily be a buyout of an existing team - one that with fresh investment and budget could have far greater potential. I'd have thought we would be hearing multiple specific rumours if that were the case though.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
I've said for months RB are a second solid driver away from beating Ferrari next season, so no offer to such a driver, however unusual would shock me.As for the truth behind this specific rumour, who knows... I bet they've had informal discussions with a few drivers. Might all come to nothing if Albon shines.
TheDeuce said:
ELUSIVEJIM said:
I've said for months RB are a second solid driver away from beating Ferrari next season, so no offer to such a driver, however unusual would shock me.As for the truth behind this specific rumour, who knows... I bet they've had informal discussions with a few drivers. Might all come to nothing if Albon shines.
TheDeuce said:
Vetoes, ill will, promises... All easily forgotten in our sport (business) if a change of heart could increase chances of hitting a target.
I'd say nothing is ever off the table really.
Would Alonso ever drive for a Honda team again, though? - especially after what happened at Indy.I'd say nothing is ever off the table really.
Poppiecock said:
Would Alonso ever drive for a Honda team again, though? - especially after what happened at Indy.
If they were able to offer him a seat better than anyone else, quite possibly. Life is too short and circumstances too changeable to hold one frame of mind indefinitely.If, hypothetically, he were to go to RB and partner Max, that could be the last and probably best available chance for another title. If he's still driven by the desire to be world champion, would he really care who made the PU?
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff