The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*

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Deesee said:

(Not a “tennis” injury)

Remind me... what did that turn out to be? Motocross?

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Poppiecock said:

Ricciardo had few options - he has been around long enough to be team leader - something Red Bull ignored in favour of their latest flavour of the month. Ricciardo knows all about this when he arrived and was quicker than Vettel.

https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/43754/rosberg-v...

Personally I agree with Rosberg. I think mentally Verstappen has an edge.

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parabolica said:

I agree, but it's hard to find a fully kitted out circuit that can handle a full F1 contingent for testing just sitting there, only to be used once a year.

And near enough to Europe.

That said, Istanbul might still be close enough to spec.
Sepang is further away but weather predictable.

Jerez and Magny Cours - need updates?

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Poppiecock said:

Getting parts out of the UK in time could be challenging this winter!

We'll end up having to test at a wet and windy Donington Park in the depths of winter, just to enable availability of parts.

Be fine for Torro Rosso, Haas, Alfa and Ferrari...

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Andy S15 said:

It probably depends if Big John wants to retire? Maybe he's actually had enough.

Formula E or Le Mans would suit him I think. He can be very fast.

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TheDeuce said:

That is madness I have to agree. Hulks good but if Ferrari really wanted a new driver they can afford anyone they wish - so long as the person they want actually wants to wear red of course.

I’m trying to recall drivers that have turned down an approach from Ferrari (in the last 30 years)

Even senna was strongly rumoured to have an option there. I still think it has a mythical lure.

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groomi said:

Gasley was a little underwhelming and was lucky to be gifted some points at the end, but again, some lenience should be factored in for the unfamiliar car and that he's probably not in the best mindset at present.

To be fair to Gasly...

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/gasly-hubert-de...

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LaurasOtherHalf said:

Still not convinced about Mick Schumacher, we saw him in the F2/3 Paddock over the weekend and I normally wouldn’t hesitate in approaching a driver at an appropriate time but, you just got the feeling he didn’t want to be there at all. Certainly not engaging with the fans.

Tough weekend for all F2 drivers. I also think Mick is being protected from the media and fans to reduce pressure. I can only imagine that some (insensitive) fans might focus questions on his dad rather than Mick.

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Poppiecock said:

You've got to love that attitude.

Indeed. The James Hunt school of contract negotiations...

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2010 may have had more, if need to check the timing of wins.

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I agree with Grosjean out (to formula E)
I think Kubica will be out as well.
Latifi to Williams - probably.

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kiseca said:

Grosjean in Formula E? I see potential there. If Maldonado can be convinced to join too, that will be an exciting 14 laps in the next season

I'm sure one of them could stuff it into a barrier on the warmup lap (do they have that in Formula E?)

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I didn't used to like Steiner (I don't think he came across well in the Netflix documentary as a leader) but I've warmed to him this year.

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There is a caveat to that rule that no team could be left without a supplier, and so the FIA can mandate a manufacturer to supply an additional team, IIRC.

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thegreenhell said:

The rule is that the manufacturer supplying the fewest teams must increase their supply in that case. If there is more than one manufacturer supplying the fewest (currently Honda and Renault) then there will be a ballot to decide who must supply.

Thanks - I had forgotten the nuance.

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TheDeuce said:

It's a good question though. I'm sure someone will have some examples of known arrangements.

I think Fabrizio Borra, Alonso's long term physio and trainer was directly "controlled", if not paid by Alonso. He certainly wasn't controlled by the team (see Ron Dennis' reaction in that infamous Hungarian race)

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Lebo44 said:

Thare are still some chances for him, in Alfa or RB/Toro Rosso, even Williams. But quite slim though, without a sponsor

Alfa need a long term replacement for Kimi. Gio isn't setting the world on fire so maybe 3rd driver for 2020 and then replace Kimi for 2021?

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Lebo44 said:

He will probably stay in F1 as a 3rd (development) driver, for RP or Haas. I won't be surprised if he returned in 2021.

I doubt it. DTM, which may suit him better longer term.

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HustleRussell said:

I always predicted that if this happened it’d signal the first step towards the door for the works Mercedes race team.

Need to look at the macro issues as well. Germany is in or about to be in a recession. Auto is a primary industry that has been slow to move to electrification. The diesel scandal still hangs over them.

Having a position of veni, vidi, vici for F1 and then stepping back to be PU suppliers through the recession may be one they take.

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https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/146273/toro-ross...

I wonder if Alfa will object...?