The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*

[TheDeuce]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

TheDeuce said:

Turns out Albon hasn't wasted any time showing up Gasly's efforts in that red bull..

It's only practice but that was a very good start. Hopefully, he remains that close before taking his grid penalty.

At the back, it must be soul-destroying for Kubica to be outpaced by Latifi depending on if he had any issues.

Again practice but not a good sign.

Latifi and Russell at Willaims in 2020?

Kvyat ahead of Gasly as well.

And kubica had that spin... Seems to do that fairly often, or in some other way lose control, go wide etc.

He did amazingly well to recover from his injuries to the point that he coukd return to F1, that is in itself quite a victory. I think it's now time to acknowledge that for whatever reason he no longer has competitive pace. So, yes - Russell and Latifi for 2020 seems highly likely.

[kiseca]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

kiseca said:

Do you think, for instance, if Max could be convinced to swap to Mercedes, and the finances of having two top drivers added up, they wouldn't put him alongside Lewis?

I know many think Lewis will throw his toys out of the cot, but fact is he hasn't in the past shown any intent to block any driver from being his team mate, and frankly I think most are confusing Lewis with Senna or Schumacher with this particular trait.

I can't believe for 1 minute that Mercedes would rather have Max beating Lewis in a Red Bull than in a Mercedes, even with the management complications it brings.

Same goes for any other driver, but Max as an example seems most likely to give Lewis a headache. Maybe Ricciardo, and he may well actually be an easier target that Mercedes have passed on.

Lewis has never expressed any concern over who his team mate is. So I don't agree it's quite likely at all.

There is no chance in hell that Hamilton would allow Verstappen, Ricciardo or Alonso in the 2nd Mercedes.

...

Hamilton knows he can state he doesn't care about his teammate as he knows Mercedes will never have another situation like Rosberg again.

This is why Bottas is perfect. He is not going to bother Hamilton over a full season and is fast enough to get the extra points.

Only once Hamilton retires will another top driver have a chance at Mercedes if the team continues.

You say that a lot, but I've never seen any actual events, quotes or decisions to back it up. The actions and quotes I have seen suggest the opposite. Until something comes up to support this view that Hamilton will block Ricciardo or Max, it's just a conspiracy theory.

I agree that Mercedes have stated they want to avoid Alonso specifically because of what happened at McLaren, but that was an unprecedented, and very expensive, set of events and is no indicator of Hamilton and Ricciardo or Verstappen. It's specifically about Alonso.

They've also said they want to avoid another Rosberg / Hamilton scenario but again, as far as I'm aware, have never stated that they don't want two quick drivers in the car. It could refer to anything. Anyway, that's about Mercedes, not Hamilton himself, and even so, I still don't for a minute believe that Mercedes would choose to avoid a difficult management scenario in favour of letting a significant threat take a competitor's car to the title, should they have the choice.

EDIT: Happy to be proven wrong if Hamilton, or someone close to him, has actually said he would, or indeed has, blocked drivers who would threaten his chances for a driver's title, but I haven't seen any, and it's not like it tends to stay silent. Warwick's story with Senna blocking him at Lotus came out, Prost's and Mansell's negotiations at Williams and Ferrari came out, Schumacher's and Ferrari's approach is all in the media. So if there's something behind this opinion, someone close to Hamilton or to a driver he's blocked from joining a team will be saying it.

Edited by kiseca on Friday 30th August 12:39

[anonymous-user]

TheDeuce said:

And kubica had that spin... Seems to do that fairly often, or in some other way lose control, go wide etc.

He did amazingly well to recover from his injuries to the point that he coukd return to F1, that is in itself quite a victory. I think it's now time to acknowledge that for whatever reason he no longer has competitive pace. So, yes - Russell and Latifi for 2020 seems highly likely.

It's a real shame for Kubica as he was one hell of a force before his accident.

It is amazing he made it back but unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

Maybe in time, Russell will show how good he really is and we can look back at Kubica's year with him with high regard.

[kiseca]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

TheDeuce said:

And kubica had that spin... Seems to do that fairly often, or in some other way lose control, go wide etc.

He did amazingly well to recover from his injuries to the point that he coukd return to F1, that is in itself quite a victory. I think it's now time to acknowledge that for whatever reason he no longer has competitive pace. So, yes - Russell and Latifi for 2020 seems highly likely.

It's a real shame for Kubica as he was one hell of a force before his accident.

It is amazing he made it back but unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

Maybe in time, Russell will show how good he really is and we can look back at Kubica's year with him with high regard.

I really hoped he would do well this year too, though odds were against him with lack of experience for his age, lack of experience with current cars, more-or-less needing to drive one handed....

I think he lost a really bright future in F1 when he nearly lost his arm.

It was good, if surprising, to see him make it back, and I must say given the testing that went on and the results we know of, his pace seems surprisingly slow (to me) and I hope he's enjoyed this year back but I'm guessing the lack of pace will be blunting that enjoyment a lot for him.

Edited to add: Actually, the fact that he made it back into a seat at all after all this time is in itself a hell of a story. Good for him, and I hope in the future - or even right now - he gets to look back on his comeback with a sense of satisfaction and achievement.

Edited by kiseca on Friday 30th August 13:31

[slipstream 1985]

funny how things work out. of the three newbies in f1 this season 3rd is in the best car 2nd the middle car and first from f2 in the worst of the 3 cars they are driving.

[thegreenhell]

Perez confirms three more years with Racing Point.

[Smollet]

ELUSIVEJIM said:

TheDeuce said:

And kubica had that spin... Seems to do that fairly often, or in some other way lose control, go wide etc.

He did amazingly well to recover from his injuries to the point that he coukd return to F1, that is in itself quite a victory. I think it's now time to acknowledge that for whatever reason he no longer has competitive pace. So, yes - Russell and Latifi for 2020 seems highly likely.

It's a real shame for Kubica as he was one hell of a force before his accident.

It is amazing he made it back but unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

Maybe in time, Russell will show how good he really is and we can look back at Kubica's year with him with high regard.

Personally I think Russell is a better driver than Norris who is bloody good. He’s made less mistakes in his rookie year and showed him a clean pair of heals in F2. Admittedly it was a better set up car. I sincerely hope he gets the Merc seat next to Lewis in 2021.

[Nickp82]

thegreenhell said:

Perez confirms three more years with Racing Point.

So That’s why Otmar was sporting the Sombrero then.

[carinaman]

Hulkenberg has experience that would be useful for Haas?

[tobinen]

Hulk to Hass would be a safe pair of hands, which would appeal to the team I think

[Leithen]

How about Hulk to Ferrari if Vettel hangs up his boots?

[Deesee]

Prost has stated today that Hulk was offered a 1+1 yr contract, and turned it down, perhaps he has something up his sleeve...

[Nickp82]

Hulk does seem pretty cool about things, though I guess he would act that way whatever.
I think Haas is pretty much a done deal too, he intimated to Sky that was his main option.

[Steamer]

Leithen said:

How about Hulk to Ferrari if Vettel hangs up his boots?

thats madness. I think they would pull Kimi back rather than take the Hulk...

...Although Hulk & Kimi at Alfa could be handy?

[TheDeuce]

Steamer said:

Leithen said:

How about Hulk to Ferrari if Vettel hangs up his boots?

thats madness. I think they would pull Kimi back rather than take the Hulk...

...Although Hulk & Kimi at Alfa could be handy?

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.

Kimi was and still would be an excellent no2, he was generally there and close enough to the front battles to scoop up serious points. And in anycase, surely if they were shopping around they would approach the likes of Max, Bottas or Ricciardo ahead of Hulk. Who knows, maybe the have approached some of those names... We don't really even know if they need another driver next year. I think they would keep Vettel if he is to remain in the sport (I have a big question mark over that..) and CLC has ticked all their boxes so far. They have two drivers that combined could take them to victory next year, if only they could sort out their car and race craft, both of which have been a bit sub-par this season. Especially the race-craft/strategy. Some of their errors this year, whilst humerous, have been fairly appalling. They could have been a lot closer to Merc at this point, with the two drivers they already have, simply by sorting team based errors. They effectively took one of their drivers out of the Monaco GP for no reason, before the race even began. Can't be a WCC contender if you're going to lark about and throw points away like that..

[Poppiecock]

Leithen said:

How about Hulk to Ferrari if Vettel hangs up his boots?

Not even close to being in the same class.

I don't get the enthusiasm for Hulkenberg. Obviously none of the top team principals do, either.

Versus Perez at Force India, Perez had 4 podiums - Hulkenberg never managed it - and he's trailing Ricciardo this year, too.

[Vaud]

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.

[TheDeuce]

Vaud said:

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.

Oh it totally does. Apart from anything else, you get instant celebration simply for making it to the team, along with a boost in your profile as a driver and obviously the money. And let's be frank, you're going to get laid every single night you spend in Italy, forever. also the history, the prestige and so on. Ferrari is a fairly magical and passionate brand full stop.

However... if a driver actually wants to become a champion these days I think it's fair to say Ferrari isn't the most likely place, sadly. Next season, if they keep Albon or manage to find someone even better as a no2, Red Bull will probably be ahead of Ferrari.

Makes you wonder about CLC's career future. I have no doubt he's WDC material but will it happen at Ferrari?! Or will he eventually leave Ferrari and achieve his ambitions elsewhere?

Sooner or later Ferrari's glam factor will start to wane a little in F1 if they can't win a WCC and/or WDC. It's been a while..

[ajprice]

TheDeuce said:

Oh it totally does. Apart from anything else, you get instant celebration simply for making it to the team, along with a boost in your profile as a driver and obviously the money. And let's be frank, you're going to get laid every single night you spend in Italy, forever. also the history, the prestige and so on. Ferrari is a fairly magical and passionate brand full stop.

However... if a driver actually wants to become a champion these days I think it's fair to say Ferrari isn't the most likely place, sadly. Next season, if they keep Albon or manage to find someone even better as a no2, Red Bull will probably be ahead of Ferrari.

Makes you wonder about CLC's career future. I have no doubt he's WDC material but will it happen at Ferrari?! Or will he eventually leave Ferrari and achieve his ambitions elsewhere?

Sooner or later Ferrari's glam factor will start to wane a little in F1 if they can't win a WCC and/or WDC. It's been a while..

It's 2007 since they won a driver's championship, and it's 2008 since they won a constructor's championship, they've had other 'dry spells' without winning a championship...

Surtees won in '64, then Lauda in '75, they didn't win the constructor's championship between those either.
Scheckter in '79 then Schumacher in 2000, but they won the constructor's in '83 and '99.

If they don't win a constructor's by 2024 or a driver's by 2028, then they are really having a bad time.

[TheDeuce]

ajprice said:

It's 2007 since they won a driver's championship, and it's 2008 since they won a constructor's championship, they've had other 'dry spells' without winning a championship...

Surtees won in '64, then Lauda in '75, they didn't win the constructor's championship between those either.
Scheckter in '79 then Schumacher in 2000, but they won the constructor's in '83 and '99.

If they don't win a constructor's by 2024 or a driver's by 2028, then they are really having a bad time.

I'm aware of the timescales - but seriously, unless they make a really good job of 2021 then they really might not win WCC by 2024. Red Bull are better placed to resize and fit within the budget caps than Ferrari are, and assuming Merc stay in the sport, then god knows how much they're already ploughing in to their 2021 solution..

I see Ferrari as looking increasingly old fashioned tbh. The way they do things, the way they rule their team and place personal blame on key figures for what is far more likely to be symptomatic of a wider cultural problem in the team just doesn't fly these days. Not just in F1, but in business in general. They don't appear to be a unified force, they never did but nowadays others are proving that unification does breed results and in terms of F1, better race-craft when under pressure.

I may be wrong in my assertions - but that team still has a whiff of serious dictatorship about it. Bernie would approve but the results disagree.