The Official F1 2021 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Swampy1982 said:
I suspect your comments are almost certainly spot on!
I'd be interested to see if GR replaces VB in 2021 though, I think that is a likely outcome.
Obviously assuming the rumours of Totto calling it a day after this season aren't true.
Yes, GR is the correct age and talent to be well lined up to replace either current driver at some point - even if the team is no longer Mercedes at that point - connections would likely remain.I'd be interested to see if GR replaces VB in 2021 though, I think that is a likely outcome.
Obviously assuming the rumours of Totto calling it a day after this season aren't true.
I think on the seb issue, we'll hear more from Toto about it. He's almost certainly had a discussion with seb by now - but that too would be the case even if their was no intention to do a deal. The existence of a meeting is itself newsworthy, even if they just sat down and played tiddlywinks for 20 minutes. Also an opportunity to seek the inside track on competitors plans.
TheDeuce said:
I think on the seb issue, we'll hear more from Toto about it. He's almost certainly had a discussion with seb by now - but that too would be the case even if their was no intention to do a deal.
You would think so, I would imagine they chat most days, they are neighbours... although a drive for 2021, is a bit more of an ask than a cup of sugar.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/formula1/52682505?...
I'm sure you have all read it already, but Alonso is "ready to return"
I'm sure you have all read it already, but Alonso is "ready to return"
Swampy1982 said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/formula1/52682505?...
I'm sure you have all read it already, but Alonso is "ready to return"
He's been ready to worm his way back in since before he buggered off in the first place!I'm sure you have all read it already, but Alonso is "ready to return"
TheDeuce said:
Swampy1982 said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/formula1/52682505?...
I'm sure you have all read it already, but Alonso is "ready to return"
He's been ready to worm his way back in since before he buggered off in the first place!I'm sure you have all read it already, but Alonso is "ready to return"
BrettMRC said:
thegreenhell said:
If Renault are serious they should sign both Vettel and Alonso.
Can you imagine the tantrums?For all the wrong reasons of course.. but at least there would be a reason.
kambites said:
Did the 2020 car look that bad in pre-season testing?
Didn't look great from memory. So far as I recall they seemed to be behind McLaren still. Pre season testing doesn't reveal all of course...I was maybe a a bit harsh in my comments
Point was that with a very unevolved car from 2019 and no reason to suspect a marked improvement in PU reliability, any incoming driver would be very optimistic to expect anything better than their 2019 result is on the cards.
kambites said:
Did the 2020 car look that bad in pre-season testing?
The driver tub was the same as 2019, with new parts around it. It's got the narrow nosecone which is supposed to improve aero, but then it flares out to meet the wide tub and it all looks a bit half arsed.Picture from f1technical forum, comparing the step on the Renault to the narrow front of the tub on the McLaren.
Edited by ajprice on Tuesday 19th May 12:08
kambites said:
Did the 2020 car look that bad in pre-season testing?
Think they'd narrowed the front in line with the latest design theories of other teams but other teams had narrowed the cars in this area as well so it worked. However because renault were reusing last year's chassis they just had a big step in this area as the old chassis was to wide to work with it.Edit added link:
https://youtu.be/VujJGovNWuc
Edited by dunc_sx on Tuesday 19th May 11:59
How narrow can you make a chassis before the driver has nowhere to put his feet?
The times from testing a few months back are there to be found . Renault were not that bad.
As fo ricchiardo. I want too see the shooey thing as much as the next man but he seems to have jumped to avoid another drop in his stock if ocon is giving him a hard time.
Will probably emerge as the most financially astute drive in F1 history wth no titles.
Trouble is his jumping about just makes the teams he leaves look bad .Fodder for a press that are pretty lazy and have nothing to do nowadays. why wish Renault off the grid. Thats 100s of F1 jobs gone and a sparser grid.
The times from testing a few months back are there to be found . Renault were not that bad.
As fo ricchiardo. I want too see the shooey thing as much as the next man but he seems to have jumped to avoid another drop in his stock if ocon is giving him a hard time.
Will probably emerge as the most financially astute drive in F1 history wth no titles.
Trouble is his jumping about just makes the teams he leaves look bad .Fodder for a press that are pretty lazy and have nothing to do nowadays. why wish Renault off the grid. Thats 100s of F1 jobs gone and a sparser grid.
Fundoreen said:
How narrow can you make a chassis before the driver has nowhere to put his feet?
The times from testing a few months back are there to be found . Renault were not that bad.
As fo ricchiardo. I want too see the shooey thing as much as the next man but he seems to have jumped to avoid another drop in his stock if ocon is giving him a hard time.
Will probably emerge as the most financially astute drive in F1 history wth no titles.
Trouble is his jumping about just makes the teams he leaves look bad .Fodder for a press that are pretty lazy and have nothing to do nowadays. why wish Renault off the grid. Thats 100s of F1 jobs gone and a sparser grid.
I don't think anyone is wishing them to leave.. but Franky it's on Renault to perform in a way that makes the whole excercise worthwhile. I think a lot of it (including their strained and weak refresh of last year's car) is to do with limited investment.The times from testing a few months back are there to be found . Renault were not that bad.
As fo ricchiardo. I want too see the shooey thing as much as the next man but he seems to have jumped to avoid another drop in his stock if ocon is giving him a hard time.
Will probably emerge as the most financially astute drive in F1 history wth no titles.
Trouble is his jumping about just makes the teams he leaves look bad .Fodder for a press that are pretty lazy and have nothing to do nowadays. why wish Renault off the grid. Thats 100s of F1 jobs gone and a sparser grid.
For example they have a basically competitive PU but no customers due to reliability concerns, amongst other things.. for the money lost from supplying engines one wonders if it could have been better overall to have invested more heavily to improve PU reliability years ago.
Donno.. I don't really have a full theory but it 'feels' a bit like the financial shunt required to get the team where they were aiming was just not sufficient, and that those who could sign off on effecting a turnaround investment now aren't making any positive noises about doing so - even before CV.
Bottas to Renault talks report. I'd guess they would be after Seb or Fernando first to fill the seat though. https://f1i.com/news/373545-renault-reportedly-ini...
ajprice said:
Bottas to Renault talks report. I'd guess they would be after Seb or Fernando first to fill the seat though. https://f1i.com/news/373545-renault-reportedly-ini...
It's such a non-story though. Of course they've spoken to him - and he might well say something positive about them.. He has a contract to agree terms of with Mercedes so it's in his favour to play up the potential he could be 'poached'.Is there any reason to believe he would see it as a step upwards though?
TheDeuce said:
ajprice said:
Bottas to Renault talks report. I'd guess they would be after Seb or Fernando first to fill the seat though. https://f1i.com/news/373545-renault-reportedly-ini...
It's such a non-story though. Of course they've spoken to him - and he might well say something positive about them.. He has a contract to agree terms of with Mercedes so it's in his favour to play up the potential he could be 'poached'.Is there any reason to believe he would see it as a step upwards though?
Surely every F1 driver is tapping up a couple of teams at any given time. Even more so if you are in a very desirable seat and being strung along one year at a time.
Even when Mercedes first signed Bottas he was viewed as a distress signing to plug the gap Rosberg left. He can never take his seat for a given.
Edited by HustleRussell on Thursday 21st May 21:37
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