The Official F1 2021 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/149428/ferrari-a...
Carlos Sainz is now confirmed at Ferrari for 2021.
Carlos Sainz is now confirmed at Ferrari for 2021.
I genuinely thought Sainz was 100% going to Ferrari (got that bit right) and Vettel would pop up in a McLaren (because Zak Brown is a fan).
Ricciardo to McLaren surprises me a bit, but I reckon that opens the door to a return by Alonso to Renault.
Hulkenberg is a spent force IMO.
LOL at the ones who suggested Perez for Ferrari. He has spent the last two years crawling up Lawrence Stroll's a55 so wasn't going anywhere.
All eyes now to Mercedes.......
Ricciardo to McLaren surprises me a bit, but I reckon that opens the door to a return by Alonso to Renault.
Hulkenberg is a spent force IMO.
LOL at the ones who suggested Perez for Ferrari. He has spent the last two years crawling up Lawrence Stroll's a55 so wasn't going anywhere.
All eyes now to Mercedes.......
Big question mark over Renault. Sentiment has turned against them recently since they slumped in 2019, but prior to that they were on a pretty convincing upwards trajectory.
Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
HustleRussell said:
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
Why do people rate Ocon so highly? He was beaten by Perez both seasons together at FI, when they weren't crashing into each other. I can't see him worrying Alonso over a season.thegreenhell said:
HustleRussell said:
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
Why do people rate Ocon so highly? He was beaten by Perez both seasons together at FI, when they weren't crashing into each other. I can't see him worrying Alonso over a season.Part of my opinion on Ocon is built from the opinions of people closer to the sport, but we also know he was a near rival to Verstappen on the way up to F1.
HustleRussell said:
Why do people rate Perez so lowly?
Part of my opinion on Ocon is built from the opinions of people closer to the sport, but we also know he was a near rival to Verstappen on the way up to F1.
I thought he beat Verstappen on the way up so there was sour blood because Verstappen got the better seat.Part of my opinion on Ocon is built from the opinions of people closer to the sport, but we also know he was a near rival to Verstappen on the way up to F1.
Ocon did not do himself any favours crashing into Verstappen in Brazil when Verstappen was leading and he was the backmarker.
I used to remember the days when backmarkers stayed out of the way when two lead contenders were fighting it out.
HustleRussell said:
Big question mark over Renault. Sentiment has turned against them recently since they slumped in 2019, but prior to that they were on a pretty convincing upwards trajectory.
Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
I think Renault would feel that DR was not a waste of money. They needed his experience to steer them back on track with the car set up. They've gained much experience and knowledge last season from having him there but engine/power unit issues let them down most the time.Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
leef44 said:
HustleRussell said:
Big question mark over Renault. Sentiment has turned against them recently since they slumped in 2019, but prior to that they were on a pretty convincing upwards trajectory.
Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
I think Renault would feel that DR was not a waste of money. They needed his experience to steer them back on track with the car set up. They've gained much experience and knowledge last season from having him there but engine/power unit issues let them down most the time.Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
ajprice said:
T
As with last year... "Please stay on topic. Any “Vettel is broken” and discussions of Hamilton’s dress sense and I’ll ask the mods to delete the thread
. "
.
Can we discuss Hamiltons off season silly hair? As with last year... "Please stay on topic. Any “Vettel is broken” and discussions of Hamilton’s dress sense and I’ll ask the mods to delete the thread
. ".
Alonso is too old for a return. Would be one season only surely (and I've not forgiven his behaviour at McLaren, then crash gate....)
tTY FRENCH ENGINE! AARRGHHHH!HustleRussell said:
leef44 said:
HustleRussell said:
Big question mark over Renault. Sentiment has turned against them recently since they slumped in 2019, but prior to that they were on a pretty convincing upwards trajectory.
Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
I think Renault would feel that DR was not a waste of money. They needed his experience to steer them back on track with the car set up. They've gained much experience and knowledge last season from having him there but engine/power unit issues let them down most the time.Their car for 2020 looked like an improvement, but since they re-entered the sport Renault has identified the new regs as the point at which they will become competitive with the front runners.
On the driver side, it was a baller move to poach Ricciardo from Red Bull. Judging by 'Drive to Survive', Abiteboul delighted in giving Horner a hard time. Renault said that paying Ricciardo's salary was a statement of intent which showed how serious they are about their resurgence. They hoped that he as a race winner would inject a new energy into the team.
We know they have Ocon in the other car who is presumably not supposed to be doing those things that Ricciardo was said to be doing. So to recruit another midfield driver is to row back on their justifications for recruiting Ricciardo. It also makes recruiting Ricciardo in the first place look like a shallow vanity effort and frankly a waste of a significant amount of money.
If they are to stay true to their own narrative they need a 'box office' driver in the other car.
Assuming Vettel retires, it's hard to see where that driver is coming from. I'd be happy to see Hulkenberg plug the hole but it's not very exciting is it.
I haven't missed McLaren-era Alonso very much but it'd be very entertaining to have him in the car. I feel that with Ocon in the other side of the garage, 39 year old Fernando might be reminded of 2007...
I doubt this has anything to do with loyalty and everything to do with common sense and reality on DR's part. McLaren has done a better job with the chassis than Renault and they will soon have a better PU, which even if it's an awkward transition year one, will offer greater potential going forwards.
What potential does Renault have to improve? As a team they're in a tough spot when it comes to making any significant investment ahead of cost caps. Their PU is similarly unlikely to see a leap forward in terms of reliability as reliability is very expensive, and they don't even have any customers anymore.
McLaren have managed better with their limited resources than Renault have. And McLaren have done the one thing that Renault couldn't do, move away from the Renault PU! Christ knows DR has already lived with Renault PU for long enough already..
Byker28i said:
Guanyu Zhou and Christian Lundgaard F2 drivers would be a good fit
Superlicence?On that subject, with all the talk of restarting the F1 season, are they also planning to restart F2 and F3? If not, then there won't be any junior drivers graduating to F1 for a couple of years.
I am completely baffled by what has happened today.
Ferrari should have signed Ricciardo and not Sainz. I can only think Ferrari want to make sure they have a clear number 1 and 2 driver as 2019 didn't work with LeClerc and Vettel.
Ricciardo joining McLaren as well is fantastic for McLaren but another stupid move by Ricciardo.
Mercedes must be laughing.
Ferrari should have signed Ricciardo and not Sainz. I can only think Ferrari want to make sure they have a clear number 1 and 2 driver as 2019 didn't work with LeClerc and Vettel.
Ricciardo joining McLaren as well is fantastic for McLaren but another stupid move by Ricciardo.
Mercedes must be laughing.
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