The Official F1 2021 silly season *contains speculation*

[thegreenhell]

It's being reported that Bottas has signed a new one year deal with Mercedes for 2021.

[Mr_Thyroid]

Some outlets (click-bait sites) suggesting Vettel may have something to announce on Thursday - he's requested an interview with Brundle.

https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-sebastian-vettel...

But I guess it would be odd for him to announce something in a one-on-one with rather than a full-on presser...?

[HTP99]

Mr_Thyroid said:

Some outlets (click-bait sites) suggesting Vettel may have something to announce on Thursday - he's requested an interview with Brundle.

https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-sebastian-vettel...

But I guess it would be odd for him to announce something in a one-on-one with rather than a full-on presser...?

He's denied it is a retirement announcement, so I guess it's a retirement announcement!!

[Europa1]

Mr_Thyroid said:

Some outlets (click-bait sites) suggesting Vettel may have something to announce on Thursday - he's requested an interview with Brundle.

https://thesportsrush.com/f1-news-sebastian-vettel...

But I guess it would be odd for him to announce something in a one-on-one with rather than a full-on presser...?

Brundle was at pains to pour cold water on this idea in the Sky coverage yesterday.

[Smollet]

thegreenhell said:

It's being reported that Bottas has signed a new one year deal with Mercedes for 2021.

Bang goes Russell's chance if true

[westtra]

Lot of rumours of either deal done or possible deal of vettel to Aston Martin next year. Thursdays interview with Martin Brundle could be interesting.

[anonymous-user]

If Vettel went to RP, could that mean Perez (with his large personal sponsorshop) could push out someone at HAAS (Groanjean) or Alfa (either driver)?

[vaud]

I think Lance would be the one to exit.

[mike-v2tmf]

Perez out and Vettel in at Aston Martin

[Jinba Ittai]

Lawrence Stroll is a serious businessman, and one super smart cookie too. But if he wants his F1 team to be taken seriously, and he has the opportunity to sign Vettel, he must pair him with Perez. That pairing really could push the team to the top of the mid field and be in a position to worry the top three longer term.

Haas have already hinted they will take a pay driver, so why not move Lance over there? I know a deal could done to place Perez there as well, but that isn’t the best decision for RP, and Lawrence must know that.

[HTP99]

mike-v2tmf said:

Perez out and Vettel in at Aston Martin

Definite or what you reckon, however there is alot of strong rumour to this effect now.

Seems a tad strange he would do this, I guess though it is a kind of re-set for him and if there is good and strong backing then he can see a strong future.

[thegreenhell]

Jinba Ittai said:

Lawrence Stroll is a serious businessman, and one super smart cookie too. But if he wants his F1 team to be taken seriously, and he has the opportunity to sign Vettel, he must pair him with Perez. That pairing really could push the team to the top of the mid field and be in a position to worry the top three longer term.

Haas have already hinted they will take a pay driver, so why not move Lance over there? I know a deal could done to place Perez there as well, but that isn’t the best decision for RP, and Lawrence must know that.

Agreed, and it's not hard to see that logic from the outside. However, to make it happen, a father is going to have to tell his son that he isn't good enough, and that isn't an easy thing to do.

[HustleRussell]

Guess we're about to find out what the Aston Martin F1 team is going to do with its brilliant form- is it to be a serious racing team or a rich Canadian's plaything.

[vaud]

thegreenhell said:

Agreed, and it's not hard to see that logic from the outside. However, to make it happen, a father is going to have to tell his son that he isn't good enough, and that isn't an easy thing to do.

Let's remember that it won't just be Stroll senior's view - he is the front for a consortium, IIRC, so the other investors may have a view...

[anonymous-user]

vaud said:

Let's remember that it won't just be Stroll senior's view - he is the front for a consortium, IIRC, so the other investors may have a view...

The fact that Stroll's son is in the team at all instead of staying at Williams, and that he's not known for being top of the driver pops, tells you it is likely Billionaire Stroll's decision as to who drives for his team.

It's reported Perez has a break option to buy him out of his contract and Stroll Jnr is Stroll Senior's son. Take a wild guess what is likely to happen here...

[HTP99]

RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:

vaud said:

Let's remember that it won't just be Stroll senior's view - he is the front for a consortium, IIRC, so the other investors may have a view...

The fact that Stroll's son is in the team at all instead of staying at Williams, and that he's not known for being top of the driver pops, tells you it is likely Billionaire Stroll's decision as to who drives for his team.

It's reported Perez has a break option to buy him out of his contract and Stroll Jnr is Stroll Senior's son. Take a wild guess what is likely to happen here...

Perez to Haas to replace the useless one?

[williamp]

HTP99 said:

Perez to Haas to replace the useless one?

Perez cant drive both the Haas cars. Hell need another driver, surely??

[djgritt]

Jinba Ittai said:

Haas have already hinted they will take a pay driver, so why not move Lance over there?

Why would Lawrence (& pals) fund a team & Aston Martin and then at the same time pay for his son to drive at another competitor team?

[kiseca]

djgritt said:

Jinba Ittai said:

Haas have already hinted they will take a pay driver, so why not move Lance over there?

Why would Lawrence (& pals) fund a team & Aston Martin and then at the same time pay for his son to drive at another competitor team?

To make sure that competitor team doesn't start beating his team?

[DanielSan]

djgritt said:

Why would Lawrence (& pals) fund a team & Aston Martin and then at the same time pay for his son to drive at another competitor team?

Lance will be going nowhere pretty much regardless of what he does. That said as weak as his qualifying pace usually is, he has improved it since last season and he does tend to race well. He keeps out of trouble and generally makes up places in a race rather than falling off the track, he's far from the best driver in F1 but he does the job he's there to do even if Perez and Vettel would be the better pairing.