The Official F1 2021 silly season *contains speculation*

[suffolk009]

Stan the Bat said:

Are you expecting a short season next year ?

I currently see no reason to expect a return to pre-covid race meetings and more usual calendars.

[TheDeuce]

suffolk009 said:

Stan the Bat said:

Are you expecting a short season next year ?

I currently see no reason to expect a return to pre-covid race meetings and more usual calendars.

Probably no fans at race meets next year granted.. But I see quite a long list of reasons why the calendar can be expected to be more normal than this year.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

faa77 said:

Just watched The Inside Line. Apparently Racing Point have a clause which they can release Perez. However, if i heard it right, the clause must be initiated before the end of July......

Anyone else watch this/did I hear it right?

This was mentioned in Austria the other week too so likely there is something to it.

[TheDeuce]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

faa77 said:

Just watched The Inside Line. Apparently Racing Point have a clause which they can release Perez. However, if i heard it right, the clause must be initiated before the end of July......

Anyone else watch this/did I hear it right?

This was mentioned in Austria the other week too so likely there is something to it.

If that is the case there's probably some frantic negotiations going on as the deadline draws closer. We should all learn the outcome pretty soon..

Assuming vettel does go to RP, he'll likely spend most of next season ahead of LeClerc. Funny how things turn out..

[faa77]

TheDeuce said:

If that is the case there's probably some frantic negotiations going on as the deadline draws closer. We should all learn the outcome pretty soon..

Assuming vettel does go to RP, he'll likely spend most of next season ahead of LeClerc. Funny how things turn out..

Not a huge fan of Perez but it's not nice he'll be the one binned due to nepotism.

[kambites]

faa77 said:

Not a huge fan of Perez but it's not nice he'll be the one binned due to nepotism.

I don't believe anyone ever claimed F1 was "nice".

[ajprice]

Meanwhile on Planet Villeneuve, Red Bull should drop Albon for Vettel https://www.planetf1.com/news/jv-alex-albon-sebast...

[kiseca]

ajprice said:

Meanwhile on Planet Villeneuve, Red Bull should drop Albon for Vettel https://www.planetf1.com/news/jv-alex-albon-sebast...

From the article: “Red Bull would finally have two drivers who can drive to the limit.”

They had that already but couldn't hold on to one of them.

[TheDeuce]

kiseca said:

From the article: “Red Bull would finally have two drivers who can drive to the limit.”

But one of those two drivers tends to end up pointing the wrong way when exploring the limit.

[kiseca]

TheDeuce said:

kiseca said:

From the article: “Red Bull would finally have two drivers who can drive to the limit.”

But one of those two drivers tends to end up pointing the wrong way when exploring the limit.

He'll be fine, they'll give him an Adrian Newey blown diffuser....

[HustleRussell]

TheDeuce said:

kiseca said:

From the article: “Red Bull would finally have two drivers who can drive to the limit.”

But one of those two drivers tends to end up pointing the wrong way when exploring the limit.

On recent form I actually don’t know if you’re talking about VER or VET

[LucyP]

TheDeuce said:

Probably no fans at race meets next year granted.. But I see quite a long list of reasons why the calendar can be expected to be more normal than this year.

Of course there will be fans. There might be less allowed. Fans are allowed at MSVR circuits in the UK right now.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/george-russell-willi...

I know people got a but pissy with me on another thread for thinking GR’s comments were directed at CW in the Thursday presser but it looks like someone’s putting stories out there to the same effect.

Williams will be holding him to ransom.

[TheDeuce]

LucyP said:

TheDeuce said:

Probably no fans at race meets next year granted.. But I see quite a long list of reasons why the calendar can be expected to be more normal than this year.

Of course there will be fans. There might be less allowed. Fans are allowed at MSVR circuits in the UK right now.

Well... You were right when you said there was no way they were going to allow F1 to run at all this year - I think you backed up that prediction to pointing at the fact pubs won't be able to open until after Christmas.

I'll consider myself told.

[LucyP]

Why don't you introduce yourself at the GP next weekend or the one after and we can chat about it? And since you always want proof, there are 4 colours on the paper wrist bands for this year, including the background colour.

Go along to an MSVR circuit and see the fans this weekend.

Liberty are funding circuits to put on GPs but no one is making any money. Fans will we welcomed back soon, and definitely by next year.

[TheDeuce]

LucyP said:

Why don't you introduce yourself at the GP next weekend or the one after and we can chat about it? And since you always want proof, there are 4 colours on the paper wrist bands for this year, including the background colour.

Go along to an MSVR circuit and see the fans this weekend.

Liberty are funding circuits to put on GPs but no one is making any money. Fans will we welcomed back soon, and definitely by next year.

I'm not claiming there won't be fans, there may be but I think in terms of F1 it's still doubtful - it really depends on whether or not them taking a moderate risk in a highly public way vs them paying what is relatively a fairly modest fee to each circuit - relative to the value of the TV rights agreements.

They have a major investment in terms of F1 to steer through these next couple of years, protecting the core investment is more important than making less, or even perhaps no money for a year or two.

Lets wait and see. Fwiw, I do hope fans are allowed back - I would attend a GP with no hesitation.

[EDLT]

I could see a small number of fans being allowed in, but only the ones that arrive via helicopter.

[vaud]

EDLT said:

I could see a small number of fans being allowed in, but only the ones that arrive via helicopter.

I could see 25% capacity... less scrum for seats so no need to queue up, phased entry like boarding a plane, easier to distance, outdoor so low risk. Pre-pack meals at concession stands, etc.

It is workable.

[TheDeuce]

vaud said:

I could see 25% capacity... less scrum for seats so no need to queue up, phased entry like boarding a plane, easier to distance, outdoor so low risk. Pre-pack meals at concession stands, etc.

It is workable.

I've felt it's been workable from the very start - on the proviso that ultimately risk of infection is obviously increased the more people are in one place. But once the peak had passed, I would say well managed stands at reduced capacity could be lower risk than a supermarket visit.

But that's not the point.. the press are watching these tentative efforts to bring sport back and will pounce if there is a 'virus breakout' story that can be attributed to F1. The prominence of F1 forces it to tread super carefully right now. Apparently for Sochi and Portimao some fans may be let in.. if things stay on the track they are I think that's realistic. If there is a ramp up again towards winter, probably not.

All that is certain is that anything is changeable these days..

[angrymoby]

TheDeuce said:

Well... You were right when you said there was no way they were going to allow F1 to run at all this year - I think you backed up that prediction to pointing at the fact pubs won't be able to open until after Christmas.

I'll consider myself told.