The Official F1 2021 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
MustangGT said:
geeks said:
Ocon is no longer under Toto and I dont think has done enough for that seat, I would love the Russell - Norris team up though
Ocon is beating a 2x WDC currently, so, I think he has done enough.
Barely achieved half the points of the 0 x WDC Daniel Ricciardo last year though, didn't he?
Early days for this year - we're only 4 races in and Alonso clearly needs some time to adapt, just like Vettel in the AM and Ricciardo in the McLaren.
If Ocon beats Fernando at the year end he'll look better but just beating a 40 year old Alonso doesn't get you a prime seat IMO.
MustangGT said:
geeks said:
Ocon is no longer under Toto and I dont think has done enough for that seat, I would love the Russell - Norris team up though
Ocon is beating a 2x WDC currently, so, I think he has done enough.Ocon hasn't done any more than Bottas from what I can tell. Bottas at least looked quick in the Williams when he wasn't falling asleep. He got some good results in the team.
kiseca said:
That's 4 races in, against a WDC who has been out of Formula 1 for 3 years and is getting on a bit too. Meanwhile, Ricciardo, who beat Ocon last season...
You’re going to acknowledge that, but not the fact that in 2020- Ocon was returning after a year out, and up against the incumbent mega bucks signing of Ricciardo? 
Europa Jon said:
I don't see anything special in Ocon. Sure, he's beating Alonso so far but so what? Maybe we're all wrong and Fernando's now a has-been.
Either way, they're better drivers than Ocon, some of which aren't in F1 currently.
There are a handful of drivers on the grid better than Ocon at this present time.Either way, they're better drivers than Ocon, some of which aren't in F1 currently.
Alonso is ten years past his peak, but can still do the business, he will (as he has done) struggle with Pirelli rubber, but is one hell of a benchmark for any driver.
Outside of F1, better than Ocon?
Deesee said:
TheDeuce said:
Why replace one for the other? Has Ocon done something to suggest he's overall a better no2 for the team than Bottas?
Merc don’t have a no1..Ocon superior to Bottas? Differing strengths and weaknesses in my view but nothing to suggest one is overall worth swapping for the other.
All that is known and relevant for certain is that bottas can generally keep up with Lewis in quali. That's quite some party trick - could ocon..?
TheDeuce said:
True.. but not really what/why I asked.
Ocon superior to Bottas? Differing strengths and weaknesses in my view but nothing to suggest one is overall worth swapping for the other.
All that is known and relevant for certain is that bottas can generally keep up with Lewis in quali. That's quite some party trick - could ocon..?
If I were Merc f1 ultimate decision maker, from a performance decision I’d have the current line up... however..Ocon superior to Bottas? Differing strengths and weaknesses in my view but nothing to suggest one is overall worth swapping for the other.
All that is known and relevant for certain is that bottas can generally keep up with Lewis in quali. That's quite some party trick - could ocon..?
I don’t think Valtteri is likely to sign an extension (if offered), & will sign for an other team, he’s quick enough over one lap, and mighty quick over a race, he tends to lose positions in the initial 1/2/3 laps, but he would add more value to a solid midfield team, as his pace is especially good over the final 200km of the GP.
Hamilton will sign a 2 yr extension shortly.
I can’t see Valtteri signing up to another 2 years of Hamilton, even though he’s well remunerated, and picking up a few poles/occasional wins/podiums almost every race.
I think they will bring in Ocon or perhaps Lando, I just can’t see Russell getting the gig, needs a good stint in the midfield (like Sainz) before he gets a front running drive.
Ocon is out of contract (with Gasly likely to replace) this year so I’ll guess we will find out.
Deesee said:
TheDeuce said:
True.. but not really what/why I asked.
Ocon superior to Bottas? Differing strengths and weaknesses in my view but nothing to suggest one is overall worth swapping for the other.
All that is known and relevant for certain is that bottas can generally keep up with Lewis in quali. That's quite some party trick - could ocon..?
If I were Merc f1 ultimate decision maker, from a performance decision I’d have the current line up... however..Ocon superior to Bottas? Differing strengths and weaknesses in my view but nothing to suggest one is overall worth swapping for the other.
All that is known and relevant for certain is that bottas can generally keep up with Lewis in quali. That's quite some party trick - could ocon..?
I don’t think Valtteri is likely to sign an extension (if offered), & will sign for an other team, he’s quick enough over one lap, and mighty quick over a race, he tends to lose positions in the initial 1/2/3 laps, but he would add more value to a solid midfield team, as his pace is especially good over the final 200km of the GP.
Hamilton will sign a 2 yr extension shortly.
I can’t see Valtteri signing up to another 2 years of Hamilton, even though he’s well remunerated, and picking up a few poles/occasional wins/podiums almost every race.
I think they will bring in Ocon or perhaps Lando, I just can’t see Russell getting the gig, needs a good stint in the midfield (like Sainz) before he gets a front running drive.
Ocon is out of contract (with Gasly likely to replace) this year so I’ll guess we will find out.
The reasons to replace him at all are limited imo. If Lewis remains after title #8 it wouldn't surprise me to see bottas ejected for GR, purely because they have to at some point plan for the future and need a younger driver, potentially with a hotter head..
If I'm honest I can't see ocon there at all though. I just don't rate him over bottas... So imo might as well just keep bottas if that's the choice.
Ocon Vs Russell.. it's Russell surely!? And not because of his recent Merc joyride, but because he strikes me as a very serious and passionay racer, and a racer that would fit in very well the Merc team ethos. He's also got the consistency that Merc crave. If you look at Merc success since 2014, so much of it is down to consistency over and above some hammer blow style advantage.
swisstoni said:
Bottas has looked a bit bored and unhappy recently and probably fancies a change of scenery, regardless of what Merc’s plans are.
If you were Bottas’ manager and his boss, and you knew that his contract was not likely to be renewed for next season, you’d probably at least give him a heads-up off the record to give yourselves the maximum amount of time to drum up some options elsewhere... Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff