The Official F1 2021 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Part of the reason Mercedes have been so strong over such a long period has been in their succession planning. They'd be stupid not to do the same with their drivers. We all know that Hamilton is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, so he will be gone sooner rather than later. Also, Mercedes aren't a team that will have two nobodies as drivers. If Hamilton were to leave suddenly, Bottas and Russell aren't going to cut it from a marketing point of view, even if they can do it on the track. They'll get another big name driver in there, just like they've always done.
thegreenhell said:
Part of the reason Mercedes have been so strong over such a long period has been in their succession planning. They'd be stupid not to do the same with their drivers. We all know that Hamilton is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, so he will be gone sooner rather than later. Also, Mercedes aren't a team that will have two nobodies as drivers. If Hamilton were to leave suddenly, Bottas and Russell aren't going to cut it from a marketing point of view, even if they can do it on the track. They'll get another big name driver in there, just like they've always done.
Who would be big enough to fill Hamilton’s boots at this point? I can only think of two and they’re not going anywhere. Max would totally take it. Let's face it, assuming Mercedes take both titles again next year then they're appealling enough to attract any driver on the grid and frankly can afford to buy any driver they choose out of whatever stage of contract they're in - even if a driver hasn't got a get out clause, they're still on the table from Mercs pov.
I agree with comments above about driver line up being important but I don't see it as Mercedes dropping the ball. They've simply sacrificed concerns about finding a replacement for Lewis ahead of time, in order to focus everything on helping him secure that record breaking 8th title next year, along with their own as a constructor of course. A major part of that plan means they want to keep bottas and not upset the apple cart by swapping him for someone else. Even if one or both drivers do leave at the end of 2021 then it will still have been worth it. And as I said in paragraph one, they could ultimately get whoever they wanted in to the seat(s) very quickly if they need to.
I agree with comments above about driver line up being important but I don't see it as Mercedes dropping the ball. They've simply sacrificed concerns about finding a replacement for Lewis ahead of time, in order to focus everything on helping him secure that record breaking 8th title next year, along with their own as a constructor of course. A major part of that plan means they want to keep bottas and not upset the apple cart by swapping him for someone else. Even if one or both drivers do leave at the end of 2021 then it will still have been worth it. And as I said in paragraph one, they could ultimately get whoever they wanted in to the seat(s) very quickly if they need to.
MiniMan64 said:
Who would be big enough to fill Hamilton’s boots at this point? I can only think of two and they’re not going anywhere.
This is the problem for Mercedes, and to an extent for F1. Such few drivers have had a chance to excel over the last decade that there isn't much of a next wave of drivers to take over. Behind the old guard WDCs (Ham, Vet, Kimi, Alonso) is just a whole generation of journeymen who will never step up, and then the fresh young guns. The only real proven talent left is Max, Ricc and possibly Leclerc. With those three now tied up in other big teams, this is why Alonso is coming back, because there just isn't the depth left to lead the remaining top teams.This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
thegreenhell said:
This is the problem for Mercedes, and to an extent for F1. Such few drivers have had a chance to excel over the last decade that there isn't much of a next wave of drivers to take over. Behind the old guard WDCs (Ham, Vet, Kimi, Alonso) is just a whole generation of journeymen who will never step up, and then the fresh young guns. The only real proven talent left is Max, Ricc and possibly Leclerc. With those three now tied up in other big teams, this is why Alonso is coming back, because there just isn't the depth left to lead the remaining top teams.
This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
The top line drivers have always had long careers if they wanted them. If the young gun doesn't make an impression, they are out and make way for the next in the meat grinder. That is almost always what is going on in the lower rank teams, irrespective of era.This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
jsf said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Verstappen would race for free if it got him that seat and don't be daft enough to think that Jos hasn't got a clause in their for him to get out if it became available.
No driver of his calibre will drive for free.MissChief said:
jsf said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Verstappen would race for free if it got him that seat and don't be daft enough to think that Jos hasn't got a clause in their for him to get out if it became available.
No driver of his calibre will drive for free.Piginapoke said:
jsf said:
No driver of his calibre will drive for free.
You are of course right, but Senna offered to do just that to join Williams Renault!He did like to use the media to take cheap shots at his rivals and I reckon he said that to try unsettle Prost... again. Behind the scenes, he was one of the hardest contract negotiators on the grid. Ron used to dread the contract negotiations with him.
Where did all this perez to zero points williams originate?
At the moment he is the hapless pawn cut loose by sinister billionare interests.
If he takes the bait and displaces Russell he is now the villain of the piece and will look quite silly.
Meanwhile the whole thing takes pressure of those bozos at tracing point true or false.
If its signing for 2022 with a year off 2021 fair enough.
At the moment he is the hapless pawn cut loose by sinister billionare interests.
If he takes the bait and displaces Russell he is now the villain of the piece and will look quite silly.
Meanwhile the whole thing takes pressure of those bozos at tracing point true or false.
If its signing for 2022 with a year off 2021 fair enough.
thegreenhell said:
This is the problem for Mercedes, and to an extent for F1. Such few drivers have had a chance to excel over the last decade that there isn't much of a next wave of drivers to take over. Behind the old guard WDCs (Ham, Vet, Kimi, Alonso) is just a whole generation of journeymen who will never step up, and then the fresh young guns. The only real proven talent left is Max, Ricc and possibly Leclerc. With those three now tied up in other big teams, this is why Alonso is coming back, because there just isn't the depth left to lead the remaining top teams.
This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
If Mercedes want to keep playing it safe they may offer Alonso a seat instead of a young gun if Hamilton retires in a year or two.This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
But would Bottas hang around ?
Bo_apex said:
thegreenhell said:
This is the problem for Mercedes, and to an extent for F1. Such few drivers have had a chance to excel over the last decade that there isn't much of a next wave of drivers to take over. Behind the old guard WDCs (Ham, Vet, Kimi, Alonso) is just a whole generation of journeymen who will never step up, and then the fresh young guns. The only real proven talent left is Max, Ricc and possibly Leclerc. With those three now tied up in other big teams, this is why Alonso is coming back, because there just isn't the depth left to lead the remaining top teams.
This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
If Mercedes want to keep playing it safe they may offer Alonso a seat instead of a young gun if Hamilton retires in a year or two.This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
But would Bottas hang around ?
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-motor-f1-britain...
Bo_apex said:
thegreenhell said:
This is the problem for Mercedes, and to an extent for F1. Such few drivers have had a chance to excel over the last decade that there isn't much of a next wave of drivers to take over. Behind the old guard WDCs (Ham, Vet, Kimi, Alonso) is just a whole generation of journeymen who will never step up, and then the fresh young guns. The only real proven talent left is Max, Ricc and possibly Leclerc. With those three now tied up in other big teams, this is why Alonso is coming back, because there just isn't the depth left to lead the remaining top teams.
This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
If Mercedes want to keep playing it safe they may offer Alonso a seat instead of a young gun if Hamilton retires in a year or two.This is what happens when teams are allowed to dominate for too long, and drivers hang around in the sport for too long. It stifles the development of the next generation because everyone is too focused on maintaining their own status quo. We have a strong generation coming to an end, and a weakened next generation left to fill the gap. It's entirely conceivable that in three years time we'll have an F1 with no past champions racing in it.
But would Bottas hang around ?
HustleRussell said:
I think that Toto, due to his long standing management relationship with Valterri, will want to see him win a WDC- be that by Bottas sneaking one out of the handful where he is up against Hamilton as Rosberg did, or if Toto can engineer an opportunity when Hamilton goes.
He doesn't seem the sort to gift someone a championship to me.LaurasOtherHalf said:
HustleRussell said:
I think that Toto, due to his long standing management relationship with Valterri, will want to see him win a WDC- be that by Bottas sneaking one out of the handful where he is up against Hamilton as Rosberg did, or if Toto can engineer an opportunity when Hamilton goes.
He doesn't seem the sort to gift someone a championship to me.The best chance Bottas has of getting a WDC is if Hamilton retired and the seat wasn't filled by Max, LeClerc or Ricciardo, say. And Merc are still on top form.
Bottas has pace - he's up against the best and he's not looking like a total fool. He just lacks the 'edge', be that outright pace, consistency, digging just that bit deeper, being a bit more aggressive - playing the odds better in a race.
number2 said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
HustleRussell said:
I think that Toto, due to his long standing management relationship with Valterri, will want to see him win a WDC- be that by Bottas sneaking one out of the handful where he is up against Hamilton as Rosberg did, or if Toto can engineer an opportunity when Hamilton goes.
He doesn't seem the sort to gift someone a championship to me.The best chance Bottas has of getting a WDC is if Hamilton retired and the seat wasn't filled by Max, LeClerc or Ricciardo, say. And Merc are still on top form.
Bottas has pace - he's up against the best and he's not looking like a total fool. He just lacks the 'edge', be that outright pace, consistency, digging just that bit deeper, being a bit more aggressive - playing the odds better in a race.
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