The Official F1 2022 silly season *contains speculation*

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Deesee said:

Lance Stroll to Merc, really seems to be gathering some traction..?!

£20 to the Grand Prix Trust if it happens.

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I'm in the "Stroll is OK" camp but I can see no rationale for him being in a Merc. If they want a consistent no 2 (but not Russell for now) then there are many other choices.

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Teddy Lop said:

Mercedes have never employed someone as a no 2. Bottas might have fallen/been beaten into that role and Merc might be guilty of not wanting to break a thing that was working, but bottas was the best avaliable and being properly talked up in '16.

And Lance just doesn't sit right for me, he earns more of my respect these days but the whole daddy-buy-me-a-racecar-team image is one that really sticks.

I disagree. Many drivers were available since Bottas was employed and they maintained Bottas as a de facto no 2.

[vaud]

TheDeuce said:

They kept him on... Why does that mean he's 'defacto no2'?

He's no2' so long as his talent earns him that role. If he beat Lewis across several races at the start of a season, they'd back him same as they back Lewis when he does that.

He's the de facto no 2. I agree that if he managed to mount a title attack they would back him but he has never shown that ability (against Lewis)

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If you believe that Bottas holds equal weight in the direction of car development, pit crew, etc...

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MustangGT said:

I think Mercedes would be in danger of losing George if they do not put him in the Mercedes alongside Lewis next year. His reputation and performance is such that I am sure Mercedes do not want to be racing against him in future years.

I think Bottas to Williams, or Aston if Vettel goes. George to Mercedes and Nick de Vries to Williams if Bottas goes to Aston.

Alonso to RB as No 2? No chance!

Can't see Vettel going, he is having fun again and delivering. More the old Seb and the team seem to love him.

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I was stuck in the car for 6 hours today and caught up on various motorsport podcasts.

The Beyond The Grid interview with Latifi is well worth a listen; pretty funny guy.

The topic of Ocon was discussed a few times - and why he suddenly had a 3 year deal... and many 2nd hand sources saying Russell has the deal at Mercedes with Bottas to Alfa.

I just thought... Ocon was no longer a Mercedes driver, but I wonder if they still had an option on him for 2022... and with Russell potentially now signed to Mercedes it freed Ocon up to sign long term.

No idea, just speculation.

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Some summer clickbait

https://www.planetf1.com/news/valtteri-bottas-alfa...

‘Vasseur spotted 10 times in Mercedes hospitality’

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The thing is that Williams seem to be on the rise; well funded and making progress. I think Williams are better placed in a cost control environment as they can draw on a larger UK based talent pool.

Alfa/Sauber feel a bit remote in Hinwil still to attract talent.

So Bottas back to Williams might be the better car for him for 2022+?

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SFTWend said:

It might already be too late for Russell to go to Mercedes with championship aspirations. Mercedes have lost their edge and no team remains dominant forever.

The counter view to that is that they have sunk almost everything into 2022 regs and may come out with the most dominant car.

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paulguitar said:

I agree with this.

Also, you were good on Blue Peter.

Also, dead.

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Joey Deacon said:

"Doobie Doobie Doo Latifi is Poo" according to Dan Ticktum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVCu6p37FAs

Lesson 2: how to get yourself dropped as a driver, as presented by Dan Ticktum.

Also see the archives for Lesson 1: how to try to ram a competitor off the track

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I hope Ticktum is never in F1.

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Sandpit Steve said:

Mazepin hasn’t annoyed the stewards as much as we all thought he might.

I've been in agreement with Joe Saward - Mazepin isn't a terrible driver. No Hamilton but he has had reasonable pace.

OK, he is there because of the money but he isn't that far behind Mick (in pay driver terms)

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Does Nissany have enough points to qualify for a race seat?

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stemll said:

Aitken's availability (even if being considered) will be driven by his recovery from his Spa shunt. Don't know how long a fractured vertebra takes to heal?

He's targeting the end of Sept for racing again.

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ajprice said:

Alonso confirmed at Alpine for 2022 https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/24184/12390884/f...

Good - he has been driving well and Alpine seem to be improving.

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paulguitar said:

The decision has been made already, and probably has been for some time. Not sure why they’ve delayed announcing for this long.

At a guess, negotiations with Sauber (and Kimi as he owns a % but I don't know on what terms)

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Adrian W said:

suffolk009 said:

If Kimi retires I wonder which brave TV broadcaster will employ him as a pundit?

Maybe a Finnish one, no other bugger can understand him.

He’s never shown any interest in the limelight. Hardly a man of many words…

He’ll go and fun stuff. Topped up with some brand ambassador gigs.

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Adrian W said:

Maybe a Finnish one, no other bugger can understand him.

Can you imagine if he was one of the commentators on Sunday?

"And it's back to Kimi in the pits for an update"

"It's raining. Leave me alone, I'm eating some frites"