The Official F1 2023 silly season *contains speculation*

[Mark-C]

mattdavies said:

entropy said:

spikyone said:

I'm not denying he's a very fast driver, the discussion was about the suggestion that he seems like a decent guy.

The discussion is also about why teams are endeared to Alonso. First and foremost he's a top class driver and teams are wiling to gamble to put up with the aggro. He is not the first driver nor sportsperson to have employers bend over backwards.

Merc allowed Hamilton's bling lifestyle without complaint despite the critics;

Slightly different, FA openly critises teams for their performance etc.

LH is allowed to live his lifestyle how he wants away from the race track not in team clothing as long as it doesnt affect his performance, he also doesnt harshly critise the team.

And beyond that (without derailing the thread) Merc are probably happy that LH's lifestyle reflects well on their brand and a younger demographic than is often associated with it.

Anyway, as above, Aston know exactly what they are getting with a 2xWDC with a history of getting the best out of cars - they've done their risk assessment and reckon FA is worth the "trouble".

[Deesee]

Fernando, great guy, race pace is still first class, with Hamilton most complete driver on the grid. Winner of 2x WDC. Could have been 5. Highly decorated driver with 30+ wins in an era of a tyre war and refuelling.

Alonso, one man wrecking machine, takes no prisoners with team principles or delegates. Team mates are expendable canon fodder. Lost 3 championships to questionable decisions (his). Was out of F1 for 3 yrs and not missed.

[matrignano]

Do we have any news where Piastri is going? And who's taking Alonso's seat at Alpine?

[HustleRussell]

matrignano said:

Do we have any news where Piastri is going? And who's taking Alonso's seat at Alpine?

Twitter rumours that its Mick Schumacher to Alpine which seems incredibly unlikely.

[Petrus1983]

matrignano said:

Do we have any news where Piastri is going? And who's taking Alonso's seat at Alpine?

They’ve released a picture of his 2023 car -

[FourWheelDrift]

HustleRussell said:

matrignano said:

Do we have any news where Piastri is going? And who's taking Alonso's seat at Alpine?

Twitter rumours that its Mick Schumacher to Alpine which seems incredibly unlikely.

Unless they change their name back to Benetton.

[blackmme]

Deesee said:

Fernando, great guy, race pace is still first class, with Hamilton most complete driver on the grid. Winner of 2x WDC. Could have been 5. Highly decorated driver with 30+ wins in an era of a tyre war and refuelling.

Alonso, one man wrecking machine, takes no prisoners with team principles or delegates. Team mates are expendable canon fodder. Lost 3 championships to questionable decisions (his). Was out of F1 for 3 yrs and not missed.

I like the distinction there...

It's interesting when you discuss Fernando with his fans, they rhapsodise about his strategic sense, and how deeply he engages with / dictates to the team on race strategy.

Except for the 28th of September 2008 of course, inexplicably Alonso couldn't be bothered to get involved on strategy in the slightest on that day.....

[FourWheelDrift]

Vitaly Petrov still sends Alonso a Christmas card every year.

[HTP99]

FourWheelDrift said:

Vitaly Petrov still sends Alonso a Christmas card every year.

[Likes Fast Cars]

blackmme said:

I like the distinction there...

It's interesting when you discuss Fernando with his fans, they rhapsodise about his strategic sense, and how deeply he engages with / dictates to the team on race strategy.

Except for the 28th of September 2008 of course, inexplicably Alonso couldn't be bothered to get involved on strategy in the slightest on that day.....

Nicely articulated sir.

[ajprice]

Fernando still on his hols, in Austria at the MotoGP with Aprilia this weekend.

[carl_w]

Giovinazzi to drive the Haas in FP1 for the Italian and US GPs. Potential Haas signing for next year?

[FourWheelDrift]

carl_w said:

Giovinazzi to drive the Haas in FP1 for the Italian and US GPs. Potential Haas signing for next year?

He's the official reserve driver for Ferrari including Alfa and Haas. So just doing what Kubica has done this year 3 times as Alfa's reserve driver.

Last in the championship with zero points in Formula E won't get you an F1 drive.

[the-norseman]

Wonder if Ferrari are going to let Mick do a FP1 in their car?

Ferrari have Mick, Gio and Robert S as test drivers.

[Fundoreen]

I guess if shumi jr has other plans they are testing out his experienced replacement. He's no up and coming racer they are grooming for the top so why else.

[Fundoreen]

the-norseman said:

Wonder if Ferrari are going to let Mick do a FP1 in their car?

Ferrari have Mick, Gio and Robert S as test drivers.

Ferrari are in a battle to claw their way back in the title race. Why waste a session on the wrong driver? Its the sort of thing uncle ralph would suggest.
Then again its ferrari so another strategic blunder?

[Sandpit Steve]

The mandatory FP1 ‘young driver’ is supposed to have at least 25 super licence points, and fewer than two GP starts.

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/104961/young-driver...

So the likes of Kubica, Schumacher and Giovinazzi are too experienced to be eligible, although the teams can of course run them in FP1 sessions at their discretion, presumably if the cheque is big enough.

[the-norseman]

Fundoreen said:

Ferrari are in a battle to claw their way back in the title race. Why waste a session on the wrong driver? Its the sort of thing uncle ralph would suggest.
Then again its ferrari so another strategic blunder?

its compulsory to run a young driver, but as per the post below think Robert S will be the one they run.

[Deesee]

Merc Twitter Admin (personal account).. posting this..

https://twitter.com/CosmicDanzo/status/15613974321...

Id like to see it..

[the-norseman]

Deesee said:

Merc Twitter Admin (personal account).. posting this..

https://twitter.com/CosmicDanzo/status/15613974321...

Id like to see it..

Screenshot it as it wont show me what the tweet is.