The Official F1 2026 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
stemll said:
They should sign Bottas and Perez, with Herta as reserve. See how he does in FP sessions and if he makes his case, promote him to a regular driver in ‘27. Jinba Ittai said:
stemll said:
They should sign Bottas and Perez, with Herta as reserve. See how he does in FP sessions and if he makes his case, promote him to a regular driver in ‘27. MartG said:
I'd be very surprised if they don't have at least one American driver, or at minimum someone well known to US audiences e.g. an Indycar driver
They have been openly talking about Colton Herta. I would be very surprised if he wasn't one of the drivers. Logically the second would be an experienced driver so Bottas or Perez would fit - the latter would potentially be very beneficial in bringing in sponsorship.
t ,it wont be a yank being sralphrj said:
MartG said:
I'd be very surprised if they don't have at least one American driver, or at minimum someone well known to US audiences e.g. an Indycar driver
They have been openly talking about Colton Herta. I would be very surprised if he wasn't one of the drivers. Logically the second would be an experienced driver so Bottas or Perez would fit - the latter would potentially be very beneficial in bringing in sponsorship.ralphrj said:
MartG said:
I'd be very surprised if they don't have at least one American driver, or at minimum someone well known to US audiences e.g. an Indycar driver
They have been openly talking about Colton Herta. I would be very surprised if he wasn't one of the drivers. Logically the second would be an experienced driver so Bottas or Perez would fit - the latter would potentially be very beneficial in bringing in sponsorship.Marko said to have ‘great concern’ over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull - Andrew Benson, BBC.
https://x.com/andrewbensonf1/status/19117812497498...
Sounds like there might be a team performance clause in his contract.
https://x.com/andrewbensonf1/status/19117812497498...
Sounds like there might be a team performance clause in his contract.
The sensible thing would be to wait until next year and see what RBPT come up with, but I do wonder if he’ll just jump ship for ‘26. With Russell driving out of his skin this year, would Toto really want to risk upsetting the apple cart by replacing him? I assume the performance clause will be based on championship position at a certain point in the year. Aston Martin announcement incoming?
Jinba Ittai said:
Aston Martin announcement incoming?
I think this is a very likely scenario. Firstly Alonso is clearly past it now, so would make sense that he is going to retire at the end of the year.If you are Stroll Snr and have just spent millions on getting Adrian Newey to be your designer, wouldn't you want the best driver possible in the car? Plus considering Verstappen won all of his titles in a Honda powered, Newey designed car, wouldn't he want to go back to this winning formula?
It almost seems too perfect for him not to go to Aston Martin.
If this happens Ihink Horner has a good chance of being sacked and for Ginger Spice to divorce him.
50% chance that Hamilton will decide he is done with F1 and retire with Alonso at the end of the year.
Sainz to get sick of making up the numbers in the Williams and to either go to Red Bull or back to Ferrari.
Sandpit Steve said:
Marko said to have ‘great concern’ over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull - Andrew Benson, BBC.
https://x.com/andrewbensonf1/status/19117812497498...
Sounds like there might be a team performance clause in his contract.
On the air Benson said “Max can leave if it’s not a winning car’ in a way implied this was a fact, not speculation. https://x.com/andrewbensonf1/status/19117812497498...
Sounds like there might be a team performance clause in his contract.
Te chances of Verstappen going to AM either next year or the one after have be pretty good at the moment.
Judging by Newey's previous efforts and the rumours about the power-trains, I think there's a very good chance that some combination of AM, Mercedes and Mclaren will be the front-running teams when the new regulations hit. Assuming Russell keeps up the way he's driving at the moment, I don't think Mercedes would want Verstappen. Not because Russell or Antonelli are better but because they're close enough, already embedded into the team, and of far more certain temperament. Same with Mclaren and their two drivers unless Norris loses to Piastri and gets fed up enough to move.
Judging by Newey's previous efforts and the rumours about the power-trains, I think there's a very good chance that some combination of AM, Mercedes and Mclaren will be the front-running teams when the new regulations hit. Assuming Russell keeps up the way he's driving at the moment, I don't think Mercedes would want Verstappen. Not because Russell or Antonelli are better but because they're close enough, already embedded into the team, and of far more certain temperament. Same with Mclaren and their two drivers unless Norris loses to Piastri and gets fed up enough to move.
PRO5T said:
And what’s this about Max’s manager tearing strips off Marko post race on Sunday?
We’re I a betting man, I’d lay money on Alonso not driving an Aston next season despite what his contact is thought to say.
That's assuming that Stroll actually wants to continue. I get the impression he's getting a bit bored of F1. We’re I a betting man, I’d lay money on Alonso not driving an Aston next season despite what his contact is thought to say.
kambites said:
That's assuming that Stroll actually wants to continue. I get the impression he's getting a bit bored of F1.
Bored? In March:"Aston Martin said Executive Chair Lawrence Stroll's Yew Tree Consortium plans to invest GBP52.5 million, raising its stake to 33% from 27.67%."
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