The Official F1 2026 silly season *contains speculation*

[anonymous-user]

The Hypno-Toad said:

Rumours around the net tonight that Alonso is trying to get out and plans to go to Alpine ..

Because Alpine is going to be so much better? He would be better off announcing his retirement and seeing out the rest of the season with no fks given.

So can we see a straight swap between Alonso and Colapinto?

[DanielSan]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

The Hypno-Toad said:

Rumours around the net tonight that Alonso is trying to get out and plans to go to Alpine ..

Because Alpine is going to be so much better? He would be better off announcing his retirement and seeing out the rest of the season with no fks given.

So can we see a straight swap between Alonso and Colapinto?

A Mercedes powered Alpine is infinitely better than this Aston Martin at the moment. Just by completing practice it's in another league

[808 Estate]

[vaud]

The Hypno-Toad said:

Rumours around the net tonight that Alonso is trying to get out and plans to go to Alpine ..

Alpine + his old boss + some equity - and then selling out to Horner?

Actually I have heard of crazier ideas.

[anonymous-user]

Verstappen invoking the performance clause in his contract to leave Red Bull and go to Mercedes. George Russell to be given the boot, despite being the 2026 world champion.

Alonso to announce his retirement and possibly not even see the season out. Alonso to miss some races if Honda cannot solve the vibration issue due to "numbness in his hands"

Hamilton wanting to stay with Ferrari, but Ferrari deciding not to renew him and replace him with Ollie Bearman for 2026

Ocon to get the boot for being absolutely useless along with Colapinto

[thegreenhell]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Verstappen invoking the performance clause in his contract to leave Red Bull and go to Mercedes. George Russell to be given the boot, despite being the 2026 world champion.

Alonso to announce his retirement and possibly not even see the season out. Alonso to miss some races if Honda cannot solve the vibration issue due to "numbness in his hands"

Hamilton wanting to stay with Ferrari, but Ferrari deciding not to renew him and replace him with Ollie Bearman for 2026

Ocon to get the boot for being absolutely useless along with Colapinto

And then Haas signing Hamilton and Alonso.

[732NM]

Mercedes don't need Verstappen in this era, he has no good options open.

Lewis will stay with Ferrari for years.

Alonso will give it another year.

[Leithen]

732NM said:

Mercedes don't need Verstappen in this era, he has no good options open.

Lewis will stay with Ferrari for years.

Alonso will give it another year.

Indeed. Verstappen likely to either step away or negotiate contracts that will allow him to race in other series.

[vaud]

Leithen said:

Indeed. Verstappen likely to either step away or negotiate contracts that will allow him to race in other series.

I think he has already given the 24hr announcement.

[Megaflow]

732NM said:

Mercedes don't need Verstappen in this era, he has no good options open.

Lewis will stay with Ferrari for years.

Alonso will give it another year.

Yep. Verstappen will come with a wage bill even bigger than his Ego, and Mercedes do not need hm.

I know the drivers are outside of the budget cap, but it is just money you do not need to find, or more profit if you already have it.

[Muzzer79]

732NM said:

Mercedes don't need Verstappen in this era, he has no good options open.

Lewis will stay with Ferrari for years.

Alonso will give it another year.

The first two, I think, are a little bold.

Mercedes don't 'need' Verstappen, but that doesn't mean they won't try and get him. With a dominant car and two pretty good drivers already, they hold the cards in terms of negotiating a deal - if he wants to go there, he'll have to go to them.

And, like him or loathe him, any F1 team on the grid would have Verstappen.

Lewis - depends on his season. I can see him potentially invoking his deal for 2027. But i can't see him going past that.

Alonso will be 47 next year. His future, I think, depends on if AM can get a decent replacement.

[WPA]

Megaflow said:

732NM said:

Mercedes don't need Verstappen in this era, he has no good options open.

Lewis will stay with Ferrari for years.

Alonso will give it another year.

Yep. Verstappen will come with a wage bill even bigger than his Ego, and Mercedes do not need hm.

I know the drivers are outside of the budget cap, but it is just money you do not need to find, or more profit if you already have it.

Exactly, if George and Kimi can deliver the results why would you drop one of them and bust the bank for Max with what is happening in the world it makes sense to keep costs down.

[hondajack85]

If you can fathom how pleased Toto was when kimi won his first race it would seem very odd if he brought Max in to ruin the whole thing.
Max will probably be No1 at Ferrari with a hapless sidekick after the Leclerc and Hamilton era.

[thegreenhell]

Toto would take him just to stop any of his rivals having him, assuming Max even wants to continue in F1 after this year.

[the-norseman]

Mercedes wont want a rival getting him, thats why they will take him.

[732NM]

the-norseman said:

Mercedes wont want a rival getting him, thats why they will take him.

And potentially destroy his adopted kid and his ego. Not likely.

It was telling what Toto said on the radio when Kimi won, it was a rant about how people had questioned his judgement bringing Kimi in so early.

Max and Jos would create havoc in that team.

[entropy]

hondajack85 said:

If you can fathom how pleased Toto was when kimi won his first race it would seem very odd if he brought Max in to ruin the whole thing.
Max will probably be No1 at Ferrari with a hapless sidekick after the Leclerc and Hamilton era.

Toto saying st to keep Kimi sweet and trolliing the media & armchair critics. Both Kimi & George had their option years taken and both will need renewing for next season onwards.

Edit: Last year George was also moaning about the negotiations dragging on and waiting for Toto's response

Edited by entropy on Tuesday 17th March 12:59

[anonymous_user]

732NM said:

Mercedes don't need Verstappen in this era, he has no good options open.

agreed, he had his chance last year

they wont replace the protégé/kid next year & i doubt they will a WDC either

[hondajack85]

I defer to the psychopathic thought processes that govern the internet . Everything is done to spite someone else.

[ajprice]

Kimi is Toto's baby, he's brought him through and put him in the car last year, not going anywhere. Ferrari isn't likely as Bearman will be stepping up when Lewis quits. Mclaren drivers are set for a while unless they have a massive spat. Aston Martin could be an option if they get their st together and build a car that's safe to drive for more than half a race. That would also follow Alonso's habit of leaving just before a car gets good.