The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*
Discussion
Following the success of the 2019 silly season thread, which remained to the end a very constructive debate – with many surprises along the way, I bring you this, the F1 2020 silly season thread.
I think this is where we are for the season start: (Driver/race number/contract end (multiple sources))
Italics denote corrections.
Mercedes
Hamilton (44) (2020)
Bottas (77) (2019, option for 2020)
Test/Reserve – Ocon
Simulator - Stoffel Vandoorne
Ferrari
Vettel (5) (2020)
Leclerc (16) (2022)
Test/Reserve: Pascal Wehrlein & Brendon Hartley
Simulator - Antonio Fuoco, Brendon Hartley, Davide Rigon and Pascal Wehrlein
Red Bull
Verstappen (33) (2020)
Gasly (10) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - TBC
Renault
Ricciardo (3) (2020)
Hulkenberg (27) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - Sergey Sirotkin
HAAS
Grosjean (8) (2019)
Magnusson (20) (2020 + option 2021)
Test/Reserve - Pietro Fittipald
McLaren
Sainz (55) (2020)
Norris (4) (“multiyear from 2019”)
Test/Reserve - Sergio Sette Camara
Racing Point
Perez (11) (2019)
Stroll (18) (“long term” from 2019)
Test/Reserve - TBC
Alfa Romeo
Raikkonen (7) (2020)
Giovinazzi (99) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - Marcus Ericsson, Tatiana Calderon
Toro Rosso
Kvyat (26) (2019?)
Albon (23) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - TBC
Williams
Russell (63) (2019, option for 2020)
Kubica (88) (?)
Test/Reserve - Nicholas Latifi
Please stay on topic. Any “Vettel is broken” and discussions of Hamilton’s dress sense and I’ll ask the mods to delete the thread.
I think this is where we are for the season start: (Driver/race number/contract end (multiple sources))
Italics denote corrections.
Mercedes
Hamilton (44) (2020)
Bottas (77) (2019, option for 2020)
Test/Reserve – Ocon
Simulator - Stoffel Vandoorne
Ferrari
Vettel (5) (2020)
Leclerc (16) (2022)
Test/Reserve: Pascal Wehrlein & Brendon Hartley
Simulator - Antonio Fuoco, Brendon Hartley, Davide Rigon and Pascal Wehrlein
Red Bull
Verstappen (33) (2020)
Gasly (10) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - TBC
Renault
Ricciardo (3) (2020)
Hulkenberg (27) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - Sergey Sirotkin
HAAS
Grosjean (8) (2019)
Magnusson (20) (2020 + option 2021)
Test/Reserve - Pietro Fittipald
McLaren
Sainz (55) (2020)
Norris (4) (“multiyear from 2019”)
Test/Reserve - Sergio Sette Camara
Racing Point
Perez (11) (2019)
Stroll (18) (“long term” from 2019)
Test/Reserve - TBC
Alfa Romeo
Raikkonen (7) (2020)
Giovinazzi (99) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - Marcus Ericsson, Tatiana Calderon
Toro Rosso
Kvyat (26) (2019?)
Albon (23) (2019?)
Test/Reserve - TBC
Williams
Russell (63) (2019, option for 2020)
Kubica (88) (?)
Test/Reserve - Nicholas Latifi
Please stay on topic. Any “Vettel is broken” and discussions of Hamilton’s dress sense and I’ll ask the mods to delete the thread.
Edited by Vaud on Wednesday 20th March 10:49
Vaud said:
Deesee said:
Great thanks,
Would be wonderful to see Hartley in the field for 2020!
Why? I think he had his chance. I'm not sure he will be back for another gp. Would be wonderful to see Hartley in the field for 2020!
Andy S15 said:
I'd be very surprised if RB don't find a way to squeeze Dick Tantrum into one of the seats, they seem pretty obsessed with getting him in.
True, so Albon or Kvyat - they are pretty ruthless for the seats. I was impressed by Kyvat this weekend though. Solid, clean drive to 10th after 18 months away.I feel the stakes are high for Bottas, he is deeply connected with Mercedes and was managed by Toto Wolff for a significant spell (Not sure if he still is)...
That means that the most obvious F1 move would be back to Williams if it still exists.
Worse still, Mercedes are launching a Formula E team imminently- and Suzi Wolff already manages the HWA team so there's another potential connection there.
Maybe he'd take a leaf out of Raikkonen's book and go rallying...
That means that the most obvious F1 move would be back to Williams if it still exists.
Worse still, Mercedes are launching a Formula E team imminently- and Suzi Wolff already manages the HWA team so there's another potential connection there.
Maybe he'd take a leaf out of Raikkonen's book and go rallying...
Edited by HustleRussell on Tuesday 19th March 11:54
I really hope that Bottas can cause some management headaches at Mercedes this year. They'll have a tough job explaining why they've dropped him if he wins a few races this year, but at the same time Toto is on record as saying he's promised Ocon a competitive drive next year.
Overall though, I think there are too few teams in F1 these days, meaning limited opportunities for new drivers to come in, while there are also too many journeyman drivers who hang about in the midfield for far too long occupying seats they perhaps don't deserve. The manufacturer-backed driver programmes are possibly a necessary evil given the massive costs involved, but also further limit who can drive where and when.
I don't think we'll see too many changes next year, while everyone waits to see what F1 2021 will look like.
Overall though, I think there are too few teams in F1 these days, meaning limited opportunities for new drivers to come in, while there are also too many journeyman drivers who hang about in the midfield for far too long occupying seats they perhaps don't deserve. The manufacturer-backed driver programmes are possibly a necessary evil given the massive costs involved, but also further limit who can drive where and when.
I don't think we'll see too many changes next year, while everyone waits to see what F1 2021 will look like.
Sainz apparently has a 2 year deal - so should be 2020 in the first post.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/sainz-unfazed-by-gas...
“Right now, if you’re not in Red Bull, Ferrari or Mercedes, I think the best place to be is still McLaren. I prefer to be here with a two-year contract, and I would not change my seat for anything.”
As for a prediction ... Ocon to not be in a Mercedes in 2020. Bottas will do enough to be credible, and the naturally risk adverse Mercedes management will choose 'the devil you know' and team harmony over the potential (both for speed and for disruption) Ocon brings.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/sainz-unfazed-by-gas...
“Right now, if you’re not in Red Bull, Ferrari or Mercedes, I think the best place to be is still McLaren. I prefer to be here with a two-year contract, and I would not change my seat for anything.”
As for a prediction ... Ocon to not be in a Mercedes in 2020. Bottas will do enough to be credible, and the naturally risk adverse Mercedes management will choose 'the devil you know' and team harmony over the potential (both for speed and for disruption) Ocon brings.
parabolica said:
Ah yes, because a promise made in F1 is a promise kept...
If Bottas has a strong year it'll give Merc a headache.
Having been caught with their pants down when Nico quit, I can’t see them anticipating a pairing of a Ocon and Russell when Lewis leaves.If Bottas has a strong year it'll give Merc a headache.
I think that providing he drives at a consistently high level this year, Valteri will be safe. The positivity between him and Lewis is an asset that you would not throw away.
rdjohn said:
Having been caught with their pants down when Nico quit, I can’t see them anticipating a pairing of a Ocon and Russell when Lewis leaves.
I think that providing he drives at a consistently high level this year, Valteri will be safe. The positivity between him and Lewis is an asset that you would not throw away.
That positivity will only last for as long as Bottas isn't a threat to Hamilton, just like the beginning of the Rosberg/Hamilton partnership. As soon as they are title rivals there will be no positivity left. If Bottas can maintain his form and be a genuine contender this year then we'll start to see some fireworks within the team again.I think that providing he drives at a consistently high level this year, Valteri will be safe. The positivity between him and Lewis is an asset that you would not throw away.
What happens after that is anybody's guess. Hamilton is only contracted until the end of 2020, and Mercedes are currently only committed to F1 for the same period. We need to see the fallout of the 2021 rules announcements before anybody decides their next move.
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