The Official F1 2020 silly season *contains speculation*

[Vaud]

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.

Edited by Vaud on Wednesday 20th March 10:49

[Vaud]

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.

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

Like him, quick, easy on the tyres, clean racer, mistakes to the minimum, would pick up WCC points in a midfield outfit, would be a good addition to Alfa next yr IMO.

Wouldn't you take Wehrlein instead?

[Vaud]

OK, so who is the first domino for this year (and effectively 2020). Last year it was Daniel R and Fernando A...

This year - Bottas?

[Vaud]

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.

[Vaud]

Jasandjules said:

Would be very interesting to see what "lower" team would pick him up to get the info. I wonder if Red Bull would

No chance of RB in my view. Haas (displace Grosjean) or McLaren (if their pace is genuine).

[Vaud]

Rotary Potato said:

Sainz apparently has a 2 year deal - so should be 2020 in the first post.

Thanks! I will correct.

[Vaud]

Bunch of rumors here...

https://autoweek.com/article/formula-one/f1-rumor-...

Vettel considering retiring seem to carry the most weight. I wouldn't be surprised.

I wonder if Ferrari has any options on any leading drivers.

Bottas is out of contract at the end of the year...

[Vaud]

Mr_Thyroid said:

Rumours a couple of days ago of a merger between Fiat and Renault "in real life" - what could that mean for their respective teams in the pretend world of F1?

https://www.motorsportweek.com/joesaward/id/00509

[Vaud]

Drew106 said:

I reckon Hamilton could be tempted into a red car, if this was a few years down the line, not now. Couldn't see him walking away from the Mercedes powerhouse.

Ya never know though!

True. Though he has said that he can see himself driving for 5 years more. 1 more at Merc and then 4 years at Ferrari for the new regs?

[Vaud]

OK, here is a wildcard idea.

George Russell is doing well vs Kubica. Mercedes backed. Mercedes will see his times and presumably have some additional access to data.

Russell to replace Bottas instead of Ocon?

[Vaud]

He is out of contract, it's just my speculation. I think the teams are always looking to the next generation (as with LeClerc).

[Vaud]

DanielSan said:

Oh well what a shame, shouldn't have been allowed to race again anyway.

Quite agree.

[Vaud]

Deesee said:

Well looks like Ticktum has been booted out the red bull driver program...

Good. Should have been banned for life from competitive motorsport.

[Vaud]

Bullitt Five-Oh said:

stuff

dgmx5 said:

stuff

Last year we had a nice, constructive thread that didn't descend into abuse/namecalling/Hamilton is broken/Vettel is broken, etc.

Constructive speculation with random bits of intel/rumours, etc

Please stop it or I'll ask for the mods to intervene.

[Vaud]

I'd like to see Norris in something a little bit quicker... like an Alfa. Not too much pressure or expectation, but something that could mix with the midfield.

[Vaud]

andburg said:

You mean Russell right?

Sorry, yes, Russell... «Brain fade».

[Vaud]

HustleRussell said:

You’ve not been following this season..?

Did you mean Russell?

Yes, see above.... long day...

[Vaud]

exelero said:

Why?

For the incident where he essentially used his car as a weapon under yellow flag conditions.

[Vaud]

exelero said:

Couldn't find a decent video, that guy's a bit crazy tho

I don't think the incident was fully captured given it was a lower series race, but rather relied on marshals, etc

"Ticktum overtook 10 competitors under safety car conditions to catch and crash into MSA Formula championship rival Ricky Collard in race three at the Silverstone round."

"after a first-lap collision with Collard had dropped him to the back of the field, passed 13 yellow flags, four double-yellow flags, two white flags and 15 safety-car boards to catch back up to his rival during the safety-car period."