Silly Season 2020/2021 (starting with silliness in 2019)

[JordanMugen]

The second problem sadly is a luxury problem. Red Bull desparately needs a Bottas. But nobody currently good enough for that seat has insufficient alternatives to chose for an RBR seat next to Max. The only one I can think of is the Hulk, and probably very soon Perez as well.

Both Hulkenberg and Perez are excellent choices for a "Bottas". It is up to Marko, Horner and Mateschiz whether one of those drivers are provided with a contract to sign (perhaps a one-year deal to see how it goes).

Great news then! If he manages to not only take the SL but also finish 4th or above, I expect him to take the AT seat next year

I guess so. But Tsunoda hardly seems like a future WDC.

[Marti_EF3]

The second problem sadly is a luxury problem. Red Bull desparately needs a Bottas. But nobody currently good enough for that seat has insufficient alternatives to chose for an RBR seat next to Max. The only one I can think of is the Hulk, and probably very soon Perez as well.

Both Hulkenberg and Perez are excellent choices for a "Bottas". It is up to Marko, Horner and Mateschiz whether one of those drivers are provided with a contract to sign (perhaps a one-year deal to see how it goes).

Great news then! If he manages to not only take the SL but also finish 4th or above, I expect him to take the AT seat next year

I guess so. But Tsunoda hardly seems like a future WDC.

But he could be a nice future 2nd driver. Who knows...

[ringo]

Hulk's problem is not luck. He lacks race intelligence. Just doesn't have what it takes to manage the car over a race distance. Perez on the other hand has somewhat mastered that. I see Redbull keeping Albon if their car doesn't become a front runner. If it becomes the best car and it looks like they can win a constructors, then they will change Albon after 4 races to a more solid and results oriented driver.

[raymondu999]

Hulk's problem is not luck. He lacks race intelligence. Just doesn't have what it takes to manage the car over a race distance.

Idk. Whenever he gets into a podium position he has, generally, DNFed rather than dropped down out of management Issues. I dont call it luck but I dont think thats race intelligence either. It’s like the podium monkey is hovering On his back and makes him nervous when hes in that position. In a word, pressure. I think.

Perez on the other hand has somewhat mastered that.

I do think Hulk vs Perez in their teammate days was kind of... a more talented driver that Couldn’t maximise himself, vs a bit of a lesser talent that maximised himself. Button-Hamilton 2011, perhaps would be a good comparison

I see Redbull keeping Albon if their car doesn't become a front runner. If it becomes the best car and it looks like they can win a constructors, then they will change Albon after 4 races to a more solid and results oriented driver.

I still don’t see RB hiring from outside the program, personally. But then again I don’t see them having anyone ready to take up an F1 seat, outside of tjeir 4 current ones. I wonder if 2 of their former “rejects” who have regained form in Formula E would consider a reprise

[ringo]

There is some talk about 2 F3 and F2 drivers who will soon have super license, but Marko is saying he is not considering them at this time.

[raymondu999]

Are you saying RB guys? or in general. Im sorry I dont follow F2/F3 developments beyond what goes in the F1 news websites I frequent

[NathanOlder]

F2 has to be Tsunoda, and F3 I'd guess Liam Lawson. Both look 'OK' in their formula's, but no way F1 level. But seeing as RedBull have F all in the academy, I guess they will just churn through the crap in hope for decent driver.

[Manoah2u]

There is some talk about 2 F3 and F2 drivers who will soon have super license, but Marko is saying he is not considering them at this time.

And that's a good thing.
He's been 'lowkey threatening' Kvyat again claiming he isn't performing how they want him to perform this season,
and casually upcoming drivers are mentioned.
However, they're really not talented enough nor is it a step up by any means.
Gasly is stable, he won't go anywhere, so that's one seat 'occupied'.
Verstappen has nowhere to go yet, so his seat is 'occupied'.

Albon is clearly the weakest link at the moment @ RedBull unfortunately. I've hoped more, but it's another example of getting too fast at the main team and perhaps also simply 'lacking' what the team really needs. Thing is, he'd be absolutely fine @ AlphaTauri, so the thing right now is, Kvyat is 'underperforming', he won't go 'up', Albon might be 'returned' to AlphaTauri (not this year though), so though both seats are 'up for grabs', the Alpha Tauri seat is most likely to go to Albon to be very honest, unless he suddenly unlocks his potential and starts driving competitive.

So that means the real seat thats 'opening up' is the second RedBull seat.

And I believe it's becoming more and more evident that RedBull is going to 'shop' outside their 'pool' (well sorta) for a driver that's going to perform better than Albon,Kvyat or Gasly guaranteed, and there's only a handfull of that.

1. Vettel. They know him, he's a former RedBull driver, he'll certainly do well. I think it's a very likely possibility.
2. Perez. If Seb goes to Aston, he's certainly leaving, and he's fast, experienced, AND fits the team.
3. Hulkenberg. The ONLY thing with Hulk is, as discussed above, he has some 'gremlin' surrounding him.
4. Raikkonen. He'd be a huge assett for RB, but i dont know whether he's wanting to participate in the circus around it (anymore). Though i'd like this the most to happen, i expect it to happen the least though. unlikely.

There are some things to think about though.

Aston certainly would want a REAL star driver, and neither Perez nor Stroll are. The only driver fitting that criteria right now is Vettel, all else are contracted elsewhere, only Raikkonen would be interesting but i don't think he's the right man for the team right now. Stroll surely stays, but if shock Perez stays and Stroll is out, he certainly won't turn up at RedBull. Stroll going to Haas would be interesting though.

Anyway, it's more likely Vettel will sign with Aston. Aston would 'need' Vettel more than Vettel needs RedBull or RedBull needs Vettel.

That means RBR has Perez, Hulk and perhaps Kimi to pick.
Again, Kimi is unlikely, secretly hoping different though.

Perez has done podiums, Hulk not. Perez could bring more interesting sponsors and stuff to RB, Hulk not so much, but then it's not like RB needs it. Both are likely to be similar in supportive role capacity, with the benefit from Hulk that he seems to be 'pals' with Max (actually speaks fluent Dutch) and i think is much more likely to be in a non-explosive relationship compared to Sergio. I'm not saying Sergio is 'flammable', but at the very least moreso than Hulk.

What's most likely to happen imo though is this:

Vettel > Aston Martin
Hulk > RedBull
Albon > AlphaTauri
Perez > Haas

Kvyat > again no F1 seat.

Another possibility

Vettel > Aston Martin
Perez > RedBull
Hulk > Haas
Albon > Alpha Tauri

Kvyat > again no F1 seat.

Yet another potential outcome:

Vettel > RedBull
Albon > Alpha Tauri
Hulk > Haas

Kvyat > again no F1 seat.

My most hopeful outcome:

Vettel > Aston Martin
Perez > Haas
Hulk > Alfa Romeo
Albon > Alpha Tauri
Kimi > RedBull
Mick > Alfa Romeo (probably better for him to mature another year and enter new F1 in 2022)

Kvyat > again no F1 seat
Giovanazzi > thanks but no thanks (or get lucky another year to be replaced in 2022)

one can dream.

In any scenario though, ALL is better than ANY of the 'F2/F3' rookies with superlicense points.
It would only be like unneccesary dancing around with seats, with no actual improvement anywhere.

[DChemTech]

Sorry, but as much as I like Kimi, he's getting too old. He should go on a well deserved retirement. I hope for your first scenario.

[edit]: with the top scenario, I mean hulk to RB. I don't really care where Vettel ends up; he may retire or stay for all I matter. Perez, I hope he'll be maintained at AM - but I can imagine he won't. As long as he stays in, I'm fine. For both HAAS and Alfa Romeo, honestly the whole lineup can be overturned IMO.

[PlatinumZealot]

Raikkonen is washed up and needs to retire. How people still consider him as a serious contender for a seat. He should vacate and give someone else chance. Driving F1 for a hobby. Selfish.

[Big Tea]

Raikkonen is washed up and needs to retire. How people still consider him as a serious contender for a seat. He should vacate and give someone else chance. Driving F1 for a hobby. Selfish.

He is a good steady hand to set the car, and a well known name to impress VIP visitors. Probably useful to Ferrari, but must surely be in his last year

[Racer X]

Perez on the other hand has somewhat mastered that.

I do think Hulk vs Perez in their teammate days was kind of... a more talented driver that Couldn’t maximise himself, vs a bit of a lesser talent that maximised himself. Button-Hamilton 2011, perhaps would be a good comparison

Perez just cant catch a break can he well ignoring Sergio.

Here is what i think about Hulk either he gets too scared and once pressure is on he cant handle it. Which means he doesnt deserve to be in F1.

Or hes pushing to HIS limit and his limit just isnt good enough and doesnt deserve to be in F1.

Or hes NOT pushing to his limit and so honestly does not deserve to be in F1.

Perez has done podiums, Hulk not. Perez could bring more interesting sponsors and stuff to RB, Hulk not so much, but then it's not like RB needs it. Both are likely to be similar in supportive role capacity, with the benefit from Hulk that he seems to be 'pals' with Max (actually speaks fluent Dutch) and i think is much more likely to be in a non-explosive relationship compared to Sergio. I'm not saying Sergio is 'flammable', but at the very least moreso than Hulk.

So basically what youre saying is even tho Perez is clearly a better driver and comes with tons of money.
You still want Hulk because hes a nice guy?

[Manoah2u]

No, i'm saying that I think the combination of Hulk @ RedBull alongside Max would be a more likely fit to 'work' compared to Perez alongside Max, and that i think Perez would fare better @ Haas, alongside Magnussen for example. I've also mentioned that Perez' money doesn't mean as much to RedBull as it does to Haas, again, a reason to why the fit would be better and that includes my personal perception of how i'd like to 'imagine' things. The likeliness is also based upon 2 neccesary steps: Albon returns to AlphaTauri, and Vettel signs with Aston. Both are still a huge question mark anyway.

[Racer X]

No, i'm saying that I think the combination of Hulk @ RedBull alongside Max would be a more likely fit to 'work' compared to Perez alongside Max, and that i think Perez would fare better @ Haas, alongside Magnussen for example. I've also mentioned that Perez' money doesn't mean as much to RedBull as it does to Haas, again, a reason to why the fit would be better and that includes my personal perception of how i'd like to 'imagine' things. The likeliness is also based upon 2 neccesary steps: Albon returns to AlphaTauri, and Vettel signs with Aston. Both are still a huge question mark anyway.

Dont get me wrong i dont think Perez will go to Redbull i just wanted to know what you meant since you were picking Hulk over Perez. Nobody would fare better at anything with a Ferrari engine for the next 2 seasons. So once Perez leaves Racing Point (if he does) i dont see him being competitive. But not because he isnt a good driver but because of the Ferrari power unit.

Hulk i just dont think he has the talent to drive at Redbull and i think they know it...

[Manoah2u]

The thing i believe, is that despite Hulk not being the 'enigma' he once supposedly was (at best he ever was a Sutil), he is definately better than anything except for Max in the current RedBull pack. Yes i definately believe Perez to be the better one between the to but again, i think Perez 'fits' better in a place like Haas, and i'm not talking about performance per se, rather on 'enjoyment'. Perez clearly feels a bit out in the cold in regards to saving RP and then essentially getting the boot (as it seems). RedBull is probably even colder in that area, if we look how former drivers are treated. If i compare that to Haas, i get the feeling Haas is a MUCH more 'family' like structure. Or, i don't get the feeling they just 'dump' people 'like that'. Perhaps Haas has more of a sentiment going on like Force India once was. I also think Perez' sponsor money (slim) would be a huge asset for Haas and as such he'd help that team and benefit from it himself too. Yes, the Ferrari engine might be the 'weakest' of the bunch right now but that won't stay the same and then there's the possibility of switching to another supplier (Renault for example).

This is why i'd actually first move Perez to Haas, and because of that, Perez can't go to RedBull, so they'll need to pick somebody else. That could be Vettel, and though i think that would be a definate improvement, i think Vettel is much more likely to go to Aston Martin anyway, and if he doesn't, then Perez doesn't need to move either.