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

[raymondu999]

Tbh. I still think they were forced out, but given the choice to resign with dignity. Isn’t there a similar system in militaries/governments where if some official/officer gets fired, if they’ve had a good legacy they’re allowed to leave “with dignity” kinda?

[FrukostScones]

Thats a pretty fair guess and i would guess exactly the same.

But i wish Latifi would leave and Perez would take his place at Williams on a 2 year deal and bring better funding to Williams, better funding to Williams would give us a better team mate for George also a faster car for both him and Perez and could see Williams putting a better fight again. Also would wish they would then bring in another youngster into Haas but that wont happen.

I think I said this a few pages back about Perez and Russell being a perfect pairing along with Perez bringing funding to Williams is a great deal...100x yes

A bunch of us feel that way. I can't help but* think NOW lol what might have been had Williams signed Perez and not Maldonado. Might Claire still be at the helm.... If she could have just lasted a nother 2 years in the new era I bet she could have kept the family business going.

Huh?
You mean one less GP victory for Williams and same fate?
PER should have won Malaysia in 2012 but he couldnt. He had his chance.

[PlatinumZealot]

I am hoping for a Perez & Hulk combo @ Haas though, with a Renault deal.

I don't expect Schwartzman or Tsunoda to enter f1 before 2022 though.
Perhaps Schumacher, alongside Raikkonen @ Alfa yes.

I also don't believe the F1 team really will become Alpine, but i may have missed something.

Alpine Renault has been officially confirmed.

Makes sense from brand strengthening point of view.

[NL_Fer]

With his overtake, today Schumacher signed his contract with Alfa Romeo. His driving style is starting to impress me.

[koenigzig]

Great to see Mick and Ilott getting FP1 drives at Nurburgring. Rumors are Kimi has decided to stay but yet to see a good source. A potential Raikkonen / Schumacher lineup certainly looks awesome. Shwartzman imo will stay in F2 for 1 more year

Here's my best shot at the F1 2021 line up:
Mercedes: Hamilton/Bottas
Ferrari: Leclerc/Sainz
Red Bull: Verstappen/Perez
Racing Point: Vettel/Stroll
Renault : Alonso/Ocon
McLaren: Ricciardo/Norris
Alpha Tauri : Albon/Gasly
Alfa Romeo: Raikkonen / Schumacher
Haas: KMag or Hulk/Ilott
Williams: Russell/Latifi

Giovinazzi's future would likely depend on Kimi staying on or leaving.

[selvam_e2002]

Great to see Mick and Ilott getting FP1 drives at Nurburgring. Rumors are Kimi has decided to stay but yet to see a good source. A potential Raikkonen / Schumacher lineup certainly looks awesome. Shwartzman imo will stay in F2 for 1 more year

Here's my best shot at the F1 2021 line up:
Mercedes: Hamilton/Bottas
Ferrari: Leclerc/Sainz
Red Bull: Verstappen/Perez
Racing Point: Vettel/Stroll
Renault : Alonso/Ocon
McLaren: Ricciardo/Norris
Alpha Tauri : Albon/Gasly
Alfa Romeo: Raikkonen / Schumacher
Haas: KMag or Hulk/Ilott
Williams: Russell/Latifi

Giovinazzi's future would likely depend on Kimi staying on or leaving.

Kimi is staying. Giovinazzi total waste replace him with Schemacher so we can see how he is coping with Kimi which we missed in Lecrec case.

[Scorpaguy]

I think Gio is gone regardless. He has had 2 years to beat the old man and sans a one-lap flash, seems no closer to out racing him over a race distance consistently. In fact, Kimi seems the equal/or better of at least one driver on every team. Quali skills aside, he could do another year and not embarrass himself (at least no more than Alpha's weekly hijinks do). I do not know if the secret to his longevity is skill or an indictment of how modern F1 drivers are cultivated.

[Big Tea]

Great to see Mick and Ilott getting FP1 drives at Nurburgring. Rumors are Kimi has decided to stay but yet to see a good source. A potential Raikkonen / Schumacher lineup certainly looks awesome. Shwartzman imo will stay in F2 for 1 more year

Here's my best shot at the F1 2021 line up:
Mercedes: Hamilton/Bottas
Ferrari: Leclerc/Sainz
Red Bull: Verstappen/Perez
Racing Point: Vettel/Stroll
Renault : Alonso/Ocon
McLaren: Ricciardo/Norris
Alpha Tauri : Albon/Gasly
Alfa Romeo: Raikkonen / Schumacher
Haas: KMag or Hulk/Ilott
Williams: Russell/Latifi

Giovinazzi's future would likely depend on Kimi staying on or leaving.

I have been reasonably impressed with Latifi. Or at least, I am if Russel is as good as his reputation.
Not setting the world alight, but doing a tidy job

[koenigzig]

Great to see Mick and Ilott getting FP1 drives at Nurburgring. Rumors are Kimi has decided to stay but yet to see a good source. A potential Raikkonen / Schumacher lineup certainly looks awesome. Shwartzman imo will stay in F2 for 1 more year

Here's my best shot at the F1 2021 line up:
Mercedes: Hamilton/Bottas
Ferrari: Leclerc/Sainz
Red Bull: Verstappen/Perez
Racing Point: Vettel/Stroll
Renault : Alonso/Ocon
McLaren: Ricciardo/Norris
Alpha Tauri : Albon/Gasly
Alfa Romeo: Raikkonen / Schumacher
Haas: KMag or Hulk/Ilott
Williams: Russell/Latifi

Giovinazzi's future would likely depend on Kimi staying on or leaving.

I have been reasonably impressed with Latifi. Or at least, I am if Russel is as good as his reputation.
Not setting the world alight, but doing a tidy job

Agreed, I did not expect him to match Russell (race pace). Russell is an outstanding qualifier still

[NL_Fer]

So how about the return of Vergne to Redbull? Imo he was right up there with Ricciardo & Kvyat and he is much more experienced and complete now.

Only who will keep VER if he would be Verstappen’s teammate

[selvam_e2002]

Albon seat at RB is confirmed. I don't see any changes least 2021 and 2022. If RB+Honda(Honda yet to confirm his presence in F1 beyond 2021) going to stay beyond 2021 then Max + Albon till 2022.

If Honda failed to deliver in 2022 after rule change, then Max will look for out side. Max will not waste his time in RB beyond 2022.

[NathanOlder]

So how about the return of Vergne to Redbull? Imo he was right up there with Ricciardo & Kvyat and he is much more experienced and complete now.

Only who will keep VER if he would be Verstappen’s teammate

Up there with Kvyat I agree. But Ricciardo? He's a level or 2 higher than the pair IMO.

As for VER lol, I'd guess Vergne would end up VRN. But I'd rather see VEG

[DChemTech]

Albon seat at RB is confirmed. I don't see any changes least 2021 and 2022. If RB+Honda(Honda yet to confirm his presence in F1 beyond 2021) going to stay beyond 2021 then Max + Albon till 2022.

If Honda failed to deliver in 2022 after rule change, then Max will look for out side. Max will not waste his time in RB beyond 2022.

Albon RB seat confirmed? Do you have some backup for that statement?

[selvam_e2002]

Albon seat at RB is confirmed. I don't see any changes least 2021 and 2022. If RB+Honda(Honda yet to confirm his presence in F1 beyond 2021) going to stay beyond 2021 then Max + Albon till 2022.

If Honda failed to deliver in 2022 after rule change, then Max will look for out side. Max will not waste his time in RB beyond 2022.

Albon RB seat confirmed? Do you have some backup for that statement?

I don't have any concrete information however it seems he is doing second fiddle to Max. If you put Gassly again, he won't do that. Keyvat already gone for next year. He won't be in RB and replaced by Honda person.

So, I don't think Albon will lose his seat for next two years.

[NL_Fer]

So how about the return of Vergne to Redbull? Imo he was right up there with Ricciardo & Kvyat and he is much more experienced and complete now.

Only who will keep VER if he would be Verstappen’s teammate

Up there with Kvyat I agree. But Ricciardo? He's a level or 2 higher than the pair IMO.

As for VER lol, I'd guess Vergne would end up VRN. But I'd rather see VEG

In 2013-15 they were all comparable. Ricciardo has grown at Redbull, but so has Vergne in Formula E