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

[PlatinumZealot]

Mercedes is so fast they don't need to change drivers. Would they really get rid of Lewis for Max?

Can Max motivate the team better than Lewis a Englishman with big fanbase does?
Is there a new era where Mercedes needs fresh blood to tell another story?
Do they believe that Max will stand tall above George, LeClerc, Norris that must must take him from the hands of their rivals for the future? Hmm.. Not really needed if the car is fast.

I only see brand image reasons, staff culture, and if Lewis and George is out of the picture.

[Schuttelberg]

I think Max has all but said that he's a free agent for 2022.

If the situation i.e the emphasis on manufacturers remains the same in 2022 where being a works force determines whether you can genuinely compete for the title or not, then I think we can safely say that there are 6 seats of WCC & WDC calibre available.

There are two situations I foresee from this scenario-

1) Further Mercedes-Hamilton domination unless Renault-Alonso or Ferrari-Leclerc/Sainz can make a car&PU of at least similar calibre. Mercedes-Hamilton will definitely be there as their PU is absolutely dominant. I also feel that Mercedes won't spend too much time trying to make sure they'll win 2021 as the performance gap is big enough already with other teams then pinning hopes on 2025 engine rules.

2) This is the scenario which outright frightens me and i.e teams pulling the plug because of 'works status' being imperative. At this point, I see Red Bull and Aston Martin as very serious racing teams who won't settle for bread crumbs if they don't have a serious crack at the big time. Red Bull have two teams, both performing at fantastic levels with no financial issues and by far the best driver academy of the century. They also house the driver with the maximum star potential in the coming decade and someone who is a huge draw all over the globe.

People do not appreciate Red Bull enough for what they've done for the sport in the last 25 years, first as sponsor and now with two teams along with the drivers they've given as I earlier mentioned. As a fan, at this point I don't care about the issues Red Bull & Renault have, I'm most worried about losing any teams and as a result promising careers being lost. The very possibility that Bottas could be driving the best car in 2022 while Verstappen will be looking for a seat where he could possibly get a few podiums should be a huge wake up call for the governing body and the F1 management that something is extremely broken within the sport and knee jerk reactions should be avoided but not if the situation is extremely grim.

[adrianjordan]

According to BBC, Horner has stated that there is NO engine clause in Max's contract.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/54469796

[raymondu999]

I think Max has all but said that he's a free agent for 2022.

Source? Which statement read into this?

[PlatinumZealot]

I think Max has all but said that he's a free agent for 2022.

If the situation i.e the emphasis on manufacturers remains the same in 2022 where being a works force determines whether you can genuinely compete for the title or not, then I think we can safely say that there are 6 seats of WCC & WDC calibre available.

There are two situations I foresee from this scenario-

1) Further Mercedes-Hamilton domination unless Renault-Alonso or Ferrari-Leclerc/Sainz can make a car&PU of at least similar calibre. Mercedes-Hamilton will definitely be there as their PU is absolutely dominant. I also feel that Mercedes won't spend too much time trying to make sure they'll win 2021 as the performance gap is big enough already with other teams then pinning hopes on 2025 engine rules.

2) This is the scenario which outright frightens me and i.e teams pulling the plug because of 'works status' being imperative. At this point, I see Red Bull and Aston Martin as very serious racing teams who won't settle for bread crumbs if they don't have a serious crack at the big time. Red Bull have two teams, both performing at fantastic levels with no financial issues and by far the best driver academy of the century. They also house the driver with the maximum star potential in the coming decade and someone who is a huge draw all over the globe.

People do not appreciate Red Bull enough for what they've done for the sport in the last 25 years, first as sponsor and now with two teams along with the drivers they've given as I earlier mentioned. As a fan, at this point I don't care about the issues Red Bull & Renault have, I'm most worried about losing any teams and as a result promising careers being lost. The very possibility that Bottas could be driving the best car in 2022 while Verstappen will be looking for a seat where he could possibly get a few podiums should be a huge wake up call for the governing body and the F1 management that something is extremely broken within the sport and knee jerk reactions should be avoided but not if the situation is extremely grim.

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver. The question on Jos Verstappen's mind right now is when will Mercedes need Max?

[Schuttelberg]

I think Max has all but said that he's a free agent for 2022.

Source? Which statement read into this?

Take a look at Max's briefings this week. It's all over the web.

[Schuttelberg]

I think Max has all but said that he's a free agent for 2022.

If the situation i.e the emphasis on manufacturers remains the same in 2022 where being a works force determines whether you can genuinely compete for the title or not, then I think we can safely say that there are 6 seats of WCC & WDC calibre available.

There are two situations I foresee from this scenario-

1) Further Mercedes-Hamilton domination unless Renault-Alonso or Ferrari-Leclerc/Sainz can make a car&PU of at least similar calibre. Mercedes-Hamilton will definitely be there as their PU is absolutely dominant. I also feel that Mercedes won't spend too much time trying to make sure they'll win 2021 as the performance gap is big enough already with other teams then pinning hopes on 2025 engine rules.

2) This is the scenario which outright frightens me and i.e teams pulling the plug because of 'works status' being imperative. At this point, I see Red Bull and Aston Martin as very serious racing teams who won't settle for bread crumbs if they don't have a serious crack at the big time. Red Bull have two teams, both performing at fantastic levels with no financial issues and by far the best driver academy of the century. They also house the driver with the maximum star potential in the coming decade and someone who is a huge draw all over the globe.

People do not appreciate Red Bull enough for what they've done for the sport in the last 25 years, first as sponsor and now with two teams along with the drivers they've given as I earlier mentioned. As a fan, at this point I don't care about the issues Red Bull & Renault have, I'm most worried about losing any teams and as a result promising careers being lost. The very possibility that Bottas could be driving the best car in 2022 while Verstappen will be looking for a seat where he could possibly get a few podiums should be a huge wake up call for the governing body and the F1 management that something is extremely broken within the sport and knee jerk reactions should be avoided but not if the situation is extremely grim.

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver. The question on Jos Verstappen's mind right now is when will Mercedes need Max?

I think someone has to be quite dim to not see Max deserves to be fighting for wins and championships.

This is not a question of Mercedes needing Max or vice versa. The concern is that after a reset button is being pushed only 6 drivers will have seats to challenge for wins and championships.

[Jolle]

I think Max has all but said that he's a free agent for 2022.

If the situation i.e the emphasis on manufacturers remains the same in 2022 where being a works force determines whether you can genuinely compete for the title or not, then I think we can safely say that there are 6 seats of WCC & WDC calibre available.

There are two situations I foresee from this scenario-

1) Further Mercedes-Hamilton domination unless Renault-Alonso or Ferrari-Leclerc/Sainz can make a car&PU of at least similar calibre. Mercedes-Hamilton will definitely be there as their PU is absolutely dominant. I also feel that Mercedes won't spend too much time trying to make sure they'll win 2021 as the performance gap is big enough already with other teams then pinning hopes on 2025 engine rules.

2) This is the scenario which outright frightens me and i.e teams pulling the plug because of 'works status' being imperative. At this point, I see Red Bull and Aston Martin as very serious racing teams who won't settle for bread crumbs if they don't have a serious crack at the big time. Red Bull have two teams, both performing at fantastic levels with no financial issues and by far the best driver academy of the century. They also house the driver with the maximum star potential in the coming decade and someone who is a huge draw all over the globe.

People do not appreciate Red Bull enough for what they've done for the sport in the last 25 years, first as sponsor and now with two teams along with the drivers they've given as I earlier mentioned. As a fan, at this point I don't care about the issues Red Bull & Renault have, I'm most worried about losing any teams and as a result promising careers being lost. The very possibility that Bottas could be driving the best car in 2022 while Verstappen will be looking for a seat where he could possibly get a few podiums should be a huge wake up call for the governing body and the F1 management that something is extremely broken within the sport and knee jerk reactions should be avoided but not if the situation is extremely grim.

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver. The question on Jos Verstappen's mind right now is when will Mercedes need Max?

I think someone has to be quite dim to not see Max deserves to be fighting for wins and championships.

This is not a question of Mercedes needing Max or vice versa. The concern is that after a reset button is being pushed only 6 drivers will have seats to challenge for wins and championships.

Deserves to be? As most if the top drivers, they signed the contracts and made a choice between opportunity, money and security. F1 is a team sport and so far the best team on the grid have decided that they don’t need Verstappen for their succes.
Would I like to see more drivers have a shot? Yes. But they are not entitled to it. Redbull and Ferrari are behind on Mercedes, they should do a better job. Verstappen signed a long term contract with a team that isn’t challenging for seven years now.

Looking at how Ferrari and in lesser amount RedBull Ffed up the last big formula changes, I expert Mercedes well in the lead in 2022.

[Schuttelberg]

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver. The question on Jos Verstappen's mind right now is when will Mercedes need Max?

I think someone has to be quite dim to not see Max deserves to be fighting for wins and championships.

This is not a question of Mercedes needing Max or vice versa. The concern is that after a reset button is being pushed only 6 drivers will have seats to challenge for wins and championships.

Deserves to be? As most if the top drivers, they signed the contracts and made a choice between opportunity, money and security. F1 is a team sport and so far the best team on the grid have decided that they don’t need Verstappen for their succes.
Would I like to see more drivers have a shot? Yes. But they are not entitled to it. Redbull and Ferrari are behind on Mercedes, they should do a better job. Verstappen signed a long term contract with a team that isn’t challenging for seven years now.

Looking at how Ferrari and in lesser amount RedBull Ffed up the last big formula changes, I expert Mercedes well in the lead in 2022.

We will see and we will also see how you react if Lewis ever ends up in a poor car.

[JordanMugen]

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver.

...and Bottas is the fastest available driver!?

Yeah, he is pretty good in qualifying granted. But racing? Not so much.

[raymondu999]

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver.

...and Bottas is the fastest available driver!?

Yeah, he is pretty good in qualifying granted. But racing? Not so much.

Allow me to rephrase to what I believe PZ’s <intended> argument is - the fastest teams have a right to whoever they want to hire.

It’s like when you were in school in sports class. The fastest team gets to choose first

[PlatinumZealot]

So it will be Max Verstappen Vs George Russell in the future.

Wolff has made it clear that if either Lewis Hamilton or Valtteri Bottas don’t continue with the team, it is Russell or Ocon who will be called up.

“Max is clearly committed to Red Bull and is loyal to the team,” the Mercedes motorsport boss explained to Motorsport-Magazin.com.

“I am very happy with my two drivers.

“If there is a generational change in the future, then George Russell and Esteban Ocon are in the starting blocks.”

[Racer X]

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver.

...and Bottas is the fastest available driver!?

Yeah, he is pretty good in qualifying granted. But racing? Not so much.

I see Max and Hamilton as the fastest possible for both. This race today clearly states that. Also Max is younger if you have the possibility of taking Max.... You will at the very least consider it. Because at the end of the day if you intend to remain as a Manufacturer. Then you are probably aware that Hamilton will be done soon and you might not get another chance to take Max... So Im pretty sure that they are at least looking at Max. Even if it's just hypothetically.

[PlatinumZealot]

Max has no right to be in the fastest car. I believe it is the other way around; teams have the right to hire the fastest driver.

...and Bottas is the fastest available driver!?

Yeah, he is pretty good in qualifying granted. But racing? Not so much.

Max's services are not required at this time. Lewis is already there. He simply has to wait if there ever is a time when Mercedes need him. Until then, best he continues his performances in hope of RB being faster than Mercedes in the future.

[Manoah2u]

LOL, if anything, Mercedes BENEFITS from Max.

The only reason RedBull is threatening Mercedes is because of MAX,
and Bottas is hardly threatening Hamilton for that matter.

Bottas in the RedBull would be miles behind where Max is able to get that car. He'd be just in front of Albon at best.

So to be fair, Max' services would be greatly appreciated @ Mercedes as they'd be ultra dominant.
The only reason Max isn't there yet is because Max would be a threat to their superstar Hamilton,
whom has wheeled in 'all' the championships since 2014 except 1 where Nico wheeled one in,
and then i haven't mentioned the WCC championships. They'll get their 7th this season,
and to finish it off, they'll need Lewis to grab the 8th one for 2021.

As of 2022, Merc could decide it's time for fresh talent, and as if divine intervention, Max becomes available.