2020 Formula 1 Silly Season

Yeah Verstappen will be a logical long-term target for Ferrari (and Mercedes, too!), but for as long as he's tied contractually to Red Bull, he'll be a very very expensive driver to poach.

If any team can buy him, it's Ferrari.

If Red Bull are not strong next year, I see Verstappen at Ferrari - especially if Vettel has another 2018 season or decides to retire.

Ferrari already have a potentially stronger driver in Leclerc why would they want Verstappen next to him. If Leclerc matches Seb I'd expect Gio next to Leclerc if Seb goes away else the same paring will continue. 

Ferrari already have a potentially stronger driver in Leclerc why would they want Verstappen next to him. If Leclerc matches Seb I'd expect Gio next to Leclerc if Seb goes away else the same paring will continue. 

Heh. Leclerc would be the next top driver with #1 driver treatment. Imagine he establishes himself as #1 in Ferrari, wins the championship there, requests a lapdog team-mate and blocks Verstappen.

Max would be really annoyed - this young kid is blocking me and stealing my limelight! He would be like Senna was hating Prost in 1993, or Alonso is bitter about Vettel ever since he passed him in statistics.

A thing I wondered

Say for instance, what if Vettel retires at the end of 2019 after Leclerc outperforms him (or whatever other reason he might have). Who would take his place? Hamilton has contract, Verstappen has contract, Ricciardo has contract....can any of them be bough out? Opt-out options? Does Ferrari even want a super strong driver if Leclerc proves to be good enough?

Or Giovinazzi? Kimi coming back? Alonso coming back?

I'm just wondering because often when we think that a silly season will be super boring due to contracts someone makes one move which completely throws everything around and triggers the moves a year earlier than anticipated

I wouldn't be surprised if Ricciardo has a get-out-clause in his contract that if he could join a top team, he can leave Renault. I'd imagine he was negotiating really hard with Renault to get a flexible deal to agree to go there. Have no idea though. Verstappen having a performance clause if Red Bull-Honda flops badly could be a possibility too.

One more possibility is Bottas if Mercedes for some reason doesn't take up his option (is that possible?) or for some other reason Bottas becomes unhappy there, as he sees Ferrari opportunity arising. By beating Vettel Leclerc would prove to be good enough to be a #1, and Bottas has proven to be a perfect team player to complement him.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ricciardo has a get-out-clause in his contract that if he could join a top team, he can leave Renault. I'd imagine he was negotiating really hard with Renault to get a flexible deal to agree to go there. Have no idea though. Verstappen having a performance clause if Red Bull-Honda flops badly could be a possibility too.

One more possibility is Bottas if Mercedes for some reason doesn't take up his option (is that possible?) or for some other reason Bottas becomes unhappy there, as he sees Ferrari opportunity arising. By beating Vettel Leclerc would prove to be good enough to be a #1, and Bottas has proven to be a perfect team player to complement him.

I would be surprised if Ricciardo had such a clause in his contract. That would be admitting by Renault that they are not a (potential) top team. Something Abiteboul sometimes clearly prides himself upon that they will become a major player once more.

I can not see any scenario where Ricciardo would be in play for Ferrari in 2020, Bottas would just not make any sense, if Ferrari have a seat to fill next to Leclerc I will expect a Ferrari driver to be placed there, either a short term seat holder contract while waiting for Giovannizi to prove himself, or simply move Giovannizzi straight in there.

It seems very far fetched for Vettel to walk away.

The biggest talking points will be:

1) Will Ocon replance Bottas? If yes: Where will Bottas go? Renault? If not: Where will Ocon go? Back to Force India?

2) Is Gasly good enough to keep his seat?

3) Can Hülkenberg stay at Renault? Possible replacements: Bottas, Pérez, Ocon

4) New drivers at Haas? Schumacher? Pérez?

5) Will Alonso return at McLaren?

6) Who will be replaced by Ticktum?

7) Who will get the second Williams seat? Latifi if he has enough superlicence points? Mazepin?

Mercedes: Hamilton – Ocon
Ferrari: Vettel – Leclerc
Red Bull: Verstappen – Gasly
Renault: Ricciardo – Bottas
Haas: Grosjean – Schumacher
McLaren: Sainz – Norris
Force India: Pérez – Stroll
Sauber: Räikkönen – Giovinazzi
Toro Rosso: Kvyat – Ticktum
Williams: Russell – Latifi

Edited by HistoryFan, 03 December 2018 - 19:16.

The biggest talking points will be:

 

1) Will Ocon replance Bottas? If yes: Where will Bottas go? Renault? If not: Where will Ocon go? Back to Force India?

2) Is Gasly good enough to keep his seat?

3) Can Hülkenberg stay at Renault? Possible replacements: Bottas, Pérez, Ocon

4) New drivers at Haas? Schumacher? Pérez?

5) Will Alonso return at McLaren?

6) Who will be replaced by Ticktum?

7) Who will get the second Williams seat? Latifi if he has enough superlicence points? Mazepin?

 

Mercedes: Hamilton – Ocon
Ferrari: Vettel – Leclerc
Red Bull: Verstappen – Gasly
Renault: Ricciardo – Bottas
Haas: Grosjean – Schumacher
McLaren: Sainz – Norris
Force India: Pérez – Stroll
Sauber: Räikkönen – Giovinazzi
Toro Rosso: Kvyat – Ticktum
Williams: Russell – Latifi

Bottas would be gone, he has not big enough backing for a Williams seat in their current position and he won't get a FI seat with Stroll and Checo (Carlos Slim backing) there. That's the two Mercedes powered teams. And I can't imagine the other teams being that interested.

I think Bottas will fight for his career next season and he knows it. Wouldn't surprise me if he will be closer to Hamilton and actually keep his seat, it's all in his own hands.

 

Toro Rosso: Kvyat – Ticktum

I think Albon/Yamamoto is more likely to Toro Rosso.

The biggest talking points will be:

 

1) Will Ocon replance Bottas? If yes: Where will Bottas go? Renault? If not: Where will Ocon go? Back to Force India?

2) Is Gasly good enough to keep his seat?

3) Can Hülkenberg stay at Renault? Possible replacements: Bottas, Pérez, Ocon

4) New drivers at Haas? Schumacher? Pérez?

5) Will Alonso return at McLaren?

6) Who will be replaced by Ticktum?

7) Who will get the second Williams seat? Latifi if he has enough superlicence points? Mazepin?

 

Mercedes: Hamilton – Ocon
Ferrari: Vettel – Leclerc
Red Bull: Verstappen – Gasly
Renault: Ricciardo – Bottas
Haas: Grosjean – Schumacher
McLaren: Sainz – Norris
Force India: Pérez – Stroll
Sauber: Räikkönen – Giovinazzi
Toro Rosso: Kvyat – Ticktum
Williams: Russell – Latifi

Not to mention what if RB could be a title contender. A threeway battle could really hurt Vettel for instance as I see him as the slowest of the three lead drivers.

Bottas would be gone, he has not big enough backing for a Williams seat in their current position and he won't get a FI seat with Stroll and Checo (Carlos Slim backing) there. That's the two Mercedes powered teams. And I can't imagine the other teams being that interested.

 

I think Bottas will fight for his career next season and he knows it. Wouldn't surprise me if he will be closer to Hamilton and actually keep his seat, it's all in his own hands.

Why should Renault not be interesting in signing Bottas?

 

I think Albon/Yamamoto is more likely to Toro Rosso.

Yamamoto is a good guys, but I doubt he'll make the move to F1.

And why not Ticktum?

 

Why should Renault not be interesting in signing Bottas?

Ferrari already have a potentially stronger driver in Leclerc why would they want Verstappen next to him. If Leclerc matches Seb I'd expect Gio next to Leclerc if Seb goes away else the same paring will continue. 

"Stronger"? No offense but Leclerc hasn't proven squat yet. His barometer for comparison was Marcus so that doesn't tell us much. And showing up and giving the goods in a top car at the front of the grid with pressure is a whole other story. We will see.

Max is undeniable and proven. he IS the goods.

Edited by theflyingwheel, 04 December 2018 - 19:27.

Yamamoto is a good guys, but I doubt he'll make the move to F1.

And why not Ticktum?
 

Honda has a history of wanting a Japanese driver sitting in front of one of its engines.

Goes all the way back to Satoru Nakajima.

Hell, Honda even funded an entire team to keep Takuma Sato going for 18 months.

Having four Honda-engined cars on the grid is that opportunity, I'm sure it's probably buried in the fine print of their deal with Red Bull somewhere.

I think Ticktum set his F1 chances back years with whinging about Mick Schumacher.

Getting dressed down by Christian Horner while you're still in F3 looks terrible...    

Something tells me Alonso isn't truly done with F1 yet. 

Who would take him though, apart from (maybe) Renault?

If Merc axe Bottas in 2020, there's a pretty good chance he might pop up in their FE team.

If Merc axe Bottas in 2020, there's a pretty good chance he might pop up in their FE team.

I can't get excited about Formula E until the cars are at least twice as fast and race on real circuits...

I don't think Alonso could've been any clearer. He still wants to be F1 world champion again, but has better things to do than fight for 11th place. If someone gives him a realistic chance to come fight for wins in F1, he'll come back, if not, he won't.

Wonder, how long is he willing to wait? When Alonso turns 45, will he still be wondering, when would a top team call him? Maybe Alonso turns into another Mansell, who never retired?

Wonder, how long is he willing to wait? When Alonso turns 45, will he still be wondering, when would a top team call him? Maybe Alonso turns into another Mansell, who never retired?

I hope we eventually see him competing in Le Mans with his sons, León and Gregorio.

I hope we eventually see him competing in Le Mans with his sons, León and Gregorio.

Do Leo and Greg still race or did their old man crashing out of Le Mans mark the moment the money dried up? 

Yamamoto is a good guys, but I doubt he'll make the move to F1.

And why not Ticktum?

 

New Red Bull Junior line-up has been released:

https://juniorteam.r...a-dream-project

Dan Ticktum: 2019 in Super Formula

Lucas Auer: 2019 in Super Formula

Jüri Vips: 2019 in Formula 3

Yuki Tsunoda: 2019 in Formula 3

+ Jack Doohan, Dennis Hauger, Jonny Edgar and Harry Thompson in lower categories

Honda is weighing F1 free practice sessions for Naoki Yamamoto

Interesting, Vips looks pretty good.

I still reckon Yamamoto would have a shot if he did OK in practice sessions.

He's got Button behind up, another Honda favourite. 

Vettel made repeated mistakes, Bottas just wasn't great. Of the two, Bottas is doing a better job, which is to be the No.2 and bring the points.

Are you serious !? Vettel won in Australia, Bahrein, Canada, Silverstone and Spa and was 2. in championship. Saying that Bottas is doing a better job than Vettel is a complete nonsense.

Edited by realracer200, 05 December 2018 - 15:45.

First I thought you people are talking about the comeback of Sakon Yamamoto.

LeClerc beats Vettel.

Vettel meltdown and retirement.

Ricciardo to The Scuderia.

Alonso back to Renault because of massive gains in 2019.

Grojean to Renault

Ocon paired with The GOAT.

Young Schumacher to HAAS to pair with Racing Thug.

All else pretty static.

Grojean to Renault

Why would Renault replace Hulk with Grosjean?

First I thought you people are talking about the comeback of Sakon Yamamoto.

Never say never! 

With FIA's Superlicence changes being added in retrospect for Dan Ticktum (Macau 2017). Will this change: "The FIA has also reduced the amount of championships from which a driver can count superlicence points in one calendar year from two to one." also work the same way (as it should)?

If so, won't that make it harder for the current youngsters who have done more than one point-counting event/championship each year? Or is it really so carefully worded, that it will affect many of the youngsters today, but not Ticktum as Macau is not a championship but the sole stand-alone event the FIA give points for?

It also funnels drivers into the 'F'-program more and more.

Could someone clarify, what is the Bottas' contract situation going into 2020? Officially it has been mentioned that Mercedes has an "option" on him. But some mention he has a certain performance clause that would get automatically activated? Is that so? Or does Merc just have an option they can take up on him if they want before a certain expiry date?

Could someone clarify, what is the Bottas' contract situation going into 2020? Officially it has been mentioned that Mercedes has an "option" on him. But some mention he has a certain performance clause that would get automatically activated? Is that so? Or does Merc just have an option they can take up on him if they want before a certain expiry date?

perhaps worth mentioning for juniors that Super License Points have been updated:

Drivers will be getting more points now in:

• Japanese Super Formula
• DTM
• Japanese Super GT
• F3 Asian
• F3 Americas
• International Supercars

https://gallery.mail..._2018_FINAL.pdf

could certainly be helpful for those Japanese Honda juniors and the likes of Ticktum & co.

perhaps worth mentioning for juniors that Super License Points have been updated:

 

Drivers will be getting more points now in:

 

• Japanese Super Formula
• DTM
• Japanese Super GT
• F3 Asian
• F3 Americas
• International Supercars

 

https://gallery.mail..._2018_FINAL.pdf

 

could certainly be helpful for those Japanese Honda juniors and the likes of Ticktum & co.

How many points does Ticktum need ?

How many points does Ticktum [/size]need ?

Edited by Ivanhoe, 09 December 2018 - 09:45.

Are you serious !? Vettel won in Australia, Bahrein, Canada, Silverstone and Spa and was 2. in championship. Saying that Bottas is doing a better job than Vettel is a complete nonsense.

In the grand scheme of things he is not wrong. Vettel's job was to win the championship or at least bring the fight until the last race, he failed. Botta's job was to help the team and Hamilton to win both titles, he succeed.

New Red Bull Junior line-up has been released:

 

https://juniorteam.r...a-dream-project

 

Dan Ticktum: 2019 in Super Formula

Lucas Auer: 2019 in Super Formula

Jüri Vips: 2019 in Formula 3

Yuki Tsunoda: 2019 in Formula 3

 

+ Jack Doohan, Dennis Hauger, Jonny Edgar and Harry Thompson in lower categories

 

Honda is weighing F1 free practice sessions for Naoki Yamamoto

The Doohan name has history with Honda Would love to see him do well. 

In the grand scheme of things he is not wrong. Vettel's job was to win the championship or at least bring the fight until the last race, he failed. Botta's job was to help the team and Hamilton to win both titles, he succeed.

Bottas ended up fifth in the championship behind both Vettel and Raikkonen, so much for his contribution. The only one who helped Hamilton and Mercedes win the title was Hamilton.

Yeah, Hamilton won alone the WCC. I agree that Bottas did poorly this year but from the driver point of view, from the team point of view he did his job.

How about Vettel in Mercedes with Hamilton?

How about Vettel in Mercedes with Hamilton?

How about Vettel returning to Toro Rosso? Bring back that old magic!

Vettel and Hamilton at Mercedes – no way.

Vettel and Hamilton at Mercedes – no way.

I think Mercedes could be interested in such move. Surely they would be interested in taking Vettel over Bottas, and the marketing benefits would be great too. Two multiple champions and they would again have their own German driver. Hamilton-Vettel seems like a managable enough driver pairing too, no worse than Hamilton-Rosberg IMHO.

I think even Hamilton could be prepared for such change, because I assume by now he has got the confidence he can beat Vettel in the same car.

Vettel? Unsure about the motivation for the change though. Maybe if he gets beaten by Leclerc, he fancies that getting beaten by Hamilton would be less humiliating?

Mercedes: Hamilton/Ocon
Ferrari: Leclerc/Verstappen
Red Bull: Gasly/Vettel
Renault: Ricciardo/Bottas
McLaren: Norris/Hulkenberg
Williams: Russell/Perez
Racing Point: Stroll/Latifi
Haas: Magnussen/Grosjean
Sauber: Raikkonen/Giovinazzi
Toro Rosso: Albon/Schumacher