1993 replies to this topic

[Anja]

Saves KMag's seat?

 

I'd say it's very likely if they really sign Bearman - with how cautious Haas typically is with driver selection they'd probably like to keep KMag for experience and continuity if nothing else. Pretty much the only other option that I think might be tempting enough for them is Bottas, if he's out of Sauber. 

Edited by Anja, Yesterday, 08:57.

[KWSN - DSM]

Saves KMag's seat?

 

I think it does.

[F1Frog]

Could be Zhou and Bearman at Haas? I am not sure Magnussen has performed better than Zhou since 2023.

It would be interesting to see the 2018 Renault teammates in the same car again, considering the overwhelming favourite would be the guy that lost last time.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Who's he replacing? Bottas I assume?

 

Now for the Bear to be announced at Haas.

[IrvTheSwerve]

KMag/Bearman would be a decent lineup for Haas.

 

Hopefully Hulk replaces Zhou…one of the most forgettable driver of recent times.

Edited by IrvTheSwerve, Yesterday, 10:01.

[Laster]

Even if Bottas becomes available Haas has typicallt enjoyed some consistency in their driver line up, but that was with Steiner. Interesting to see which direction Komatsu tries to take the team.

[FLB]

 

Hopefully Hulk replaces Zhou…one of the most forgettable drivers of recent times.

Not after the reaction he got in China last week.. Notice how much Liberty themselves through F1TV have been promoting him.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Not after the reaction he got in China last week.. Notice how much Liberty themselves through F1TV have been promoting him.

No.

[kirja]

Here are two predictions for the next season.

 

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Pérez
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Stroll
Mercedes Russell-Sainz
RB Tsunoda-Lawson
Haas Bottas-Bearman
Audi Hülkenberg-Ocon
Williams Albon-Antonelli
Alpine Gasly-Zhou

(in: Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, out: Magnussen, Sargeant, Ricciardo)

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Pérez
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Stroll
Mercedes Russell-Antonelli
RB Tsunoda-Lawson
Haas Magnussen-Bearman
Audi Hülkenberg-Sainz
Williams Albon-Bottas
Alpine Gasly-Ocon

(in: Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, out: Zhou, Sargeant, Ricciardo)

 

There are numerous other scenarios (Bottas at Alpine, Zhou at Haas, Sainz at Red Bull, Ricciardo improving and staying in F1 etc.) but if I had to make one prediction, it would be one of these two.

Edited by kirja, Yesterday, 10:20.

[IrvTheSwerve]

Here are two predictions for the next season.

 

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Pérez
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Stroll
Mercedes Russell-Sainz
RB Tsunoda-Lawson
Haas Bottas-Bearman
Audi Hülkenberg-Ocon
Williams Albon-Antonelli
Alpine Gasly-Zhou

(in: Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, out: Magnussen, Sargeant, Ricciardo)

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Pérez
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Stroll
Mercedes Russell-Antonelli
RB Tsunoda-Lawson
Haas Magnussen-Bearman
Audi Hülkenberg-Sainz
Williams Albon-Bottas
Alpine Gasly-Ocon

(in: Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, out: Zhou, Sargeant, Ricciardo)

 

There are numerous other scenarios (Bottas at Alpine, Zhou at Haas, Sainz at Red Bull, Ricciardo improving and staying in F1 etc.) but if I had to make one prediction, it would be one of these two.

Your second prediction is pretty much how I see it too. I think Sainz goes to Sauber/Audi as has been rumoured for at least a year…the only question marks I would then have is what Merc and Williams do with their second seats. I wonder if Bottas would take 1 year at Merc as a final hurrah before retirement, with Antonelli placed at Williams.

[noikeee]

Here are two predictions for the next season.

 

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Pérez
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Stroll
Mercedes Russell-Sainz
RB Tsunoda-Lawson
Haas Bottas-Bearman
Audi Hülkenberg-Ocon
Williams Albon-Antonelli
Alpine Gasly-Zhou

(in: Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, out: Magnussen, Sargeant, Ricciardo)

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Pérez
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Stroll
Mercedes Russell-Antonelli
RB Tsunoda-Lawson
Haas Magnussen-Bearman
Audi Hülkenberg-Sainz
Williams Albon-Bottas
Alpine Gasly-Ocon

(in: Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, out: Zhou, Sargeant, Ricciardo)

 

There are numerous other scenarios (Bottas at Alpine, Zhou at Haas, Sainz at Red Bull, Ricciardo improving and staying in F1 etc.) but if I had to make one prediction, it would be one of these two.

 

I agree these are the most likely scenarios.

 

IMO top one makes more sense (Sainz to Merc), but it looks like bottom one is closer to happening. Bottas to Williams is possibly the most uncertain one, as there are a multitude of options there and I am not sure Williams will be going for a 2nd "performance"/experienced driver. Alternative options include hiring Zhou for the cash, or promoting some other junior.

[gpking]

Merc sign Bottas for 2025, Williams-Antonelli.
Then they swap in 2026. That's my prediction.

[Frood]

Bottas going back to Merc would be the least inspiring move in the history of ever and would only serve to prove that F1 team bosses are the least imaginative people on the planet.

(Can you tell I get annoyed by the endless recycling of the same drivers in F1? It desperately needs new blood)

[pdac]

Bottas going back to Merc would be the least inspiring move in the history of ever and would only serve to prove that F1 team bosses are the least imaginative people on the planet.

(Can you tell I get annoyed by the endless recycling of the same drivers in F1? It desperately needs new blood)

 

Which is why it will probably happen.

[Anderis]

Bottas going back to Merc would be the least inspiring move in the history of ever and would only serve to prove that F1 team bosses are the least imaginative people on the planet.

Unfortunately, imaginative driver choices are not the best driver choices 95% of the time.
 

[VPOLIVER]

Sharing a mix of wished and prediction for 2025 f1 driver lineup:

 

Ferrari Leclerc-Hamilton
Red Bull Verstappen-Sainz
McLaren Norris-Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso-Tsunoda
Mercedes Russell-Antonelli
RB Albon-Lawson
Haas Magnussen-Bearman
Audi Pérez-Hülkenberg

Williams Ocon-Bottas
Alpine Gasly-Zhou

[William Hunt]

I have a French F1 season preview, so dated from just before the first race in March, and they wrote back then already that Audi was after Esteban Ocon Audi so Hülkenberg - Ocon is certainly possible. Ocon seems to be Audi's second choice after Sainz right now, he probably was ahead of Sainz before the season started. That is sad for Théo Pourchaire, that they are again overlooking him: he seems only 4th choice now with Gasly rumoured to be also courted by Audi. It's cleary that the Alpine duo is on the shortlist of other teams, possibly also Williams and Haas.

 

So Audi's preferred line-up seems:

 

1) Hülkenberg - Sainz

2) Hülkenberg - Ocon

3) Hülkenberg - Gasly

4) Hülkenberg - Pourchaire

 

From what I understand current duo Bottas & Zhou are not in the running since Audi, from what I've read, wants a brand new line-up that makes it clear a new era is going to begin. Bottas & Zhou's will have to hope on getting a seat at Haas or Williams to stay in F1. If Alpine loses a current driver they are expected to run one of their Juniors, Doohan or Martins.

If they (Alpine) lose both drivers (don't expect that) they might pick up someone like Bottas or maybe they could land Sainz if the market ends up a bit strange. Alpine might even be a better choice for Sainz if you consider that Audi's engine could flop big time. Audi are new in producing an F1 engine, Renault is experienced in it. Personally I believe they are the better choice in the short run. Audi may be a big name in motorsport and they can pay a lot, but the fact remains that they are new in F1.

 

Nico Hülkenberg to Sauber-Audi was the most expected transfer really. I think few on this forum doubted this would happen, it was anticipated Audi would want a German driver and Hülkenberg is the best one out there. Oliver Bearman to Haas is the other anticipated transfer everyone already expected before the start of the season (and before Bearman's Ferrari substitution) since Haas had anounced, before the start of the season, that Bearman would do 6 Friday practice sessions for them.

 

This probably saves Kevin Magnussen's seat at Haas. But Haas may also be looking at Ocon, Gasly, Bottas or Zhou (if they need extra funding he's a safe pair of hands that comes with a budget). But Haas is rather conservative so I believe they will prefer Magnussen for the sake of stability. Kevin deserves the extention based on his race performance but he should improve his Qualy. I also don't think Ocon or Gasly will be interested in Haas but you never know. I don't see Haas getting another rookie. So the expected Haas line-up is Magnussen-Bearman, unless Kevin's form drops dramatically the second half of the season.

Edited by William Hunt, Yesterday, 15:03.

[KWSN - DSM]

Lot of permutations, right now I think

Ferrari      Leclerc    - Hamilton
Red Bull     Verstappen - Perez
McLaren      Norris     - Piastri
Aston Martin Alonso     - Stroll
Mercedes     Russell    - Schumacher
RB           Tsunoda    - Lawson
Haas         Magnussen  - Bearman
Audi         Sainz      - Hülkenberg
Williams     Albon      - Antonelli
Alpine       Gasly      - Ocon

[William Hunt]

A big game changer for the market would be Lance Stroll announcing that he will retire from F1 at the end of the season.

 

At Mercedes I only see two candidates right now: Sainz and Antonelli and maaaaybe Vettel.

 

But if Stroll retires the possible Aston Martin candidates there are:

 

- Carlos Sainz Jr.

- Felipe Drugovich

- Esteban Ocon

- Pierre Gasly

- Valtteri Bottas

- Sebastian Vettel

- Yuki Tsunoda

- Ayumu Iwas

 

The last two because Honda will become an Aston Martin partner, but I doubt that Stroll Sr. will allow Honda to dictate their line-up. Drugovich seems to me to have the biggest chance because they might think that Sainz or Ocon next to Alonso could destabilise their line-und and Felipe is already part of their team and a very quick driver so that would be an ideal combination of young & old. Alonso-Sainz would be a spectacular line up though but that might also end up in an internal "who is the best Spaniard in F1" team battle.

Edited by William Hunt, Yesterday, 15:13.

[Beri]

Sainz isnt a candidate in my book. I firmly believe the 2025 Audi line up will be Sainz and Hulkenberg.

[MaroF1]

https://x.com/soymot...5875682803?s=46

[KWSN - DSM]

I do not get why Verstappen would be interested in Mercedes, before them I would think Aston Martin and Audi would be better, I do not think Ferrari will be possible in 2025 or 2026, but I have been wrong before.

[cjm321190]

Gasly is in the frame for Williams according to one of the Autospor/the Race/Sky podcasts.

He would be welcome along with Bottas

[ARTGP]

Gasly is in the frame for Williams according to one of the Autospor/the Race/Sky podcasts.

 

Alpine will surpass Williams though. What would be the point?  

Edited by ARTGP, Yesterday, 16:56.

[FirstnameLastname]

Mercedes courting Helmut Marko & waving £150mil at Verstappen to lure him over.

[George Costanza]

Adrian IMHO will determine the next step.

[messy]

Without wanting to sound awful, I'd love Stroll to decide to retire and get him off the grid. He's wasting a seat. But I don't think it'll happen - not yet anyway. I think having him there suits everyone while Aston are still 4th/5th best, particularly Alonso who gets to look like a hero every weekend unopposed.

[garoidb]

Without wanting to sound awful, I'd love Stroll to decide to retire and get him off the grid. He's wasting a seat. But I don't think it'll happen - not yet anyway. I think having him there suits everyone while Aston are still 4th/5th best, particularly Alonso who gets to look like a hero every weekend unopposed.

 

Look on the bright side,  ... Lance does not have any brothers. 

[motohead]

What about all the F2 stars that have actually performed, e.g. Drugovich, Pourchaire, Vesti. What happens if both Martinelli and Bearman fail in F2 this year? Would Haas really choose a guy who is towards the bottom of the table in F2? Would Mercedes? Currently Bearman is last and Martinelli isn't up there either really. A year more in F2 for at least Martinelli seems realistic. For Bearman that's less realistic. Could Pourchaire be in contention for an Audi seat, could Vesti be for a Williams seat and Drugovich for Aston Martin, in case Stoll actually retires?

Edited by motohead, Yesterday, 18:22.

[JL14]

What about all the F2 stars that have actually performed, e.g. Drugovich, Pourchaire, Vesti. What happens if both Martinelli and Bearman fail in F2 this year? Would Haas really choose a guy who is towards the bottom of the table in F2? Would Mercedes? Currently Bearman is last and Martinelli isn't up there either really. A year more in F2 for at least Martinelli seems realistic. For Bearman that's less realistic. Could Pourchaire be in contention for an Audi seat, could Vesti be for a Williams seat and Drugovich for Aston Martin, in case Stoll actually retires?

Who's this Martinelli kid?

[Racer3000]

Max knows he will be in trouble without Newey and Honda. Certainly he will leave, and I see Mercedes as the only place he could go. This is bad news for Antonelli - even if Mercedes put him in Russell's place, he still would have to face Verstappen as a teammate for many years.

[Albertino]

Would we be worried if Stoll jr quits that his father also quits? He's got big money in this so hopefully not. It's nice having 5 teams with big pockets.

[rodlamas]

Would we be worried if Stoll jr quits that his father also quits? He's got big money in this so hopefully not. It's nice having 5 teams with big pockets.

Stroll is out of F1 probably for next year. He doesn't want to do it anymore and the fact his father is trying to sell just corroborates. Not that is the main or only reason for that, but it is one piece of the block.

[ARTGP]

Would we be worried if Stoll jr quits that his father also quits? He's got big money in this so hopefully not. It's nice having 5 teams with big pockets.

 

I bet Aramco and Saudis would back up any funding deficit. As far as I can tell, their participation doesn't depend on the Strolls. 

Edited by ARTGP, Yesterday, 20:09.

[Secretariat]

Would we be worried if Stoll jr quits that his father also quits? He's got big money in this so hopefully not. It's nice having 5 teams with big pockets.

One of the articles in the AM thread and I believe this one, notes if Stroll Jr. retires it would be to do business with Stroll Sr. What that actual means and entails is a different matter.

[FirstnameLastname]

Honda would surely buy the AM team if it were on the market?

[danmills]

The Mercedes seat is seemingly a short stint because Antonelli is almost certain to be there in a few years.

 

That's why it won't be Sainz, why would he agree to be a seat warmer when he's in his prime right now. The guy is looking for a big long deal or a shot at an immediate winning team. Mercedes is neither of those.

 

And why is Russell an assumed certainty? I said he should be worried and was laughed at. Mercedes are openly courting the idea of Verstappen who would be a long term. Antonelli is supposedly the next Verstappen. That's a lockout. Where does Russell fit there?

 

I'm not convinced Mercedes truly want Verstappen, I think they're more interested in fuelling the break up of RB and spreading the parts of their immediate rivals which eliminates the domination in one place.

 

The team looking best out of all this madness into 2026 IMO is Mclaren who will be the only current upwards trajectory team with stabilty.

 

Everyone else will be mid change and experiencing transitional dynamics.

 

RB will have lost Newey.

Aston get Honda.

RB also have a new engine.

Mercedes without Lewis

Ferrari with Lewis

Edited by danmills, Yesterday, 20:32.

[Sterzo]

Without wanting to sound awful, I'd love Stroll to decide to retire and get him off the grid. He's wasting a seat.

Well you are awful, viewing Stroll as Basil Fawlty does Manuel.

[vgrocco]

Who's this Martinelli kid?

Plays for Arsenal, quite fast.

[JvsKVB77]

What about all the F2 stars that have actually performed, e.g. Drugovich, Pourchaire, Vesti. What happens if both Martinelli and Bearman fail in F2 this year? 

Nothing, i think. If Andrea fast at the wheel of F1 cars, who cares about F2? Bearman already show that he not bad in F1 at least and Haas was impressed after his FP outing. They need to do something really silly in F2 to lose their seats. 

Edited by JvsKVB77, Today, 04:50.

[mdaclarke]

Talk about Zhou going to Alpine

[danmills]

Money is the least of Alpine's worries. They have a new problem every week, the hypochondriac of the grid.

[Beri]

Talk about Zhou going to Alpine

Not a bad driver. Not a true star. I do t think Alpine is in a position to get any better driver. However harsh that may sound.

[ANF]

Who's this Martinelli kid?

I believe that's the latest AI clone that combines the aggressiveness of Victor Martins with the calmness of Kimi Antonelli.