The Official Formula One Thread!

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Rolex Essex

Bottas keeps seat for 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/49509017

So all the rumours about Ocon getting his seat can get lost lol

I didn't see it happening any other way. Bottas is the perfect #2 driver. He scores consistent points to help Mercedes in the WCC, but doesn't get in Hamilton's way and is definitely helping him walk to the WDC.

[Rolex Essex]

Ocon gets a drive in 2020 for Renault
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/49509020

Nico Hulkenberg is without a seat now :(

Albon is welcomed by RB by starting at the back of grid at Spa from an engine upgrade.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by Rolex Essex

Ocon gets a drive in 2020 for Renault
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/49509020

Nico Hulkenberg is without a seat now :(

Albon is welcomed by RB by starting at the back of grid at Spa from an engine upgrade.

I've heard rumors floating of Nico to Haas, but again just rumors.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by sillo38

I've heard rumors floating of Nico to Haas, but again just rumors.

Surely Grosjean is going to be put out of his misery soon? He is the worst driver to have had a multi-year career that I can remember - I think he’s even worse than Crashtor was - he’s not especially quick and he crashes often, frequently into his team-mate (though obviously Magnusson takes a hefty slice of the blame there too). Presumably there will be a vacancy at Williams too since clearly and understandably Kubica is a shadow of his pre-injury former self.

[OttawaSteve]

Grosjean has always been considered pretty fast but yes, he crashes often and sometimes bizarrely (pit lane at Silverstone for one). I suspect that at his age (33) he is probably done in F1. Maybe he will try Formula E. With those tight circuits, he will never finish a race.

I suspect that Williams will bring Latifi up to take Kubica's seat.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by OttawaSteve

Grosjean has always been considered pretty fast but yes, he crashes often and sometimes bizarrely (pit lane at Silverstone for one). I suspect that at his age (33) he is probably done in F1. Maybe he will try Formula E. With those tight circuits, he will never finish a race.

I suspect that Williams will bring Latifi up to take Kubica's seat.

I agree with you. Hulk will go to Haas, Robert out, maybe to Formula E with Grosjean. Haas needs an experienced consistent driver to figure out how to fix their car.


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[Dr.Brian]

If Mercedes was crafty, they kept some kind of leash on Ocon so they can buy him back cheap from Renault in a year or two when they’ve gotten him back up to speed. Then when Lewis gets board of being the GOAT they can get Ocon and/or Russel up to clash wheels with Max and Charles.


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[Zakalwe]

Mercedes are keeping their options open as Hamilton’s contract is up in 2020. Whilst I think on balance the most likely outcome is that he’ll sign up for another year or two, it’s possible he could quit the sport, especially if he matches Schumacher’s WDC record (and by that time he’ll have long surpassed the German’s win record). There is also the (admittedly much more remote) possibility he could join Ferrari.

If Hamilton stays beyond 2020, then Mercedes will probably promote Ocon, assuming he doesn’t get monstered by Ricciardo - which is possible. If Hamilton leaves then I suspect Merc will go balls out to sign Verstappen, who will be out of contract at the same time. It makes sense for the best team of the current era to go for the man who will be unquestionably the fastest driver on the grid once Lewis is gone. Max isn’t sentimental, he will go to whichever team he judges has the best chance of giving him a championship winning car.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

Haas needs an experienced consistent driver to figure out how to fix their car.

Haas needs much more than driver changes. They burn cash without improving. Can’t say more - but I also don’t see top talent willing to help them at any price.


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[sillo]

Originally Posted by 77T

Haas needs much more than driver changes. They burn cash without improving. Can’t say more - but I also don’t see top talent willing to help them at any price.


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They actually turned a profit last year and did pretty great. They just went in the complete wrong direction this year with their concept.

[OmegaJJH]

Can somebody please confirm whether Ocon is still part of the Mercedes family or has he broken all ties with Merc for the Renault deal?

I’ve got a sense that once Merc / Hamilton beat Schumachers record and there is a major regulation change they will walk away from F1 and go to conquer FE. Just a hunch...


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[Lol-x]

Ocon has a 2 year contract with Renault starting 2020. However, he still has a contract/option with Mercedes if they want him after 2022.

Hulkenburg has had quite a few years with Renault and unfortunately there didn't seem to be any podiums for him so Hulkenberg will be going somewhere else next year to make way for Ocon.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Ocon has a 2 year contract with Renault starting 2020. However, he still has a contract/option with Mercedes if they want him after 2022.

Hulkenburg has had quite a few years with Renault and unfortunately there didn't seem to be any podiums for him so Hulkenberg will be going somewhere else next year to make way for Ocon.

Thanks for that.

I expect we’ll see him in a Haas or perhaps Red Bull next year alongside Max.


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[texasmade]

Ocon is still being managed by Toto Wolff but he's not part of the Mercedes driver lineup. He has a 2 year contract with Renault so he's sticking with Renaul through 2021.

[Rock]

The bottom line is that there is a lot of talent that comes into F1 every year but there is such a disparity between teams that unless they get a seat in one of the top three teams we are never going to see what they are capable of.
Grosjean (and Hulk, and Perez etc etc) showed a lot of promise when they arrived but without a competitive drive simply withered on the vine. You can see the 'sparkle' progressively go out of their performance as they realise that they are constrained by the inferior equipment. It has always been thus.

[Rolex Essex]

Hamilton just had a big crash.
Will Mercedes get his car ready for qualifying?

[Peter Toronto]

Oh Williams.


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[sillo]

Originally Posted by Rolex Essex

Hamilton just had a big crash.
Will Mercedes get his car ready for qualifying?

Looks like they pushed the self destruct button on the Williams engine to buy them some extra time.

[Peter Toronto]

Ah the Mercedes conspiracy.


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[sillo]

Leclerc was ripping. 7 faster than p2 is huge.

Now bracing myself for some sort of major disappointment tomorrow.

[Rolex Essex]

Well done Leclerc! He was in a league of his own.
Hopefully he’ll get Ferrari’s first win of the season.
I’m sure Hamilton will spoil Ferrari’s party tomorrow.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Rolex Essex

I’m sure Hamilton will spoil Ferrari’s party tomorrow.

Just can’t see it. I was there this time last year, sat in a grand stand on Eau Rouge.

Ferrari had Merc covered all race. I was gutted!!



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[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Just can’t see it. I was there this time last year, sat in a grand stand on Eau Rouge.

Ferrari had Merc covered all race. I was gutted!!



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I tend to agree with you. The red cars are so much faster than the rest that even if they find themselves behind at the start, the run from La Source to Les Combes is so long that the Mercs would have next no chance of keeping Ferrari behind them, even without DRS.

Having said that, I wouldn’t underestimate the ability of current-era Ferrari to somehow shoot themselves in the bollocks.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Having said that, I wouldn’t underestimate the ability of current-era Ferrari to somehow shoot themselves in the bollocks.

Brilliant!



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[texasmade]

Huge crash during the F2 race on the exit of Eau Rouge. One driver is died.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/motor...ar-split-half/

[offrdmania]

RIP Anthoine Hubert

[Rolex Essex]

I’ve watched that crash and I knew it’s going to be bad news.

RIP

[Peter Toronto]

This reminded me of Alex Zanardi’s accident that almost took his life.


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[Stellite]

Sad News. RIP.

Surprised that Mercedes was able to get Hami's car ready by qualifying. Amazing what those mechanics can do. I figured LeClerc was going to get pole. Vettel needs to take this win and as he has got nothing to lose, I expect it at this point. Ferrari also needs the 1, 2 win.

[Yzord]

A sad day today :(