F1 2020 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

for me it'll always be the colour of a GT40, I don;t remember them ever being an F1 car in their livery.

 

Speaking as someone who rushed out and bought a Gulf-liveried GT-40 Scalextric car as soon as the kids had a set, I definitely get that!

The livery may never have appeared on an F1 car before, but I think/hope McLaren would see the marketing potential.

 

I mean, just imagine....

 

How likely do you think the carousel will stop rolling at:

Kvyat: out
Albon: To Alpha (not alfa)
Vettel: To Tracing Aston
.....
Perez: To Red Bull?

I don't know why but I feel Perez would be an excellent choice at Red Bull, always causing mayhem on the alternative tyre saving strategy!
Been a long long time since Red Bull went outside their own, but what are their choices now? Get Gasly back?

 

Bottas confirmed at Merc for 2021, just on a one year contract once again.

https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2020/08/mercedes-amg-petronas-f1-team-valtteri-bottas-2021/

 

I've got nothing against Bottas, but for crying out loud, get someone young and hungry in there.

 

Yep. Maybe they are waiting to put Russell there in 2022? Hope so.

 

I expect next year will be his last , I will miss him I really rate him .I fully expect Russell to be in a Merc in 2022 .

 

With Hamilton still saying "at least 3 more seasons", why rock the boat? Hamilton is going to be a 10x WDC at this rate, and Bottas will pass Kimi and Hakkinen to have those most wins by a Finnish driver (22 needed, currently on 8).

It's a really shame, but unfortunately can see exactly why Mercedes would do it. They don't need a succession plan for a few years, which is a shame for Russell because he's not got a lot of other places to go.

 

All very true and makes perfect sense from the teams point of view.

 

As I said Earlier . I think this will be Valtteri’s last year with the team . Williams kept Russell for this year , I expect to see him in a Merc next year .That then Brings Russell in for the new Car’s in 2020 .

 

And, as part of a driver exchange agreement, Lewis to close out his career with a couple of WDCs at a resurgent Williams.

You heard it here first.

 

I could live with that.

 

Just looking at reserve drivers, as there's potential for moves there this season.

Mercedes have Vandoorne (eligible to race, free from Formula E commitments by next weekend) and Gutierrez (apparently ineligible)

Ferrari have Wehrlein, who I think is eligible. And technically Giovinazzi.

Red Bull and Alpha Tauri have Buemi and Sette Camara. Buemi hasn't raced since 2011 so not sure about his super license, Sette Camara has enough points for one. Hartley an option, although you'd presume RB would nick Gasly or Kvyat.

McLaren and Racing Point share Mercedes drivers, but RP havewhave Hulkenburg because Vandoorne is busy, and McLaren were clearly worried enough to have Di Resta do a seat fitting.

Renault have Sirotkin, who should be fine. Early return for Alonso an option?

Alfa have Kubica

Haas have Fittipaldi and Deletraz, neither have a super license.

Williams have Aitken and Ticktum. Aitken has a super license.

 

Do we have a 2021 Rumours thread?

BBC reported earlier today that there's a contract on the table for Seb Vettel to join RP. They key complication is how they ditch Perez. Joe Saward has reported that the Perez/RP contract is being looked at by independent arbitrators, because by the sounds of it RP want to avoid breach of contract (with subsequent payout) but still ditch Perez ASAP. One hypothetical scenario Saward proposed is whether there's performance-related clauses which remain valid reasons to break the contract, even if the circumstances of the season are so wildly different to when they were agreed. "Have 50 points by August" or "Lead Stroll in the WDC by August" for example.

An alternative suggestion is whether Perez's contract guarantees him a seat in F1, but not necessarily a Racing Point seat. Could we have the ridiculous scenario where Stroll buys Perez a seat at Haas/Alfa, but because the contract isn't breached can still rake in Perez's lucrative sponsorship deal?

Sounds like Stroll is prepared to do Perez over, despite what he's done for the team.

 

Sad to say but business is business. That said if Perez gets the boot then I hope Vettel maintains his current form for Tracing Point.

 

Oops....

 

Surprised there is no discussion about the stand off between Mercedes and Liberty. Currently there is no agreement that is acceptable to both parties for 2021. The deadline is the 12th August. Neither side willing to give....could see Merc leave, and Toto and Lewis. Driver market would be thrown up in the air. I can't believe a compromise won't be reached or if not Liberty taking the view removing the dominant player will bring back the audience....risky strategy.

 

Interesting seeing Toto come out and complain about other teams saying they accept the new deal in the press, but asking for changes behind closed doors. Feels like they're undermining his/collective efforts.

Can Liberty afford to let Mercedes go? They'd surely threaten to withdraw as an engine supplier too.

 

Whilst the loss of Mercedes would be "good for the show" the repercussions would severely damage F1.
The way I've heard it worded Mercedes could still race without signing the agreement, but I dont know where that would leave them with getting income from Liberty.