Silly season 2025-2026

[djos]

Horner knows how to build up and run a team, that’s what Alpine need.

He had Newey to rely on for the technical side, during pretty much the whole of his team principal career.
It's doubtful he could get someone of his caliber.

That is true, but even with Newey in the team, you still need to be an excellent manager to build what he did at red bull.

[PlatinumZealot]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Why do I say this?

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

[basti313]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

No. There are no other seats.

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

No. First year, so he gets some rookie bonus. Furthermore if we look at others that came new in any team in 2025, he is doing quite ok. I think Sainz and Hamilton, being known figures, are doing worse.

I think end of 26 we see more places being swapped, but there is neither a need for a Nr2 driver like Bottas nor do I see Ant in the jump seat. Rather more rookies.

[djos]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Why do I say this?

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

Bottas is solid and was a great qualifier, trouble was he couldn’t ever recover from a bad qualifying position, like the truly excellent drivers can.

[dren]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Why do I say this?

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

He'll get two years minimum. If Mercedes is able to land Max for 27, it'll be the love muscle who gets the boot.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Why do I say this?

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

Well that's already a poor decision to not take Alpine seat seriously and go to Cadillac which is going to be wannabe-Caterham next two years. After that Cadillac moves on with other drivers.

[nitrotech]

Horner knows how to build up and run a team, that’s what Alpine need.

He had Newey to rely on for the technical side, during pretty much the whole of his team principal career.
It's doubtful he could get someone of his caliber.

That is true, but even with Newey in the team, you still need to be an excellent manager to build what he did at red bull.

Alpine should hire Horner and Horner should hire Mike Elliott to lead the technical team. Elliott has a lot of experience in Enstone and he was part of building good cars for them. With Mercedes engine for 2026 onwards, a good leadership at the top can bring about the right change of competitive scenario for them.

[PlatinumZealot]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

No. There are no other seats.

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

No. First year, so he gets some rookie bonus. Furthermore if we look at others that came new in any team in 2025, he is doing quite ok. I think Sainz and Hamilton, being known figures, are doing worse.

I think end of 26 we see more places being swapped, but there is neither a need for a Nr2 driver like Bottas nor do I see Ant in the jump seat. Rather more rookies.

Atonelli had an awful second quarter. Lots of mistakes and not keeping consistent pace with george. Well below expecations but we certainly know that he isn't the chosen one for mercedes. If he doesn't improve in 2026... In at least consistent qualifying like a Valterri I can't see Wolff extending the contract.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

I've seen a few pundits saying that Kimi has a driving style similar to Lewis and that the ground effect cars simply don't allow them to drive in their natural way.

They went on to say that the new gen of cars will be allow a wider range of driving styles to be effective, so maybe Kimi won't be under threat.

[WardenOfTheNorth]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Why do I say this?

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

He'll get two years minimum. If Mercedes is able to land Max for 27, it'll be the love muscle who gets the boot.

Assuming by "the love muscle" you mean George, I suspect the reason George hasn't signed his contract yet revolves around what happens in the Verstappen scenario!!

[RedNEO]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Does he have 2 world championships and Newey designing his 2026 car? That’s what he needs to be “another Alonso”

[dren]

Valtteri Bottas is another Alonso. Making bad decisions all round.

Why do I say this?

Isn't it clear that Antonelli will be ousted for poor perfomance by end of year if not the end of 2026?!

He'll get two years minimum. If Mercedes is able to land Max for 27, it'll be the love muscle who gets the boot.

Assuming by "the love muscle" you mean George, I suspect the reason George hasn't signed his contract yet revolves around what happens in the Verstappen scenario!!

I think Russel's looking for more than a 1 year contract extension. I wonder if he has any leverage with Alpine or Red Bull? I don't think Kimi has it in him to win a championship if the car is capable next year. I think Toto should stop with his obsession over Max and commit to Russel. He's more than proven himself at this point.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

He'll get two years minimum. If Mercedes is able to land Max for 27, it'll be the love muscle who gets the boot.

Assuming by "the love muscle" you mean George, I suspect the reason George hasn't signed his contract yet revolves around what happens in the Verstappen scenario!!

I think Russel's looking for more than a 1 year contract extension. I wonder if he has any leverage with Alpine or Red Bull? I don't think Kimi has it in him to win a championship if the car is capable next year. I think Toto should stop with his obsession over Max and commit to Russel. He's more than proven himself at this point.

Merc have to secure Russell with multiyear. If Aston Martin nails the new regs and got good package they will go after Russell to Alonso's seat if he is free.

[ME4ME]

Honestly if it weren't for the Stroll family ties Aston Martin should go after Russel hard, and Russel should consider them.
Would love to see him leave Toto with his chin on the ground.

Leclerc, Verstappen, Norris and Piatri all got lucrative long term deals. Russel should demand and be given one as well.