Silly Season 2020/2021 (starting with silliness in 2019)

[Big Tea]

So that's one seat gone for Seb

[Just_a_fan]

Also, in the end, i'm 100% sure that when it comes down to it, Mercedes will rather see
a German win the championship over a Finnish 'nr 2 driver'. It would also be much, much more
spectacular to see a battle between Vettel and Hamilton. Hamilton for his 8th tile, and Vettel
for his 5th title with a 'German' team. Certainly, Vettel vs Hamilton will be much more exciting
than Bottas vs Hamilton.

The reality is that Mercedes don't care about spectacular battles or excitement. And they're honest enough to know that it is a "German car" in name only. Did they make more of Rosberg's [German] title than any of Hamilton's Mercedes-related titles?

I'm amazed that people still come out with this stuff - the team doesn't want the stuff that you or I might want. They just want to rack up wins. They don't want excitement because excitement is stressful and extremely risky for them. A bit of to-and-fro with another team is ok and they can handle that, but a season long battle between team mates is the worst thing for any team because of the risk of DNFs, the damage to intra-team relationships and morale.

[El Scorchio]

Also, in the end, i'm 100% sure that when it comes down to it, Mercedes will rather see
a German win the championship over a Finnish 'nr 2 driver'. It would also be much, much more
spectacular to see a battle between Vettel and Hamilton. Hamilton for his 8th tile, and Vettel
for his 5th title with a 'German' team. Certainly, Vettel vs Hamilton will be much more exciting
than Bottas vs Hamilton.

The reality is that Mercedes don't care about spectacular battles or excitement. And they're honest enough to know that it is a "German car" in name only. Did they make more of Rosberg's [German] title than any of Hamilton's Mercedes-related titles?

I'm amazed that people still come out with this stuff - the team doesn't want the stuff that you or I might want. They just want to rack up wins. They don't want excitement because excitement is stressful and extremely risky for them. A bit of to-and-fro with another team is ok and they can handle that, but a season long battle between team mates is the worst thing for any team because of the risk of DNFs, the damage to intra-team relationships and morale.

Exactly. All they want is the WCC and for one of the drivers to win the WDC. They've got a combination that works for them to deliver that and doesn't cause any issues. (that we are aware of.) Why would they change it if all parties are happy? Bottas isn't going to get a better drive, and the team have no reason not to be satisfied with him.

[dans79]

Sounds like it's just a one year deal, that leaves the door open for bringing up Russell in 2022, if he shows continued growth this year and next.

[Pyrone89]

When did Max throw his toys out of the pram? He had 2 run ins with RIC on track, but so did ROS and HAM. And Alonso/Hamilton was so bad the FIA had to police it from Brazil onwards if you remember.

I distinctly remember quite a few times when he was really harsh about the PU on radio. Might've been in their final year with Renault, but the actual question is, do you think he'd take it lightly if one of Vettel's moves ends up with him out of the race? He's definitely a fiery individual, just have a look at what happened with Ocon.

You meant that. That is not so toys out of pram (Alonso vs Honda) that is a fiery driver expecting perfection from the whole team.

[Pyrone89]

Quick question: what makes everyone think that Vettel will perform much better than albon?

After all, he was beaten by Ricciardo, who was made to look very ordinary by Max towards the end of them racing together.

Because of how Ricciardo was close to Max. Vettel vs Ricciardo was also close.

Long time ago and Max started dominating RIC at the end

[dans79]

You meant that. That is not so toys out of pram (Alonso vs Honda) that is a fiery driver expecting perfection from the whole team.

That's not how people paying you millions of dollars a year are going to see it. Specially when their PU partner comes from a completely different cultural background, that places a strong emphasis on discretion, honor, and saving face.

Renault even talked with him about it before signing him.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/53341541

Two-time world champion Alonso's willingness to speak his mind about the position of his current team has caused tension at times in his career.

Among several incidents, he famously called McLaren's Honda engine a "GP2 engine" and said it was "embarrassing" over the radio at the Japanese company's home race in 2015.

And when he was with Ferrari in 2013, he provoked a public rebuke from chairman Luca Di Montezemolo when he told a TV interview who asked what he wanted for his birthday: "Someone else's car."

Frenchman Abiteboul said in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport: "We discussed that. It is also one of the reasons why it was important for him to take a year off, to walk away from the sport.

"You know, let's not underestimate how ruthless, how toxic F1 can be.

"No matter how hard you work, how hard you try, how good you think you are, sometimes it is just not possible.

[Pyrone89]

We are talking about different things. I was arguing how what Alonso was doing with Honda was throwing toys out of the pram, while the board radios of Max are different (just like Hamiltons board radios about tyres before posting fastest lap are not throwing toys out pram)

[PlatinumZealot]

Quick question: what makes everyone think that Vettel will perform much better than albon?

After all, he was beaten by Ricciardo, who was made to look very ordinary by Max towards the end of them racing together.

Because of how Ricciardo was close to Max. Vettel vs Ricciardo was also close.

Long time ago and Max started dominating RIC at the end

Dominating is a bit strong to say if your sample size is so small. Max is still inside the Red Bull bubble so it is hard compare him with others.
We know is a faster qualifer than Ricciardo so far. But that is expected. And that will not be a problem for Vette to join. Vettel wont be expected to be quicker than Max. It would be about getting maximum points.

[PlatinumZealot]

We are talking about different things. I was arguing how what Alonso was doing with Honda was throwing toys out of the pram, while the board radios of Max are different (just like Hamiltons board radios about tyres before posting fastest lap are not throwing toys out pram)

Max has thrown his toys (and punches!) many times. A chip off the old....

[nzjrs]

Sounds like it's just a one year deal, that leaves the door open for bringing up Russell in 2022, if he shows continued growth this year and next.

Is Toto still managing Bottas? Seems like he is being led to the slaughter a little...

[Pyrone89]

We are talking about different things. I was arguing how what Alonso was doing with Honda was throwing toys out of the pram, while the board radios of Max are different (just like Hamiltons board radios about tyres before posting fastest lap are not throwing toys out pram)

Max has thrown his toys (and punches!) many times. A chip off the old....

Such as?

Never heard him do that really.

Fury statements? Sure?
Displeasure with the Renault shitbox? 100%
Real toys out of the prams moments, cannot remember it?

[Just_a_fan]

Sounds like it's just a one year deal, that leaves the door open for bringing up Russell in 2022, if he shows continued growth this year and next.

Is Toto still managing Bottas? Seems like he is being led to the slaughter a little...

Or maybe he realises that Mercedes is the only chance he has to win races and possibly a title. Sure, he's up against Hamilton, but anywhere else he'd be up against Hamilton plus Hamilton's team mate. Which is to say he has a chance as opposed to no chance.

Perhaps Bottas has just decided to enjoy a year's driving, take a few wins and if it goes better than that then "yay!", enjoy the champagne and bank the cheques. New girlfriend, bank account full of cash, go and enjoy life. After all, he's already lost a wife to F1: " because of the challenges my career and life situation bring".

[Just_a_fan]

Real toys out of the prams moments, cannot remember it?

Kind of "toys out of the pram":

[Big Tea]

Sounds like it's just a one year deal, that leaves the door open for bringing up Russell in 2022, if he shows continued growth this year and next.

Is Toto still managing Bottas? Seems like he is being led to the slaughter a little...

Or maybe he realises that Mercedes is the only chance he has to win races and possibly a title. Sure, he's up against Hamilton, but anywhere else he'd be up against Hamilton plus Hamilton's team mate. Which is to say he has a chance as opposed to no chance.

Perhaps Bottas has just decided to enjoy a year's driving, take a few wins and if it goes better than that then "yay!", enjoy the champagne and bank the cheques. New girlfriend, bank account full of cash, go and enjoy life. After all, he's already lost a wife to F1: " because of the challenges my career and life situation bring".

Seems a straight forward decision to me. Cant have the best seat? take the second best seat as it is by far the best on offer. If by some chance the occupant of the best seat is not there, its an easier move from here than anywhere else.

For the team there is the added advantage of knowing exactly who his manager has been talking to and how likely he is to move without warning.

As he has to be one of the best options anyway, both sides win