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

[MtthsMlw]

They surely rely on that Vettel will help to attract some new sponsors. He's one of the very few also known to non motorsport people.

[alexx_88]

LOL, VET having the last laugh.

I wouldn't call getting kicked out of Ferrari into a midfield team "the last laugh"

In case you haven't seen 2020 yet, Ferrari IS a midfield team...

Money still writes the rules in F1. Until Ferrari's budget drops or Racing Point's increases to the level of Ferrari's, the Italians are still a better choice in the long run

[RedNEO]

In Mercedes eyes - whether they're right or not - Alonso is 'persona non grata' because of the spygate scandal. I think that any team that is Mercedes-powered will not have Alonso.
Ferrari's been done. As for Honda, Alonso is 'persona non grata' there aswell, so Renault is the only option left.

It's too bad Alonso was so vocal about Honda's engine @ Mclaren. He was right, to be honest. And he is a very outspoken person. If anything, i think you could accuse Fernando of being 'tactless', but by no means malovalent. Unfortunately, Honda holds a grudge, so he can't get to a team with Honda. That means he won't replace Albon either. Imagine that RBR wanted Alonso. Won't happen.

Well this whole argument falls apart before it even begins because it’s just been learned Alonso was offered a seat with the pink Mercedes

[MtthsMlw]

I wouldn't call getting kicked out of Ferrari into a midfield team "the last laugh"

In case you haven't seen 2020 yet, Ferrari IS a midfield team...

Money still writes the rules in F1. Until Ferrari's budget drops or Racing Point's increases to the level of Ferrari's, the Italians are still a better choice in the long run

It will be the same $145m next year already.
However RP is in a bit of a dilemma. They can't copy the W11 for next season and their current car will have gone through 2 seasons of development at the end of 2020. Making it harder to find more gains without taking a step back and try a different route.
However in recent years RP or Force India was very cost efficient.

[raymondu999]

I wouldn't call getting kicked out of Ferrari into a midfield team "the last laugh"

In case you haven't seen 2020 yet, Ferrari IS a midfield team...

Money still writes the rules in F1. Until Ferrari's budget drops or Racing Point's increases to the level of Ferrari's, the Italians are still a better choice in the long run

So, starting 2021?

[Jolle]

I think for most drivers a spot in a works team trumps a fast(er) privateer, especially since it’s mostly one way (junior driver of a works team -> was works team -> other works team -> make some money @midfield privateer). Just Sainz (from McLaren to Ferrari) is the exemption the past decade or so.

[alexx_88]

Investments are also limited by the budgets, that's why RP tried to get as many of them done before the cap comes into place. However, I don't believe they'll match Ferrari's facilities with just 1-2 years of serious investments. Not to mention that the teams that have a big manufacturer behind them might be able to pull research information for free, from inside their own company. I don't see how you can police passing that sort of information.

[Morteza]

That is a Schuberth helmet. Perez wears those, Seb wears Arai

[Morteza]

[Schuttelberg]

https://twitter.com/ChrisMedlandF1/stat ... 6512820225

Love that codswallop about Claire not letting him go.

[PlatinumZealot]

It's true.. He is the only good thing looking at Williams for this season and next. Claire would be foolish to replace him with a pay driver.

[PlatinumZealot]

At the Vettel to racing point rumours it sounds absurd from a performance and sponsorhip point of view. I don't think Perez to Vettel is positive change at all, and certainly Sebastian's inside knowledge of the Ferrari way of working is not worth much these days but maybe Stroll is thinking that having a 4 time World champion will raise the profile of his team??? I don't know just not adding up.

[Schuttelberg]

Really can't wait to get to 2022 and see some close competition for race wins between all these amazing drivers along with the three legends of Alonso, Hamilton & Vettel. It's going to be mega! Hamilton will have a fight on his hands to add to those 8 WDC!

[dans79]

Really can't wait to get to 2022 and see some close competition for race wins between all these amazing drivers along with the three legends of Alonso, Hamilton & Vettel. It's going to be mega! Hamilton will have a fight on his hands to add to those 8 WDC!

Personally I don't think the racing will be as close as the FIA and FOM are boasting it will be.

[ME4ME]

Personally I don't think the racing will be as close as the FIA and FOM are boasting it will be.

Newey agrees with you. 41:20 to 42:30