Silly season 2021-2022-2023

[El Scorchio]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/jv-lance- ... edes-idea/

Wild idea by Villeneuve...
Although, if it is solely about getting the best drive for your son it would be logical. But is it also in the interest of Mercedes? I doubt that highly.

Not sure what it would mean for the AM team either. Why would Stroll Sr continue to pump money into it if his son is no longer there? Let's be honest, Lance is the only real reason he bought the team.

Why do people still think that Stroll Snr is only at AM for his son? This is a man who has built a literal fortune by investing in businesses and brands which carry a lot of clout internationally but which could do better. he then makes them do better. This is exactly what he's doing with AM. He's not stupid. He bought the team because it became available at just the right time - it had collapsed, the impending regulation change and cost cap, and his separate buy out of Aston Martin. Yes, he invested money in his son's racing career - but this is a man who has been around F1 for decades through sponsorship deals, and has a clear history of a love for motorsports and automotive history.

It is only my speculation, but I just think it's too much of a coincidence with the timing and Lance's career. There have been several opportunities to buy or invest heavily in a team, probably for less money. Cost cap point you raised is a good one, though. The AM thing I think he quite possibly would have done independently of F1 anyway. But I think there's a clear goal/masterplan for Lance to become WDC or as close as possible, so I do genuinely think he basically purchased the AM team for that means. The only place I think Lance would leave for is Mercedes, but I'm not sure he's quite got the talent (yet- at least) to be racing there.

What I do want to be clear on is that this isn't a slight on Lance. IMO he's proven himself to be good enough belong in F1 (Sunday aside) rather than just being a rich kid- although it's clear that has massively helped him grasp opportunities.

[Jolle]

Not sure what it would mean for the AM team either. Why would Stroll Sr continue to pump money into it if his son is no longer there? Let's be honest, Lance is the only real reason he bought the team.

Why do people still think that Stroll Snr is only at AM for his son? This is a man who has built a literal fortune by investing in businesses and brands which carry a lot of clout internationally but which could do better. he then makes them do better. This is exactly what he's doing with AM. He's not stupid. He bought the team because it became available at just the right time - it had collapsed, the impending regulation change and cost cap, and his separate buy out of Aston Martin. Yes, he invested money in his son's racing career - but this is a man who has been around F1 for decades through sponsorship deals, and has a clear history of a love for motorsports and automotive history.

It is only my speculation, but I just think it's too much of a coincidence with the timing and Lance's career. There have been several opportunities to buy or invest heavily in a team, probably for less money. Cost cap point you raised is a good one, though. The AM thing I think he quite possibly would have done independently of F1 anyway. But I think there's a clear goal/masterplan for Lance to become WDC or as close as possible, so I do genuinely think he basically purchased the AM team for that means. The only place I think Lance would leave for is Mercedes, but I'm not sure he's quite got the talent (yet- at least) to be racing there.

What I do want to be clear on is that this isn't a slight on Lance. IMO he's proven himself to be good enough belong in F1 (Sunday aside) rather than just being a rich kid- although it's clear that has massively helped him grasp opportunities.

Good guess that Lance his interest and ambitions in motorsport is fuelled by his fathers passion. So it’s not that strange that he becomes a driver (when you have the talent and put in the work) and Sr an investor (when you have the money and insights). For new investors F1 had a perfect storm, a few teams could be bought/picked up just around the time their value would rise considerably, due to the cost cap (more return for investment) and the 400% rise in entry fee.
Stroll Sr. lives and breaths autosport, so, why not? That his son has for this far, is for them a big bonus. Plus, I kinda am jealous, as a father and as a son

[Big Tea]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/jv-lance- ... edes-idea/

Wild idea by Villeneuve...
Although, if it is solely about getting the best drive for your son it would be logical. But is it also in the interest of Mercedes? I doubt that highly.

I have said this several times. Well almost said I said Russell and Bottas at AM

[TNTHead]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/jv-lance- ... edes-idea/

Wild idea by Villeneuve...
Although, if it is solely about getting the best drive for your son it would be logical. But is it also in the interest of Mercedes? I doubt that highly.

I have said this several times. Well almost said I said Russell and Bottas at AM

Stroll to Merc, Russell and Bottas at AM, could be. But then Vettel is unemployed. What he showed recently is that his racecraft is still there. If Merc would go for the best possible line-up I still would go for HAM/RUS at Merc, also because you can benchmark RUS against HAM (and let him learn from him as well). But then Merc still would have great plans with RUS, which would make sense because it is likely that HAM quits at the end of 2023.

[Big Tea]

https://www.planetf1.com/news/jv-lance- ... edes-idea/

Wild idea by Villeneuve...
Although, if it is solely about getting the best drive for your son it would be logical. But is it also in the interest of Mercedes? I doubt that highly.

I have said this several times. Well almost said I said Russell and Bottas at AM

Stroll to Merc, Russell and Bottas at AM, could be. But then Vettel is unemployed. What he showed recently is that his racecraft is still there. If Merc would go for the best possible line-up I still would go for HAM/RUS at Merc, also because you can benchmark RUS against HAM (and let him learn from him as well). But then Merc still would have great plans with RUS, which would make sense because it is likely that HAM quits at the end of 2023.

Ham and RUS look like the best combo at Merc, but on the other hand If I ran the team I would be reluctant to split a winning team that has worked for several years in a few different scenarios. Bottas is never a Ham replacement, but he does not take many points off him and not usually scrapping over the same bit of track and letting the opposition either get away or catch up. Which do you find the most useful in your tool box? 2 hammers or a hammer and a mallet?

I would also be loath to let the opposition have either Bottas or Russell.

[Manoah2u]

ticktum dumped by williams to pay for Bottas?

[adrianjordan]

ticktum dumped by williams to pay for Bottas?

Isn't Latifi Snr still involved at Williams? Probably didn't take kindly to Tiktum bad mouthing his son!!

[adrianjordan]

I have said this several times. Well almost said I said Russell and Bottas at AM

Stroll to Merc, Russell and Bottas at AM, could be. But then Vettel is unemployed. What he showed recently is that his racecraft is still there. If Merc would go for the best possible line-up I still would go for HAM/RUS at Merc, also because you can benchmark RUS against HAM (and let him learn from him as well). But then Merc still would have great plans with RUS, which would make sense because it is likely that HAM quits at the end of 2023.

Ham and RUS look like the best combo at Merc, but on the other hand If I ran the team I would be reluctant to split a winning team that has worked for several years in a few different scenarios. Bottas is never a Ham replacement, but he does not take many points off him and not usually scrapping over the same bit of track and letting the opposition either get away or catch up. Which do you find the most useful in your tool box? 2 hammers or a hammer and a mallet?

I would also be loath to let the opposition have either Bottas or Russell.

I think George showed, with his radio message about compromising his race if necessary, that he is willing to play the team game.

Maybe to say to Merc, I'll be the dutiful wingman if Lewis is ahead. I don't see George as someone who would rock the boat as much. I think it would be more like the dynamic Lewis had with Jenson at McLaren, or that Fernando and Ocon have now.

Of course, maybe Merc should just do what we would all love to see them do.... Promote Vettel from AM....!!

[Big Tea]

Stroll to Merc, Russell and Bottas at AM, could be. But then Vettel is unemployed. What he showed recently is that his racecraft is still there. If Merc would go for the best possible line-up I still would go for HAM/RUS at Merc, also because you can benchmark RUS against HAM (and let him learn from him as well). But then Merc still would have great plans with RUS, which would make sense because it is likely that HAM quits at the end of 2023.

Ham and RUS look like the best combo at Merc, but on the other hand If I ran the team I would be reluctant to split a winning team that has worked for several years in a few different scenarios. Bottas is never a Ham replacement, but he does not take many points off him and not usually scrapping over the same bit of track and letting the opposition either get away or catch up. Which do you find the most useful in your tool box? 2 hammers or a hammer and a mallet?

I would also be loath to let the opposition have either Bottas or Russell.

I think George showed, with his radio message about compromising his race if necessary, that he is willing to play the team game.

Maybe to say to Merc, I'll be the dutiful wingman if Lewis is ahead. I don't see George as someone who would rock the boat as much. I think it would be more like the dynamic Lewis had with Jenson at McLaren, or that Fernando and Ocon have now.

Of course, maybe Merc should just do what we would all love to see them do.... Promote Vettel from AM....!!

I think you are right and that is what his message was all about. Not being a good team player on the day, but letting Toto know he is willing to play the team game. That had not occurred to me

[Zynerji]

Ham and RUS look like the best combo at Merc, but on the other hand If I ran the team I would be reluctant to split a winning team that has worked for several years in a few different scenarios. Bottas is never a Ham replacement, but he does not take many points off him and not usually scrapping over the same bit of track and letting the opposition either get away or catch up. Which do you find the most useful in your tool box? 2 hammers or a hammer and a mallet?

I would also be loath to let the opposition have either Bottas or Russell.

I think George showed, with his radio message about compromising his race if necessary, that he is willing to play the team game.

Maybe to say to Merc, I'll be the dutiful wingman if Lewis is ahead. I don't see George as someone who would rock the boat as much. I think it would be more like the dynamic Lewis had with Jenson at McLaren, or that Fernando and Ocon have now.

Of course, maybe Merc should just do what we would all love to see them do.... Promote Vettel from AM....!!

I think you are right and that is what his message was all about. Not being a good team player on the day, but letting Toto know he is willing to play the team game. That had not occurred to me

My daughter said that the message was for Toto during the GP! Even just watching for Yuki, it's surprising how much she has caught on to the sport...

[Big Tea]

I think George showed, with his radio message about compromising his race if necessary, that he is willing to play the team game.

Maybe to say to Merc, I'll be the dutiful wingman if Lewis is ahead. I don't see George as someone who would rock the boat as much. I think it would be more like the dynamic Lewis had with Jenson at McLaren, or that Fernando and Ocon have now.

Of course, maybe Merc should just do what we would all love to see them do.... Promote Vettel from AM....!!

I think you are right and that is what his message was all about. Not being a good team player on the day, but letting Toto know he is willing to play the team game. That had not occurred to me

My daughter said that the message was for Toto during the GP! Even just watching for Yuki, it's surprising how much she has caught on to the sport...

Ah, a budding journalist eh?

[Zynerji]

I think you are right and that is what his message was all about. Not being a good team player on the day, but letting Toto know he is willing to play the team game. That had not occurred to me

My daughter said that the message was for Toto during the GP! Even just watching for Yuki, it's surprising how much she has caught on to the sport...

Ah, a budding journalist eh?

Nope. Just an artist-simp..

[Ryar]

My daughter said that the message was for Toto during the GP! Even just watching for Yuki, it's surprising how much she has caught on to the sport...

Ah, a budding journalist eh?

Nope. Just an artist-simp..

Congratulations, your daughter is really smart! Imagine, that is what Bottas has reduced himself to in front of audiences and his fan base still can't see it. He came aspiring to be a champion has reduced himself to a hitman. Life is not going to be any easier for him if he still want to continue at Mercedes. There is more humiliation in store for him.

[politburo]

After running through the data, here are the qualifying battles between drivers in different teams, as the best benchmark is a driver's teammate. I often hear that Stroll is bad, and Vettel has had a resurgence, but their pace in Qualifying is very close. Though Vettel wins the overall head-to-head battles in both qualifying and the race.

In contrast, Latifi, Mazepin, Ricciardo, and Perez are markedly worse than their teammate in qualifying.

[politburo]

https://i.imgur.com/0EPmwVL.png

After running through the data, here are the qualifying battles between drivers in different teams, as the best benchmark is a driver's teammate. I often hear that Stroll is bad, and Vettel has had a resurgence, but their pace in Qualifying is very close. Though Vettel wins the overall head-to-head battles in both qualifying and the race.

In contrast, Latifi, Mazepin, Ricciardo, and Perez are markedly worse than their teammate in qualifying.

I do wonder if teams scrutinize qualifying pace when looking at driver pairings.