2020 Silly Season

[E.B]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Why would he be no.2 to Leclerc? Unless of course his driving skills start to go down, I can't see that happening

I daresay that Leclerc's recent contract renewal has some #1 status involved being as he is the chosen one.

Why would Lewis give up what will surely be, given his lifelong association with the brand going back to F3 and McLaren on, a very lucrative perk filled life as a Mercedes senior ambassador in his post driving career, for a couple of potentially uncertain years at Ferrari and then retirement?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Why would he be no.2 to Leclerc? Unless of course his driving skills start to go down, I can't see that happening

'Now, it is Leclerc who is effectively the team's lead driver'

Signing a five year contract in F1 pretty much nails on a #1 status at Ferrari.

[chillibowl]

You guys make it sound like Vettee didnt also sign a long term contract with #1 status.

No one is going to gift CL a title and if he doesnt get one sooner rather then later, Ferrari will be looking for a new #1...as all teams should and would do right?

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

You guys make it sound like Vettee didnt also sign a long term contract with #1 status.

No one is going to gift CL a title and if he doesnt get one sooner rather then later, Ferrari will be looking for a new #1...as all teams should and would do right?

IIRC, Vettel has only ever had a 3yr contract at longest. Yes, they'll have carried #1 status each time, but they didn't have the longevity of CL's.

[Armco Bender]

Sebastian Who?......yesterdays man.

[S griffin]

Five year contract doesn’t mean a thing he sinks without a trace. He may be the future, but that doesn’t mean others can’t come in and join up with him. People are assuming a lot here

[broadrun96]

If nothing else, this thread has proven Liberty Media right. More races are needed and the off-season needs to be shorter to head the discussion towards racing and not murderous rage about who got what contract for how long.

To quote Ron Burgundy:

[billy bleach]

Kubica to be Alfa / Sauber reserve driver. Nice to see the Ferrari link strengthen

[S griffin]

So Kubica goes back to the team where it all started, except it’s an Alfa rather than a Beemer

[E.B]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Kubica to be Alfa / Sauber reserve driver.

Thanks no doubt to the announcement by Alfa that they have secured Orlen, the Polish oil company, as a new multi year naming rights sponsor.... the team to now be known as "Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN."

[E.B]

Originally Posted by S griffin

So Kubica goes back to the team where it all started, except it’s an Alfa rather than a Beemer

As did Kimi... except it is Alfa not Sauber now. Still the same Swiss location though.

[steve nielsen]

Max Verstappen extrended his contract with Red Bull until the end of 2023

https://redbullracing.redbull.com/ar...ax-attack-2023

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by steve nielsen

Max Verstappen extrended his contract with Red Bull until the end of 2023

https://redbullracing.redbull.com/ar...ax-attack-2023

Has he indeed.....

Hmmm wonder what caveats are included in that one

[steve_r]

If he played his cards right, he could have got the gig at any team on the grid. His faith and loyalty are to be admired, but I cannot see why he would rush to sign on again with the 3rd best team.

I suppose the major rules revamp in 2021 may shake up the order - so it might be anyones guess as to which will be the best car.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Has he indeed.....

Hmmm wonder what caveats are included in that one

If I was him... clauses on who is providing the engine! In short, if Honda does not commit to moving forward (they are on a short commitment, 2020 or 2021 I think?) then he can leave. I can't see Mercedes or Ferrari providing RBR with power units. And we all know the history with Renault.

Richard

[chillibowl]

in fairness, im not sure what other choices he has.

Ferrari will clearly self destruct with two top level drivers and Merc have invested so much time and money into LH that at this point they almost have to fully back LH in breaking every possible record.

plus he will only be 25 in 2023 and will realistically still have another decade of competitive years ahead of him. plus RB and Honda are probably paying him a shed ton of money.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

in fairness, im not sure what other choices he has.

Ferrari will clearly self destruct with two top level drivers and Merc have invested so much time and money into LH that at this point they almost have to fully back LH in breaking every possible record.

plus he will only be 25 in 2023 and will realistically still have another decade of competitive years ahead of him. plus RB and Honda are probably paying him a shed ton of money.

Honda is looking to reduce their budget. I suspect they are not paying his salary, or if they are, I can't seem them agreeing to pay for a longer term contract if their ongoing future in F1 is still up in the air.

Richard

[Richard C]

I was also just thinking that Max and Honda may be intertwined in other ways as well. I can imagine there being various contingencies in his contract. Such as Honda saying in F1. At the same time, him remaining with RBR is a selling point for Honda to stay.

I expect the question of Honda is multi-dimensional. With costs being a large part of that (that mostly a question of F1/FOM and final power unit rules). But having Max at RBR should be a way to show to Honda upper management that the money is spent with a team that is both a top team, but also with one of the top 2-3 drivers.

Richard

[Casper]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

in fairness, I'm not sure what other choices he has.

Ferrari will clearly self destruct with two top level drivers and Merc have invested so much time and money into LH that at this point they almost have to fully back LH in breaking every possible record.

plus he will only be 25 in 2023 and will realistically still have another decade of competitive years ahead of him. plus RB and Honda are probably paying him a shed ton of money.

I think you are spot on and I reckon all six drivers in the top teams have no where to go and they are all stuck for various reasons. Verstappen was not going anywhere and he knew it, if anyone is naive enough to think these guys don't shop around they are delusional. Verstappen sussed out the market and signed on the dotted line for that reason, no where to go and he knew it.

[S griffin]

Red Bull have done the right thing signing him long term. They couldn't afford to lose him, he's their most valuable resource atm.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Red Bull have done the right thing signing him long term. They couldn't afford to lose him, he's their most valuable resource atm.

More valuable than Newey and his close cohorts?

[S griffin]

True Newey used to be the one everyone wanted. However Max is one who can drag the best out of the car all the time. They need someone like him to win the title no matter how good the car is

[Casper]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Red Bull have done the right thing signing him long term. They couldn't afford to lose him, he's their most valuable resource atm.

Where do you think he could have gone? As far as I can see he had no options so it was RB or a lesser team further back in the field and that ain't gonna happen.

[S griffin]

If Hamilton leaves Merc or F1 there could have be a seat there. Are you saying he’s not good enough to go there?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by S griffin

True Newey used to be the one everyone wanted. However Max is one who can drag the best out of the car all the time. They need someone like him to win the title no matter how good the car is

I daresay that going into the new regulations in 2021, Newey and his cohorts will have a lot more influence on the results than Max will. Max is only as good as the car under him allows, and the engine that powers him.
Put him in a Williams, Haas, STR etc and he isnt going to win short of all others in better cars dropping out.

The same goes to Lewis or Leclerc and their technical boffins.

My opinion.