2020 Silly Season

[E.B]

I think his name has done more for progressing his career to date than talent.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by E.B

I think his name has done more for progressing his career to date than talent.

Happens! You never know, he may surprise us at some point. Or not.

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by E.B

I think his name has done more for progressing his career to date than talent.

A bit like his uncle, then.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

A bit like his uncle, then.

Good one!

[Taxi645]

De Vries is going to Mercedes FE, so no Williams seat for him.

[steve nielsen]

Originally Posted by Taxi645

De Vries is going to Mercedes FE, so no Williams seat for him.

That was never goinig to happen anyway, at Williams or any other F1 team

Yes, he has a good chance of winning F2 but the field there is at best mediocre this year, he already is in his 3rd year and he has very little financial backers to get that Williams seat(the only team open to "pay drivers" atm).

and people who have won GP2/F2 in their 2nd or 3rd year have not realy been succesfull in F1 anyway: to name a few: Jolyon Palmer(3rd year), Stoffel Vandoorne(2nd year), Romain Grosjean(3rd),Pastor Maldonado(4th year)

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Taxi645

De Vries is going to Mercedes FE, so no Williams seat for him.

And there's already a guy with a BOATLOAD of money ahead of him there and actually already has his foot in the door as the reserve driver so there wasn't really an opening there

[RWill2073]

I'll take a stab at the silliness: vettel out at Ferrari, but hulkenberg to replace him, not Ricciardo. Latifi in at Williams, for money reasons. Albon stays at red bull to start the year, at least. Pato o'ward busy accumulating points or whatever he needs to do to be put in a torro rosso by 2021, maybe late 2020 if gasly performs ghastly (sorry).

Still leaves Haas with an open spot that I can't think of who would fill it.

Mainly just wanted to put out there that hulkenberg at Ferrari would be like bottas at mercedes: a steady hand to accumulate points, pick up an occasional win, but not get in the way of the number 1 driver, which leclerc is proving capable of being.

But I also expect ferrari to wet the bed anyway, with multiple quality control issues and failures in strategy at key times, wasting yet another talent, like Alonso and vettel.

[VIVA GT]

I see that Autosport is reporting that Haas are keeping the same drivers for next season, which is a surprise!

[E.B]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I see that Autosport is reporting that Haas are keeping the same drivers for next season, which is a surprise!

Shock to me too, when they have Hulkenberg as a perfectly good option.
Also reported on other websites, link below.... (even if the web sites like AUtosport are pretty much all interconnected nowadays and part of Zak Browns 'Motorsport Network' of digital motorsport stuff).

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/g...nberg/4543516/

[S griffin]

While Grosjean is not without talent, it’s a worry that Hulk won’t be in a seat next season. Really hope he can find a place somewhere

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

I see that Autosport is reporting that Haas are keeping the same drivers for next season, which is a surprise!

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by E.B

Shock to me too, when they have Hulkenberg as a perfectly good option.

Hulkenberg wanted a salary like at Renault, $10m. This was too much for Haas who prefer to choose affordable drivers.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

Hulkenberg wanted a salary like at Renault, $10m. This was too much for Haas who prefer to choose affordable drivers.

So Hulkenbergs salary v Grosjeans repair bills. Bottom line, same ballpark $ I guess.

[peebee2]

Kubica leaving Williams - Latifi millions in?

[GingerPixel]

The replies to Haas' Tweeter post announcing this are pure gold.

I wonder which driver line up has the fewest collective fans?

[chillibowl]

Haas fished 5th last year and this year they will be 9th (maybe 8th). whatever issues they are having with their cars, neither driver has done well enough to justify another season imo.

i cant speak to the team's finances but lack of funds?

knock on effect of losing Rich as a sponsor? are they just gonna cut costs and hold hope that 2021 offers them better commercial terms? is Gene Haas looking to sell?

[RWill2073]

Maybe haas is thinking continuity with a decent (not good, but better than rent a rides) lineup can help figure out development by keeping that variable constant? Magnussen I think is solid. Grosjean.... he tries I guess.

Hulkenberg free to take that #2 spot at ferrari now

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by RWill2073

Hulkenberg free to take that #2 spot at ferrari now

Ha! Well, I am not sure about your Hulkenberg at Ferrari idea, but it would be funny if you were right. And then to find out that both Ferrari and Haas were interested and that Hulkenberg said "No" to Haas so he could say "Yes" to Ferrari!

However, I expect it is it appears. Haas maybe didn't want to pay Hulkenberg as much as he wanted, wanted driver continuity or maybe a bit of both. Maybe Grosjean offered to drive for less to keep his seat! I also doubt Ferrari has a seat open at this point unless Vettel has privately told them he plans to retire.

I know it's all the rage now to say Vettel will retire (I say that as much as anyone), but in the end, I guess I would be surprised if it actually happens. Can Vettel bounce back before end of this season. He needs to out perform his teammate.

Richard

[S griffin]

It might not be Vettel that retires, it might be that Ferrari pay him off. Then Hulkenberg would be the obvious choice at this time, unless they can get Max sonehow...

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It might not be Vettel that retires, it might be that Ferrari pay him off.

Possible.

Richard

[bathurst77]

So with Kubica leaving Williams does that put Hulk in his seat?
He doesnt seem to sound like he wants it, but could be last resort.
Perhaps Alfa will open their door for him.
I cant see him scoring a seat in any of the big 3 even if Seb does step out.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

So with Kubica leaving Williams does that put Hulk in his seat?
He doesnt seem to sound like he wants it, but could be last resort.
Perhaps Alfa will open their door for him.
I cant see him scoring a seat in any of the big 3 even if Seb does step out.

I doubt Williams can afford to pay any driver, guessing it's a get paid by your sponsors and bring some of that cash our way too kind of seat now.

[S griffin]

I think Alfa is Hulk's best hope. But as Sainz says it will come to talent not money with him. Hulk isn't one to pay for his drives

[GingerPixel]

A year at Alfa, and then onto Ferrari sounds feasible.