Never say never!
Vettel leaving Ferrari
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Never say never!
Soldato
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I tend to agree. Hamilton will only move to Ferrari if Merc scale back their interest in the sport, which is hardly beyond the realms of possibility given the current global issues.
I can't see Alonso coming back two years after retiring only to go up against one of the brightest prospects in the sport. Two years ago maybe, but not now. Not saying he won't come back if a team greets him with open arms such as Merc if Hamilton were to leave, but not up against someone like Leclerc or Verstappen.
If Ferrari have utter confidence that Leclerc is ready for a consistent title battle, then it's between Sainz and Hulkerberg for me, as I think both would be solid and mostly reliable number two drivers. Perhaps Kimi if they're not sure on either - I'm pretty sure that's why Ferrari supposedly partly funded his seat at Alfa, as a sort of insurance plan if Leclerc didn't work out or Vettel left. Despite finishing 2019 largely faster than Kimi, Giovanazzi certainly isn't ready - I'm not sure he'll ever be ready.
If Ferrari aren't 100% sure on Leclerc's immediate title credentials then add Ricciardo to the mix, unless Hamilton really does want a final challenge and comes calling (and I hope he does, as it would be great to see him going up against one of the highest rated youngsters just as he challenged Alonso did back in 2007).
I can't see Alonso coming back two years after retiring only to go up against one of the brightest prospects in the sport. Two years ago maybe, but not now. Not saying he won't come back if a team greets him with open arms such as Merc if Hamilton were to leave, but not up against someone like Leclerc or Verstappen.
If Ferrari have utter confidence that Leclerc is ready for a consistent title battle, then it's between Sainz and Hulkerberg for me, as I think both would be solid and mostly reliable number two drivers. Perhaps Kimi if they're not sure on either - I'm pretty sure that's why Ferrari supposedly partly funded his seat at Alfa, as a sort of insurance plan if Leclerc didn't work out or Vettel left. Despite finishing 2019 largely faster than Kimi, Giovanazzi certainly isn't ready - I'm not sure he'll ever be ready.
If Ferrari aren't 100% sure on Leclerc's immediate title credentials then add Ricciardo to the mix, unless Hamilton really does want a final challenge and comes calling (and I hope he does, as it would be great to see him going up against one of the highest rated youngsters just as he challenged Alonso did back in 2007).
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I would be disappointed if Hamilton went to Ferrari - they are a disgrace to motorsport these days with the "games" that they play; frankly they have been that way ever since Schumacher joined them.
Although he won a title at McLaren, Hamilton was there a few years where it was in the doldrums just before it properly started circling the drain and he left. It's telling that he moved to Mercedes and Wolff/Lauda that he'd known for a long time and actively courted him though the Mercedes links at McLaren. This was at a time when Ron Dennis was famously getting stroppy with Hamilton, and not allowing any of his own outside activities. I think Hamilton was growing up, wanted control of his own fate, and saw an opportunity with a team that he felt really wanted him there, and were willing to give him a lot of freedom in his life. It was quite different from McLaren's way of loading their drivers up with lots of extra duties and controlling everything the did even when not racing. I think in the end, after several years of McLaren failing to give Hamilton a championship winning car, he had plenty of reasons to move elsewhere.
The difference at Mercedes is not only have they proved time and time again that they can give a winning car to Hamilton, they understand him and have made the job something that is moulded around Hamilton the man, as well as the driver. Mercedes have been flexible and understanding in order to make sure Hamilton stays happy and in a winning mind-set, rather than the likes of Ron Dennis dictating how everything gets done. I think that accommodation has gone a long way to getting the best out of Hamilton.
Soldato
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Hmmm.
I think Vettel will retire. I have felt his demeanour over recent seasons has been one of resignation and its felt like he has just been coasting along. Very much seems like his head had been elsewhere and whilst there have been glimmers of greatness, it's never really sparked into life. This has been compounded by persistent mistakes on race day.
I cant see Hamilton moving to Ferrari. That said, Hamilton loves winning but he relishes it more when it's a fight. He also loves it more when he is pushing a lesser car to the limit and still winning. With Merc being so dominant - there isnt much challenge there. The sensible thing is to stay put, but if its feeling a bit stale he might just be bored enough to let his ego overrule sense and jump. But with 21 rules, he might see out a few more seasons at Merc till he breaks all the records and retires or does a stint elsewhere. Frankly, if he did jump and still managed to bag WDC's it would cement his place as F1 GOAT and let's face it, that's what he is after.
Possibly Bottas to Ferrari and Occon to Merc followed eventually by Russell - that may well be Toto's agenda to inject some young blood and secure the future of the driver lineup.
Would love to see Hulk return - but in reality I am not sure he is good enough even for a number 2 seat at Ferrari. But perhaps he may secure a seat elsewhere if one of the mid runners gets a shot in a Ferrari.
I think Vettel will retire. I have felt his demeanour over recent seasons has been one of resignation and its felt like he has just been coasting along. Very much seems like his head had been elsewhere and whilst there have been glimmers of greatness, it's never really sparked into life. This has been compounded by persistent mistakes on race day.
I cant see Hamilton moving to Ferrari. That said, Hamilton loves winning but he relishes it more when it's a fight. He also loves it more when he is pushing a lesser car to the limit and still winning. With Merc being so dominant - there isnt much challenge there. The sensible thing is to stay put, but if its feeling a bit stale he might just be bored enough to let his ego overrule sense and jump. But with 21 rules, he might see out a few more seasons at Merc till he breaks all the records and retires or does a stint elsewhere. Frankly, if he did jump and still managed to bag WDC's it would cement his place as F1 GOAT and let's face it, that's what he is after.
Possibly Bottas to Ferrari and Occon to Merc followed eventually by Russell - that may well be Toto's agenda to inject some young blood and secure the future of the driver lineup.
Would love to see Hulk return - but in reality I am not sure he is good enough even for a number 2 seat at Ferrari. But perhaps he may secure a seat elsewhere if one of the mid runners gets a shot in a Ferrari.
If Merc wanted Ocon in the seat they'd have him in it already. No, they've been holding out on George being ready.
It isn't really a surprise, given Vettel's past couple of seasons. LeCerc stuffing him was just the icing on the cake, let alone his own mistakes. I will be hugely, hugely disappointed if McLaren give him a seat. Sainz had a really good season last year, and Norris did enough to have another year in the car.
That said, the 2009 - 2013 Vettel, in combination with that Red Bull, was astonishing. It suited his driving and together they were dominant (although Ferrari did another Ferrari which helped).
However, because Vettel finished his career underperforming the car and teammate, he'll be remembered as a lucky world champion whose success will be put down to the car.
That said, the 2009 - 2013 Vettel, in combination with that Red Bull, was astonishing. It suited his driving and together they were dominant (although Ferrari did another Ferrari which helped).
However, because Vettel finished his career underperforming the car and teammate, he'll be remembered as a lucky world champion whose success will be put down to the car.
Ocon doesn't have a contract with Mercedes any longer. Russell's jumped him on the pecking order.
Soldato
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Sadly he'll never be considered a GOAT simply due to the era he's in in the eyes of many purists, where car and electronics controls so much. That's not to say he isn't a GOAT contender, but Senna will serve as a legend longer than Hamilton purely because of the style and drama that he brought to the sport. Hamilton has learnt the relatively fast but consistent approach, playing the long game, but that's more Prost than Senna. Senna would have scoffed that style. Even Vettel did to a point in his early championship years, when he was chasing record after record, even to the point of his race engineer giving out fake warnings to try to stop him from attempting fastest laps.
To be a GOAT you would have to be considered capable of conquering every era of F1, and frankly while both had the raw ability, I doubt either Senna or Hamilton would have survived long enough in the 50s or 60s to have done so. Both were too reckless and mistake prone in their early years, and while their approach might have been different given the lack of safety at the time, that didn't stop the drivers of the time from driving flat out. Personally I think Jim Clark, who had an unrivalled mix of Senna's speed, Prost's smoothness and Alonso's consistency, and would have wiped the floor with both of them in the same machinery in my opinion. It's impossible to compare directly though of course, but that's why any of the current driver will ever be the GOAT to me.
To bring it roughly back on to the subject at hand, while Vettel loves and studies the history of the sport, something rare and alien to most of the current generation, I doubt he would have conquered such an era either. Hypothetically he'd probably survive longer than the likes of Senna or Hamilton, but his peak was with a very different style of car. Given the nose first, energetic style he had in his Red Bull heyday I can imagine he'd have done well with the dartish and skittish late 90s cars more than most though. I suppose they were the same basic descendants to the car he won his first race in though, before he had a championship capable car.
Russell has PowerPoint too. Ocon's PowerPoint skills are currently unknown.
Deleted member 651465
Deleted member 651465
Ferrari could lure Hamilton if they are smart.
They’d really only have to convince him that they’ll sign someone (Giovannazzi?) on a 1 year deal, which will leave the door open for Lewis in 2022.
They’d really only have to convince him that they’ll sign someone (Giovannazzi?) on a 1 year deal, which will leave the door open for Lewis in 2022.
I'm not really surprised by this, I'd assume Vettel's frustration stems from the fact that he isn't as "GOAT" as his early success at Red Bull suggested and people (himself included) started to believe he was. Hamilton has exposed over the last few seasons that Vettel cannot handle the pressure of competition and last time out Leclerc in his rookie season was probably faster than him overall.
I'd expect Vettel to go to a team where there is no expectation on him winning and he can just enjoy racing in a way that won't reflect badly on his career.
I think Leclerc has a very bright future Ferrari should get behind him rather than chasing Hamilton.
I'd expect Vettel to go to a team where there is no expectation on him winning and he can just enjoy racing in a way that won't reflect badly on his career.
I think Leclerc has a very bright future Ferrari should get behind him rather than chasing Hamilton.
Vettel doesn't enjoy racing, he enjoys winning. He won't go to a team where there's no expectation to win.
The current Twitter Rumour is that Sainz is practically a shoe-in for the seat and could even be announced before the weekend. That leaves Ricciardo to McLaren as the expected option and they're still expecting to run Mercedes engines in their car next year remember. Could Vettel go to Renault? I doubt that personally. I also suspect Bottas may end up at Renault leaving Russell to go into the Mercedes.
I'd actually much prefer to see Ricciardo in a McLaren than in a Ferrari, I think he'd be a fantastic driver for them, his happy-go-lucky attitude would be welcomed.
I don't think Vettel will go to Renault, but Bottas yes, as you say Russell will be slotting into that Merc and they are not going to wait forever.
What Merc do with Bottas/Russell may be quite revealing of their future plans to stay in the sport or not.
Edit: All media sources all but confirming Sainz, good for him I think he's not reached his potential yet.
Also saying Ricciardo to McLaren and Seb to Renault but they are merely guesses I'd say. I'd actually like to see Seb stay in F1, his antics over the last few seasons have been totally entertaining.
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Disappointing to see Sainz leave McLaren, but Ferrari's pull is still there so can't really blame him. Ricciardo at McLaren? Seems like his career is headed the same way as Webber's - occasional shine but no WDC. Pinning everything on 2022 I guess.
Even with the budget cap in place, I still feel that Renault may well just exit the sport in light of everything that's going on.
Even with the budget cap in place, I still feel that Renault may well just exit the sport in light of everything that's going on.
Yes I agree i think Renault will exit.
Perhaps Ricciardo going to McLaren will be a better move than at first glance, if Merc do leave the sport they'll surely back McLaren big time and it would not be unreasonable for many of the best staff to move across too, now that would be a monster of a race team one capable of winning.
Man of Honour
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I can see 2020/21 being similar to the aftermath of the 07/08 crash when manufacturer teams started pulling out; the profile and success has been great for Mercedes but are they really going to keep funding an F1 team if the car market tanks?
Unlike others though I couldn't see them pulling out totally; remaining as an engine manufacturer would keep them involved; presumably with McLaren as their main team (again) and perhaps whatever comes of the "Mercedes F1 Team" (Presumably it would be sold).
Also not ridiculous to suggest that Racing Point/ Aston Martin could become Mercedes Main Partner for an engine supply; Daimler are on the Board of the Aston Martin company.....
Interesting times ahead though!
Unlike others though I couldn't see them pulling out totally; remaining as an engine manufacturer would keep them involved; presumably with McLaren as their main team (again) and perhaps whatever comes of the "Mercedes F1 Team" (Presumably it would be sold).
Also not ridiculous to suggest that Racing Point/ Aston Martin could become Mercedes Main Partner for an engine supply; Daimler are on the Board of the Aston Martin company.....
Interesting times ahead though!
I thought that as well. However, isn't Russell's infamous for taking Albon out (albeit in Sim racing). I doubt Hamilton would want a young hungry driver nipping at his heels, with the potential to jeopardise his championship hopes. I expect to see Bottas stay at Mercedes as long as Hamilton does.
As a Renault supporter I would not want vettel in the team.
Maybe hulk would come back. I wouldn't mind that.
If I was ferrari I'd be wanting sainz. Riccardo is too expensive, not a guarantee in any way of success and could cause more friction.
Maybe hulk would come back. I wouldn't mind that.
If I was ferrari I'd be wanting sainz. Riccardo is too expensive, not a guarantee in any way of success and could cause more friction.
I wouldn't be surprised to see at least Renault leave. Hard to justify f1 when car sales are tanking