Motorsport Off Topic Thread

[sidimmu]

Confirmed news story, is not confirmed, but is pretty much confirmed due to amount of news stories about said story.

Welcome to F1.
Oh, someone will end up getting sued for this too.

 

[Scam]

Good way to divert news away from rejecting the Andretti entry

Very true!

 

[Junglist]

Does that practically hand Red Bull the 2024 and 25 season. Neither Hamilton or Sainz are going to be involved in the decision making for for next seasons cars.

They had that sewn up already. Lucky wins and fighting for the scraps will be all that remains.

 

[adam cool dude]

???

Comfortably the best they've had since Schumacher left, I'd say, although I can see an argument for Alonso/Massa I can't see any decent argument that Leclerc/Sainz is worse than Vettel/Räikkönen given our easily Leclerc outclassed Vettel.

What has Leclerc won? The guy has 5 wins to his name out of 23 poles. That is a shocking stat really. Vettel is a 4 time world champion with 53 wins. They had one season together in a decent car and both ended up with similar points tally and both finished on the podium 9 times. Leclerc also got 6 poles that season and only converted 2 of them. Peak Vettel was a better driver really. My only negative is that he had already proven himself. The hardest thing is keeping the hunger when you have won it all but those Toro Rosso/Red Bull days was non comparable.

I could say exactly the same with Peak Raikkonen who is also a world champion.

Sainz Junior just living off a legacy from his father who is a true GOAT.

Hamilton will totally wipe the floor with Leclerc even when he is 40.

 

[Slam62]

Probably going to get a new helmet fitting today.

You can imagine the Merc team today, are they going to be giving 110% on supporting Lewis for one final season before he heads over to Ferrari for a massive final payday. Or is the 2024 Merc not a vast improvement over last years car.

Not a good omen for the car is it

 

[Mesai]

Yeah, but Massa drags the pairing down compared to Sainz, imo.

Quickest driver on the grid in raw pace, I think, but lacks the all round performance... for now.

Agree on Massa - absolutely a 2nd driver.

I don't think he had a chance of winning any of the prior seasons so hopefully he's building experience from those attempt. Pity that he has to also contend with the teams general incompetence.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

Toto's on his way out as well if all rumours are true today

Good. I think when things aren't going his way he's a pretty terrible leader.
If Toto goes I wonder if Hamilton will follow.

 

[Feek]

Peak Vettel was a better driver really. He has already proven himself. The hardest thing is keeping the hunger when you have won it all.

Seb to have a comeback and join Mercedes in 2025?

 

[Scam]

Im a little torn on how well I think he could do relative to Lerclec.

I feel like Hamiltons driving style would suit a Ferrari. I’ve nothing to base that on though!

I’m going to think positive here.. Ferrari have given up on these regs and really look like delivering a beast for 2025. Hamilton will win the WDC, first to win with 3 teams (don’t actually know if true) and shut up all the haters. Got it?

 

[Slam62]

Good. I think when things aren't going his way he's a pretty terrible leader.

Yeah not impressed with toto at all, seems just to occupy a desk.

 

[Jono8]

Now there are rumours it might be brought forward for this season!

Surely not.

 

[booyaka]

Excited by this. Anyone who is F1 fan is a ferrari fan.

To drive for them in your career, as Hamilton has said before, would be amazing. Think it's a great move for him. Nothing to loose.

 

[chrismscotland]

Now there are rumours it might be brought forward for this season!

Surely not.

Really? Where are you seeing that?

 

[Ryan-3]

I suspect everyone with an interest at all in motor racing in the US knows about Andretti. They’re a bit of a dynasty.

They're like Penske and Williams for a name to me. Not too sure why they're wanting to join the group of teams racing at obscure tracks in the Middle East or on street circuits tbh!

 

[Glanza]

Rumour that Mercedes are having a team meeting at 14:00 to announce Hamilton leaving.

 

[Scam]

Rumour that Mercedes are having a team meeting at 14:00 to announce Hamilton leaving.

Always nice that journos find out this stuff (get leaked) before the actual team members.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

That's still just speculation.

"Hamilton's current contract with Mercedes is due to expire at the end of 2025 but he will depart the team after this season and replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari, Sky Sports News understands."

The important word there is 'almost'.

I have no real doubts it's happening but it's still not actually confirmed by the people who matter.

Its more just that the public confirmation is not out yet. It is 100% done behind the scenes.
As I understand it, it's been ongoing for months with Lewis talking to Ferrari.

The biggest proof is the teams being radio silent IMHO.

There will be official announcements post 2pm I expect from both teams, and I bet Lewis and Charles will put out choreographed statements.
Possibly even Carlos too.

 

[Feek]

If he goes, will he take Bono with him?

 

[chrismscotland]

They should just do what they do when a Director is mysteriously shown the door in a big Finance Firm.
Send an email out thanking them for their service and saying they're leaving to look at "other opportunities"

 

[Feek]

Its more just that the public confirmation is not out yet. It is 100% done behind the scenes.
As I understand it, it's been ongoing for months with Lewis talking to Ferrari.

The biggest proof is the teams being radio silent IMHO.

There will be official announcements post 2pm I expect from both teams, and I bet Lewis and Charles will put out choreographed statements.
Possibly even Carlos too.

I just watched this as well