2024 silly season

[Il_leone]

Be interesting to see when Alonso goes running back to Flavio !

 

[F1Brits_90]

Well looks like Max is seriously looking elsewhere

Max Verstappen manager gave ‘a piece of his mind, stormed off’ from Red Bull row

Max Verstappen's manager reportedly had a heated exchange with Red Bull's Helmut Marko in Bahrain.

www.crash.net

Interesting it was a bust up with Helmut and not Horner

Max Verstappen ‘head turned, looking elsewhere’ claim amid Red Bull problems

Might Red Bull's ongoing F1 troubles prompt Max Verstappen to look elsewhere?

www.crash.net

I don't think the flexiwing ban is going to propel them forward if the car chews the tyres too quickly which is the real problem.

Suzuka they got away with it because it was cooler conditions

we know Verstappen has wanted to leave for around a year now. & at times was very close to joining mercedes. last season. but either he said no or couldnt get out of his contract. so kimi antotelli was promoted instead closing that door on because mercedes is now locked in for 3-4 years at least now

where else would he go, as we know that he has performance break clauses. we've discussed i think aston martin is where he will go. because alonso at 44 isnt interested in racing for 18th. but aside from them
Mclaren - locked in for many years to come
Ferrari - too soon, unless hamilton suddenly retires or leclerc leaves which are both highly unlikely
Alpine & Haas - never going to happen & Too slow. would be like damon hill going to arrows
Williams - drivers line up locked in for many years to come
Audi - Unlikely but not impossible

 

[Il_leone]

Max Verstappen: Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko has 'great concern' about world champion's future with team

Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko says he has "great concern" about Max Verstappen's future with the team.

www.bbc.co.uk

A repeat of Bahrain will hasten his exit

Seriously only Mercedes unless Aston Martin can show a vast improvement for him.to bear with it for 1 year.

 

[F1Brits_90]

but there no room at the inn at Mercedes. there not going to dump Antonelli 6 races in, & Russell arguably the driver of the year so far

 

[Il_leone]

but there no room at the inn at Mercedes. there not going to dump Antonelli 6 races in, & Russell arguably the driver of the year so far

Interesting to see if Verstappen has snookered himself and who would react if he was available like Alonso in 2008

Toto said he would do handstands if Verstappen was available

Seriously only Aston Martin is the option but this Red Bull imploding is going to make interesting sideshow

 

[Il_leone]

Looks like things have picked up

Worry expressed for George Russell’s Mercedes future despite bumper new contract

Martin Brundle theory that could result in George Russell's Mercedes exit

www.crash.net

I read that Verstappen 's clause allows him to leave fir free if he was not top 3?

 

[F1Brits_90]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1913251562572407089

 

[Il_leone]

Now I am hearing sabbatical which I think will end his F1 career if that is the case

 

[Il_leone]

I think we need a silly season 2025 forum

 

[F1Brits_90]

well then. i thought mercedes had closed the door to verstappen when they hired Antonelli. I was wrong. this is quite the grenade sent in by russell.

George Russell says Max Verstappen is talking to Mercedes over potential 2026 move

George Russell says Mercedes are talking to world champion Max Verstappen about signing him for next season.

www.bbc.com

 

[Il_leone]

well then. i thought mercedes had closed the door to verstappen when they hired Antonelli. I was wrong. this is quite the grenade sent in by russell.

George Russell says Max Verstappen is talking to Mercedes over potential 2026 move

George Russell says Mercedes are talking to world champion Max Verstappen about signing him for next season.

www.bbc.com

Why is this not 2025 silly season?

You have to call it now and basically tell Toto or Verstappen to make up their mind.

 

[F1Brits_90]

this is fascinating, i guess any mclaren academy is going hit a ceiling, because piastri & norris are likely going nowhere for 4-5 years. & adds fuel to Lindblad/Dunne RB rumours

Alex Dunne 'very like a Red Bull driver', says Helmut Marko

Ireland's Alex Dunne is "very like a Red Bull driver", the company's motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has told BBC Sport.

www.bbc.co.uk

Dunne said he was "very excited for what's to come", with an eye emoji. "From today I've mutually decided to part ways with the McLaren Driver Development programme, I'd like to thank every individual at McLaren that has helped me develop and improve as a driver, to have my first opportunity to drive an F1 car followed by two FP1 sessions is something I'll always hold very close to my heart, I wish them all the best for the future. Thank you Papaya family."

 

[F1Brits_90]

i feel for fornaroli if Lindblad & Dunne get promoted into F1. because he is on the verge of being only 7th driver to win 3rd tier & 2nd tier titles consecutively. with the other 6 being.

if you fancy an impromptu quiz

(Hamilton Hulkenberg Leclerc Russell Piastri & Bortoleto)

& instead of being rewarded he's punished by a year on sidelines

 

[Il_leone]

i feel for fornaroli if Lindblad & Dunne get promoted into F1. because he is on the verge of being only 7th driver to win 3rd tier & 2nd tier titles consecutively. with the other 6 being.

if you fancy an impromptu quiz

(Hamilton Hulkenberg Leclerc Russell Piastri & Bortoleto)

& instead of being rewarded he's punished by a year on sidelines

Its interesting there are no interests for Fornaroli but you would have thought being Italian , Ferrari seriously need to think about it


In terms of Dunne - he must have a race seat guaranteed for 2026 and at minimum 2027 but Lindblad is Helmut's next apprentice - that is the way they've fast tracked him

I think it is curtains for Lawson and Tsunoda because surely Hadjar is not going to be dropped . It would be a bonkers decision