2024 F1 General Discussion Thread

You have to assume Bottas to whichever team Sainz doesn't join.

But Perez is the unknown now, he's not getting better and at some point red bull might need to do something. My assumption is if they do pull the trigger on switching him, Perez will lose seat and not be moved to RB. If that happens then you see Lawson coming in somewhere, and it's likely a decision of whether Lawson or Ricciardo go to red bull and the other in rb.

Sort of related - is there a mechanism available to red bull to test their drivers in the same car? It'd be interesting if they could do a shootout between the drivers to see who has the underlying pace. They used do it in the testing days, but with the testing ban I assume this isn't possible now?

Tsunoda will never get the red bull seat. For whatever reason it just won't happen. If they ever wanted him it would have happened already. My guess is he's there because of Honda, and while his performances have been good his temperament is still a worry - I couldn't see him being the best team mate if himself and Max were driving side by side.

I think Red Bull should get Carlos into that 2nd seat as soon as possible. Let's face it Perez has has his chance and even the new contract has not helped so it's time for him to go. Carlos is the best driver there is out there at the moment for that 2nd Red Bull seat.

why would RB give a toss what Merc do? They should do what they think is best for the development of their driver. There's no need to react to what Merc do or don't do.

Merc will have pumped millions into R&D already.

There is a budget cap in place…there has been for a few years now.

The engine is key. Mercedes can build engines, red bull will be building their first.

The PU yes, teams are not allowed to work on the chassis’s or aero work until next January, that’s against the rules.

IMO

Yuki should replace Perez now on a 2 year contract and Lawson and Hadjar brought into Racing Bulls.

I thinks it’s wishful thinking that Max will leave to go to Merc. He is still leading the championship, Red Bull are still on it, going to Merc would be a step back at this point.

I don't care much for Mercedes. I only want Max to be in the quickest car at any partiular point in time, and i think he'll be there come 2026.

Toto has basically said he'd love to have him and if they can gaurentee him of a car that can win some more world titles, then you can be sure he'd go.

Wages wouldn't be an issue anyway

There was a reignited rumour that Merc are still interested in Sainz, that would be a strong move for him.

I think your comment is short-sighted. Since you posted this Lewis has proven he's still got it. Don't get caught up on what's happening right in front of you. It's important to take a wider view on things because saying George is better than Lewis just because he's outqualifying him at the moment is very shortsighted. Lewis and Max are Champions and Lando, George and the rest of the younger guys still have a lot to learn. That's very obvious across an entire weekend.

Max will 100% move to Merc and I think he will do it sooner than later too.

I wonder if Lewis is regretting his Ferrari decision. Looks like Merc could end up being a better bet for 25, and 26 is a gamble regardless. Newry linked to AM, who have also just taken a Tech lead from Ferrari.

I am sure Lewis knows a lot more about the trajectory of both teams, but its not looking like a good call right now.

As pointed above, so do i. I don't know personally if he will join for 2025, or wait until 2026.

Would make sense to join in 2025 imo

should be interesting to see how he gets on there, he probably needs it, think the sport does to, nice way to end his career, nice few quid to, so happy days…..

If Max was in the Horner camp, and his father doing his best to unseat Horner, surely Max would have quietly removed Jos from the picture. He didn't do that and basically supported Jos in his position.

You could therefore only conclude that Max is not Horners No 1 fan.

I think you need to check your math because you point only adds to my argument.

Jos Doesn't run the team. Horner does yet Jos is in there trying his best to get rid of horner and at best upset the team, at worst destroy it and max allows Jos to continue attending gp etc so how does that suggest that max is in the Horner camp

I think Mercedes would benefit from signing Carlos Sainz a lot more than some of their other options, Just in his team Radio in race conversations he has shown to be very good at feedback and strategy discussion . He is decent as Qualifying as well. He has already driven Mercedes power and has a wealth of experience, not all with the current car rules but he has driven Renault, Mercedes and Ferrari powered cars and throw in all the Different Aero teams and experience. he has driven very well with all those teams also.

Actually Any team would benefit . Taking his time is probably the right thing to do.

it is not that Audi Sauber shouldn't be taken serious , but when you look at the signings on a techinal side Aston have been making , Audi probably need to be more public with that as it would add to the enticement if they did want him.

Willams have done some of this in showing their new roles recently . The have shown some flashes of progress but it never seems to get comfortable into the top 10 like any where from 7-9th place for like 2 or three races in a row .

Apline on the other hand "Flavio some how returned" , and rumors moving away from their own Factory engine , very strange. Oddly The Car seems fine some weekends . Gasly can be quick but I don't believe you can develop a car with him.

Ocon to Haas , I thought that was a done deal even not but he will probably do ok there as he has done with Alpine.Despite the over blown hate he recieved after Monaco in all the teams he as been in he has a decent set of results

Ricciardo for me has never recovered since leaving Redbull . It is like he can only drive one type of Car . He was still competitive enough with Renault but he was coming from a Renault powered Redbull , then moved to Mclaren & Mercedes engine didn't seem to suit him despite the one win . and the same now under Honda power. It may not be a factor but it always seemed that way to me .

There is substantial evidence suggesting that the Red Bull power unit will not work out. Horner currently appears vulnerable after the challenges he faced earlier this spring. The decision to sign Sergio Perez appears to have been impulsive, likely aimed at appeasing the Verstappen camp and retaining Perez, who supported Horner during the recent scandal. It’s evident that Perez’s tenure with Red Bull will likely end sometime before 2025, which could impact Horner’s credibility. Without Adrian Newey’s expertise, and a competitive power unit, Max Verstappen will consider a move to Mercedes if their 2024 car shows promise in the medium term. Verstappen’s recent statements about potentially leaving Formula 1 are a strategic media tactic rather than a genuine intention. In any case, teams lacking a proper OEM power unit face significant challenges in 2025. Mercedes is likely to regain its status as the top team. Ferrari also has potential, but my bet would be on Mercedes and Aston Martin Honda emerging as the leading teams under the new regulations. The Verstappen camp is undoubtedly aware of this and I think Verstappen will announce a Mercedes move very soon.

I think a lot of teams and drivers are waiting to see what Verstappen does. If there are 3 teams with equal cars, that changes everything. Mercedes won't sign Sainz because they know if their car is good in the medium term, they can get Verstappen from Red Bull. Mercedes needs a World Champion in that car and I don't see Russell ever being that driver, as good as he is. Also, Russell doesn't sell tshirts like Lewis does. They might move him on in for Antonelli in 2026/2027. Sainz probably still sees a chance of jumping in a Red Bull for 2025 so I'd be very surprised if any driver apart from Ocon and Bottas signs a contract before the summer break. I'd be hoping for the following shake up for 2025.

2025

Red Bull - Sainz, Riccardo (change with Lawson mid-season if he's useless)

Mercedes - Verstappen, Russell

Williams - Bottas, Albon

Haas - Ocon, Bearman

Sauber - Hulk, Perez?

RB - Yuki, Lawson

Ferrari - Lewis, LeClerc

McLaren - Norris, Piastri

AM - Alonso, Stroll

Alpine - Gasly, Doohan