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I'm really interested to see how qualifying will go between the two. I think Hamilton will have a hard time against Russell. His fastest qualifying laps are impeccable in that Williams and have been for a very long time.Quote:
Originally Posted by djip
This would be Rosberg Vs Schumacher all over again. I think Russell would be mighty in the Mercedes. This is why Verstappen need to win the title this season. He may be going up against a driver hungrier and more talented than him next season.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Maybe, Hamiton would retire after he wins his eighth worlds championship. This is proving to be his hardest challenge yet. Mainly because the younger drivers are all coming of age now. Russell in a Mercedes seems quite a sure thing only if Mercedes do not make a move for Verstappen.Quote:
Originally Posted by djip
Quote:
Originally Posted by airshifter
odd, he says he has a theory but doesn't say if he actually had any knowledge? Who does Ralph align with? Is more friends with Mercedes or with Verstappen dad? Seem like there is an agenda here to stir the pot, but not sure from what direction.Quote:
Schumacher has a theory on Hamilton signing a new deal for his current team though and believes they really wanted Verstappen.
"For me, [Hamilton's] contract extension fundamentally means that Max [Verstappen] rejected Mercedes," Schumacher said in an interview with 'Sport Bild'.
"I believe that Mercedes had placed all their hopes on signing Verstappen, with the aim of completely securing his future.
"That idea wasn't possible, and in my opinion, Lewis [Hamilton] was the only alternative."
It was just his opinion. He is entitled to one.Quote:
Originally Posted by F1nKS
That would not surprise me at all. Bottas out of contract poses a problem for most of the midfield seats. Especially for Ricciardo at Mclaren, Perez at Redbull but most likely he would head back to Williams.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Black Knight
Everyone assumes the Bottas seat is going to Russell with no real competition from anywhere. This may be incorrect. 2019 F2 champion Nick De Vries is catching Toto Woolfs attention. The diminutive dutchman is impressing in Formula-E and Toto was there to watch him at work in London.
As Ocon did for the career of Wehrlien, and Russell did for Ocon, Nick De Vries looks set to do the same to Russell if he does not get announced as the replacement for Bottas this season. The real attraction of De Vries is the similarity of his driving style to that of Verstappen. Crazy braveness in duels for position and bloody fast. He has the aggressive edge that we see in Verstappen and l think that would fascinate Toto.
Does Russell have anything to worry about? I think very likely. Nick De Vries is definitely a threat to his chance of landing the Mercedes drive that is becoming vacant.
FWIW, a quick investigation showed that:Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
a. Ralph and Jos V. are good friends, as well with the Schumacher family.
b. Max referred to Michael S. as uncle
therefore, it can be concluded Ralph was just stirring the pot against Mercedes. Letting it be known that Mercedes actually preferred Max for the future than Hamilton.
Pierre Gasly asked if outside teams have shown interested
Quote:
“Yes, interest. I’m trying my best, showing my potential, giving my best with AlphaTauri and I think what we are doing at the moment is very good.
“We’ll see going forward what are the most attractive options we have. Ultimately it goes down to Red Bull and discussing with them what we do together going forward.”
“I don’t know what is the will of Helmut and whether they want to take me back, whether they want me to stay in AlphaTauri, whether they are willing to release me to another team.”
You may be true but i highly doubt toto would put him straight into the A-team. Too much risk. Pushing for a seat in a "friendly" B-Team to get him polish his skills and get ready for when Lewis retires would make more sense.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
But it might delay their decision on Russell, as they may want to compare the data of both of them before making a decision. Kinda what happened with Wehrlien and Ocon.Quote:
Originally Posted by djip
The Decision on Russell has already been made. It is a open secret and Mercedes is just waiting for the appropriate timing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
Newest talk is Bottas to Alpha Romeo. Nick Devries to Williams after Mercedes announces Russell.
Well, l hope so. Mercedes has shafted all of their junior drivers in the past.Quote:
Originally Posted by F1nKS
I doubt Alfa Romeo, Mick Schumacher is going into Kimi's seat l hear. I think they still want to hang on to Giovinazzi.Quote:
Originally Posted by F1nKS
and where is Kimi going ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
The last interview Kimi gave seems to suggest that he is ready to retire. Which would not surprise me really.After all, Alfa is not an exciting drive for him. But if he wants to stay, l also doubt Bottas or Schumacher would be going to Alfa Romeo.Quote:
Originally Posted by pantealex
I was kind of expecting that, but then I read Ralf say that Alfa Romeo was not a better option. But there has been "still finalizing contract details" - so I could still see it happening.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
The Alfa Romeo is a better car than the Haas, a Ferrari seat is not going to be available to him for a few seasons yet. So l think he would be grateful for the Alfa seat if offered. As it is still on the Ferrari path.Quote:
Originally Posted by F1nKS
Obviously Alpha Romeo is better this year, but what will it be like next year?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nitrodaze
I think Williams is likely the team that will surprise next year, but Haas could also because they have put all their eggs in the 2022 season [basket]. Or it will go very wrong.
The Ferrari group owns Alfa Romeo as well. So you can be sure they would have a good 2022 car with the knowledge shared from the parent team. Haas has to buy in the knowledge or go it alone. Chances are they have gone their own way and may turn up with a brilliant chassis. But if one has to bet, one would bet that Alfa would have a better chassis in 2022 than the Haas.Quote:
Originally Posted by F1nKS
Rumors still going strong that Bottas is negotiating with Alpha and the Russell has signed a contract (awhile back actually) with Mercedes.
Jacques Villeneuve is still hammering on that Bottas could go to Aston Martin, and Stroll would end up next to Lewis. The idea being that Lewis would be more comfortable with a lesser driver on the team, and the ties between Lawrence Stroll and Wolff are strong. He doesn't really go into where this would leave Russell, who no doubt would still be looking to change seats.
https://beyondtheflag.com/2021/08/06...ging-mercedes/
That would make this really the "silly season". Can you imagine the twitter/f1 podcast meltdown that would happen if this actually happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by airshifter
Marko won't mention any names, but states that RB has "several" potential candidates. He has also now said that the announcement for both teams will take place by Spa or possibly Zandvoort at the latest. It will be interesting to see which way they go, as they seem to like the idea of the younger up and coming drivers.
Personally I think they are their own worst enemy with the driver swapping. If they left anyone in the car from Danny Ric to now, they probably would have came to grips with the car and been a solid #2, at least on par with Bottas in results.
seems like they are leaning "status quo"Quote:
Originally Posted by airshifter
I'm not sure who they could really contemplate replacing Perez with? I would still take Perez over Gasly.Quote:
"In principle, we want to maintain the existing pairings. But that takes time because we always consider all of the relevant factors," Marko added.
Perez looks to be back (not officially just yet)
https://www.givemesport.com/1740577-...-ahead-of-2022Quote:
Red Bull boss Christian Horner has dropped a hint over his team's 2022 driver line-up and suggested that Sergio Perez will be staying put, with him happy with the Mexican's performances this season.
This makes sense as really there is limited choices:
1. Gasly
2. Hulkenberg
3. Bottas
4. Albon
Perez at this point is a better option than any of these guys.
Toto Wolff had said they wanted to make the decision during summer break now he is saying it maybe delayed till September.
https://f1i.com/news/415271-wolff-hi...-decision.htmlQuote:
“I want the topic settled in September so both of them can position themselves properly for the coming season," he added.
Earlier this week Wolff said that whoever missed out on the race seat at Brackley would still have plenty of top options elsewhere.
I'm 6 ft. 3 , so I am not in the running .
Sorry .
They won't make an announcement until the championship is pretty much decided one way or the other, as they need Bottas to perform to the best of his abilities. After that they'll cut him loose, and welcome George.
This was my thinking. If you axe the guy before the WCC is wrapped up, performance might go down even more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Firstgear
Latest speculation on the Mercedes second seat is the decision has been made, but they are delaying to announce where Bottas is going due to request by that team - who wants to announce their driver lineup in September.
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/92165...nd-driver.htmlQuote:
The racing team in which the losing driver will be placed would like to announce their team for 2022 in September.
Thus, the decision for the second driver may have already been made by Mercedes, but the timing of the announcement depends on, for example, Williams or Alfa Romeo, to whom Bottas is linked, among others. The drivers themselves seem to know more, but they will have to keep their mouths shut for the time being.
Perez confirmed for 2022.
Albon now appears to be looking at Indycar for next season and was seen at the Indianapolis GP a fortnight ago.
https://www.racefans.net/2021/08/31/...zzi-loses-out/
They are reporting
Russel to Mercedes
Albon to Williams
Bottas to Alpha Romeo
De Vries to Alpha Romeo
Attachment 2163
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTSUHnoD..._web_copy_link
KIMI is officially out.
This is a sad day for me. I have rooting for im since 2001 and now, he quits at the end of the season.
I hope he will do some rallye or indycar so I can keep follow him.
Thanks for everything Kimi. Kitos!
Kimi deserves respect. Onto new pastures. Never my favourite driver by any means but I wish him the best in whatever he does moving forward.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mia 01
Hamilton talking about Russell
Sure seems like a done deal...Quote:
"At the moment I have to be super supportive of the team-mate that I have right now, so that’s why I’m always supportive of Valtteri because we have a job to do right now and neither of us can win the team championship alone, we have to do it collectively.
"But he [Russell] is the future, he’s one of the members of the future of the sport. He’s already shown incredible driving so far. I’m sure it’s going to continue to grow.
"Where better to do it than a great team like this – or whatever team he goes to."
https://youtu.be/YNQwvM20sRE
Daniel Ricciardo and Horner congratulate Russell on his new Mercedes deal. It's like the worst kept secret in F1 right now.