Formula 1

I was hoping max would dnf again. I’ve been wanting to see Carlos win. Especially when he’s fighting to find a seat next year

Silly Season 2025

Ok. It's been an early start to silly season, after no driver changes this year, a massive shake up is in progress already, with Sainz on the market and Hamilton switching to Ferrari, while Hulkenburg heads back to Sauber.

Rumours abound below.

F e r r a r i

Charles Leclerc (locked in for as long as he wants)
Lewis Hamilton (probably locked in to 2027 when the new regulations will allow him to return home to Mercedes)

A s t o n M a r t i n

Fernando Alonso (locked in for two more years at least, with options to continue for ever and ever and ever (according to Herbert and Brundle the guy is toxic and won't last past 25 years in the sport)
Lance Stroll (Not yet confirmed but he could go or stay at any minute - expect stay, unless Honda demand a Yuki Tsunoda drive, Sainz and Felipe Drugovich are long long shots)

M c L a r e n

Lando Norris (muliti-year contract)
Oscar Piastri (signed up until 2027)

A l p i n e
TBC (might as well keep Ocon)
TBC (might as well keep Gasly)

S a u b e r

Nico Hulkenberg (in place as an A u d i driver of the future)
TBC (rumours of a massive offer to get Sainz, otherwise either Bottas or Zhou Guanyu could stay although neither set the world alight)

V i s a C a s h A p p R B

TBC (one seat almost has to go to Liam Lawson)
TBC (Yuki could stay, but so could Ricciardo or Perez might get sent back here also. ‎Isack Hadjar, ‎Pepe Martí or ‎Ayumu Iwasa might be better options)

W i l l i a m s

Alex Albon (has contract but could ship off to Mercedes if they can't get who they want)
TBC (couldn't possibly be Sergeant could it? China backed Zhou Guanyu is a possibility, along with Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a favour for Mercedes)

R e d B u l l

Max Verstappen (won't be going to Mercedes unless Red Bull implode)
TBC (Sergio is in the box seat, but Sainz might be a consideration, but might be seen as too much of a threat to Max, as he was at Alpha Tauri. Ricciardo is a long long shot but form could improve. Lawson and Tsunoda are 100:1 shots)

M e r c e d e s

George Russell (at least one more year)
TBC (everyone else. Max? Can't see it. Bottas, as they know him, Antonelli, but that's a risk. Sainz, they are mad not to take him, but might get out-bid. Albon would be a solid choice, but would require a buyout).

H a a s

TBC (might be forced to keep Magnussen now for continuity, but could take on one of the leftover Sauber drivers)
TBC (again, a leftover Sauber driver or Bearman which would be the smart choice for Ferrari)

Drivers that could be in trouble for a drive in 2025 and probably wouldn't be missed

Logan Sergeant (not Ok)
Valtteri Bottas (Just OK)
Zhou Guanyu (decent enough but unable to show it in that Sauber)
Kevin Magnussen (meh)
Daniel Ricciardo (has the yips)
Sergio Perez (no red bull? no Sergio)
Lance Stroll (might read the writing on the wall and go to hypercars, but he owns the team as much as his father does and can do what he wants).

Almonaster Nuevo wrote:

Why all the negativity around Bottas? He's not a #1 driver, but he's an excellent #2 and has shown himself to be a solid team player.

I like Bottas but he's not aggressive whatsoever, he's a good team player but when he's having to be the 1st driver for sauber cuz let's be real here Zhou is mid, in 2022 I remember he didn't fight any moves made upon him and thus fell back thru the field

Almonaster Nuevo wrote:

Both Mercs out in SQ2. Ouch!

Being a Lewis fan, that hurts 😔

Yay Lando!!

If McLaren can keep this up, we may have a good 3-way battle for the constructors' title this year. :D
I can't see anyone beating Max, but Perez is not going to keep second spot in the drivers' standings for much longer.

Alpine finally get a point. They will be glad of that, but disappointed it took so long.