The F1 thread

markr76

stickyfiddle said:

I can see a thread of logic, only if Bono & team are coming with. 

- Hamilton will believe he can beat anyone in equal machinery. His stats bear that out. 
- Ferrari has thrown away multiple potential championships due to weak strategy in recent years. 
- Merc strategy is typically phenomenal but they haven't had a quick enough car and clearly haven't got their heads round the current regs as well as others
- Signing for 2025 is hedging a lot of bets: 
     - If Merc build a winner in 2024, he may get #8 this year. 
     - If Merc build a dog again this year, he has a shot at a faster car in 2025 for #8 before the regs change
     - Either way he gets to drive the red car for a last hurrah before retiring. I'd guess he'd sign 2+1 to give a shot at a winning car in 2026, and bow out then if it doesn't work 

But in terms of legacy it'd be a hell of a move. I'll even buy a hat  

The real question is whether @mark76 has a meeting this afternoon...?   

I know nothing. I’m just here for the food! A bit cold to sit outside though! 

skullfunkerry

Joe Saward is saying that it's true:

https://joesaward.wordpress.com/2024/02/01/lewis-and-ferrari/

fretmeister

BBC are saying that Toto is briefing the board today and the announcement could be tonight!

boogieman

WYNIR0 said:

Seems like a bad move from Lewis if true. Ferrari have always been a dream for him and they may build a fast car but reliability, pit work and strategy have been far from a strong point in recent seasons. If I were him and I wanted another WDC I'd be staying at Merc.

Maybe he’s already resigned to not getting another WDC this season and he knows 2025 will be his last shot at a Ferrari seat before he’s too old ? 

Cols

Cols said:

I think Ferrari will be keen to keep Sainz.  He’s fast enough to annoy Leclerc and push him without destabilising matters.

I’m feeling a bit thick now.

stickyfiddle

I am off twitter but assume this is fake…  

stickyfiddle

One thought… how long can Alonso keep driving…? 

WYNIR0

stickyfiddle said:

I am off twitter but assume this is fake…  

yep. just checked. Not there

WYNIR0

Where to now for Carlos? 

Cols

WYNIR0 said:

Where to now for Carlos? 

Hey, don’t ask me

Audi is the obvious choice.

After that….
1.  Straight swap to Mercedes 
2.  Aston Martin, to replace (a) a retiring Alonso, (b) a had-enough-of-this-shit Stroll, (c) a Merc-bound Alonso

The Red Bull seat will be open, but Verstappen would undoubtedly exercise a veto.

TimmyO

WYNIR0 said:

stickyfiddle said:

I am off twitter but assume this is fake…  

yep. just checked. Not there

for a start, timezone depending, it's from a few hours in the future 

stickyfiddle

Cols said:

WYNIR0 said:

Where to now for Carlos? 

Hey, don’t ask me

Audi is the obvious choice.

After that….
1.  Straight swap to Mercedes 
2.  Aston Martin, to replace (a) a retiring Alonso, (b) a had-enough-of-this-shit Stroll, (c) a Merc-bound Alonso

The Red Bull seat will be open, but Verstappen would undoubtedly exercise a veto.

Or back to McLaren to replace Lando or Oscar who get bought out by Merc?

roundthebend

TimmyO said:

WYNIR0 said:

stickyfiddle said:

I am off twitter but assume this is fake…  

yep. just checked. Not there

for a start, timezone depending, it's from a few hours in the future 

Is that just a spoof of Piastri's tweet about going to Alpine?

Cols

stickyfiddle said:

Cols said:

WYNIR0 said:

Where to now for Carlos? 

Hey, don’t ask me

Audi is the obvious choice.

After that….
1.  Straight swap to Mercedes 
2.  Aston Martin, to replace (a) a retiring Alonso, (b) a had-enough-of-this-shit Stroll, (c) a Merc-bound Alonso

The Red Bull seat will be open, but Verstappen would undoubtedly exercise a veto.

Or back to McLaren to replace Lando or Oscar who get bought out by Merc?

I’d imagine that three quarters of the grid will be scrambling to get the Merc drive by hook or by crook, whether or not they’re in contract.  Russell will undoubtedly be murmuring to Toto “What you need is a solid Number 2 driver....”

stickyfiddle

Cols said:

stickyfiddle said:

Cols said:

WYNIR0 said:

Where to now for Carlos? 

Hey, don’t ask me

Audi is the obvious choice.

After that….
1.  Straight swap to Mercedes 
2.  Aston Martin, to replace (a) a retiring Alonso, (b) a had-enough-of-this-shit Stroll, (c) a Merc-bound Alonso

The Red Bull seat will be open, but Verstappen would undoubtedly exercise a veto.

Or back to McLaren to replace Lando or Oscar who get bought out by Merc?

I’d imagine that three quarters of the grid will be scrambling to get the Merc drive by hook or by crook, whether or not they’re in contract.  Russell will undoubtedly be murmuring to Toto “What you need is a solid Number 2 driver....”

Hey, if Sainz goes to Sauber then Bottas might be available!! 

mikeyrob73

just been confirmed on Sky Sports News 

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

Most surprising Transfer Deadline Day Deal of the year by miles!

stickyfiddle

Oof.. props to the marketing guys 

https://twitter.com/JennieGow/status/1753048537972011133

fretmeister

stickyfiddle said:

Oof.. props to the marketing guys 

https://twitter.com/JennieGow/status/1753048537972011133

There;'s a reply:

Y"eah, sadly it is a coincidence. That's the Ferrari 625 that won the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix having been driving by Maurice Trintignant who raced as number...yep...44"

stickyfiddle

fretmeister said:

stickyfiddle said:

Oof.. props to the marketing guys 

https://twitter.com/JennieGow/status/1753048537972011133

There;'s a reply:

Y"eah, sadly it is a coincidence. That's the Ferrari 625 that won the 1955 Monaco Grand Prix having been driving by Maurice Trintignant who raced as number...yep...44"

Ah can’t see that as not logged in! 

Though they still could have used any other old Ferrari…