Silly Season 2021

[DOLOMITE]

Magnussen to IMSA SportsCar Championship with Chip Ganassi.

[JN23]

Red Bull or bust for Albon according to Horner, so sounds like Tsunoda will be driving for Alpha Tauri.

I wonder what Red Bull do in 2022 if Tsunoda is beaten by Gasly and Albon struggles again.

[Jenson's Understeer]

Red Bull or bust for Albon according to Horner, so sounds like Tsunoda will be driving for Alpha Tauri.

I wonder what Red Bull do in 2022 if Tsunoda is beaten by Gasly and Albon struggles again.

If they've retained Albon then hat would be interesting to see. Surely at that point they have to give Gasly another chance alongside Max? Or would they then finally go outside the Red Bull driver pool?

[pokerman]

Red Bull or bust for Albon according to Horner, so sounds like Tsunoda will be driving for Alpha Tauri.

I wonder what Red Bull do in 2022 if Tsunoda is beaten by Gasly and Albon struggles again.

I guess sticking the car on pole has definitely sealed it for Tsunoda, I see Gasly and Tsunoda being a AlphaTauri item for the next 2 years, regarding Red Bull you have to ask are they really interested in having a more competitive driver.

[UnlikeUday]

After Albon's P12, not a bad time for Checo to talk to Mr. Marko:


Source - Imgur

[BMWSauber84]

Red Bull or bust for Albon according to Horner, so sounds like Tsunoda will be driving for Alpha Tauri.

I wonder what Red Bull do in 2022 if Tsunoda is beaten by Gasly and Albon struggles again.

I guess sticking the car on pole has definitely sealed it for Tsunoda, I see Gasly and Tsunoda being a AlphaTauri item for the next 2 years, regarding Red Bull you have to ask are they really interested in having a more competitive driver.

Well today was another low point. A Red Bull number two should be able to achieve the bare minimum. I define that as one place behind Max in qualifying (maybe two if Max manages to split the Mercs) and P4 in a 'normal' race and running pretty comfortably within a pit stop of the Mercedes cars in the first stint. George Russell has come in to Lewis Hamilton's car and immediately achieved what they would likely consider a bare minimum.

How often has Alex been able to do that this season? He did it in qualy last weekend albeit with quite a gap behind his teammate and got a podium, albeit a very lucky one. This weekend has seen him outqualified by both Alpha Tauri cars. There have been a few moments this season where I've thought "that's the final straw". This is yet another one.

[Invade]

Look.

I know this is horrible, but I'm rooting against Albon. I want Red Bull to be left with no choice but to replace him with (presumably) Perez. Perez is a solid but unspectacular qualifier, but an excellent racer. He can help Red Bull crown Verstappen as a Champion. Albon probably can't.

[Tufty]

In qualifying Red Bull got 3-4 results in Tuscany and Bahrain. In races, a 3-4 in Styria and (luckily) a 2-3 in Bahrain.

[BMWSauber84]

In qualifying Red Bull got 3-4 results in Tuscany and Bahrain. In races, a 3-4 in Styria and (luckily) a 2-3 in Bahrain.

That's just nowhere near enough. Yes Ricciardo and Verstappen failed to share a podium in the entire 2018 season, but that was a year of really poor reliability for the team, and where they were third fastest for much of the season outside of a select few tracks. More importantly the wins and podiums were shared around a bit.

In 2020, the Red Bull in Verstappen's hands has almost always been a clear second fastest well ahead of the distant best of the rest pack. Yet Albon sits behind two McLaren's (albeit one only on 2nd place countback), a Renault, a Ferrari as well as Perez's Racing Point who has missed two races. He's 17 points shy of fourth place in the championship.

[UnlikeUday]

This happened last weekend but good to see Perez is on good terms with the main guys running RB!

[tootsie323]

Look.

I know this is horrible, but I'm rooting against Albon. I want Red Bull to be left with no choice but to replace him with (presumably) Perez. Perez is a solid but unspectacular qualifier, but an excellent racer. He can help Red Bull crown Verstappen as a Champion. Albon probably can't.

I've been one of those who has rooted for Albon. Unfortunately I'm unable to solidly defend him and feel that he would be better off doing a Gasly and re-establishing himself in the 'second' team. It's not a coincidence that I also find myself scratching my head as to why Perez, with his performances this year, is not being touted for a seat in 2021.

[UnlikeUday]

Source - Imgur

The sheer coincidence in these 2 pics is the above pic was clicked when Vettel to RP(AM) started to surface & the below pic is of yesterday.

Vettel said I meet Toto & Horner & shake hands or give elbow greetings but that doesn't mean much. We all know what it did mean when doing to same with Lawrence.

Drivers of other teams meeting senior personnel or greeting them often is not a coincidence!

[Covalent]

What's sillier than silly?
Lewis missing the rest of the season and wonder-George performing miracles as his stand-in, leading to Lewis being slightly rattled and deciding he needs a new challenge so calls up Horner. Boom and we have Russell&Bottas vs. Verstappen & Lewis.

A man can dream right?

[mikeyg123]

What are these options for 2022 Perez seems so confident about? Got to be Williams I reckon.

[Schumacher forever#1]

What are these options for 2022 Perez seems so confident about? Got to be Williams I reckon.

Haas to be a different team

[BMWSauber84]

What are these options for 2022 Perez seems so confident about? Got to be Williams I reckon.

Alfa Romeo possibly? Kimi isn't likely to carry on too much longer.

[mikeyg123]

What are these options for 2022 Perez seems so confident about? Got to be Williams I reckon.

Alfa Romeo possibly? Kimi isn't likely to carry on too much longer.

Maybe but Perez seems to positive for it to be a dead end like Alfa.

[Paolo_Lasardi]

Aston Martin / Point 's driver choice for 2021 looks more and more stupid by each passing race.

Perez fantastic, Stroll shocking, Vettel nowhere.

If RBR stick to Albon, it will be the same.

Albon more than shocking.

[BMWSauber84]

Aston Martin / Point 's driver choice for 2021 looks more and more stupid by each passing race.

Perez fantastic, Stroll shocking, Vettel nowhere.

If RBR stick to Albon, it will be the same.

Albon more than shocking.

At this point, It would qualify as an act of cruelty to Alex give him another year pootling around in 6th place. He just isn't progressing and in fact seems to have gone backwards as his confidence plummets.

Another damning indictment of Albion's struggles this year is the fact that today's results mean that Hamilton is now guaranteed to beat the Red Bull constructors points tally on his own.

[JN23]

Billy Buxton seems to be suggesting good news re Perez 2021 on the way: https://twitter.com/wbuxtonofficial/sta ... 71648?s=21

[BMWSauber84]

Billy Buxton seems to be suggesting good news re Perez 2021 on the way: https://twitter.com/wbuxtonofficial/sta ... 71648?s=21

Should I dare to dream that common sense is prevailing?

[JN23]

Billy Buxton seems to be suggesting good news re Perez 2021 on the way: https://twitter.com/wbuxtonofficial/sta ... 71648?s=21

Should I dare to dream that common sense is prevailing?

Haha, I am certainly not as I feel like we’ve been here a few times over the last couple of months but fingers crossed.

[UnlikeUday]

I've noticed so many F1 fans in general (and not Perez fans to be specific) are wanting RB to sign Perez.If RB were to indeed, the team would surely come in the good books of many fans & many new fans also could be rooting for them next year.

[Harpo]

I've noticed so many F1 fans in general (and not Perez fans to be specific) are wanting RB to sign Perez.If RB were to indeed, the team would surely come in the good books of many fans & many new fans also could be rooting for them next year.

Except the Verstappens and Marko...

[UnlikeUday]

I've noticed so many F1 fans in general (and not Perez fans to be specific) are wanting RB to sign Perez.If RB were to indeed, the team would surely come in the good books of many fans & many new fans also could be rooting for them next year.

Except the Verstappens and Marko...

Don't think so anymore. Lately, ax has been quiet open about praising Checo & even downplaying Albon.

On qualy day, Perez was seen chatting with Dr. Marko. So good things may come this weekend or on coming Monday!

[Harpo]

I've noticed so many F1 fans in general (and not Perez fans to be specific) are wanting RB to sign Perez.If RB were to indeed, the team would surely come in the good books of many fans & many new fans also could be rooting for them next year.

Except the Verstappens and Marko...

Don't think so anymore. Lately, ax has been quiet open about praising Checo & even downplaying Albon.

On qualy day, Perez was seen chatting with Dr. Marko. So good things may come this weekend or on coming Monday!

Good. If so, let's hope Perez can be assisted by a top lawyer, and bring bailiffs during the race week-ends.

[mikeyg123]

Not saying it means anything but today Bottas has removed all mention of Mercedes on his Instagram profile.

Russell has also removed all reference to Williams on his...

[JN23]

Before we get excited on what it says on Instagram profiles, are we sure it ever said Williams/Mercedes on there before? Just done a quick look and not all the drivers have their team in their profile, Hamilton and Ricciardo for example.

I remember there was a discussion on here about Ocon’s twitter profile a couple of years ago, which turned out to be fake news.

Editing to add: tweet here from November 26th which shows his Instagram bio which I assume is from then, no mention of Williams.
https://twitter.com/teamgr63/status/133 ... 10848?s=21

As you were.

[mikeyg123]

Before we get excited on what it says on Instagram profiles, are we sure it ever said Williams/Mercedes on there before? Just done a quick look and not all the drivers have their team in their profile, Hamilton and Ricciardo for example.

I remember there was a discussion on here about Ocon’s twitter profile a couple of years ago, which turned out to be fake news.

Unfortunately the wayback machine doesn't work on Instagram. There are archives though. Russell's profile mentions Williams on the last one but that was back in May. Bottas did mention Mercedes until very recently though.

[Invade]

Bottas is a master troll.

[UnlikeUday]

It's a given Tsunoda will be in the 2nd AT car. RB just don't know what to do with Albon which is why Tsunoda hasn't been officially announced for AT.

Just a gut feeling, RB want this season to get over & will announce a lot sooner than later. As for Perez or RB not spilling any beans, sometimes PR talk also has to be minimized based on timing of the events!

[UnlikeUday]

A Finnish F1 correspondent by the name of Niki Juusela said this:
"The information that came into our studio is that Perez's Red Bull agreement will be announced next week,".

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/n ... 26316.html

Even in the provisional entry list for '21, Albon's name wasn't present next to Red Bull. I know this isn't set on stone but neither Marko or Max are being appreciative of Albon anymore. Marko just wants this race to be over before flying to England & announcing the 2nd driver for RB before Christmas latest.

[tootsie323]

I'm pretty sure that I heard David Croft mention, during quali yesterday, that this race could be Kvyat's last. I'm not sure that I totally trust Croft not to be mistaken(!) but is / isn't Kvyat contacted for the next year?

[UnlikeUday]

Source - Imgur

Apparently, since his win at Sakhir, Checo to RB rumours have intensified. As per the rumour or belief by many, RB will sign Checo in the coming week & the announcement will be then soon after. However, the contract will be for 1 year initially.

[JN23]

I'm pretty sure that I heard David Croft mention, during quali yesterday, that this race could be Kvyat's last. I'm not sure that I totally trust Croft not to be mistaken(!) but is / isn't Kvyat contacted for the next year?

Kvyat isn’t contracted for next year. Sounds like Tsunoda will take his seat.

[Tufty]

Realistically I think we're waiting on Red Bull to confirm Perez and Tsunoda now across their 2 teams. Considering how chaotic the driver market has been this year, it's been a remarkably early end to announcements.

I'm saying Perez over Albon purely on the basis of the rumours posted above.

[pokerman]

Realistically I think we're waiting on Red Bull to confirm Perez and Tsunoda now across their 2 teams. Considering how chaotic the driver market has been this year, it's been a remarkably early end to announcements.

I'm saying Perez over Albon purely on the basis of the rumours posted above.

Ted Kravitz has just said that Perez is to be announced, apparently the Austrian Red Bull owner, I can't spell his name, wanted to keep Albon, I would be guessing because of the other Thai owner, but has been convinced by Horner and Marko to sign Perez.

Tsunoda is 100% guaranteed, I would be guessing that they're looking to announce both drivers at the same time.

[UnlikeUday]

As per what I've heard, we could hear Checo's announcement tomorrow itself.

If You guy's remember Marko was always saying let this race get over.

Albon will be placed as the reserve driver!

[DOLOMITE]

Ilott confirmed as Ferrari test driver for '21. Eyeing up an Alfa race seat for '22 maybe?

[UnlikeUday]

Tsunoda confirmed at AT.

https://www.scuderiaalphatauri.com/en/t ... auri-2021/

Excited to see him on the grid too,