The Official F1 2024 silly season *contains speculation*

[vaud]

TheDeuce said:

How can that possibly sit comfortably alongside the theory a racing driver 'must believe they can beat anyone'?

I have never been convinced by that theory. Not sure everyone that went up against Senna, Schumacher, etc in their prime thought "I can beat them" versus "I can stand on the podium next to them given the car I have", etc.

[vaud]

Hardly a surprise.

"The company proposed building its cars in New Zealand"

Good luck with that supply chain of talent.

[vaud]

SpudLink said:

A team promising to build cars in NZ? A seat reserved for a driver who hasn't shown any real sign of being F1 standard?

I think it's reasonable the FIA make sure any new entrant is serious. They don't want F1 embarrassed by a team 4 seconds off the pace. Sounds like due diligence from the FIA.

Quite agree. Any new team would also need to be drawing from talent in US, UK or maybe Italy. Ideally the UK where it must be the easiest to poach talent.

[vaud]

F1 will be worried about regulators and anti-compétions investigations, so I think it will get approved.

[vaud]

Still Mulling said:

F1: US owned and pushing growth.

Also rumoured to be signing a multi-billion streaming deal with Apple; they need more US participation.

[vaud]

So long term will we end up with a full US F1 series displacing Indycar?

[vaud]

Fundoreen said:

Well I was one that expected that cost caps and ground effects were going to level the field. How wrong I was.

Close up the field, not level it. Aside from Max, many races have been pretty close, esp in qualifying.

[vaud]

PhilAsia said:

Nothing wrong with your expectation, except the new ground effect rules were Newey's life's work and RBR ignored the cost caps. From RBR down you were spot on!!

If they had "ignored" them then the overspend would have been much higher.

[vaud]

520TORQUES said:

James Vowells sticking the boot in to F1 team expansion there. He seemed quite pissed off with the reporting on this so far.

Based on that, Andretti have zero chance of getting the Ok from the teams.

Don't think they have veto rights.

[vaud]

520TORQUES said:

Based on the way CH was talking, the teams have a veto.

But he would say that... it's all a negotiation.

The only team that might hold a veto is Ferrari in my view.

[vaud]

I think Albon is being lined up for something better (Ferrari option has been rumoured). He deserves a better car, he is driving superbly.

[vaud]

deadslow said:

I don't think Vettel had led at any point in the championship until the end of the last race.

He shared the lead with Webber after Monaco, both with 78 points

Per wikipedia,"There were a record 10 changes of leadership in the title race, variously led by every top-6 finisher except Vettel, who eventually took the championship victory in the last race."

[vaud]

Ok so who gets Logan’s seat - can’t see it being renewed?

[vaud]

HustleRussell said:

He’s getting renewed I think

Surely you would have done it at a recent race, or even this one?

All the talent (many with backers) that we saw yesterday and Logan is the best they can get?

[vaud]

Mark-C said:

Pflanzgarten said:

Mark-C said:

Is Drugovich tied to anyone?

Aston Martin.

For how long? Seems a reasonable target for Williams

Anything is possible. AM would like a driver with a year or two of experience.

[vaud]

Speed Badger said:

Regarding Sergeant, he has been annihilated 22-0 by Albon in quali who isn't exactly Senna and 27 points to 1, with Albon finishing 13th in the WDC. Even Maldonado with his big sack of oil money was quick, albeit bonkers.

They he views on Albon have changed through this year - many really rate him now. Even whispers of interest from Ferrari for 2025+

[vaud]

520TORQUES said:

Most that know what they are looking at rated him long ago, he didn't cope well in the warm embrace of Helmut Marko, but who does apart from Max.

I'd love to see him in a top 4 constructor car and glad he has managed to be resilient post RB. He is also supposed to be a super nice guy off track from my limited contacts in the sport.

[vaud]

2025 speculation starts here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[vaud]

I wonder if it is a tech/It company.

NTT sponsor Indycar, The Open, Major League Baseball, etc and have a UK HQ. They are well funded and have strong Japanese backers. Would be a good fit...

[vaud]

gt_12345 said:

They should ban title sponsors. It's complete BS

Aston Martin Red Bull had nothing Aston about it

Same for Alfa Romeo.

They should ban nothing and be glad we have a full grid with minimal pay drivers (arguably none) and no junk teams…