Formula 1

[D365]

Very interesting qualifying session, probably more so than last weeks.

Spoiler

Despite all the expectation of another Hamilton show!

 

[KashmireHawker]

In some other news, the 7 Time World Champion has tonight had the International Pit Straight at Silverstone named in his honour, by the track's owners the BRDC - as a result of his record shattering season.

It is forever now known as The Hamilton Straight and is the only bit of the Northamptonshire venue, to be named after a driver.

Roll on a terrific Finale tommorow!

 

[D365]

Good that Hamilton is finally getting a piece of tarmac named for him. Vettel and Schumacher have had Nürburgring corners named after them for several years now.

 

[greatvoyager]

It’s good that they are finally doing that.

 

[DarloRich]

Social media say that Perez to Red Bull is good as done this evening

 

[jb108822]

Social media say that Perez to Red Bull is good as done this evening

Can't say I'm overly surprised at this. At least Checo should remain on the grid for another year at the very least. I do feel for Albon, in that he's shown promise but just hasn't quite delivered on it, though how much of that is down to the car being difficult to drive for anyone not called Max Verstappen is another thing. My guess is he'll take a year out and hope to get back on the grid for 2022.

 

[DelW]

Alex Albon is a decent driver, and seems to be a decent guy, but he's had a season and a half to prove himself, and hasn't really delivered the way a team at RB's level expect. At his best he's been close to Max, but much of the time he's been mid-field, or even been out-performed by Pierre Gasly.
Personally, I'd like to see Perez join Max at Red Bull, and Gasly and Albon in direct competition at Alpha Tauri, but I suspect the Tsunoda deal is too firmly established for that to happen.

 

[Darandio]

I think it's a struggle to say he's even been close to Verstappen this season. In races when looking at positions then maybe, but there are too many variables (both luck and strategic) in a race that can skew the result. Qualifying is where the real measure lies and in particular one lap pace with the same equipment. Albon was outqualified in every single race and the closest he ever got to Verstappen was within 0.295 of a second, anyone with even the slightest knowledge of Formula 1 knows that is a huge margin.

 

[Domh245]

Personally, I'd like to see Perez join Max at Red Bull, and Gasly and Albon in direct competition at Alpha Tauri, but I suspect the Tsunoda deal is too firmly established for that to happen.

The Tsunoda deal is very firmly established, indeed based on some reports, Dr Marko wanted him in the Red Bull in 2021! I think Tsunoda is the main threat to Albon's career, although with talks about Gasly wanting to leave Alpha Tauri, I don't think it's implausible for Albon to go back to them in 2022, with Tsunoda in the main team

 

[LOL The Irony]

Red Bull Mexico just tweeted this

https://twitter.com/redbullMEX/status/1339919387655090176

Which pretty much confirms Checo at RB

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Dec 2020 ==

CHECO CONFIRMED!!!!

https://twitter.com/redbullracing/status/1339933414615642112?s=20

 

[Domh245]

What shocking and entirely unexpected news!

 

[PG]

Wonder what Checo had got lined up for 2022?
He said at the last race if he wasn't in F1 in 2021 he was certain he'd be back the following year...

 

[DarloRich]

Wonder what Checo had got lined up for 2022?
He said at the last race if he wasn't in F1 in 2021 he was certain he'd be back the following year...

I have seen talk on social media that Perez said he had a Williams seat for 2022. He only has a one year deal with Red Bull. Think i would try for a contract extension at Red Bull!

Can't say I'm overly surprised at this. At least Checo should remain on the grid for another year at the very least. I do feel for Albon, in that he's shown promise but just hasn't quite delivered on it, though how much of that is down to the car being difficult to drive for anyone not called Max Verstappen is another thing. My guess is he'll take a year out and hope to get back on the grid for 2022.

Alex Albon is a decent driver, and seems to be a decent guy, but he's had a season and a half to prove himself, and hasn't really delivered the way a team at RB's level expect. At his best he's been close to Max, but much of the time he's been mid-field, or even been out-performed by Pierre Gasly.
Personally, I'd like to see Perez join Max at Red Bull, and Gasly and Albon in direct competition at Alpha Tauri, but I suspect the Tsunoda deal is too firmly established for that to happen.

I think it's a struggle to say he's even been close to Verstappen this season. In races when looking at positions then maybe, but there are too many variables (both luck and strategic) in a race that can skew the result. Qualifying is where the real measure lies and in particular one lap pace with the same equipment. Albon was outqualified in every single race and the closest he ever got to Verstappen was within 0.295 of a second, anyone with even the slightest knowledge of Formula 1 knows that is a huge margin.

Albon is a good talent, quick and from what I have heard from people in the know he is well liked by the team and is a really good guy. The problem is he just wasn't close enough to Verstappen. Red Bull need to be finishing 1/2 or 3/4 not 3rd and 9th. Also as said above he was never close to Verstappen in qualifying.

I think the pressure and expectation at being at a front running team was too much for him and there is no time to bed in and no time to learn form mistakes. That's what life at the top of anything is like.

 

[PG]

I have seen talk on social media that Perez said he had a Williams seat for 2022.

So are Williams expecting George Russell to be snapped up by Merc for 2022 or would they be serving Latifi with his P45?

 

[LOL The Irony]

So are Williams expecting George Russell to be snapped up by Merc for 2022 or would they be serving Latifi with his P45?

I fully expect George at Merc in 2022 (he's technically on loan to Williams) if Bottas has another stinker or Lewis retires in 2021.

 

[greatvoyager]

Red Bull Mexico just tweeted this

https://twitter.com/redbullMEX/status/1339919387655090176

Which pretty much confirms Checo at RB

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Dec 2020 ==

CHECO CONFIRMED!!!!

https://twitter.com/redbullracing/status/1339933414615642112?s=20

View attachment 87285

I think this will be the most interesting pairing next year.

 

[D365]

Does anyone believe there is a realistic chance of Mazepin losing his seat? As much as it pains me to say, I think he’ll spend at least 2021 in the Haas. I hope I’m proven wrong.

 

[Domh245]

Does anyone believe there is a realistic chance of Mazepin losing his seat? As much as it pains me to say, I think he’ll spend at least 2021 in the Haas. I hope I’m proven wrong.

Zero chance unfortunately - Mazepin sr is basically keeping Haas afloat now. Best that can realistically be hoped for is that Nikita gets the Frosty welcome he deserves and is made to feel uncomfortable and look a fool both in the car, and in the paddock (eg interviewers refusing to interview him or otherwise making it clear they aren't happy)

 

[KashmireHawker]

Freelance Journalist Marco Rossi, says he Haas have become increasingly worried about damage between themselves and sponsors, as a result of Niketa Maezpin's actions and that "alternatives are being to be seriously considered."

Also the Russian has deleted all traces of F1 stuff from his accounts and Pietro Fittipaldi has put "Haas F1 Driver" on to his Social bios.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Does anyone believe there is a realistic chance of Mazepin losing his seat? As much as it pains me to say, I think he’ll spend at least 2021 in the Haas. I hope I’m proven wrong.

See

Freelance Journalist Marco Rossi, says he Haas have become increasingly worried about damage between themselves and sponsors, as a result of Niketa Maezpin's actions and that "alternatives are being to be seriously considered."

Also the Russian has deleted all traces of F1 stuff from his accounts and Pietro Fittipaldi has put "Haas F1 Driver" on to his Social bios.

So yes, a very real chance that it's happening. Here's the tweet https://twitter.com/MarcoRossiEN/status/1340822837242830848. If you want proof of his reliability, he reported Albon being made a reserve driver and replaced by Perez 4 days before it happened.

In other news, the only thing they have to sort out with Lewis's contract is the length. I'm guessing it'll be a 3 year contract with a get out clause after 2022.

 

[greatvoyager]

Zero chance unfortunately - Mazepin sr is basically keeping Haas afloat now. Best that can realistically be hoped for is that Nikita gets the Frosty welcome he deserves and is made to feel uncomfortable and look a fool both in the car, and in the paddock (eg interviewers refusing to interview him or otherwise making it clear they aren't happy)

Sad that this is the case, there are a lot of brilliant drivers who deserve a seat who have missed out.

 

[PG]

Freelance Journalist Marco Rossi, says he Haas have become increasingly worried about damage between themselves and sponsors, as a result of Niketa Maezpin's actions and that "alternatives are being to be seriously considered."

Also the Russian has deleted all traces of F1 stuff from his accounts and Pietro Fittipaldi has put "Haas F1 Driver" on to his Social bios.

Seems Mazezpin is confirmed at Haas for next year.

"Haas F1 Team would like to reaffirm that Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher will form its driver line-up for the 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship," Haas said in a statement.

 

[greatvoyager]

I think Sergio is going to do a solid job for Red Bull, although he probably will have to play second fiddle to Max.

 

[PG]

Was watching a post race interview Perez gave where he was enthusing about Racing Point and how he loved the team. Makes me wonder if his 2022 option was to return there i.e. Vettels contract has a get-out clause after one year?
I guess its a mute point now that he's got the Red Bull seat.

 

[D365]

I guess its a mute point now that he's got the Red Bull seat.

Not entirely. RB only gave Perez a one year contract, so his 2022 option could still be useful if necessary (e.g. RB are keen to bring Albon back).

 

[gswindale]

Lewis Hamilton is to be knighted

New Year Honours: Lewis Hamilton knighted as Rob Burrow becomes MBE

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is knighted in the New Year Honours, with Rob Burrow, Anne Keothavong and Jimmy Greaves becoming MBEs.

www.bbc.co.uk

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been knighted in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The Briton, 35, sealed a seventh drivers' title at the Turkish Grand Prix in November - equalling Michael Schumacher's championships record.

 

[Bald Rick]

Lewis Hamilton is to be knighted

New Year Honours: Lewis Hamilton knighted as Rob Burrow becomes MBE

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is knighted in the New Year Honours, with Rob Burrow, Anne Keothavong and Jimmy Greaves becoming MBEs.

www.bbc.co.uk

Very oddly, although it has been announced that Lewis is to be Knighted, (long overdue in my opinion), he doesn’t appear in the official list:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948421/New_Year_Honours_List_2021.pdf

Perhaps it was a late inclusion once he won the 7th title.

 

[Domh245]

Very oddly, although it has been announced that Lewis is to be Knighted, (long overdue in my opinion), he doesn’t appear in the official list:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/948421/New_Year_Honours_List_2021.pdf

Perhaps it was a late inclusion once he won the 7th title.

It's because he's had to be "fudged in" on the FCO's list because of his Monaco residence

 

[Bald Rick]

It's because he's had to be "fudged in" on the FCO's list because of his Monaco residence

Ah, thank you, that explains it.

 

[D365]

Did people make as much of a deal out of it when Button or DC moved to Monaco?