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Formula One 2020


Lineker

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The further the new regulations get pushed back, the more championships Hamilton and Mercedes win.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I will always remember him as the commentator on Grand Prix Manager 2.

Those soundbites are burned into my head.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

It's official.

https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/formula1/articles/scuderia-ferrari-mission-winnow-and-sebastian-vettel-decide-not-to-extend-their-contract

 

Quote

Maranello 12 May 2020

Maranello, 12 May 2020 - Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow and Sebastian Vettel have jointly decided not to extend the current contract covering Sebastian’s services as a driver with the team, beyond its current expiry date of the end of the 2020 Formula 1 season.

Mattia Binotto, Managing Director Gestione Sportiva and Team Principal

"This is a decision taken jointly by ourselves and Sebastian, one which both parties feel is for the best. It was not an easy decision to reach, given Sebastian’s worth as a driver and as a person. There was no specific reason that led to this decision, apart from the common and amicable belief that the time had come to go our separate ways in order to reach our respective objectives.

Sebastian is already part of the Scuderia’s history, with his 14 Grands Prix wins making him the third most successful driver for the team, while he is also the one who has scored the most points with us. In our five years together, he has finished in the top three of the Drivers’ Championship three times, making a significant contribution to the team’s constant presence in the top three of the Constructors’ classification.

On behalf of everyone at Ferrari, I want to thank Sebastian for his great professionalism and the human qualities he has displayed over these five years, during which we shared so many great moments. We have not yet managed to win a world title together, which would be a fifth for him, but we believe that we can still get a lot out of this unusual 2020 season."

Sebastian Vettel #5

"My relationship with Scuderia Ferrari will finish at the end of 2020. In order to get the best possible results in this sport, it’s vital for all parties to work in perfect harmony. The team and I have realised that there is no longer a common desire to stay together beyond the end of this season. Financial matters have played no part in this joint decision. That’s not the way I think when it comes to making certain choices and it never will be.

What’s been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life. One needs to use one’s imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future.

Scuderia Ferrari occupies a special place in Formula 1 and I hope it gets all the success it deserves. Finally, I want to thank the whole Ferrari family and above all its “tifosi” all around the world, for the support they have given me over the years. My immediate goal is to finish my long stint with Ferrari, in the hope of sharing some more beautiful moments together, to add to all those we have enjoyed so far."

Even without an F1 season, Silly Season is back in force!

I think you can definitely put the biggest odds on Ricciardo, Sainz, Hulkenberg, or Alonso (in that order, most likely) to replace Sebastian. I think Ferrari are most interested in a solid driver next to Leclerc who seems to be the #1 driver for the forseeable future. Ricciardo is known to be able to get along with everyone, but he's competitive as hell and might not be inclined to be the Irvine to Leclerc's Michael.

Sainz has shown a lot of growth the past seasons, ever since he got away from the Red Bull system. But he's also shown to have a competitive streak with drivers, and you can imagine that at 25 he wants to be a winner and not a second fiddle to a guy younger than him.

Alonso, well, it's Alonso. He's got the talent to win races, but he's bringing so much baggage with him that his car will probably be 200kg too heavy by his mere presence. And again, I doubt Alonso is going back to F1 to be a second fiddle to anybody, let alone a 22 year old.

Then you have Hulk, and i'm super biased because he's my #1 driver. He's a mature driver, never had real bad history towards teammates, he's extremely consistent, but he's got torrid luck with bottling whenever a podium is in sight. He's probably got no issue in being the wingman to Leclerc if it means a chance to get back into F1, and 2020 being semi cancelled might be a blessing for Hulk because he's not missed too much missable action. Also, it could be his redemption to get that goddamn podium!

 

Edited by Jasonmufc
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To add more emotion to the Hulkenberg pick, it would also mean that #27 is back on a Ferrari.

This is probably the biggest driver change in the last ten years, moreso than Rosberg's retirement, because it's going to have such a ripple effect throughout the grid. I'd love to see Ricciardo in the seat with Vettel at Renault, but Sainz at Ferrari, Ricciardo at McLaren and Vettel at Renault would also be interesting.

Either way I don't think we'll see Vettel competing at the top again for a while, if ever.

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8 minutes ago, MJB said:

How about Bottas?

Solid driver, not spectacular. Has experienced playing the #2 role and would bring knowledge from Mercedes as well as de-stabilising them.

Seeing Toto Wolff is Valtteri's manager still(?), I genuinely doubt Bottas would ever go to Ferrari unless something crazy happens. Also, right now his job is safe. Of course it might change in the future as George Russell is the future for Mercedes, but right now Bottas seems like the most stable presence for Mercedes.

 

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22 minutes ago, Jasonmufc said:

Seeing Toto Wolff is Valtteri's manager still(?), I genuinely doubt Bottas would ever go to Ferrari unless something crazy happens. Also, right now his job is safe. Of course it might change in the future as George Russell is the future for Mercedes, but right now Bottas seems like the most stable presence for Mercedes.

 

I'm pretty sure this isn't true anymore.

I will concede that his previous alignments make it unlikely. However, let's not forget that Wolff has recently purchased shares in the Aston Martin-Stroll collaboration and has himself been linked with a move away from Mercedes in recent times.

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I think Bottas' best move would be to try and have a conversation with Ferrari and see how much Mercedes are willing to pay to keep him. He would take more than just his driving skills across the divide.

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