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2024 Formula 1 Season thread
- Thread starter Apple fanboy
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100% agree. LeClerc and Sainz have excellent chemistry and with LeClerc signed through 2029, giving Carlos a 3-year extension through 2027 would provide solid driver stability for the team, which I see as important to support Vasseur's overhaul of the technical team. LeClerc is the defacto #1 of the team right now, but is that going to be the case when Lewis arrives? And is Lewis comfortable - and willing - to play #2 to ride out his career?
If this is true, I can only see this as a sign that either Lewis has lost any faith in Mercedes having resolved their issues with the current chassis and a belief that their 2026 car will be flawed because of this, as well, or the wind tunnel and computer modeling for the W15 must really look ugly.
As for breaking his contract with Mercedes, we know the top drivers all have "escape" clauses, but with Lewis 3rd in the WDC and AMG 2nd in the WCC, either that clause was "win the WDC in 2023" or Ferrari is going to pay an insane amount of money not just for Lewis' salary, but to buy out his remaining AMG salary.
Sainz gone? Is this an actual thing that is happening or are you al just speculating for 2025 and beyond?
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Unlikely. I expect McLaren to have the pace in 2024. I’d be willing to gamble that Hamilton knows something about the W15.
Sainz only signed a 1 year extension and Charles has signed a multi year deal. If Lewis does go to Ferrari then Sainz is out and likely going to Audi or somewhere like that I would imagine.
I think Lewis knows the gap is too large to close in 2024 and he is running out of years left. He could waste another few years at Mercedes or take a gamble with Ferrari. The Scuderia will pay big money for Lewis too due to his market appeal and racing record. It would mean Lewis is sticking around for a few more years yet and even if he never wins another championship, he ends his career with a hell of a legacy and Ferrari on his CV. He has given Mercedes a big return on their investment and given them and himself a lot of success. The moment a team no longer offers a competitive enough package, they have to expect their drivers to consider other options.
I certainly hope Lando has the pace in 2024 and the future is bright at McLaren, a Ferrari winning regardless of whether I like the driver in it, is never something I like to see. Its the 'garagistas' every time for me
Speculation, but if Lewis is moving then where would Sainz go? They don't have three seats and Charles is already extended.
I think Lewis knows the gap is too large to close in 2024 and he is running out of years left. He could waste another few years at Mercedes or take a gamble with Ferrari. The Scuderia will pay big money for Lewis too due to his market appeal and racing record. It would mean Lewis is sticking around for a few more years yet and even if he never wins another championship, he ends his career with a hell of a legacy and Ferrari on his CV. He has given Mercedes a big return on their investment and given them and himself a lot of success. The moment a team no longer offers a competitive enough package, they have to expect their drivers to consider other options.
I certainly hope Lando has the pace in 2024 and the future is bright at McLaren, a Ferrari winning regardless of whether I like the driver in it, is never something I like to see. Its the 'garagistas' every time for me
I agree. Max is probably the only driver on the grid who doesn’t care about having a stint at Ferrari. Simply my opinion, however it does seem like Max is active already in planning an exit from F1 after 2028.
I‘m of the opinion we will see him owing a very successful GT3 Team some day.
No where near the money, or celebrity of F1, but if this years Rolex 24hr was any prelude it’s hard to find more exciting racing today than IMSA.
So it is confirmed across the Formula One community that Lewis is moving to Ferrari for 2025. What a shocker and something I didn't see coming. Good for him and I hope Mercedes find a suitable replacement with George rubbing his hands together and aiming to be top driver there.
At the moment, I see it as a mistake, but time will tell.
Guess Sainz will go to Stake in 2025 to warm the seat until he joins the Audi factory team.
Be interesting who they get to pair Russel.
And what of 2024? Do Lewis' senior engineers now swap to George to help him? Or do they stay with Lewis?
Guess Sainz will go to Stake in 2025 to warm the seat until he joins the Audi factory team.
Be interesting who they get to pair Russel.
And what of 2024? Do Lewis' senior engineers now swap to George to help him? Or do they stay with Lewis?
I think the hunger is still to get an 8th title, 7th WDC with Lewis at Mercedes. Unless the relationship seems strained in the coming weeks, I doubt there will be a shift just yet. Mercedes will want George to learn as much off Lewis in the next 10 months as he can.
Lewis rejoins his old GP2 boss Frédéric Vasseur at Ferrari and it may end up not getting him an eighth title but it’s very difficult to make a mistake this late in his career. If the desire is to drive for Ferrari, he’ll end up like Vettel where a key milestone is ticked off.
I presume he can. Just wondering if Mercedes would prefer to promote one of their extended family of drivers and Sainz has been linked with Audi if he did not continue with Ferrari.
That’s a possibility. But until 2024 kicks off it’s not going to be obvious if that’s a trade up or down!
My feeling is they will want a younger driver.
Now what if Ferrari are the second best team this year? Lewis decision could look inspired. However if Mercedes are, it will look like madness.
There was suggestions a straight swap wasn’t being considered, but there are a lot of rumours around all this at the moment.
Oh for sure.
Very demotivating for Carlos on the cusp of a new season too. I know that’s the nature of the beast but it’s pretty savage. Might motivate him to win this season though, a bit like Kimi when it was announced he was losing his seat there. He drove pretty well in his last season at the Scuderia.
I think Albon would be a good fit at Merc personally. He’s matured into a very good driver and I’m sure Mercedes with their links to Williams would be able to get him.
I really hope Sainz will disobey Ferrari a bit more this year, and drives for himself. That could be interesting.
I wonder what the tifosi thinks of this. Could be a clash of cultures between the Lewis fanbase and that of Scuderia Ferrari. Very surprising move.
I wonder what the tifosi thinks of this. Could be a clash of cultures between the Lewis fanbase and that of Scuderia Ferrari. Very surprising move.
Going to be interesting how this all happened. Around mid-season last year the Italian sports media floated rumors Lewis was considering signing for Ferrari and everyone thought it was just Ferrari making smoke to cover a lack-luster season - especially as Lewis soon signed his contract extension with Mercedes through the end of 2025. Guess the media actually sniffed out Lewis and Ferrari were working on a deal and Lewis put an "escape clause" into his contract extension that would allow him to jump ship at the end of this year.
Williams losing Albon would hurt them so much, though, right as they are starting to see the pay-offs from all the investment Carlton has put into the team. That being said, half the field has current contract expirations at the end of this season so maybe they can get someone decent to replace him.
I want to think Ferrari would not deliberately screw him over. If for no other reason they would also be screwing themselves over.
I'd really like to see Alex in there. It will be interesting to how eager drivers are to jump at this. Perhaps 6 or 7 contenders. Lewis must be seeing that the W15/W16 is a dog, and that Mercedes is completely focused on the 2026 W17. I'm not convinced Ferrari will be the main competition to the RB20. I think the MCL38 is going to be very fast and consistent.
This could end up as simply a lateral move for Lewis. Time will tell. I don't see this as a guaranteed chance at #8 at all.I don't see Leclerc moving over for him. This has all the markings of another Hamilton/Rosberg 2016 (F1 would love that.)
If Ferrari were not up front with Leclerc when he re-signed that would be unfortunate, but not unprecedented. Will be interesting to see which way the pendulum swings..........
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