topic Re: FORMULA 1 2024 in Off-Topic

FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:30:46 GMT

So breaking news before the start of the 2024 season:

Lewis Hamilton appears to be making a move to Ferrari for the 2025 season

A major shock as he signed a two year contract with Mercedes last season. So whether it was one year with an opt out clause for 2025 is anyone's guess.

This seems to be anything but a silly season rumour!

MOTORSPORT: HAMILTON TO FERRARI

SKY NEWS: HAMILTON TO FERRARI FOR 2025

A lot more news happening but I'll post that later. For now, I need to go and have a lie down 😂

NB As Charles Leclerc has just signed a contract extension with Ferrari, it looks as if Lewis would be replacing Carlos Sainz.

It won't be a popular move. Also, not sure how Mercedes will handle that news THIS year as Lewis is driving for them until the end of 2024.

Will they put all their eggs in George Russells basket? (Hamilton came 3rd in the drivers championship last year and Russell came 8th)

Questions Questions!!🤔

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

MI5 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:41:49 GMT

Seb's coming back too.

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 11:54:53 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
Seb's coming back too.

Not heard that @MI5 ...who is he driving for? (Got Sky News on currently and its deadline day for transfers...but all they are talking about is Lewis.)

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

MI5 — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 12:04:39 GMT

He's currently "in talks".

Can't say anymore right now.

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 14:27:34 GMT

Right, last night I annoyed everyone by flicking over to Sky Sports News constantly.

Then Sky F1 got their presenters together for a chat about this move.

Simon Lazenby, Karun Chandok, Martin Brundle, Damon Hill and Natalie Pinkham. On video link were Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg.

All seemed to think this was a good move for Lewis. (As every F1 driver wants to race for Ferrari) Mmmmmm!!

As was generally agreed, Lewis had shown a lot of loyalty to Mercedes for the past 11 years but 2 years in a car incapable of winning races was a lot to put up with.

Then discussion about who would replace Hamilton.

My personal favourite would be Albon.

However we need to remember, Alonso is in the mix, as is Ocon and Sainz.

Also as they said, this isnt such a shock. Lewis and Fred Vasseur (Team Principal Ferrari) go way back and are friends.

As far as I'm concerned, I wont become a member of the Tifosi (Ferrari fans) I support Lewis until he hangs up his crash helmet. 😂

Mercedes team were informed yesterday.

Oscar Piastri tweeted 'I've just been out for a run. Has anything happened?' 😂

George Russell tweeted that it had been such a pleasure driving with him and let's make 2024 the best year ever.

Oh, and the only mention made of Vettel during the commentary last night was ' Maybe Seb will come back for the 2025 season? '

Lots more news about team changes of names but I'll leave that for another post.

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 22:37:37 GMT

OK, so lets get back to the 2024 season.

No driver changes this year. Many contracts finish in 2025.

Teams who heard the Hamilton 'rumours' suddenly (post 23 season) locked down their 'super' drivers.

Ferrari extended Leclerc's contract (with more money obviously)

McLaren extended Lando Norris's contract ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

According to the F1 commentators on last nights podcast, they were probably aware that teams (including Mercedes) would be looking for replacements for drivers who were leaving.

Two teams have had a name change:

Alfa Romeo will now be called Kick Sauber, or to give it the full name Stake F1 team Kick Sauber

Alpha Tauri will now become Visa Cash App RB. (pretty stupid really, calling teams after sponsors)

Will the commentary team shorten it to VCARB? 😂

Cars will be revealed on these dates:

Haas	February 2
Sauber	February 5
Williams	February 5
Alpine	February 7
Visa Cash App RB	February 8
Aston Martin	February 12
Ferrari	February 13
Mercedes	February 14
McLaren	February 14
Red Bull	February 15

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 23:07:07 GMT

Moneygram Haas VF-24

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

madasaf1sh — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 11:50:14 GMT

What the hell is wrong with the teams and some of the names...

What are your thoughts @Cleoriff on the Andretti Saga, which seems to have put the FIA and F1 on a collision course. and it seems to all be about the engine not been a GM F1 engine...

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:19:01 GMT

@madasaf1sh

I think there's a lot more to this rejection of Andretti than we are lead to believe.

Firstly, in October 23 the proposal was virtually agreed by the F1A. It had to pass the Commercial requirements from FI.

Then Formula One Management (FOM) released this lengthy statement about why they couldn't admit them.

Yes a fair bit about the engine 'unsuitable for 25/26 but would meet the criteria for 2028?' WHY?

All regulations are changing for 2026 and this would be ideal for them.

Also, Andretti said today they lied about non attendance at a meeting in December. Apparently they were never invited!

F1 also stated the commercial stakeholders felt it wasn't a suitable time.

Personally I think the current 10 teams were against it. (or most of them were) All down to money imo. They were concerned that the shareout would affect their share of the money given at the season start.

I think it's a real shame. The car was built. Had spent time in the wind tunnel testing.

A blow for the USA who have really opened their hearts to F1. We race at 3 venues in America and yet we cant have a real US team?

Brundle agrees that this decision will cause friction between F1 and the FIA.

Mind you there is already friction between Liberty Media and Mohammed Ben Sulayem!!

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:22:24 GMT

PS, talk about 'burying news'

The news about Hamiltons move to Ferrari...looks as if it was timed to push the Andretti saga to the bottom of the F1 'ocean!

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

MI5 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:28:00 GMT

@Cleoriff wrote:
..........this decision will cause friction between F1 and the FIA.

Bring back Bernie to sort them out again 😂

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:44:11 GMT

I give up with this forum. Unread posts shows @MI5 responded to this thread at 2.28pm.

Can I see it? No I can't. What a waste of time!

EDIT: Now I can see it. Getting ridiculous. 😂

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:46:47 GMT

@MI5 wrote:
@Cleoriff wrote:
..........this decision will cause friction between F1 and the FIA.

Bring back Bernie to sort them out again 😂

Bring back Bernie? He's as mad as a box of frogs 😂

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

MI5 — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 14:56:41 GMT

We wouldn't have F1 today if not for him, but yes, can't argue with that assessment

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

pgn — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 17:54:04 GMT

One wonders how many more of the Mercedes Team will cross to Ferrari when Hamilton makes his move next year? Bono, Shovlin... 🤔

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

jonsie — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 17:33:43 GMT

I'm hoping for a much better F1 season's viewing and exciting

Thought last season was dull, boring and altogether inevitable

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 19:15:34 GMT

@jonsie wrote:
I'm hoping for a much better F1 season's viewing and exciting
Thought last season was dull, boring and altogether inevitable

Totally agree @jonsie

I just can't bear the smug face of Horner! Not a Max fan either.

Spent most of last season watching the midfield action. Also enjoying Lewis showing the 'great white hope' (his team mate) just who was boss.😂

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 19:19:13 GMT

Also, more on Lewis's replacement..... the front runner currently, is Fernando Alonso!!.

You heard it here first.......🤐 🤗

Don't think Russell would be very happy. 😂

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 19:59:42 GMT

@pgn wrote:
One wonders how many more of the Mercedes Team will cross to Ferrari when Hamilton makes his move next year? Bono, Shovlin... 🤔

Funny you should ask that @pgn ...

Loic Serra, who was head of vehicle dynamics for 5 years and has been performance director for 5 years (at Mercedes) is moving to Ferrari to work on their 2025 engine.....

I have wondered about Bono (Pete Bonnington). He has been Lewis's race engineer for 10 years

Re: FORMULA 1 2024

Cleoriff — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 21:51:09 GMT

And.... @pgn ...

Mercedes F1 boss Wolff says that the team is set to discuss a possible move to Ferrari by Hamilton's race engineer Bonnington.

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mercedes-bonnington-f1-future-hamilton-ferrari/10571996/