Formula 1 Discussion - And favourite driver?

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Ten fastest laps of the race

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Absolutely smashed it.

Will got pretty defensive and butthurt over thag Verstappen shot at the British media.
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Its looking like Bortoleto is definitely getting Bottas' seat. Autosport reporting this:

Rising Brazilian star Gabriel Bortoleto appears to have won the race to be Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber team-mate in 2025​

Jonathan NobleNov 3, 2024, 5:05 AM Upd: Nov 3, 2024, 5:07 AM

Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto looks set to race for Sauber next year, with sources revealing that a deal to join the Swiss outfit has now been agreed.

The 20-year-old had been a front-runner to become Nico Hulkenberg’s team-mate for 2025, but Sauber wanted to take its time weighing up whether to go for the youngster or stick with an experienced driver like incumbent Valtteri Bottas.

It now appears that a decision has been taken and, with Bortoleto and his representatives present in the Brazilian GP paddock this week, it is understood an agreement has been reached for next season.

It is understood that some final details still need to be sorted out before an official announcement can be made, but things are likely to be finalised in time for the next grand prix in Las Vegas.

While Bortoleto has been part of McLaren’s junior programme since the end of 2023, having captured last year’s F3 title, it is understood that the Woking-based team will not stand in his way of moving to Sauber.

Autosport reported earlier that McLaren had made it long clear to Bortoleto that it would release him from his commitment if he had a firm race deal in place, but wanted to retain ties to him if he was only offered a reserve or test deal.

Should Bortoleto’s deal to join Sauber be confirmed then it will effectively bring an end to Bottas’ hopes of staying on the F1 grid next year.

Sauber was the Finn’s only realistic option for remaining in a full-time cockpit, so if he loses that then he will have to ponder other options.

One possibility could be for Bottas to return to Mercedes as a reserve driver.
Asked about that possibility at the Mexico Grand Prix, Bottas said: “Firstly, the priority is to stay as a race driver, that’s what I want, and that’s what I’m pushing for with Mattia [Binotto, Sauber boss].

“But, of course, as I don’t have anything signed I’ve got to look at all the alternatives including going back to the Mercedes family. That’s for sure one option and I would consider it.”

Bortoleto’s arrival means that Brazil will have its first full-time grand prix driver since Felipe Massa retired at the end of 2017. In 2020, Pietro Fittipaldi raced two grands prix for Haas as a replacement for the injured Romain Grosjean.
 
Well 2025 will certainly be one of the biggest "replacement" years we had in years. While one could argue that Lawson and Bearman aren't exactly "rookies" anymore we still get a younger average field. 5 new full time drivers and maybe even a 6th should Perez get the boot
 
Coccxys said:
They're using 2025 as a training season ready for the big rule change for 2026. Next season is going to be an exciting championship with similar cars going in amd not much development and the huge amount of rookies.
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That is for sure. Mclaren and Ferrari have good packages they can build upon. Red Bull is something of a Joker. Mercedes might be in for a world of hurt if they still can't figure out how to build a car that works everywhere. And Aston might also take a break to have Newey fully work for 2026
 
The Grand Prix Drivers' Association is (rightfully) mad about the FIA, regarding the recent fiasco about swearing on the radio:
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As is the case with every sport, competitors must abide by the referee's decision, whether they like it or not, indeed whether they agree with it or not. That is how sport works. The Drivers (our members) are no different, and fully understand that.

Our members are professional drivers, racing in Formula 1, the pinnacle of international motorsport. They are the gladiators and every racing weekend they put on a great show for the fans.

With regards to swearing, there is a difference between swearing intended to insult others and more casual swearing, such as you might use to describe bad weather, or indeed an inanimate object such as a Formula 1 car, or a driving situation.

We urge the FIA President to also consider his own tone and language when talking to our member drivers, or indeed about them, whether in a public forum or otherwise. Further, our members are adults, they do not need to be given instructions via the media, about matters as trivial as the wearing of jewellery and underpants.

The GPDA has, on countless occasions, expressed its view that Driver monetary fines are not appropriate for our Sport. For the past 3 years, we have called upon the FIA President to share the details and strategy regarding how the FIA's financial fines are allocated and where the funds are spent. We have also relayed our concerns about the negative image financial fines bring to the Sport.

We once again request that the FIA President provides financial transparency and direct, open dialogue with us. All stakeholders (FIA, F1, the Teams and the GPDA) should jointly determine how and where the money is spent for the benefit of our Sport.

The GPDA wishes to collaborate in a constructive way with all the stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote our great Sport for the benefit of everyone who works in it, pays for it, watches it, and indeed loves it. We are playing our part.

Best regards, The Directors and Chairman of the GPDA on behalf of the Grand Prix Drivers
 
JoseRaulChupacabra said:
They should all just swear together. Show the FiAggots how it's done.
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Agreed, kids hear rap songs, watch movies, play video games where they hear nigger, faggot, whore, slut, motherfucker, hoe and so many other words. I would love it if every driver during a race said a curse word in every radio comm they have. Or in every post race interview. Drivers need to take the power back like they did back in the old days.
 
Coccxys said:
I really hope whenever it is decided it isn't in the last sprint. No one wants the sprint to be the championship decider.
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Balr0g said:
If all goes well it's decided in Las Vegas, we get a huge party and the rest is just the battle for constructors
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Don't worry. It's getting decided in Vegas.

Lerias said:
The Grand Prix Drivers' Association is (rightfully) mad about the FIA, regarding the recent fiasco about swearing on the radio:
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Here's hoping the increased pushback will get that fucking arab MBS thrown out of the FIA. Sandnigger money and its consequences have been a disaster for the world of motorsport.
 
Firemalzahn said:
So Doohan seems to be getting fucked over by alpine
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Doohan’s F1 drive at risk as Alpine chases Colapinto​

Jack Doohan could see his F1 career over before it begins as Alpine team bosses chase Franco Colapinto

by Mat Coch
8 November 2024

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Jack Doohan could see his F1 career over before it begins as Alpine team bosses chase Franco Colapinto. Image: Price / XPB Images

Interest in the Argentinian youngster is high following an impressive, and unexpected, start to his F1 career.

Called in to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams, Colapinto has proved a close match for Alex Albon.

With Albon set to be joined by Carlos Sainz next season, there is no race drive available for the Williams Academy star.

However, his early performances have caught the interest of rivals, with Red Bull Racing known to be interested – though sources there suggest any deal is some way off.

It is also not the only operation to have shown interest. Though not publicly stated, Alpine is understood to also harbour interest in Colapinto.

There are suggestions of other interest parties too, which comes as no surprise; Colapinto has become a hot prospect in the F1 paddock, a point Williams boss James Vowles knows full well and is looking to capitalise on.

While Red Bull’s interest is clear, it is chasing a replacement for Sergio Perez and looking to position itself for life beyond Max Verstappen too, Alpine’s is less clear cut.

The fiery Esteban Ocon will leave the team for Haas at the end of the year, which failed in its efforts to secure Sainz. Instead, it opted to promote Doohan from its Academy program.

That is an important fact as, while Alpine has done much to develop young drivers, it has an abysmal record when it comes to promoting them into F1.

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Alpine F1 driver Jack Doohan. Image: Charniaux / XPB Images

Guanyu Zhou left the program to join Sauber, while incompetence at senior management level meant Oscar Piastri was free to join McLaren.

By announcing Doohan as team-mate to Pierre Gasly for 2025 Alpine injected some much-needed credibility into its junior program, a move that could be undone in a heartbeat.

Along with his promising early performances, Colapinto brings with him backing from South America.

The Williams engine cover has been painted yellow in recent races as a result of investment from MercadoLibre, an Argentinian technology firm (headquartered in Uruguay) that posted a 2022 profit of USD $482 million on assets worth USD $13.7 billion.

Carlos Slim Domit, the billionaire behind Telmex and a strong supporter of Perez, has also suggested he’s open to backing the 20-year-old.

It makes Colapinto an attractive prospect both on track and off it at a time when Renault has made it clear that it is looking to scale back its F1 exposure.

Doohan is, quite simply, unable to match Colapinto’s commercial benefits.

Ironically, the Australian is also a greater unknown in terms of performance as, while he has completed significant mileage in older F1 machinery and an intensive simulator program in support of the race team, he has never started a grand prix.

Colapinto now has six to his name, and five points, a return that had seen the Grove squad inch clear of Alpine in the constructors’ championship (until the season-saving double-podium in Interlagos last weekend).

That Red Bull Racing is also interested lends further credibility to his potential.

Should Alpine be successful in securing Colapinto it would likely spell the end of the F1 road for Doohan.

The Australian has sacrificed himself for the team in the hope of being rewarded with an F1 race drive, and so far that remains true.

A change in that scenario now would be wholly unfair on the 21-year-old, though entirely in-keeping with Alpine’s track record of managing its junior drivers.

It must be stressed, of course, that Alpine’s 2025 line-up is confirmed, with Pierre Gasly and Doohan.

(O)(A)
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Bear in mind this is from Speedcafe, so of course it's going to have a heavy pro-Australian bias, and they're a bit Daily Mail when it comes to some of their writing, so I wouldn't take this too seriously.
 
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Supposedly Vowles wants a King's ransom to let Colapinto go and if this Alpine thing is serious, it will come down to highest bid, if Vowles doesn't fuck it all up by refusing to settle for less that Fort Knox.

I also saw an article that said RB may put him right in the main team with Max if they get him, talk about thrown in the deep end if that happens. And of course backing/money that seems to be behind him is probably going to see him get a seat, so either Doohan or Perez may be gone next year.
 
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