2025 Driver Market

[MonteCristo]

Bottom post of the previous page:

And this is why putting Ricciardo back in the junior team and having Lawson sit on the bench for most of the season comes to bite Red Bull. It had zero sense at the start and looks even more stupid now. Ricciardo stat padding until late September was completely useless and now they can't evaluate Lawson because he hasn't had enough time in the car. Duh.

I can half see the logic of bringing Dan into the team mid-season last year. But running Dan full time in 2024 was lunacy.

In fact, from the races Liam and Dan finished in 2023, despite Lawson being brand new to F1, his average finishing position was 12.2, while Dan's was 12.7.

Dan also had a DNF that I didn't count, plus he crashed at the Dutch GP from his own error and didn't start (both of which would lower his average, so I'm being kind there).

Make it make sense, Horner/Marko!

As I said in the race preview, Marko is guilty of turning a blind eye to facts

[Aty]

And this is why putting Ricciardo back in the junior team and having Lawson sit on the bench for most of the season comes to bite Red Bull. It had zero sense at the start and looks even more stupid now. Ricciardo stat padding until late September was completely useless and now they can't evaluate Lawson because he hasn't had enough time in the car. Duh.

I can half see the logic of bringing Dan into the team mid-season last year. But running Dan full time in 2024 was lunacy.

In fact, from the races Liam and Dan finished in 2023, despite Lawson being brand new to F1, his average finishing position was 12.2, while Dan's was 12.7.

Dan also had a DNF that I didn't count, plus he crashed at the Dutch GP from his own error and didn't start (both of which would lower his average, so I'm being kind there).

Make it make sense, Horner/Marko!

As I said in the race preview, Marko is guilty of turning a blind eye to facts

I am lacking even minimal understanding one senses in pleasure bashing Helmut Marko, but whatever. I've read some time ago contrary what is being said in here. The executive who actually pushed a Dutch driver out and re-hired DR was (alledgedly) Horner, and he has done it despite objections by Austrians.

Hard to believe anything one is served to read. Lies are not a crime. In fact, it was said recently, Horner is considering to re-hire DR back into some undefined function within a team. If it doesn't work, it gives people new material for bashing Marko. it's not going to get wasted.

[Aty]

Kevin is moving...

Kevin Magnussen will race for BMW in endurance racing next season, with the news being announced prior to the F1 season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may be the 32-year-old's final F1 race, but with no seat for 2025, it was only a matter of time before his plans for the year were revealed.

The Haas driver joins BMW M Motorsport's works LMDh programme, which competes in both IMSA and WEC, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

[DoubleFart]

Cool move for him.

[XcraigX]

The executive who actually pushed a Dutch driver out and re-hired DR was (alledgedly) Horner, and he has done it despite objections by Austrians.

Maybe Daniel had the secret texts before anyone else and forced Christian's hand in re-signing him?

[Everso Biggyballies]

The executive who actually pushed a Dutch driver out and re-hired DR was (alledgedly) Horner, and he has done it despite objections by Austrians.

Maybe Daniel had the secret texts before anyone else and forced Christian's hand in re-signing him?

Daniel and Sergio both.

[MonteCristo]

The executive who actually pushed a Dutch driver out and re-hired DR was (alledgedly) Horner, and he has done it despite objections by Austrians.

Maybe Daniel had the secret texts before anyone else and forced Christian's hand in re-signing him?

Daniel and Sergio both.

Sergio has the unreleased texts.

[Aty]

A few words on Ocon's departure...

Haas boss denies knowledge of Ocon's Alpine axe

https://www.grandprix.com/news/haas-bos ... e-axe.html

It was axe, as I've suggested earlier. Insiders are surprised by that move, but that's Briatore at work.

[Everso Biggyballies]

A few words on Ocon's departure...

Haas boss denies knowledge of Ocon's Alpine axe

https://www.grandprix.com/news/haas-bos ... e-axe.html

It was axe, as I've suggested earlier. Insiders are surprised by that move, but that's Briatore at work.

Komatsu isnt exactly telling the truth either...... his story re "consistency is. important" being the reason why Bearman was not doing an FP1 is simply not true. Its bullsh*t.

For instance, he said Haas' 2025 driver Oliver Bearman won't even be driving in free practice. Everything just has to be as consistent as possible. I told Ollie that, and he understand it completely, Komatsu said.

Bearman is actually no longer eligible to do FP1s as he no longer meets the rookie criteria. He has driven more than 2 races already. That makes him ineligible to do an FP1 which is for giving rookies seat time. A rookie cannot have done more than 2 races

In fact Bearman is also ineligible to do the post season test for the same reason. That permits that one senior driver and one rookie can participate for each team. Ocon is taking the position of the Haas senior driver and Haas will need to nominate an eligible rookie to fill the other spot.

As for Ocon being dumped it is indeed a strange decision given the WCC position is so tight. But it is nothing to do with Komatsu as to how Alpine make their decisions. He asked Alpine if it would be OK for Ocon to test for Haas post season. Alpine said yes. They have kept their word and agreement.

That Alpine chose to drop Ocon for Abu Dhabi is their prerogative. Clearly there have been bad vibes between Ocon and Alpine since he took both Alpine's out of Monaco on the opening lap by pig headed foolishness. His. future was on the line at the time, and there was talk of him being suspended then. It was certainly not long after that time Alpine announced he would be leaving the team. He was no longer part of the Alpine plan.

In choosing Doohan over Ocon for the final race is Alpine wanting to move on, yes its is odd, but clearly they have faith in Doohan to do a similar job to what Ocon might have done in Abu Dhabi. Blind faith perhaps,.... but it is their decision. They clearly want him to gt an F1 race under his belt before the start of next season.

[Aty]

There are some commercial considerations (as opposed to predominantly sporting). In a side-by-side test Doohan vs. Mick, Schumacher was faster according some reports I've read, yet dropped regardless of that smelly and farcical comedy which was set up as a "democratic" process for avoidance of media critique. Mick never had a chance. It seems the decision was made before the test.

Maybe this explains it:

Flavio Briatore returned to Enstone having initially been hired as an executive advisor by the President of the Renault group, Luca de Meo. Lucky for Jack Doohan, his manager is none other than the former Italian director of Renault F1 and Benetton, Flavio Briatore. There is no doubt that the situation undoubtedly helped promote the Australian into the ranks of F1 drivers.

https://www.motorsinside.com/en/f1/news ... lpine.html

[Everso Biggyballies]

There are some commercial considerations (as opposed to predominantly sporting). In a side-by-side test Doohan vs. Mick, Schumacher was faster according some reports I've read,

Not quite correct ..... Jack was quicker over one lap and qualifying sims. Mick was faster in long runs. It was felt Jack offered better potential and would very quickly optimise his long runs with experience. . Jack's lack of long run pace was put down to his lack of any racing since he was in F2 last year whereas Mick has raced all year in WEC.

There is no doubt the Fav factor did no harm to Jack. Another factor is that Jack had come through the Alpine Academy and Alpine wanted that to be reflected in their choice. After the Piastri controversy they wanted to perhaps justify its existence.

[Aty]

Jack had come through the Alpine Academy and Alpine wanted that to be reflected in their choice.

In view of such desire, Schumacher then wasted his time in participating what was a losing proposition for his case even before car pulled out of pits area.

- Alpine wanted a man from their academy (x for Mick)
- Briatore wants a slice of Doohan dosh (x for Mick)

Say no more. Today Mick is out, and with high degree of certainty, out for good. May it please all of his detractors.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Jack had come through the Alpine Academy and Alpine wanted that to be reflected in their choice.

In view of such desire, Schumacher then wasted his time in participating what was a losing proposition for his case even before car pulled out of pits area.

- Alpine wanted a man from their academy (x for Mick)
- Briatore wants a slice of Doohan dosh (x for Mick)

Say no more. Today Mick is out, and with high degree of certainty, out for good. May it please all of his detractors.

Alpine saw more potential in Jack (X for Mick)

[Aty]

We will discuss the future of both teams, team advisor Dr Helmut Marko revealed on Sunday. And the lineups of both teams will be decided tomorrow - Monday.

When asked when the decision will be announced, Marko answered: "I don't think it will be tomorrow. And of course we will wait for the results of Yuki (Tsunoda's) test.

That's promising.

[Aty]

Fernando Alonso claimed that 2024 Formula 2 champion and 2025 Sauber Formula 1 driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, is the best of the group of rookies joining the sport next year.

Well, that makes me feel better after post season testing. First impression of his performance was little clouded.

[Aty]

Horner confirms Tsunoda and Lawson 'would be the candidates' to replace Perez for 2025

Very comedic statement. We were promised this week decision and announcement about Perez's future with the RB, and all what we are getting instead are names for consideration as his potential replacement? How tiring, and boring.

Horner also addressed the next steps in the process with Perez, as Red Bull work out how they can get back in the constructors’ fight in 2025.