Silly season 2021-2022-2023

[Zynerji]

Now we just need to wait for the Hamilton to McLaren announcement, so Merc can announce the Lando/Russell lineup for 2022!

[BassVirolla]

And now the real question...

Has Valtteri assumed yet that he will never be a WDC serious contender and is happy by having F1 paychecks from the bottom of the pack? Or he will stay with hopes of getting a top seat in 2024?

[BassVirolla]

Now we just need to wait for the Hamilton to McLaren announcement, so Merc can announce the Lando/Russell lineup for 2022!

It really sounds as silly season.

It would fare well for Merc and interesting for us, the fans, but I seriously doubt McLaren will let that happen. I think they need Norris much more than him needs McLaren right now.

[Hoffman900]

I’m happy for Bottas. He seems like a cool enough guy outside of F1 (he races bicycles and has a stake in a local coffee roastery). A lot of his struggles are self inflicted, but F1 fans / media seem pretty toxic as a whole too, so I think he’ll enjoy having less spotlight / media pressure.

I hope he finds his confidence like he had at Williams.

[Jolle]

And now the real question...

Has Valtteri assumed yet that he will never be a WDC serious contender and is happy by having F1 paychecks from the bottom of the pack? Or he will stay with hopes of getting a top seat in 2024?

A lot of drivers just love to race those beasts, a drive in a top car is that extra. Lots of drivers have careers like that, even a few world champions

[DChemTech]

And now the real question...

Has Valtteri assumed yet that he will never be a WDC serious contender and is happy by having F1 paychecks from the bottom of the pack? Or he will stay with hopes of getting a top seat in 2024?

I guess he realised that he will never be a serious WDC contender at Mercedes as long as Lewis is there.
Moving to AR may increase the odds at being a serious WDC contender, if AR happen to make a banger of a car next season. The odds of that may not be great, but if they're greater than the odds of beating Lewis, it's still the better option for keeping his hopes alive.

[Fulcrum]

I lost my appetite for Bottas as a result of the "To Whom it May Concern" addresses when he occasionally won a race. Completely juvenile.

Bring on the next victim, I mean, teammate.

[BassVirolla]

And now the real question...

Has Valtteri assumed yet that he will never be a WDC serious contender and is happy by having F1 paychecks from the bottom of the pack? Or he will stay with hopes of getting a top seat in 2024?

A lot of drivers just love to race those beasts, a drive in a top car is that extra. Lots of drivers have careers like that, even a few world champions

You said it way better than me. I was not trying to be harsh or downplaying Bottas, or many other drivers (Kimi what, Fernando who?). Wish I could be in place of Bottas, or even Mazepin!

[BassVirolla]

And now the real question...

Has Valtteri assumed yet that he will never be a WDC serious contender and is happy by having F1 paychecks from the bottom of the pack? Or he will stay with hopes of getting a top seat in 2024?

I guess he realised that he will never be a serious WDC contender at Mercedes as long as Lewis is there.
Moving to AR may increase the odds at being a serious WDC contender, if AR happen to make a banger of a car next season. The odds of that may not be great, but if they're greater than the odds of beating Lewis, it's still the better option for keeping his hopes alive.

That's what I mean. Is he really playing his odds, or has stepped aside and keeps racing an F1 "for amusement"?

We'll know in a couple of seasons.

[ringo]

Bottas may be holding out for a redbull or ferrari drive.
He does have a good chance of a ferrari seat if Sainz or Leclerc decide to move on.
I dont see those two as teammates there for their whole career.

So it's a done deal for George Russel then.

[Big Tea]

That said 'on a multi-year deal form Mercedes' is it just a case of bad grammar or does it mean Mercedes is paying for his drive?

[Just_a_fan]

That said 'on a multi-year deal form Mercedes' is it just a case of bad grammar or does it mean Mercedes is paying for his drive?

I think they mean "He is moving from Mercedes to Alfa and has a multi-year contract with Alfa".

[Big Tea]

That said 'on a multi-year deal form Mercedes' is it just a case of bad grammar or does it mean Mercedes is paying for his drive?

I think they mean "He is moving from Mercedes to Alfa and has a multi-year contract with Alfa".

I thought maybe Merc were 'equalising' his wages on the condition of having him back if needed.

[matt_b]

Assuming it was Valtteri's choice tells me he isn't confident Mercedes have a championship winning car next season and it wouldn't surprise me given that they can't afford in terms of resources to bring many upgrades to this years car compared to Red Bull.

[Ryar]

I feel sorry for those who have been let down by Mercedes.
A lot of people thought George didn't earn the drive at Mercedes and they presented pretty strong arguments, only to be proved wrong by Mercedes.

Good for Bottas, finally, he can have a stress free life with a lot of dignity and can redeem himself as a driver.