Silly season 2021-2022-2023

[LHamilton]

Looks like people like Hulkenberg or Giovinazzi ain't in the running if you go by "younger" and "older" as it is implied in the tweet (which in it's turn refer to AMuS). I would guess it's either Zhou if money speaks, or Alfa decides that they would take Pourchaire a year early. Can't really see it being anyone else.

EDIT: On second notice, I noticed that it was "the" paddock saying it a "younger" driver rather than an "older" driver and not Vasseur himself. So the reliablility of those claims does come down somewhat. Still, I think it's either Zhou or Pourchaire.

[Big Tea]

There is an old adage that has much truth. It is not what you know as much as who you know.
An average driver with lots of contacts for development money must look a good deal when you know who your No1 driver is going to be and what he will need to get results.
Botas and some tie in to a top company must look a good option. If the driver of the second car is above Mazipin level so much the better.
As for the straight choice of keep the driver they have or swap for an untried driver, I see that as no brainer, unless he comes with frills. Gio looks as good as any option and he has a year development/acclimatisation with the team

[MattWellsyWells]

Pourchaire has posted a photo of himself in the Sauber simulator today but not sure if that bears any significance.

[politburo]

Average gap to pole this season.

[PlatinumZealot]

Zhou looks like the best deal.

[DChemTech]

Zhou looks like the best deal.

And confirmed. Big bucks for Alfa next year.

[codetower]

I'm a little saddened by the Giovinazzi news. I'm not going to say I'm surprised, but I was hoping they would give him one more season in the new car, with the upgraded Ferrari engine. But It's difficult to pass up on the money, I suppose.

[nokivasara]

I'm a little saddened by the Giovinazzi news. I'm not going to say I'm surprised, but I was hoping they would give him one more season in the new car, with the upgraded Ferrari engine. But It's difficult to pass up on the money, I suppose.

I agree, would have liked for GIO to stay, I think all seats are taken for 2022?
I often think that the young guys are replaced too soon, but I guess that's how things are in any field of work nowadays, you need to master your trade from day 1.

[codetower]

I'm a little saddened by the Giovinazzi news. I'm not going to say I'm surprised, but I was hoping they would give him one more season in the new car, with the upgraded Ferrari engine. But It's difficult to pass up on the money, I suppose.

I agree, would have liked for GIO to stay, I think all seats are taken for 2022?
I often think that the young guys are replaced too soon, but I guess that's how things are in any field of work nowadays, you need to master your trade from day 1.

Yes, all are taken for 2022. I think he will still test for Ferrari though. Maybe in 2023 he can find a drive.

As far as letting him go, from a business standpoint, I get it. I heard Zhou is bringing in somewhere around 30 mil (don't quote me though... I am not sure how accurate that figure is). But as far as talent, Sure Gio is no Verstappen or Hamilton, but few are. I don't think Ham or Ver could have won any races in that C40. Probably not even scored a podium. Maybe a top 5 once or twice, that's it. But it is what it is.

I wish Antonio much success in the future in whatever his next venture is.

[gshevlin]

I suspect that Gio will be moving to Ferrari's WEC Hypercar project, which starts in 2023. He is an obvious choice to be one of the lead drivers.

[codetower]

I suspect that Gio will be moving to Ferrari's WEC Hypercar project, which starts in 2023. He is an obvious choice to be one of the lead drivers.

Looks like he's going to Formula E according to The Race:

Former Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi will drive for the Dragon Penske Formula E team in 2022

https://the-race.com/formula-e/giovinaz ... r-f1-exit/

[mendis]

[FromGP2toWDC]

Irony of leaving in the first place to avoid being #2 driver, now returning as the #3.

[Jejking]

With everything going wrong at Ferrari, would it be wrong to set a timer on Leclercs time over there? His current contract runs until the end of 2024, with a supposed termination clause if Ferrari would drop outside of P3 in the championship(s). If someone wants to go, or someone wants someone gone (first situation more likely), nothing is going to stop anyone from tearing up the paperwork. With Leclerc becoming more and more vocal over the radio, there are definitely fractures starting to show in the relationship.

[Jolle]

With everything going wrong at Ferrari, would it be wrong to set a timer on Leclercs time over there? His current contract runs until the end of 2024, with a supposed termination clause if Ferrari would drop outside of P3 in the championship(s). If someone wants to go, or someone wants someone gone (first situation more likely), nothing is going to stop anyone from tearing up the paperwork. With Leclerc becoming more and more vocal over the radio, there are definitely fractures starting to show in the relationship.

to go where?