2024 Formula 1 Drivers threadFormula 1

[Har1MAS1415]

Honda switching to Aston Martin for 2026 was my understanding, that's all.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Is Honda planning on staying in F1?

Yes, they are one of the manufacturers who committed to the 2026 engine regulations and will be powering Aston Martin.

Lots of rumours linking Tsunoda to Aston because of this as Honda have backed most of his career.

 

[Har1MAS1415]

Yes, they are one of the manufacturers who committed to the 2026 engine regulations and will be powering Aston Martin.

Lots of rumours linking Tsunoda to Aston because of this as Honda have backed most of his career.

Thought so.

 

[McLaren]

TMU, the question Horner was responding to was asked in a way of, "Why weren't you doing more for Daniel?" & this was his way of saying he had been b/c he apparently shared it was Marko who wanted Daniel out after Spain. Another moment highlighting the internal power struggle Red Bull has been having this year.

 

[Veinz]

What else does the journalist expect though? They gave him the audition, and he broke his wrist right away. He then got another chance and got out gunned by Tsunoda.

It is super interesting watching Red bull implode though ngl.

 

[RACECAR]

Not at all does it surprise me that this was yet another Marko decision (the same guy who DIDN'T think Lawson was good enough..and yet, guess who Daniel was replaced with). Swear this guy is single handily the reason Red Bull's Driver program is broken in the first place..

 

[Terronium-12]

Is it a tad bit over-reactionary to say I hate Red Bull now?

The entire way this has been handled should put every single one of their junior drivers on permanent guard and looking out for their futures with their best interests in mind, not Red Bull's. Now, Marko is claiming Danny knew well in advance that Liam was replacing him, which actually (and quite literally) flies in the face of the way the race weekend was handled. You could see Daniel's mannerisms and attitude change throughout the weekend in real-time!

From a Speedweek column:

Full article here if you're interested in everything: It's in German so use a translator if necessary

And here's Swedish F1 Journalist Scott Mitchell Malm's recount on how things transpired during the Singapore weekend:

Spoiler: Fruity language in quoted response

Just...utterly perplexed how this is the way things played out without any care or consideration of the way Toro Rosso played its part in 🤬 over both Danny and Yuki. And if they think the same won't happen to Liam then, goddammit, make me the Team Principal if they're that naïve.

 

[EngieDiesel]

Just more clear proof that if your last name isn't Verstappen, RBR considers you a bag of packing peanuts in a helmet.

 

[Terronium-12]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...-red-bull-family-as-he.35V3EQeLJzy5aYtsQHAEpA

I'd like to quote something real quick:

I mean I'd be personally giving them the middlest of middle fingers.

 

[Fezzik]

Bortoleto gets the 2nd seat at Audi. Happy to see another new face on the grid, but a bit sad that it's the end of the road for Bottas (he's going to be the Mercedes reserve).

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-signs-f2-star-bortoleto-to-complete-2025-formula-1-line-up/10671009/

 

[GlamFM]

Bit sad that the name Schumacher is forever gone from F1 now. It was always a long shot... and he probably also didn't deserve it.
Best of luck to Bortoleto.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Bortoleto gets the 2nd seat at Audi. Happy to see another new face on the grid, but a bit sad that it's the end of the road for Bottas (he's going to be the Mercedes reserve).

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-signs-f2-star-bortoleto-to-complete-2025-formula-1-line-up/10671009/

Yeah sad to see Bottas go, so much potential in there somewhere that was so close to being realised at Mercedes. But it is good to see a wave of top young drivers coming through again, something F1 needs every now and then is new drivers coming up otherwise you just have a grid of mediocrity.

Just wish Aston would grow a pair and put Drugovich in for Stroll.

Kimi Antonelli
Gabriel Bortoleto
Jack Doohan
Ollie Bearman*
Lawson*/Colapinto*/Hadjar

Can't remember another season that had so many new young drivers stepping up. 2019 maybe? Giovanazzi, Norris, Russel, Albon.

*Race experience rookies.

 

[Liquid]

"No, my driver is also called Bort."

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Adelaide native here, I guess I’ll start seeing Bottas around town a lot more often now.

 

[Fezzik]

Yeah sad to see Bottas go, so much potential in there somewhere that was so close to being realised at Mercedes.

I may have to boot up F1 Manager and get him a WDC. If I remember right he was rated very well in the first one and Alfa were quite easy to upgrade.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Adelaide native here, I guess I’ll start seeing Bottas around town a lot more often now.

Wonder if he might make the jump to Supercars or if he is the F1 driver touted with a rally drive in WRC.

 

[Pupik]

Bortoleto gets the 2nd seat at Audi. Happy to see another new face on the grid, but a bit sad that it's the end of the road for Bottas (he's going to be the Mercedes reserve).

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-signs-f2-star-bortoleto-to-complete-2025-formula-1-line-up/10671009/

"Excuse me, were you talking to me?"

"No, my driver is also called Bort."

I'll order more plates.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Wonder if he might make the jump to Supercars or if he is the F1 driver touted with a rally drive in WRC.

He was asked about it and said “Eventually you’ll see me doing a Supercars race, no doubt”. Source.

 

[Har1MAS1415]

Bottas won't be on 2025 F1 grid as Bortoleto replaces him at Sauber

Valtteri Bottas won't be on the 2025 Formula 1 grid with McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto replacing him at Sauber

www.the-race.com

Means there will be no Finns on the grid for the first time since Hungary 1994 at this rate.

(Excluding non-starters)

 

[EngieDiesel]

Figured that Audi would be cleaning house when they take over next year. I have to admit it is getting quite interesting seeing how much new blood is coming into the grid next season, I had thought everyone would wait until 2026 to really shake things up.

So it looks like Bottas is going to be camping in Mercedes' simulator until he probably gets offered an Indycar seat (unless Antonelli proves to be a complete washout), and Zhou will likely vanish into Formula E and be a mention in some Youtuber's "What ever happened to them" video in five years or so.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Figured that Audi would be cleaning house when they take over next year. I have to admit it is getting quite interesting seeing how much new blood is coming into the grid next season, I had thought everyone would wait until 2026 to really shake things up.

So it looks like Bottas is going to be camping in Mercedes' simulator until he probably gets offered an Indycar seat (unless Antonelli proves to be a complete washout), and Zhou will likely vanish into Formula E and be a mention in some Youtuber's "What ever happened to them" video in five years or so.

I can see Zhou going back to F2.

 

[MagpieRacer]

 

[Fezzik]

George went full “letter to the editor” with that one. Couldn’t be more British

 

[NLxAROSA]

I want to hear the dirty details about the obsession with drivers' language, jewelry, underwear, jewelry in their underwear, language uttered about jewelry and underwear, and so on. All of it!

 

[Veinz]

They're the typical overpaid health and safety goobers. They get hyper focused on dumb **** but they have a completely reactive approach when it comes to things that are actually dangerous.

 

[GlamFM]

The jewelry thing seemed to be targeting Lewis specifically (without saying it explicitly)

I wonder why…………

 

[Blitz24]

The jewelry thing seemed to be targeting Lewis specifically (without saying it explicitly)

I wonder why…………

Because he's British, of course.

 

[Greycap]

Yeah sad to see Bottas go, so much potential in there somewhere that was so close to being realised at Mercedes.

Even as a Finn, I don't think the potential ever was there. He had a couple of successes in the Williams but then again, so did Pastor Maldonado and there's a guy nobody rates at all - and for a reason. Bottas did well in the Mercedes but the car was so stupidly fast that even GP2 drivers could top testing time sheets with it (it actually happened) and the only driver we can compare him to is Hamilton. And while I'm certainly opening a can of worms here, Hamilton isn't exactly unbeatable himself - he's been outscored over a full season by Rosberg, Button, and now at least once, perhaps twice by Russell in similar cars. Bottas was never even anywhere near.

Mercedes won the constructors' championship every year Bottas drove for them, yet he couldn't even be the runner up every time. Even with DAS, oil burning engines and the party mode, they had it all and he still didn't manage. And now he's being outrun by Zhou, another guy who nobody rates and again for a reason.

So potential? Not a lot since the junior formula days.

 

[toastet]

F1s World Destructors Championship after Brazil

Not sure why they're missing Bearman. Antonelli should be there too after Monza regarding damage costs are part of the budget cap.

 

[Jimlaad43]

F1s World Destructors Championship after Brazil

View attachment 1404009

Not sure why they're missing Bearman. Antonelli should be there too after Monza regarding damage costs are part of the budget cap.

I think they are lumping the damage from substitute drivers onto the driver they are replacing. Magnussen's cost went up after this round by 1 front wing due to Bearman's spin.