2024 Formula 1 Drivers threadFormula 1 

  • Thread starter Jimlaad43
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It was inevitable at this point. Sad to see him leave F1 for the foreseeable but do wonder if he'll rock up with Cadillac, his Dad's money might seem a nice prospect.
 
Good. Hopefully he can still salvage his reputation. Let's not forget that Red Bull's second seat has been one of the worst driver killers in this sport for the last 10+years. It makes Irvine, Barrichello and Bottas look like they got the Senna treatment in comparison. If Lawson gets it, I hope it doesn't kill his momentum but we shall see.

A reminder when Perez was announced:

I would take Perez over Albon any day. Perez and Verstappen at Red Bull would be awesome.
Excellent news! Very strong RBR team next year.
Perez at RB, now that's some good news for the day. Now there's a good reason to look forward to the 2021 season
Great news for Checo!!
I'm happy for Perez, there is something satisfying about seeing a driver suffer in the midfield for soo long finally getting a decent drive.
Versus him now being dropped is quite sad. Deserves to be dropped, absolutely. He can walk away knowing he's a multiple-time Grand Prix winner at least.
 
He would be a good journeyman driver for Cadillac.
This is 100% me just totally spitballing. I'm Not sure about Cadillac proper, but I could see a world where Zak Brown taps him and Pato O'Ward to drive an LMP2 or a customer LMH/LMDh for United in either IMSA or WEC. Despite his poor recent performances, Checo has proven many times that he's a solid pilot, and he's apparently still quite popular in Mexico. Having O'Ward and Checo sharing a prototype car would be very popular with the home crowd, which could bring in new fans, as well as potential new sponsors and/or IMSA or WEC going back to racing in Mexico.

Of course, that would require a large number of pieces falling into place, key of which being O'Ward giving up on Indycar and/or F1, which seems incredibly unrealistic.
 
Perez had more talent then his results. His psyche was completely broken most of the season

Colton Herta really should be in F2 for 2025 if he wants to be in F1 2026
 
This is 100% me just totally spitballing. I'm Not sure about Cadillac proper, but I could see a world where Zak Brown taps him and Pato O'Ward to drive an LMP2 or a customer LMH/LMDh for United in either IMSA or WEC. Despite his poor recent performances, Checo has proven many times that he's a solid pilot, and he's apparently still quite popular in Mexico. Having O'Ward and Checo sharing a prototype car would be very popular with the home crowd, which could bring in new fans, as well as potential new sponsors and/or IMSA or WEC going back to racing in Mexico.

Of course, that would require a large number of pieces falling into place, key of which being O'Ward giving up on Indycar and/or F1, which seems incredibly unrealistic.
Perhaps a full season is asking a bunch. A Rolex 24 Entry though? Given the coverage the race tends to get, I can see that working out.
 
I'm thinking Tsunoda to Aston Martin come 2026.

Heck I'm wondering where Lawson is going to go eventually because we all know how Red Bull driver market works.
My thoughts too. He's a Honda driver ultimately as much as a Red Bull driver so I'd expect this move to be on the table. Iwasa, Marti, Goethe, plenty can be lined up for RB in '26.
 
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Alonso finally retiring then? We know Yuki's not getting the other seat.
It has to be on the cards doesn't it? He can't keep going forever.

I also wouldn't be so sure with Stroll, the fact he isn't good enough can't keep being ignored by other higher ups within Aston Martin. The Hypercar program also gives him an out to stay in, if that makes sense.
 
It has to be on the cards doesn't it? He can't keep going forever.

I also wouldn't be so sure with Stroll, the fact he isn't good enough can't keep being ignored by other higher ups within Aston Martin. The Hypercar program also gives him an out to stay in, if that makes sense.
The way he's talking is 2026 is the last year, I think he just wants to have a drive in a Newey car.
 
The way he's talking is 2026 is the last year, I think he just wants to have a drive in a Newey car.
I think this is it as well. He's made it pretty clear over radio that he is not happy with Aston's direction when it had that short phase of looking like a Red Bull customer car with strong performances & then hasn't come close since. He's probably on the same mindset as Lewis; see how the new regs. work out & make a decision from there. If their teams don't get it right, they'll call it careers. Will take too long to catch up to those who nail it.
 
Fantastic news for Liam, feel sorry for Yuki though.

Expect an announcement of Hadjar at Racing Bulls pretty soon then
Given that 2025 is the final year for the Red Bull-Honda partnership, I'm not surprised. Yuki is basically there because Honda so it wouldn't have made much know Red Bull would've likely ejected him after 2026 now that they had no reason to keep him.

I'm thinking Tsunoda to Aston Martin come 2026.

Heck I'm wondering where Lawson is going to go eventually because we all know how Red Bull driver market works.
Tsunoda to Aston would not at all surprise me (Especially if the rumors about 2025 being Alonso's last are true)
My thoughts too. He's a Honda driver ultimately as much as a Red Bull driver so I'd expect this move to be on the table. Iwasa, Marti, Goethe, plenty can be lined up for RB in '26.
I sadly don't see Iwasa in the mix due to the same Honda connection Yuki has. Anyone NOT connected to them is far more likely to replace Yuki.
Alonso finally retiring then? We know Yuki's not getting the other seat.
Weeeelll, Lawrence might suddenly have more pressure not just from new Engine supplier Honda but from Newey (who is not just on the team, but if I recall actually either owns part of the team or is part of the consortium that owns the team). So for the first time, he might actually HAVE to take Lance out of the seat and there is that Hypercar program that he can land in.
 
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Yuki 4 seasons, Liam 11 races now. Good rookies often gain 0,2-0,3s after 1-2 full seasons.
 
OK this is what I think is going to happen: Alonso will retire at the end of 2025, Stroll will be offloaded to the Hypercar program, Drugovich will step up and Tsunoda will come over from RB. As for Lawson? Well, who knows how he's going to end up. I hope he isn't kicked to the curb like soo many others before him. I really hope he defies expectations and grabs a hold of this opportunity - not just for the New Zealanders but the Aussies too.
 
At least Lawsons first season benchmark is just to do better than Perez did, which he should be able to do. Then when thr new regs hit in 2026 with the new RB power units, it's a level playing field. Ideal timing for him in terms of expectation.
 
Hadjar joins VCARB. His radio messages should be fun. A lot of rookies on the grid this year.
He's dual French-Algerian nationality.

He would be the first Algerian F1 driver if he were to race under an Algerian licence.

Though, if your birthplace determined your nationality, the first Algerian F1 driver would Pierre-Henri Raphanel (French but born in Algiers).
 
He's dual French-Algerian nationality.

He would be the first Algerian F1 driver if he were to race under an Algerian licence.

Though, if your birthplace determined your nationality, the first Algerian F1 driver would Pierre-Henri Raphanel (French but born in Algiers).
Races under a French license.
 
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A lot of rookies on the grid this year.
And not long ago people were moaning about all the old guys blocking the opportunities.
3 true rookies plus Bearman and Doohan, a quarter of the grid. I predict many big repair bills and sleep-deprived mechanics.
 
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