Formula 1 2021-2022 Off-Season and Mid-season break threadFormula 1

[EngieDiesel]

It's not exactly unusual for Lewis to wait until the last second to confirm that he's staying on. If he really was retiring or leaving Mercedes it'd be impossible to keep a secret anyway.

 

[PeterJB]

It's not exactly unusual for Lewis to wait until the last second to confirm that he's staying on. If he really was retiring or leaving Mercedes it'd be impossible to keep a secret anyway.

Toto didn't know Rosberg was retiring until after he won the championship, so Mercedes could still be in the dark about Lewis' decision. I think there's a reason he's still completely silent on social media.

 

[MagpieRacer]

It's not exactly unusual for Lewis to wait until the last second to confirm that he's staying on. If he really was retiring or leaving Mercedes it'd be impossible to keep a secret anyway.

Technically he has nothing to confirm. He has a 2 year contract in place so there’s nothing to announce. Unlike last year where he was out of contract until he signed right before the season started.

 

[EngieDiesel]

Technically he has nothing to confirm. He has a 2 year contract in place so there’s nothing to announce. Unlike last year where he was out of contract until he signed right before the season started.

True enough. Most likely just wants time away from the poisonous atmosphere that social media has become, while he still has some time where he's not obliged to maintain a public presence. And who could blame him on that, really.

 

[Zaccheus]

True enough. Most likely just wants time away from the poisonous atmosphere that social media has become, while he still has some time where he's not obliged to maintain a public presence. And who could blame him on that, really.

Truly.

 

[BrainsBush]

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[Roo]

Max Verstappen (and his father Jos) signed a contract with Viaplay. Max is the channel F1 ambassador and Jos the analist for 2022.

Look forward to some unbiased, balanced commentary there then!

 

[Dotini]

I think Lewis is deeply unhappy with his team, primarily Bono and whomever ordered him to prioritize the constructors championship over the driver's. But I still think a humbler Lewis will return.

I also think Ferrari will be improved more than others, and may help them to get on more even terms with Red Bull if not Mercedes.

 

[GingerBredMan]

So it seems like it’s pretty safe to say Masi isn’t going anywhere which is kind of sad. There hasn’t been much news on clarifying the rules in regards to overtaking either. Going in to a year where the cars should be a lot more evenly matched, this upcoming season could get messy.

 

[BrainsBush]

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[Rossell2]

Not your fault Brains but that article seems to be nothing but speculation. Motorsports network does strike me as being a bit tabloidy in places.

 

[Jimlaad43]

Especially a Dutch website that's going to be heavily biased towards trying to make it sound like Max is much further inside Lewis' head than just an eyebrow deep that he likely is.

 

[Hasnain282]

 

[BrainsBush]

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[PeterJB]

Especially a Dutch website that's going to be heavily biased towards trying to make it sound like Max is much further inside Lewis' head than just an eyebrow deep that he likely is.

The BBC are reporting the same thing.

 

[Jimlaad43]

The BBC are reporting the same thing.

Lol none of that article had any evidence from Lewis, just "Insiders think"

 

[O604]

I think the events at the Australian Open may have have an effect on all Sports in general.

Potentially we have have the future of Hamilton and Djokovic in the news soon. And Hamilton may not want to be lumped together and portrayed in the same light even if their reasons are completely different. There is a risk public perception may be reduced to "all athletes are selfish" without consideration of what the reasons are.

 

[Veinz]

I keep seeing on reddit that Audi is looking to take over McLaren, I hope it’s not true. Meanwhile Porsche and Red Bull are allegedly negotiating over an engine supply. Audi and Porsche will collaborate.

 

[wowbaggerBR]

Would be a shame to lose Lewis at this point. A driver who puts together that São Paulo GP weekend has a lot more to show.

But since I'm under the impression that FIA will come to a "we investigated ourselves and found that we did nothing wrong" statement, I fear he could actually just take a sabatical in the best case scenario.

 

[kjb]

I think he will be back at least for one more season

 

[GroupB]

Sounds more and more like Lewis’ decision will be based on what, if anything, the FIA does to make sure the Abu Dhabi situation can’t happen again:

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/...-masi-abu-dhabi-gp-picking-speed?platform=amp

 

[Blitz24]

Sounds more and more like Lewis’ decision will be based on what, if anything, the FIA does to make sure the Abu Dhabi situation can’t happen again:

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/...-masi-abu-dhabi-gp-picking-speed?platform=amp

That's what I hope is the case, unless somehow Mercedes is praying that the results are stricken/overturned.

 

[Blitz24]

Don't want to double post but this is the 2nd such departure this week.

 

[Samus]

Well, it's because Otmar is joining Alpine. Another one of those poorly kept secrets in F1.

 

[McLaren]

Sounds more and more like Lewis’ decision will be based on what, if anything, the FIA does to make sure the Abu Dhabi situation can’t happen again:

https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/...-masi-abu-dhabi-gp-picking-speed?platform=amp

I read a few comments on Reddit that the FIA have picked a date in March that ensures Lewis won't really be able to wait for their final report.

 

[GingerBredMan]

I read a few comments on Reddit that the FIA have picked a date in March that ensures Lewis won't really be able to wait for their final report.

I thought I saw that the FIA would conclude the investigation on Feb 3rd.

But regardless I think Lewis is coming back. Whether it concludes in February or March, Lewis would be putting Merc in a tricky spot if he retired at this point. I think even Lewis knows that there’s no satisfactory outcome that can come from this investigation.

 

[McLaren]

I thought I saw that the FIA would conclude the investigation on Feb 3rd.

But regardless I think Lewis is coming back. Whether it concludes in February or March, Lewis would be putting Merc in a tricky spot if he retired at this point. I think even Lewis knows that there’s no satisfactory outcome that can come from this investigation.

Went & looked for the Reddit thread I saw the comments in. Said the analysis will be presented in February to the F1 commission, but final decisions will be announced March 18th which is opening day of the season.

But, I agree with you on Lewis.

 

[PeterJB]

Looks like they're calling his bluff.

 

[McLaren]

I can't link the thread because the title has language, but a user on Reddit shared what his compensation was for the Spa fiasco.

So a couple of weeks ago we received an email showing us all the things we would be compensated with after having an entire weekend ruined by the torrential rain. Honestly, these things happen, and when I saw we would get F1 TV "passes" I felt pretty good about it. That is, I thought we'd be getting F1 TV Pro. We're not, today we got an email with codes for an F1 TV Access subscription. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I can now watch live timing of every F1 event. I am so delighted with my effective 27 euros a year gift from the Spa GP. I've spent around 600 euros on a GP that didn't happen, and all I got was a ****ing 27 euro gift.
Shame on you, Spa-Francorchamps, shame on you.

I believe @Dennisch attended the race. Have you received anything of the sort?

 

[BrainsBush]

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