Captain Colonial Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Link to BBC story Not really a surprise, is it? Failed to win them any silverware and became petulant and mistake-prone, crumbling under the slightest pressure. What next? McLaren? Leave F1 altogether? It’s going to be a very uncomfortable year for him in any case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Malone - Editor Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 I was reading this earlier and wondering the same thing. A bit like Alonso with Ferrari before him, it feels like he's almost boxed himself into a bit of an awkward corner. I know Mercedes were keen on him at one point if Lewis was to go, but from the sounds of it - especially with the retention of the current regulations for next year - he will want to say in the superior silver arrow I would have thought and I can't see Mercedes saying "errr, no thanks" given his record and how embedded he is in the team now. I also can't see them putting Seb and Lewis together. If that's the case only teams further down the order would be viable as Red Bull won't go back there with Max on the books. McLaren is probably the best of the rest for him, but personally I don't think Vettel 'feels' like a McLaren driver. Maybe Renault if Ricciardo goes to Ferrari or McLaren? Other than that you start looking towards the back of the grid which I question Seb would want to do so maybe that is him done. Maybe WEC? (although with LMP1 leaving I question how attractive that is now) He has never seem bothered about the triple crown so maybe he'll just step back and do TV? Much will depend on who takes that Ferrari spot and Sainz is clearly a favourite (I can't see them trusting Giovinazzi at this stage) so there would be an opening. There was also rumours bubbling about an Alonso return in the McLaren too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonPeffers Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Possibly a difference of opinion on whether there should be a number one driver at Ferrari hence parting of the ways. Leclerc finished well ahead of Vettel in final 2019 standings despite deferring to him in some races. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarbonWest - Chris Broster - Bristol & Bath AO Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 I think most keen F1 would say it was on the cards as LeClerc grew stronger and Seb didn't have the cushion of a grreat car to flex his talent in. I'd see him in WEC or possibly WRC....and then there is the extreme E-Racing that is emerging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenh Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Maybe Vetel will be offered the seat which is likely to be vacated by Saintz when he goes to Ferrari?😄 Trouble is, by all accounts, money was a material factor in him leaving Ferrari, so can McLaren afford him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 If he goes anywhere other than Mercedes or Red Bull it's a tacit admission that his career is over and he's going to follow the money for a couple of years. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Very true, but would Red Bull really want him back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hunter - Club Secretary Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 I think he'll probably retire, I'd be gobsmacked if Merc or Red Bull would want him. There's a strong possibility that Hamilton will be tempted to move to Ferrari with the rumours that Toto is leaving... That would pave the way for Russell to take the Merc seat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 If Hamilton took the Ferrari seat I can see Verstappen trying to buy out his Red Bull contract... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hadz Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 Unless a seat opens in Mc Laren Mrec Redbull he is done, why would he run at the back of the pack! like others said going into another sort of motorsport with less outside pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 I would love to see more ex F1 drivers in WEC but by the same token I don't want sports car racing to turn into some sort of F1 driver retirement home... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Malone - Editor Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 LMP1 was a great competitive formula for a while and genuinely I think a trophy top drivers were interested in. I went to Le Mans in 2015 and had an absolutely brilliant time, and the Silverstone WEC rounds 3 of the last 5 years, but I do worry for it now with the hypercars coming in. It just feels a bit "GTE Pro +" and I can't see the best drivers in the world thinking that is something they want to spend time on unless they have no other options/are out to pasture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Colonial Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Well that didn’t take long, but it explains a few things... Sainz to Ferrari, Ricardo to McLaren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Malone - Editor Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 Sainz will be fast, but interesting to see how him and LeClerc stack up in similar machines. Danny Ric in a Merc-powered McLaren will be good too, and him and Norris will make it the smiliest team in the paddock. I think that is the end of the road for Seb though. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 I know someone who will be pleased to see Fingerman is gone! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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