2025 Formula One Season Thread

[The-Real-Deal82]

yeah, well put. Won't matter.

McLaren has already chosen Lando.

Kick his ass Oscar!

I think if McLaren were supporting Lando, we'd see team orders by now and that would be strange as Oscar is leading the championship. I could probably understand the higher-ups preferring Lando to win due to his length of service at the team, but they appear to be letting Oscar out-qualify Lando regularly. Even way back in 2007, one half of the garage and the execs preferred Lewis, but Fernando was given all the support to win the title on his own merit, however both drivers failed to do so.

It is an interesting scenario unfolding and the foundations are already being set to undermine Lando should he win the title, and also undermine the team should Oscar win, as its being predetermined Lando is the favourite. We will know for certain if a Oscar wins the title and McLaren do what they did in 1989 when they try and appeal the result lol.

 

[Madonepro]

McLaren has already chosen Lando.

The race track is deciding this battle. McLaren have done a reasonably good job of letting them get on with it. This isn't golf, this is a contact sport, where brave people put themselves at the limit. Oscar's problem, is he isn''t the greatest driver in close combat, was a 2nd rate Karter, and comes from a monied family, and a public school upbringing in England. That's probably where he picked up the elitist attitude, and the whinging.

 

[Glideslope]

Peter Windsor had some interesting observations which were on the mark.

Someone should ask the McLaren bosses when they'll let Piastri decide the pit stop strategy for Norris...

I saw that. Peter’s observations are gold.

Japanese site Autosport Web has reported that George wanted a three year contract at GBP20 million a year. Toto countered with a single year at GBP10 million. George is said to be willing to accept a one year extension, but he wants a performance clause that means if Max comes a calling in 2027, Kimi gets kicked to Williams or Alpine if George has the better record. However, Toto believes Kimi is the future, not George, so he is refusing.

That seems like a very accurate article. I wonder how much financial pressure there is at Mercedes with the exits going on at AMG?

 

[Glideslope]

The race track is deciding this battle. McLaren have done a reasonably good job of letting them get on with it. This isn't golf, this is a contact sport, where brave people put themselves at the limit. Oscar's problem, is he isn''t the greatest driver in close combat, was a 2nd rate Karter, and comes from a monied family, and a public school upbringing in England. That's probably where he picked up the elitist attitude, and the whinging.

You’re talking about Lando I see. 😂

 

[Madonepro]

You’re talking about Lando I see. 😂

Obviously, that's why I started the sentence with 'Oscar'. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

 

[CWallace]

Peter Windsor had some interesting observations which were on the mark.

Someone should ask the McLaren bosses when they'll let Piastri decide the pit stop strategy for Norris...

Is it not general policy within any F1 team that the leading driver in the race gets first call on pit strategy?

Personally, I hope Norris was thinking strategically by taking the first stop. Piastri was under threat of the undercut so keeping him out an extra lap might have made that happen. Or with McLaren seeming incapable of servicing the second car without screwing up the stop, he was hoping a long stop would keep Oscar from closing on him with (slightly) fresher tires.

I honestly thought I heard Lando say "Yes. No problem." when asked if Oscar could pit first as it seemed to me that staying out longer was the right strategy for him at the time.

 

[CWallace]

Christian Horner has settled the sexual harassment lawsuit out of court for a reported GBP 3 million payment.

'Horner’s Red Bull controversy closed after £3m settlement revealed'

The lawsuit involving Christian Horner and a former Red Bull Racing employee was finalised with an out-of-court settlement, which, it has been reported, stands at a whopping £3 million value. Earlier...

www.gpblog.com

 

[Glideslope]

Is it not general policy within any F1 team that the leading driver in the race gets first call on pit strategy?

Personally, I hope Norris was thinking strategically by taking the first stop. Piastri was under threat of the undercut so keeping him out an extra lap might have made that happen. Or with McLaren seeming incapable of servicing the second car without screwing up the stop, he was hoping a long stop would keep Oscar from closing on him with (slightly) fresher tires.

I honestly thought I heard Lando say "Yes. No problem." when asked if Oscar could pit first as it seemed to me that staying out longer was the right strategy for him at the time.

My take, he was going with yes, then the McLaren 2nd pit stop experience flashed before his eyes…. We all witnessed Oscar’s’ 5.3 sec stop…..

 

[Glideslope]

Christian Horner has settled the sexual harassment lawsuit out of court for a reported GBP 3 million payment.

'Horner’s Red Bull controversy closed after £3m settlement revealed'

The lawsuit involving Christian Horner and a former Red Bull Racing employee was finalised with an out-of-court settlement, which, it has been reported, stands at a whopping £3 million value. Earlier...

www.gpblog.com

Well, that was easy. Only GBP 3 million? Chump change for Horner. Not much of a future deterrent.

 

[pachyderm]

The race track is deciding this battle. McLaren have done a reasonably good job of letting them get on with it. This isn't golf, this is a contact sport, where brave people put themselves at the limit. Oscar's problem, is he isn''t the greatest driver in close combat, was a 2nd rate Karter, and comes from a monied family, and a public school upbringing in England. That's probably where he picked up the elitist attitude, and the whinging.

yeeaaahhh....

Like I said, McLaren. have made their choice.

 

[pachyderm]

Is it not general policy within any F1 team that the leading driver in the race gets first call on pit strategy?

Personally, I hope Norris was thinking strategically by taking the first stop. Piastri was under threat of the undercut so keeping him out an extra lap might have made that happen. Or with McLaren seeming incapable of servicing the second car without screwing up the stop, he was hoping a long stop would keep Oscar from closing on him with (slightly) fresher tires.

I honestly thought I heard Lando say "Yes. No problem." when asked if Oscar could pit first as it seemed to me that staying out longer was the right strategy for him at the time.

He said one thing, then changed his mind.

 

[Madonepro]

Whlst mind numbingly scrolling though YouTube and get pulled along by the algorithm, I came across this video, which I imagine many in here, will enjoy.

With next years new regulations, being interpreted and car's designed around them, this video discusses, and breakdown, some of the information on next years cars that have come to light. A brake specialist company, has divulged the difference size of rear brake discs that have been ordered, and with 'regeneration' a bigger, more impacting effect, rear braking is achievable, without rear brakes, although the FIA have imposed minimum levels, it is clearly an area that many teams are 'playing' around with.

 

[Glideslope]

Whlst mind numbingly scrolling though YouTube and get pulled along by the algorithm, I came across this video, which I imagine many in here, will enjoy.

With next years new regulations, being interpreted and car's designed around them, this video discusses, and breakdown, some of the information on next years cars that have come to light. A brake specialist company, has divulged the difference size of rear brake discs that have been ordered, and with 'regeneration' a bigger, more impacting effect, rear braking is achievable, without rear brakes, although the FIA have imposed minimum levels, it is clearly an area that many teams are 'playing' around with.

Great clip. Heading in the direction of Regen in Formula E in a way..... I hope it's not the season of Lift and Coast.

 

[Madonepro]

Great clip. Heading in the direction of Regen in Formula E in a way..... I hope it's not the season of Lift and Coast.

They talked a little about that. How teams navigate the regulations, and build their cars, will ultimately affect who will L&C.
Different driving styles will
Also impact this, with drivers like Hamilton potentially benefiting the most.

 

[CWallace]

Reports are that Lawrence Stroll has declined on having Christian Horner joining the team, even though Christian was said to be offering up to $100 million in investment.

 

[pachyderm]

Reports are that Lawrence Stroll has declined on having Christian Horner joining the team, even though Christian was said to be offering up to $100 million in investment.

Both Strolls pretending they belong in F1

 

[TheIntruder]

Both Strolls pretending they belong in F1

Papa Stroll already has the most valuable ex-RBR member on his team, and even if the relationship between him, and the other prominent ex-RBR member has been "repaired," prospects for a reunion were always questionable.

 

[avro707]

Reports are that Lawrence Stroll has declined on having Christian Horner joining the team, even though Christian was said to be offering up to $100 million in investment.

Maybe Horner could go to the sponsors and get them to make Stroll a deal he cannot refuse...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Anybody seen all these rumour articles that Piastri and LeClerc are swapping seats for 2027? I just can’t imagine this being true! Amazing for Charles but why would Oscar go from McLaren to a team like Ferrari with so many unknowns and a lot of knowns about their 18 year title drought?

Also rumours Horner might be in talks to replace Vasseur too? All rumours but all being discussed across many F1 sites the last few days.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Anybody seen all these rumour articles that Piastri and LeClerc are swapping seats for 2027? I just can’t imagine this being true! Amazing for Charles but why would Oscar go from McLaren to a team like Ferrari with so many unknowns and a lot of knowns about their 18 year title drought?

Also rumours Horner might be in talks to replace Vasseur too? All rumours but all being discussed across many F1 sites the last few days.

Nobody knows where they even want to be in 2027. Have to wait and see what 2026 cars perform well first.

 

[Glideslope]

Anybody seen all these rumour articles that Piastri and LeClerc are swapping seats for 2027? I just can’t imagine this being true! Amazing for Charles but why would Oscar go from McLaren to a team like Ferrari with so many unknowns and a lot of knowns about their 18 year title drought?

Also rumours Horner might be in talks to replace Vasseur too? All rumours but all being discussed across many F1 sites the last few days.

I don’t see Oscar going to Ferrari before his contract expires. Although we never really know what exit clauses drivers have. Charles is justifiably frustrated with the lack of progress. Ferrari has allot of tough decisions. The car business has absolutely dropped off a cliff. How will Elkann react to this?

I think Ferrari talking to Horner is more viable. Fred wouldn’t necessarily have to leave if Horner was Director of Ferrari Racing. Ferrari’s worsening financial position could be open to his investment. Probably is still too much of a risk for him though.

I’ve read there were issues with Horner wanting more control over drivers at AMR and that was the real sticking point with Lawerence. But who knows?

 

[CWallace]

How will Elkann react to this?

Eikann messing with the Scuderia is one of the reasons they are failing on track.

As for Oscar to Ferrari, any smart driver talks to other teams. And should he lose the WDC to Lando this year and his position within the team in 2026 moves from a peer to more a supporting driver role, he may feel Ferrari offers a better opportunity (especially if he is paired with a rookie).

 

[CWallace]

The Race has been commenting about the "flexi front wings" and have mentioned that both Red Bull and Mercedes have been putting a fair bit of work into them as of late and we see how much better both cars are performing. Ferrari, meanwhile, are said to have completely abandoned the concept and they have been falling backwards...

 

[avro707]

Flexible front wings were a controversial thing when I used to watch F1. Surprised they have not been more effectively banned.

 

[CWallace]

Flexible front wings were a controversial thing when I used to watch F1. Surprised they have not been more effectively banned.

The FIA clamped down on them fairly hard starting with the Spanish Grand Prix and I presume Ferrari figured it was an area of development that no longer had potential because of this. Other teams continued to develop them within the new rules and it appears to indeed have potential.