F1 2024

[Piece]

Testing is not far away now, with the first race at the end of the month.

Massive news though to start with. Hamilton is strongly reported to be moving to Ferrari in 2025??! I had to check it wasn't April 1st!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Testing is not far away now, with the first race at the end of the month.

Massive news though to start with. Hamilton is strongly reported to be moving to Ferrari!??! I had to check it wasn't April 1st!

Seems right - https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/1...ton-to-join-ferrari-for-2025-formula-1-season

 

[NearHull]

Mercedes are calling all their team(s) for a briefing at 1400. In my old line of work, that only happened for bad news.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

TBH, as much as I like Hamilton, he's 39 and Mercedes have to move on at some point. Russell wasn't put in his place last year, so I don't doubt Hami will leave and Mercedes move on with a new younger no2 for Russell.
As for Ferrari, their team dynamic doesn't quite stack up at the moment.

 

[BiMGuy]

TBH, as much as I like Hamilton, he's 39 and Mercedes have to move on at some point. Russell wasn't put in his place last year, so I don't doubt Hami will leave and Mercedes move on with a new younger no2 for Russell.
As for Ferrari, their team dynamic doesn't quite stack up at the moment.

This would suggest otherwise

 

[Piece]

I think this is the last chance for Hamilton to drive for Ferrari. Schumacher did it and Senna was about too. I think he'd regret not driving for them whilst he still can and Ferrari occasionally do have a fast car (quali only ).

 

[cliveb]

I have a sinking feeling that Hamilton could be making a big mistake. Ferrari have a long history of dropping the ball on strategy even when they have the best car. Lewis will kick himself if Merc pull themselves out of the sticky stuff.

Mind you, we all thought the same when he left McLaren for Mercedes, so what do I know?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Maybe Hamilton can use his experience to really get the best out of a Ferrari that is good in qualifying and if he can work with the new mechanics around race reliability it may prove to be a very good move. It is just the reliability racing that is the big question mark for me

 

[Bdill93]

I think it must be an informed move. He's after number 8 (should be 9) and I don't think he'd move if he didn't feel this was his best chance at it.

 

[cliveb]

Maybe Hamilton can use his experience to really get the best out of a Ferrari that is good in qualifying and if he can work with the new mechanics around race reliability it may prove to be a very good move. It is just the reliability racing that is the big question mark for me

It's Ferrari's woeful strategic race decisions that are their downfall.
Perhaps Hamilton will be forceful enough to overrule them?
But Alonso couldn't manage it (think 2012), and he's probably even less willing to accept team decisions.

 

[Piece]

It's Ferrari's woeful strategic race decisions that are their downfall.
Perhaps Hamilton will be forceful enough to overrule them?
But Alonso couldn't manage it (think 2012), and he's probably even less willing to accept team decisions.

I would think he would have a very strong say in the Ferrari pit and team crew, maybe even bringing some new-to-Ferrari names with him, and getting rid of some dead-wood. Maybe Bono will go with him?

 

[Canary_Yellow]

I have a sinking feeling that Hamilton could be making a big mistake. Ferrari have a long history of dropping the ball on strategy even when they have the best car. Lewis will kick himself if Merc pull themselves out of the sticky stuff.

Mind you, we all thought the same when he left McLaren for Mercedes, so what do I know?

I think this is about fulfilling a career dream before retirement rather than about winning per se.

In any case, it’s clear to see that red bull won’t be caught by anyone until the next significant reg change. Dunno when that is scheduled for, if it is scheduled at all yet

 

[Swango1980]

I think this is about fulfilling a career dream before retirement rather than about winning per se.

In any case, it’s clear to see that red bull won’t be caught by anyone until the next significant reg change. Dunno when that is scheduled for, if it is scheduled at all yet

Agreed.

Hamilton could well be on the verge of retirement anyway. So his decision to go to Ferrari is less about making a move to a championship winning side, but a final move that allows him to tick the box to say he raced in the red of Ferrari. If the choice is between retirement, or racing 1-2 more seasons for Ferrari, the Ferrari option may sound appealing.

Meanwhile, Ferrari get the benefit of having world famous Hamilton race for them, who could perhaps give them some good information as a successful driver to at least help them develop, if not win the Championship.

And there is always a small chance Ferrari could stumble upon a brilliant car for next season. And just imagine the situation if Hamilton turns up to Ferrari and then wins the Championship for them. It would be legendary. To be honest, even if Leclerc won it, I'm sure Hamilton would still be part of that heroic story of being the senior pro and coming in to help drive the team to success. That is a Hollywood film in the making.

 

[BiMGuy]

Today’s announcement has increased the value of Ferrari by $6 billion

 

[Oddsocks]

Heard the Ferrari sponsor for 2025 is Saudi pif money

All jokes aside, that team dynamic is going to be very strange as neither driver will want to #2

 

[Canary_Yellow]

Heard the Ferrari sponsor for 2025 is Saudi pif money

All jokes aside, that team dynamic is going to be very strange as neither driver will want to #2

That only becomes an issue if the car is competitive.

 

[Oddsocks]

That only becomes an issue if the car is competitive.

Let’s be frank… or Francesca… this is hamiltons 1 or 2 year big pay cheque and it was all driven by merc not agreeing the brand ambassador role.

Even if he’s winning in 24, the media will still be focusing on 25.

 

[Neilds]

I might start watching the full race coverage just to hear Hamilton's meltdowns with the pit crews when they fluff the strategies again. He is not the most tolerant person when it comes to being told when to pit and when to push on

 

[Piece]

The 2024 reveals will be completed today with the new Red Bull. Christian Horner will be controlling matters apparently today.

No real surprises in the cars I've seen. All doing what we expected in copying RB.

 

[Norrin Radd]

Horner charges dismissed