F1 F1 2024 thread

[MKMatty]

Which rookie do you think will perform better?

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
Jack Doohan (Alpine)
Isack Hadjar (RB)
Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

Personally I think Antonelli will have the most points (yes, a big call right) but Hadjar could surprise. The guy has serious talent, deserves a seat on merit alone imo.

Based on the car underneath them, it’s hard to pass Lawson.

Based on talent and potential it’s Hadjar.

 

[Gasometer]

I’m interested I the top end

Hamilton at Ferrari
How does that work with Charles?
Can OP push his way past Norris?
Will Lawson do better than Checo to support Max?
What will Russell and Mercedes do?
Probably more questions; but hopefully this is one of the most competitive seasons in some years

 

[happy_eagle]

What will Russell and Mercedes do?

I think Mercedes have their sights set on 2026 and the new engine regs, hoping for a repeat of 2014.

So I'm not sure how competitive I'd expect them to be in 2025. Based on how last year ended I'd expect it to be Ferrari and McLaren at the front, then a gap to Red Bull, and then a gap to Mercedes. So really just the constructors order from this year.

 

[Barrybran]

Antonelli because Lawson is not a rookie and Antonelli is the only rookie in a decent car. Doohan could be a smoky if Alpine pick up next season where they left off and he can stay close enough to Gasly.

 

[Duck Farmer]

Which rookie do you think will perform better?

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
Jack Doohan (Alpine)
Isack Hadjar (RB)
Liam Lawson (Red Bull)

Personally I think Antonelli will have the most points (yes, a big call right) but Hadjar could surprise. The guy has serious talent, deserves a seat on merit alone imo.

Lawson (assuming he still counts as a rookie).

 

[Bradesmaen]

Will Hadjar become the first F1 driver of 100% northern african descent?

EDIT: Apparently there was a 1 off drive from a Moroccan in 1958.

 

[Duck Farmer]

Six rookie drivers on the grid (if you still count Lawson, Bearman and Doohan who have only had a couple of races), a refreshing change from this year with none.

Six rookies yet Colapinto misses out. His star faded toward the end of the season after starting with a bang replacing Sargeant.

 

[Barrybran]

Six rookies yet Colapinto misses out. His star faded toward the end of the season after starting with a bang replacing Sargeant.

He'll get his shot. I don't think too much can be read into those crashes. Brazil was a shitfight and Las Vegas he was searching for every millimetre and misjudged it. The main issue for him is the only seats that come up in 2026 that I know of are Russel's and Tsunoda's.

 

[Vader]

He'll get his shot. I don't think too much can be read into those crashes. Brazil was a shitfight and Las Vegas he was searching for every millimetre and misjudged it. The main issue for him is the only seats that come up in 2026 that I know of are Russel's and Tsunoda's.

Tsunoda's future is an interesting one. He's inherently tied to Honda, who will be switching to Aston Martin. AM have Stroll & Alonso. Alonso is contracted for 2026, and Stroll is the ultimate nepo baby. However, Honda will be insistent that Tsunoda be given a seat. How this works out will make for interesting watching. Popcorn at the ready.

 

[Festerz]

yep! bit of a surprise to me.

How so?

Watching his performances in F2 this year he seemed to be head and shoulders above most of the other drivers - finishing second to Bortoleto and with 4 wins - more than any other driver - in his second year. If not for the engine failure on the starting grid at the final race of the year at Abu Dhabi he may well have won the championship.

But more importantly is how he performed at the Abu Dhabi test session where he was testing in the Red Bull alongside Tsunoda. Christian Horner saying he was faster than Yuki “which turned heads”.

He has a reputation as being a bit of a hot head though and it was interesting to read reports that Marko told Hajar to 'keep his emotions under control' when he was appointed to RBR. A clear reference, I think, to Tsunoda's tantrums and a warning of what might happen if he goes down that path. Bit of hypocrisy from Marko given that Max was hot headed from the day he joined the F1 grid but that's easily balanced out by Max's race wins and championships.

Time will tell of course. There's a very long list of young guns who've joined the F1 circus after stellar careers in the lower race classes only to be unable to perform at the level required.

 

[Festerz]

So the 2025 Grid is settled - 6 rookies and 3 world champions. Although Lawson debuted in 2023 so I'm not sure if he's technically a rookie.

 

[Gunf]

So the 2025 Grid is settled - 6 rookies and 3 world champions. Although Lawson debuted in 2023 so I'm not sure if he's technically a rookie.

View attachment 2191957

It is actually a good line up with only 1 driver who 100% shouldn't be on the grid in Stroll

 

[Duck Farmer]

So the 2025 Grid is settled - 6 rookies and 3 world champions. Although Lawson debuted in 2023 so I'm not sure if he's technically a rookie.

View attachment 2191957

You'd think Ferrari and McLaren will be the teams to beat with Red Bull as the wild card if Lawson steps up. Leclerc and Hamilton is some combination if Lewis still has a bit left in the tank.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

You'd think Ferrari and McLaren will be the teams to beat with Red Bull as the wild card if Lawson steps up.

Can't rule out any of the top 4 at this point. Mercedes had a genuinely fast if unstable car by the end of the season.

 

[Not Important]

bye yuki.

 

[Father Jack]

You shouldn't bloody well have a support team to begin with, but whatever.

 

[Duck Farmer]

bye yuki.

Bit harsh on Tsunoda. Outqualified Lawson 6-0 and finished higher in 4 out of 6 races.

 

[Vader]

Bit harsh on Tsunoda. Outqualified Lawson 6-0 and finished higher in 4 out of 6 races.

Honestly - you'd expect that from a 5th year driver, against a driver who was drafted in with only 1/3 of the season remaining.

 

[largebus]

The only reason Checo and Yuki weren't gone sooner is because of Mexican and Honda $$ and Horner isn't RBR's CFO.

Honestly - you'd expect that from a 5th year driver, against a driver who was drafted in with only 1/3 of the season remaining.

Albon on the other hand...

 

[99 Problems]

You shouldn't bloody well have a support team to begin with, but whatever.

I could probably cop it more if the sport was struggling and it was either let them have a feeder team or have less cars on the grid. But the sport is flying and other parties have actively been trying to get into the category. It seems crazy to just let them run a B team.

 

[Cromulant]

I could probably cop it more if the sport was struggling and it was either let them have a feeder team or have less cars on the grid. But the sport is flying and other parties have actively been trying to get into the category. It seems crazy to just let them run a B team.

It's an interesting one.

RB are financially viable, the whole "its just a drinks company" that people peddled in the early days just isnt reality. They do stand on their own 2 feet more than they used to, but if there's a well supported, manufacturer backed team out there like GM are doing, then it's probably time for them to go.