2022-2023 Silly Season Thread

[bathurst77]

good well written and thought out piece on OP in speedcafe

The unanswered question surrounding Pastri

[steve_r]

And in a move that screams that Alpine couldn't think of anyone else, Ricciardo signs for them for next year. Hardly deserved based on recent form, but I along with most fans quite like Ricciardo, so this is good news in some ways, but only if he rediscovers his mojo.

I presume that this means that Piastri is going to be confirmed at McLaren?

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by steve_r

And in a move that screams that Alpine couldn't think of anyone else, Ricciardo signs for them for next year. Hardly deserved based on recent form, but I along with most fans quite like Ricciardo, so this is good news in some ways, but only if he rediscovers his mojo.

I presume that this means that Piastri is going to be confirmed at McLaren?

Say what?! For real?

Sauce?

[bathurst77]

Originally Posted by steve_r

And in a move that screams that Alpine couldn't think of anyone else, Ricciardo signs for them for next year.

source please?

[steve_r]

It was on Alpines own Twitter account earlier this morning, but strangely enough seems to have disappeared now. Therefore please accept my apologies if I am spreading fake news!?

[steve_r]

I was not the only one who saw it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4oudbW9nBY

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I was not the only one who saw it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4oudbW9nBY

Watching that, it was actually on Tik Tok.

[Greem]

That's not the official Alpine F1 Twitter account though...

@AlpineFITeamm is not @AlpineF1Team, it's some sort of parody/joke/fictional account (albeit not very good).

As you were!

[steve_r]

Apologies all for spreading fake news.

Anyway, a Nigerian Prince who contacted me by email is sending me a Billion Dollars from my long lost relatives, so perhaps I can set up my own F1 team and employ Ricciardo.

[Sandgroper]

I saw the same news on Twitter and jumped but looked at other forums with no news as yet. I hope DR end up at Alpine. Seems to be the most competitive of whats available.

[S griffin]

I can see Alpine being Danny's best option atm.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I can see Alpine being Danny's best option atm.

But not their best option most likely.

[Bcarr6]

Looks like regardless of the CRB outcome, Alpine are moving towards not wanting Piastri in their car...

Several outlets today saying that Alpine are feeling out Gasly, who apparently Red Bull would be prepared to let go for a fee.

Gasly would probably be a nice fit for Alpine, leaves the question of who would fill his seat in Alpha Tauri? Lawson? Herta? Schumacher? Ricciardo?

I dont expect them to go back to Ricciardo, not their style. Lawson or Herta would be my picks.

That of course leaves a HAAS seat free, which would be a fairly lowly seat for Ricciardo to fall into, question would be whether he'd take that or just walk away with his nice big Mclaren pay packet.

Lots of spinning plates here, going to be interesting how it all lands as we are merely speculating for now

[E.B]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

That of course leaves a HAAS seat free, which would be a fairly lowly seat for Ricciardo to fall into, question would be whether he'd take that or just walk away with his nice big Mclaren pay packet.

Giovinazzi seems to be a favourite for the 2nd Haas seat. Ferrari want him there by all accounts. He has already been confirmed to be doing a couple of FP1 sessions for Haas in the forthcoming races..

[billy bleach]

Hulkenberg in an Alpine ? Could happen

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Hulkenberg in an Alpine ? Could happen

Most anything can happen. But...

I think with the wealth of prospective drivers in the wings, I would expect Hulkenberg would be way down on most lists. High if someone is needed in pinch, but low when signing someone for a full season. I honestly would be shocked if we see Hulkenberg in F1 ever again.

Richard

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Most anything can happen. But...

I think with the wealth of prospective drivers in the wings, I would expect Hulkenberg would be way down on most lists. High if someone is needed in pinch, but low when signing someone for a full season. I honestly would be shocked if we see Hulkenberg in F1 ever again.

Richard

I would've said the same about Gio too, but ...

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Most anything can happen. But...

I think with the wealth of prospective drivers in the wings, I would expect Hulkenberg would be way down on most lists. High if someone is needed in pinch, but low when signing someone for a full season. I honestly would be shocked if we see Hulkenberg in F1 ever again.

Richard

Stefan Johansson sort of deal could be an option. 1 year, safe pair of hands. They can then work on securing a longer term driver for '24 onwards.

I don't see the clear overwhelming suitability in Gasly. They already have an experienced, quick, yet to be fully proven Frenchman...
Why but out the contract of a similar level French driver?!

There isn't an academy driver outside F1 that has proven they are ready for an seat.

Zhou might fit the bill for a year or two but hasn't he re-signed with Sauber?

[bathurst77]

and to think a couple of months ago the 23 driver lineup lloook locked solid with few if aany changes from this year, and no seat for OP

[seanyb505]

I'd blame Seb for that lol

[peebee2]

The CRB thing’s a bit too quiet. Maybe some negotiations going on in the background.

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by peebee2

The CRB thing’s a bit too quiet. Maybe some negotiations going on in the background.

The CRB doesn’t announce its decisions.We will next hear a driver announcement from one of the teams.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by Alan52

The CRB doesn’t announce its decisions.We will next hear a driver announcement from one of the teams.

I know, surprised no announcements yet.

Maybe they’re waiting for the new Haas sponsor from Australia to be announced.

[dsg]

Originally Posted by peebee2

I know, surprised no announcements yet.

Rumours are that Alpine are looking at other drivers such as Gasly however there are no rumours McLaren are looking elsewhere for a Ricciardo replacement. That might indicate the CBR's decision.

[GreenMachine]

Didn't they start before the CRB hearing, I remember thinking that they were a pointer to Alpine's expectation that they would lose OP, or at least they would lose the CRB contract arbitration.