Shocker: Hamilton leaves Mercedes for...Ferrari

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Agreed. Though, Max doesn't make many mistakes, either.

We'll also have to see how this all plays out in 2026, given that Aston-Martin will be going to Honda power-plants, instead of Mercedes.

I might argue that making mistakes while at the front is much more forgiving then making them 'in the field'.

Guess Honda has changed its corporate mind on supporting F1 (as of Wednesday), returning in 2026. Will be great if we have Honda, Mercedes, Ferrari, Ford & Renault(?) supplying "power-plants".

[vintage_tube]

In 2026 season, Honda is out for RB but remains for Aston Martin

Bob

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

I might argue that making mistakes while at the front is much more forgiving then making them 'in the field'.

Guess Honda has changed its corporate mind on supporting F1 (as of Wednesday), returning in 2026. Will be great if we have Honda, Mercedes, Ferrari, Ford & Renault(?) supplying "power-plants".

Agreed. It's not only good for the sport of F1, but also for the training of engineers, which also a good thing.

[Formerly YB-2]

After some additional searching it looks like Alfa may be out and both Audi and Cadillac are jumping in. Again, can only be good for the sport.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Will be great if we have Honda, Mercedes, Ferrari, Ford & Renault(?) supplying "power-plants".

In 2026, don't forget Audi & supplying Audi engines & GM initially supplying engines to Andretti only beginning in 2028 though (maybe earlier depending on appeal/legal since Liberty Media hosed up a simple email to Andretti Global).

Bob

[vintage_tube]

What I find most interesting besides Lewis' move & Andretti's attempts to enter F1 is this; at the end of the 2024 season, not counting Lewis, these 10 drivers for:

Hass
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
Visa Cash APP Red Bull
Williams
Alpine

Will be mad dashing for contract renewals/driver reassignments.

Additionally, Alonso at Astion Martin, Sainz at Ferrari (because of Lewis) and Perez at Red Bull can be added to those 10.

That's 13 drivers out of 20. Can't recall that many drivers closing a season w/o contracts in recent pasts.

Bob

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

What I find most interesting besides Lewis' move & Andretti's attempts to enter F1 is this; at the end of the 2024 season, not counting Lewis, these 10 drivers for:

Hass
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
Visa Cash APP Red Bull
Williams
Alpine

Will be mad dashing for contract renewals/driver reassignments.

Additionally, Alonso at Astion Martin, Sainz at Ferrari (because of Lewis) and Perez at Red Bull can be added to those 10.

That's 13 drivers out of 20. Can't recall that many drivers closing a season w/o contracts in recent pasts.

Bob

I think Alex Albon may be staying at Williams; he and Principal James Vowles are doing great work together of late. Alonso may likely be staying at Aston as they’ll be getting Honda motors (Aston-Honda? )

We shall see…

[clpetersen]

Cool thread.

A childhood friend wisely married a Deutsche Bank executive. They happen to a have a F1 Ferrari in a special room on the lower level of their home. He received it as the sponsor. Apparently, from the pictures with the flowers and trophies it was the winning car. I don't have the race details but could get them.

Some other observations:

1. No engine. Ferrari kept that.
2. The steering wheel is covered in buttons, all blank. Ferrari removed the decals.
3. The cockpit is tiny.
4. According to Tony, his new Tesla could beat it in a 0-60 mph race. I will take his word for that

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by clpetersen

They happen to a have a F1 Ferrari in a special room on the lower level of their home. He received it as the sponsor.

That is cool & excessively OCD. But hey, feels good -- do it.

Leaving the Hockenheim Raceway after a F1 race in the summer of '90 I'm in the slow lane - plugging along in my Pathfinder with attendance traffic at 20kmph on the autobahn. I notice in rear & sideview mirrors a red, F40 inching closer in the left lane. He and I were side by side for 20 minutes -- such a beautiful creation --.

Once traffic eased and opened up -- he & his blonde passenger were gone -- Zurich plates IIRC.

Bob

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

That is cool & excessively OCD. But hey, feels good -- do it.

Leaving the Hockenheim Raceway after a F1 race in the summer of '90 I'm in the slow lane - plugging along in my Pathfinder with attendance traffic at 20kmph on the autobahn. I notice in rear & sideview mirrors a red, F40 inching closer in the left lane. He and I were side by side for 20 minutes -- such a beautiful creation --.

Once traffic eased and opened up -- he & his blonde passenger were gone -- Zurich plates IIRC.

Bob

F40s are okay, though, personally, I find them to be a bit "generic-looking".

I much prefer the 330 P4 FIA Group 6 car. Here's one of my photos of one...