Probably just people putting money on him because betting sites put out tweets like this to bait people.
F1 off season & pre-season 2020-2021
- Thread starter Wobbuffet
- Start date
Wobbuffet
F1 Senna Equivalent
But that tweet was done last week, if there was a sudden mass influx of money on Russell then the odds on him would've been shorten a day or two after the date of that tweet, that fact that its happened mainly today across all betting sites suggests it less about people betting on Russell but more on what their hearing.
Wobbuffet
F1 Senna Equivalent
So we're now into the last week of January and we're still none the wiser as to whether Hamilton is signing, though we have heard from Wolff today:
www.skysports.com
I find it quite incredible a deal being done with Hamilton is now stated by Wolff 'At some point we will finalise it', basically I would take that as an admission the timeframe they'll give it is to early March if needs be, thats pretty much the complete opposite from what Wolff was saying at the beginning of Autumn.
And slightly off topic its been a busy week for former driver Jenson Button not only is now a senior advisor for Williams:
www.skysports.com
Button will be taking part in Extreme E and driving for his own team:
www.skysports.com
Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff provides contract talks update
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says he remains in the process of contract negotiations with Lewis Hamilton and is confident a new deal will be struck before pre-season testing in March.
I find it quite incredible a deal being done with Hamilton is now stated by Wolff 'At some point we will finalise it', basically I would take that as an admission the timeframe they'll give it is to early March if needs be, thats pretty much the complete opposite from what Wolff was saying at the beginning of Autumn.
And slightly off topic its been a busy week for former driver Jenson Button not only is now a senior advisor for Williams:
Jenson Button reuniting with Williams F1 team as senior advisor
Jenson Button is reuniting with Williams as senior advisor, 21 years after he made his F1 debut with the team.
Button will be taking part in Extreme E and driving for his own team:
Jenson Button joins Extreme E as driver and team owner for 2021 season
Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 world champion, has signed up to race for his own team in the all-new Extreme E off-road series.
Wobbuffet
F1 Senna Equivalent
Right we're now in February and still no Merc/Hamilton contract announcement, though surely this situation has to come to a head this month and I think mid-February (15th-22nd at the latest) is when this will be sorted out one way or another.
As Russell (who will get the call no doubt in a no deal between Merc/Hamilton outcome) needs not just a new seat fitting for Merc but considering his height, the car's cockpit itself may need changes made to it so that it can accommodate him and fit him more comfortably, and all of that takes time plus with testing starting mid-March and being at a premium as its only 3 days.
But of course for all we know a new contract may have already been signed, however on the flipside if at this point it still hasn't happened, then Merc right now would be pretty foolish not making plans for Russell driving for them instead.
As Russell (who will get the call no doubt in a no deal between Merc/Hamilton outcome) needs not just a new seat fitting for Merc but considering his height, the car's cockpit itself may need changes made to it so that it can accommodate him and fit him more comfortably, and all of that takes time plus with testing starting mid-March and being at a premium as its only 3 days.
But of course for all we know a new contract may have already been signed, however on the flipside if at this point it still hasn't happened, then Merc right now would be pretty foolish not making plans for Russell driving for them instead.
At this point I wont be surprised whatever happens now but the most likely outcome imo is that they will agree to a 1 year extension Hamilton will get his 8th title along with 110 poles and at least 105 wins and he will decided to hang up his helmet at the end of the year.
They could just as easily have already signed a 3 year deal and just be stringing everyone along though.
You have to imagine if they were going to put Russell in the car they would have announced it already as the car will need changing for him to fit in to it unless that's the reason they are revealing the car so late to give them time to do just that.
Wobbuffet
F1 Senna Equivalent
Well we got our answer yesterday:
www.skysports.com
Though I think the general reaction by most fans is one of surprise at the length of the deal, its just 1 year - this can easily give people the idea that this year will be Hamilton's last or both parties were at an impasse or struggling over a longer length and could only just about get this deal over the line.
(Interested on your thoughts on this @Erti147 - does just the one year surprise you & do you think he's intending to call it a day after this year regardless what happens?)
Anyway thats the grid for this season sorted now we await the official car launches and testing.
Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract with one-year deal announced for F1 2021
Lewis Hamilton has finally signed his new Mercedes contract to formally confirm his place on the Formula 1 grid for a 2021 season when he will aim for a record eighth world title.
Though I think the general reaction by most fans is one of surprise at the length of the deal, its just 1 year - this can easily give people the idea that this year will be Hamilton's last or both parties were at an impasse or struggling over a longer length and could only just about get this deal over the line.
(Interested on your thoughts on this @Erti147 - does just the one year surprise you & do you think he's intending to call it a day after this year regardless what happens?)
Anyway thats the grid for this season sorted now we await the official car launches and testing.
Wobbuffet
F1 Senna Equivalent
I mean sure I can see him staying for 2022, but I think any further years after that will be fully dependent on whether he likes or enjoys racing the new era of cars, though I think I have to agree with @iJokeri22 rating to a degree that your being a tad optimistic if you think he'll hang around for another 5 years - he's no Kimi, I highly doubt we'll see Hamilton racing in F1 when he reaches 40!
Meanwhile in other news Liberty have ditched the idea of reverse grid sprint races and are now trying just for 3 sprint races with points given to be tested out at selected events this season:
Formula 1's new plan for three Saturday 'sprint' races in place of qualifying in 2021 set for vote
A new Formula 1 proposal for shorter Saturday 'sprint' races at certain rounds in 2021 is to be voted on today as the sport pushes for a fresh twist on the current qualifying format.
Have to confess not a fan of this idea especially the part of giving out points for these sprint races, all it'll do is see a procession at the front as less risk taken by the front drivers, because of the simple fear that any kind of incident would mean they start at/towards the back for the proper race on sunday.
need 3 teams to vote against, and Merc like this idea more than reverse races so they might make it pass
imagine it goes through and they had it for a full season, have to give them about 10 power units a season
and Monaco would be even worse
imagine it goes through and they had it for a full season, have to give them about 10 power units a season
and Monaco would be even worse
Wobbuffet
F1 Senna Equivalent
They should have done some kind of championship order grid invert for this sprint idea (like not reverse all the grid but top 10 or something), simply doing a standard qualy for it will likely just result in a boring procession at the front.
But yeah if they pick tracks like Monaco for this 'experiment' we'll have to give up.
But yeah if they pick tracks like Monaco for this 'experiment' we'll have to give up.
FORMULA1FAN71
F1 1st Driver
a lot going on rn.
Also, anyone think that portimao or imola will be on the F1 game for this year? I think it’s a bit optimistic, and maybe just dlc if any tbh. I think they will go ahead with the normally scheduled calendar, which even then looking at it will still feature Portimao as it will be the replacement for the TBC race. But, their will probably be other cancellations and replacements and like 2020 I don’t see them putting them in the game.
If Codies care about their game even a tiny bit then they will be in if they don't then they wont, I'm not getting my hopes up.
Hope Alonso is ok heard a report that he has a broken jaw which tbh would be good news if that's all he has when you consider what happened to Webber or even Nicky Hayden.
FORMULA1FAN71
F1 1st Driver
McLaren first to launch their car. Same as last year with different rainbow design on side pods and more blue on the nose.
Definitely prefer this to the 2020 livery.
It looks good but would be nice if there was a little bit more red on the front imo
FORMULA1FAN71
F1 1st Driver
Probably going to be the best livery imo that Alfa, looks gorgeous
Loving the revolutionary new look for the Red Bull.