They left it too late for Checos second run, not sure whos call it was there but they need to sort it, hes proven he can overtake an he was very fired up during the race, just need an effort from the team to actually use him, he could in theory be a real pain for Merc. Mind you if the rumours are correct they kind of did that themselves with the Russell Hamilton Combo.
https://www.planetf1.com/news/valtteri-bottas-alfa-romeo-move-2022/ Surprising precisely nobody. George will be turning up in a black windbreaker any time now.
I'm guessing Mick Schumacher to Alfa, De Vries to Williams and Albon back in the AT or not in F1 at all. The Schumacher family/Ferrari must be getting pretty sick of Haas and it's Mazepin problem.
Actually Mick to Alfa wouldnt be bad, its a better car. The Williams seat if going to be interesting as Merc want De Vries an RBR want Albon, its going to be awkward.
De Vries gets them cheap[er] Merc engines, maybe some tech sharing and a continuation of their 'relationship'. What's the benefit to Williams of taking Albon on over De Vries? Money [despite them saying they've no need for pay drivers]? Being first in the customer queue for any Red Bull-made engine? To stop Horner moaning? Given everything, I just don't see why Williams would take Albon over De Vries given the option. EDIT: Also if Horner and RBR rate Albon that highly, why is he kicking around DTM and not in one of their 4 race seats.
Given Tsnunoda's performance you do have to wonder, I know hes there basically by grave of Honda, but him back to AT would make sense. I can't recall how long his contract there is though. I'd agree De Vries does make more sense for tech sharing, it saves them money which as said they claim is not an issue, but if the can get say the rear suspension assembly from another party that frees up resource for work on other parts. In the new budget cap world it makes sense.
Prediction tiem... Merc - Hamilton / Russell RBR - Verstappen / Perez Ferrari - LeClerc / Sainz McLaren - Norris / Ricciardo Alpine - Ocon / Alonso Aston - Stroll / Vettel Alphatauri - Gasly / Tsunoda Alfa Romeo - Bottas / Schumacher Williams - Latifi / De Vries Haas - Mazepin / ???
Throwing a rock in the pond, but for Haas: Robert Shwartzman and Nico Hulkenerg. Shwartzman is Russian, a Ferrari junior, has lots and lots of 'backing' and most crucially, not a complete and total asshole. Hulkenberg will be the safe pair of hand Haas need and he'll be cheap. For Alpha Tauri, I reckon Tsunoda will be gone, he doesn't seem to be getting on top of F1 at all. If it isn't Albon it'll be Callum Ilot, Oscar Piastri or Gaunyu Zhou, next rookie in the meat grinder.
I don;t think Haas will let Mazepin['s money] go. I think Mazepin buying the team is more likely. And it might not be Tsunoda, but i just can't see it being Albon. They could also throw Gasly under the bus again if they want to bring Zhou or the like aboard. And of course Red Bull driver Albon not getting a F1 driver will totally be Toto/Mercedes' fault... totally...
https://www.planetf1.com/news/pierre-gasly-yuki-tsunoda-alphatauri/ Well that prediction aged about as well as unpasturised milk on a sunny day.
Call me a big softy, but I'm kind of glad Albon has another shot at it - it worked for Gasly and hope it does for Albon.
