The wildest F1 rumors of the re-erupted Silly Season

In fact, with a view to 2021, there are only racing seats available at Alfa Romeo, Haas F1, and of course that one spot at Red Bull. If we are to believe Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, however, those rearguard positions are already largely forgiven. The latest, wild rumors therefore largely relate to other teams.

Renault has completed the 2021 line-up with Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon. Both drivers have contracts in their pocket, but if Sebastian Vettel’s transfer has taught us anything, it is that contracts in Formula 1 are not always worth anything. After all, Sergio Perez was victimized, although that personal drama can turn out very well when he is arrested by Red Bull to replace Alexander Albon. That other candidate, Nico Hulkenberg, would then still be behind the net.

Back to Renault. After the weekend of the Grand Prix of the Eifel, there were suddenly rumors, spread by Swiss media, that Pierre Gasly would be sitting around the table with Renault. Ocon would then be the child of the bill, as he is not up to Daniel Ricciardo this season. The super talent does not impress next to the impressively performing Australian, although it cannot be argued that he is doing poorly.

Gasly himself would no longer be welcome at Red Bull to replace Albon. Evil tongues argue that during his earlier period there he antagonized too many defining people to make a return possible. Given his performance this year, a promotion would be in order and he might look for one at Renault.

While Perez has no option other than Red Bull, according to Marko, he has also been linked to Williams as of this week, which is in no way a step forward on paper. And believe it or not, it is rumored that George Russell could end up without an F1 seat as a result.

To take things a little further spicen, the debut of a new Russian in Formula 1 seems to become more and more likely. Nikita Mazepin would have a good chance of a seat at Haas F1, or whatever the team will be called if father Dmitry Mazepin takes over there. 2021 is really not that far away, but a lot of puzzle pieces still have to fall into place. The current rumors are wild, but it’s called the Silly (crazy) Season for a reason.

What are the consequences of Albon’s drama for his Red Bull future? F1 journalist Ruud Dimmers, racing driver Tom Coronel and host Thomas van Groningen discuss this and more in RacingNews365’s new F1 podcast.