Nando
PTG Cup Winner 2013
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2009
- Messages
- 31,563
- Reaction score
- 1,754
Red Bull could quite easily end up in a situation where they have very limited options at the top end of the driver market if Max pulls the nuclear option - which I think is getting closer to becoming a reality, if not for 2025, I'd make him odds-on to be in a Merc for 2026.
George will be in a serious pickle if that happens (definitely for 2026) as Merc very much see Kimi Antonelli as Max v2. Whether dropping a junior in alongside Max is be a good idea is another question altogether - but it seems inevitable he's making the jump directly into a Merc (whether that's 2025 or 2026). Maybe he could be the face of Red Bull from 2026?
I can't see Leclerc leaving Ferrari even if Lewis beats him, as Lewis will be gone after a couple of seasons and ultimately there's no shame in being beaten by one of the best of all time.
Presumably Sainz will have an out in his contract just in case something opens at the top end,
Predictions:
2025:
McLaren - Norris/Piastri
Ferrari - Hamilton/Leclerc
Mercedes - Russell/Antonelli
Red Bull - Verstappen/Lawson
Williams - Sainz/Albon
Aston - Alonso/Stroll
RB - Tsunoda/Hadjar
Sauber- Hulkenberg/Bottas
Alpine - Gasly/Doohan
Haas - Ocon/Bearman
2026:
McLaren - Norris/Piastri
Ferrari - Hamilton/Leclerc
Mercedes - Verstappen/Antonelli
Red Bull - Russell/Lawson
Williams - Albon/Sainz
Aston - Stroll/Tsunoda
RB - Hadjar/Lindblad
Audi - Hulkenberg/Bottas
Alpine - Gasly/Doohan
Haas - Ocon/Bearman
George will be in a serious pickle if that happens (definitely for 2026) as Merc very much see Kimi Antonelli as Max v2. Whether dropping a junior in alongside Max is be a good idea is another question altogether - but it seems inevitable he's making the jump directly into a Merc (whether that's 2025 or 2026). Maybe he could be the face of Red Bull from 2026?
I can't see Leclerc leaving Ferrari even if Lewis beats him, as Lewis will be gone after a couple of seasons and ultimately there's no shame in being beaten by one of the best of all time.
Presumably Sainz will have an out in his contract just in case something opens at the top end,
Predictions:
2025:
McLaren - Norris/Piastri
Ferrari - Hamilton/Leclerc
Mercedes - Russell/Antonelli
Red Bull - Verstappen/Lawson
Williams - Sainz/Albon
Aston - Alonso/Stroll
RB - Tsunoda/Hadjar
Sauber- Hulkenberg/Bottas
Alpine - Gasly/Doohan
Haas - Ocon/Bearman
2026:
McLaren - Norris/Piastri
Ferrari - Hamilton/Leclerc
Mercedes - Verstappen/Antonelli
Red Bull - Russell/Lawson
Williams - Albon/Sainz
Aston - Stroll/Tsunoda
RB - Hadjar/Lindblad
Audi - Hulkenberg/Bottas
Alpine - Gasly/Doohan
Haas - Ocon/Bearman