2021 The Wimpiest of Silly Seasons.

The editor-in-chief of the German news medium, Christian Nimmervoll, writes on Twitter that we can expect some very big news tomorrow. "It's a big day today in Formula One, because this afternoon the comeback of Fernando Alonso with the Renault F1 Team was confirmed. Although I'm still blinking my eyes, I keep gathering information about an even bigger sensation in Silly Season. More on this on Thursday morning," the editor-in-chief writes.

If we look further on Twitter, then the news seems to have to do with the future of Sebastian Vettel. The four-time world champion has yet to leave Ferrari after this season and has not yet found a new employer. In recent days, however, he has been increasingly associated with Red Bull Racing, where he may yet become the successor to Alexander Albon. Speaking to ServusTV on Monday, Vettel said he had already spoken to Dr. Helmut Marko, the chief executive of the Austrian formation.

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Vettel did not say exactly what he had discussed, but said that we can expect more on the content of this conversation soon. "I asked Helmut for advice. I presented him with the situation and he has the heart on his tongue. I've just been able to talk to him about it and you'll see the outcome," Vettel said. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was also present during the interview, saying: "It's hard to fit him in because we didn't expect him to be on the market. We never expected Ferrari to be so brutal as not to offer him a new contract."

However, there are other rumours than a move to Red Bull. Vettel, for example, would be at odds with Ferrari after the disappointing Austrian Grand Prix and threatened an early exit at the Italian racestable. Mick Schumacher is mentioned as someone who could succeed him temporarily.


Another option is an announcement from mercedes' camp. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have an expiring contract there and from the Silver Arrows there is also the necessary interest in the services of Vettel. The four-time world champion has German nationality and that could be a marketing wise move for Mercedes, according to Wolff. If this is the case, the following question immediately arises: what will Hamilton/Bottas do? After all, a seat will have to be cleared if Mercedes decides to sign Vettel.

Several options seem to be possible, as there are also rumours that Vettel is in the picture at Racing Point, which will go through next season as Aston Martin. Owner Lawrence Stroll spares no effort to forge a success formation. Is he prepared to get rid of Sergio Pérez or Lance Stroll to allow the arrival of Vettel?

Finally, it could be that Vettel announces his retirement or a sabbatical, should the news even concern the german's future. In any case, we keep a close eye on the relevant news source, because tomorrow more information about the 'great sensation', as Nimmvervoll describes it on his Twitter account.

But while Alonso earned a reputation in his career for venting frustrations in public if things did not go his way, Renault team boss Cyril Abiteboul believes his driver is a totally different character now.



Speaking exclusively to Motorsport.com about Alonso, Abiteboul said: “I think the years that he had away from the track have probably been an opportunity for him to reset, to actually measure how lucky or privileged we are all of us to operate and perform in Formula 1, and probably to come with a fresh set of mind.

 And while Alonso has a reputation for being tough for team bosses to manage, Abiteboul says he will likely lean on former Renault chief Flavio Briatore for advice.

“I guess the only one who has been successful in that respect is Flavio [Briatore], and I think it's no secret that I grew up myself with Flavio.

“I've seen also some of the things that he was doing with Fernando and I keep on having some dialogue with Flavio. He's around, and he has been amongst many people, and I'm not going to mention them, but he’s been part of today's announcement.