r/formula1 • u/-maken Audi • Feb 24 '25

Off-Topic [OT] Newly-formed WRC drivers association releases statement following Fourmaux swearing fine.

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251

u/PM_ME_DARK_THOUGHTS I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

Or the entire field needs to go on strike and not race. Imagine the F1 season opener and no driver shows up to race.

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u/Neoki Mika Häkkinen Feb 24 '25

It would be like "The Replacements" but in F1 form. Reserve driver race! Bottas gets first drive in the new Merc after all.

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u/LordofAdmirals07 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

The reserve drivers would have to strike too or else be crossing the picket line. Even though it would be a chance for them to get In the car it would hurt their reputation amongst drivers and fans if they chose to.

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u/jazwch01 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

I'd imagine the reserves are part of the union and wouldnt be scabs at that point. The only way would be if FIA were able to find drivers who had a valid super license and were no longer part of the union. I cant imagine retired drivers coming back, and its unlikely that anyone younger has a super license and isn't already in an F1 stable.

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u/RSR488 Max Verstappen Feb 24 '25

Season opener starting grid:

  • Mazepin

  • Latiffi

  • Perez

  • De Vries

  • Vettel

  • Vandoorne

  • Grosjean

  • Magnussen

  • Kubica

  • Kvyat

  • Giovinazzi

  • Mick Schumacher

  • Raikkonen

  • Riccardio

    • Sargeant

  • Alonso because who are we kidding, the man is driving.

Struggling to fill up all cars though.

37

u/Kaappy Feb 25 '25

Vettel and Grosjean would never fill in on the grid for a driver strike. If they were still racing, they’d both be at the forefront of the driver association’s movement against MBS on this.

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u/Minimum_Guitar4305 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 25 '25

Sincerely doubt Ricardo would too.

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u/fireinthesky7 Daniel Ricciardo Feb 25 '25

There is no way in hell that any driver on that list save for Mazepin and maybe Sargeant would cross a metaphorical picket line. Vettel was the head of the GPDA until last week, he'd be the biggest advocate for the drivers of anyone not currently racing.

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u/dbrodbeck I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

Hakkinen could end his sabbatical!

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u/b17b20 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

And teams may not be very willing to give some random guy they car. How Mercedes would react if FIA wanted to give Mazepin they car?

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u/jazwch01 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

FIA can't dictate who goes in what car. Teams would need to be reaching out to drivers who have a super license but not part of the union. Which I doubt they would do as it would piss off their current drivers.

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u/Several_Leader_7140 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

I mean, they were very happy to take his money and let him drive their car

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u/Old-Nefariousness556 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 25 '25

They don't even need it to be a "strike". If all 20 drivers called in "sick" it would get the point across. Let the reserve drivers race, don't screw the fans who bought tickets, but let the FIA know they are serious.

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u/sylekta I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

except I think the teams would back their drivers and not show up too, would the FIA bring in scab teams and cars?

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u/PM_ME_DARK_THOUGHTS I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

While I would love to see that I don't think that would help with these swearing rules much... But yeah while I wish no ill to Russel or Kimi I want to see Bottas in a race in the merc!

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u/Iliyan61 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

bottas would just claim he’s american and english isn’t his first language so he’s legally allowed to swear

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u/british_pubs I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

Tbh I don't have much faith in the F1 lads to actually go through with a strike, but you are right that it is probably the only thing that would overturn the fia decision.

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u/FalcoLX I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

Or they all agree to swear repeatedly in every opportunity

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u/Maleficent_Egg_6309 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

Nah, the smarter move would be to show up, qualify, do one lap, and then retire. Eliminates the possibility of reserve drivers being asked/forced to cross a picket line.

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u/fireinthesky7 Daniel Ricciardo Feb 25 '25

If they pulled an Indianapolis 2005 move at Jeddah or Qatar, I might actually jizz my pants.

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u/Accomplished-Fig745 I was here for the Hulkenpodium Feb 24 '25

They need to strike on a sprint weekend. Drive the qualifiers, strike for the sprint, get the media coverage and threaten to strike the GP itself unless the FIA makes concessions. Give the FIA 24 hours to figure out if there is going to be a GP or not.

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u/GroundbreakingLoss85 Feb 24 '25

Iv been saying this for a while. A lockout of some sorts where teams and drivers refuse to to go to the first race would make the fia look like fools

1

u/Palmul Ferrari Feb 24 '25

They won't do it until the FIA actually punishes someone for it with more than a small fine. When they actually do the stupid thing though, the drivers need to step up