Silly Season: Gasly waves goodbye to Red Bull, Russell plays down Mercedes talk

This is the silliest season, it's a scientific fact. Gasly being axed by Red Bull after just 12 races in the seat - does that seem silly? Silly or not, one man who will not care one bit is Albon.

He has had a very bright start to his life in Formula 1 and this is his reward for the beginning of his F1 career. Daniil Kvyat, Albon's old team-mate, may feel rather harshly done by in all of this - with the Russian driver, of course former Red Bull driver, having almost double of Albon's points total this season, including that podium finish in a wet Germany.

Anyway, Gasly will be saying his goodbyes to the Red Bull staff as he prepares to go again at Toro Rosso after having a 12-race break with the sister side of Red Bull Racing.

The situation at Mercedes: Valtteri Bottas is under immense pressure after consistently being in the shadow of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Esteban Ocon drove for Force India (now Racing Point) last season and impressed, but failed to get a Formula 1 seat for this season.

Ocon has been the man tipped to replace Bottas if the Silver Arrows do not renew the Finn's contract. Toto Wolff said a decision would be made in August but also said it might not be announced in August.

George Russell is on Mercedes books and has been for quite a while now, he's also been linked with Bottas' seat, but the current Formula 2 champion has essentially ruled himself out of contention saying a call-up is "very, very unlikely".

Russell has been impressive for Williams this season in his maiden Formula 1 season, being a bit of a bright spark in another dismal season for the bottom-place team.