|
Portugal4013 Posts
I'm not sure an actual veto took place as I'm not sure he can actually have a say on this. However, it is well known Sainz and Verstappen do not like each other at all, ever since the TR days back when they were team mates.
In fact, it is speculated that one of the reasons for Max to jump to RBR so soon was due to how poorly the relationship between the 2 drivers was.
Regarding Ricciardo...well Renualt was always super sucessful a few years in, everytime they returned to F1. It has happened everytime and this year, they already have more points than last year and we are still half way in. It is a gamble as history repeating itself is not a given, but considering his options (basically no top 3 teams wanting him, including RBR for the money he asked) I think it was the best that could happen to him.
In respect of Alonso and a move to RBR I think it is almost certain it will not happen. One thing is the money. If they do not have money to give Ricciardo what he wants, Alonso's paycheck is out of their league. Another is Alonso as a character, not a good fit (that was already discussed a few years ago the first time these talks started, plus now RBR will have Honda engines!). Then there is the ever so closer day that will see Alonso retire from F1 to go for the tripple crown full time or something like that.
|
Portugal4013 Posts
Sorry for the double post but also relevant is the fact that Stroll indeed has bought Force India.
This most likely means his son will move on to FI (will the name change? will a new livery be used for the car?) and one of Perez and Ocon will lose his seat, if not both.
My question will always be, is Stroll good enough to be an F1 driver withouth his father buying F1 teams? Last year he did not seem as bad as this year, then again, this year that Williams looks more rubish than a car so in what measure are his performances a result of his lack of skill and what is due to the car?
|
China6283 Posts
Both Perez and Ocon will lose their seats. Stroll and Kubica would likely be driving for the new team in 2019.
On Stroll himself I don't think he is in any means a bad driver. His performance was good enough for a rookie in 2017, and despite Williams' struggle this year he snagged quite a few points. He is very inconsistent, and his lack of experience means he can't contribute much to the car's development as much as the better drivers but there is not a lot he can do about that right now.
|
Portugal4013 Posts
Well from Horner's podcast it seems RBR actually had no problem offering Ricciardo what he wanted so money was not the issue.
That reopens the door for the Alonso theories although I think the podcast also gave an indication that such would not take place
|
So this is alonso's last season.
|
It was to be expected? He couldn't get a seat at 1 of the top teams. F1 is still a series that is 90% car dependent. Since he can't win a 3rd title, leaving for Indy make sense.
In hindsight, the decision to leave Ferrari backfired spectacularly.
|
Portugal4013 Posts
So a Portuguese newspaper is reporting that Sainz to Mclaren is a done deal.
Edit: it is official, it is on Sainz twitter already.
|
Pretty much confirms Gasly to Red Bull too
|
China6283 Posts
Kinda relevant, the new F1 game is looking great too. Liked the 2016 and 2017 one as well.
|
Portugal4013 Posts
Gasly to RBR confirmed by the team
|
On August 20 2018 10:51 digmouse wrote: Kinda relevant, the new F1 game is looking great too. Liked the 2016 and 2017 one as well. yea. 2017 was dope. Gonna get the new one, once it's a bit cheaper and the most of the bugs are gone.
|
On August 21 2018 19:40 KobraKay wrote: Gasly to RBR confirmed by the team This is awesome news for all reds
|
China6283 Posts
Force India might not be able to run Belgium GP, their new owners still haven't obtained a F1 license.
|
this is so crazy. it seems like something like this happens every summer break
|
The good thing is we finally get to see Kubica again. And to see how good Stroll really is
|
Portugal4013 Posts
It is confirmed that Force India will race this weekend, already under the new designation and without a single point.
In other news, a Portuguese news site is quoting an interview given by Alonso where he states he received several offers from RBR to replace Ricciardo.
|
RIP Vandoorne's career unless RBR ditch Hartley for him or Fred Vassuer saves him at Sauber next year.
|
It's all getting a bit interesting isn't it. Myself, as a Mclaren fan, really hope they can use all this change to make some improvements or at the very least speed them up. They have Sainz, but for the other seat I would be knocking on Toto's door and telling him we will take either Ocon or Russell in exchange for an engine contract (they will never run Ferrari engines so Merc is the best they can hope for). It seems Racing Point will definitely run Stroll, for obvious reasons, and Perez sounds confident of staying for next year too which leaves Merc needing a spot for a driver. It would leave Norris without a drive but again it can be used as a good thing. Toro Rosso have already showed their interest in him and I'm sure a deal could be done where James Key is released from his contractual obligations to join immediately in exchange for Lando driving for them next year. Mclaren would still have first option on him as he is under a long term agreement with them.
|
On August 24 2018 21:05 Aristodemus wrote: It's all getting a bit interesting isn't it. Myself, as a Mclaren fan, really hope they can use all this change to make some improvements or at the very least speed them up. They have Sainz, but for the other seat I would be knocking on Toto's door and telling him we will take either Ocon or Russell in exchange for an engine contract (they will never run Ferrari engines so Merc is the best they can hope for). It seems Racing Point will definitely run Stroll, for obvious reasons, and Perez sounds confident of staying for next year too which leaves Merc needing a spot for a driver. It would leave Norris without a drive but again it can be used as a good thing. Toro Rosso have already showed their interest in him and I'm sure a deal could be done where James Key is released from his contractual obligations to join immediately in exchange for Lando driving for them next year. Mclaren would still have first option on him as he is under a long term agreement with them.
McLaren are contracted to Renault until 2020. Red Bull Also want Lando for more than a year and ideally remove McLaren ownership of Norris completely.
|
Just like with James Key, an arrangement could be found with Renault I'm sure. Red Bull are in quite a dire need of drivers now for their B team, Horner admits that they have nobody within there own system ready to make the step up to F1. They tried to replace Hartley early in this season too so they clearly don't want him in the car for next year. I am also certain they want Norris to cut his link to Mclaren completely but just like when Sainz went to Renault it won't happen. If it did it would cost RB far more than Key being released.
|
|
|
|