Formula 1 Talk

[FuzzyRev]

I fired up the laptop and logged in here, as I'm just learning about Horner's dismissal, and thought it'd be a good excuse to post for the first time in a while.

I think it's just fine that they removed him, probably even a good thing. It's been an amazing twenty years with so much to be proud of, but things MUST change eventually in order for simple survival. I'm excited to see how the team changes going forward, and with the massive regulation shakeup next year, pretty much everyone is forced to 'start over' anyways.

It's not like he even needs to keep working after this, money is not an issue for him, but if another team comes calling, he'd likely jump right back into the mix. I won't lie, a Wolff/Verstappen vs. Horner/Hamilton battle seems like the stuff of dreams & legends...

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[Dannyvandelft]

I won't lie, a Wolff/Verstappen vs. Horner/Hamilton battle seems like the stuff of dreams & legends...

Plot twist, Horner takes Max with him to Ferrari ? wouldn't THAT be something.

 

[BrettMRC]

I reckon he'll end up at Alpine, Max heading to either Ferrari or Aston Martin and that's what triggered them kicking out Horner.

Two of Horners henchmen in chief have been let go at the same time: Chief Marketing Officer, Oliver Hughes and Group Director of Communications, Paul Smith.

 

[FLtrackdays]

You didn't jinx Max. He did it all by himself. He wanted a car with low down force and that over steered (pointy) and that's what Red Bull gave him. He could have done very well in the dry while keeping a calm demeanor. But it got really wet and he had a bout with the Red Mist after getting pissed at Oscar. I'm beginning to think some drivers have figured out they can get Max pissed off and he ends up making mistakes. He actually is human after all!

That’s crazy talk… He is not human!!!! ?

I reckon he'll end up at Alpine, Max heading to either Ferrari or Aston Martin and that's what triggered them kicking out Horner.

Two of Horners henchmen in chief have been let go at the same time: Chief Marketing Officer, Oliver Hughes and Group Director of Communications, Paul Smith.

Speaking of talk, word on the street (track) was that Ferrari wasn’t too happy with Fred for a few races now. I thought it was crazy at the time… but maybe RB got word of Christian’s speaking with Ferrari as well? ?‍

 

[johnnyskids]

I reckon he'll end up at Alpine, Max heading to either Ferrari or Aston Martin and that's what triggered them kicking out Horner.

Two of Horners henchmen in chief have been let go at the same time: Chief Marketing Officer, Oliver Hughes and Group Director of Communications, Paul Smith.

Like you, I can't really see Christian uprooting his family, or just leaving them for large portions of the year, to go to Ferrari. Alpine is close to where he currently lives, so the transition would be somewhat minimal.

I'm still not fully sold on Max leaving RB. I feel like has been two views on Horner's firing, either it's because the team has already lost Max, or this is a last ditch effort to retain Max. I'm more of the mind of the latter than the former, but it wouldn't completely shock me if Max decided to join Mercedes. I don't think Ferrari is a good fit, can you imagine the meltdowns he would have with their strategy calls? That would be some next level complaining.

 

[gixxersixxerman]

Like you, I can't really see Christian uprooting his family, or just leaving them for large portions of the year, to go to Ferrari. Alpine is close to where he currently lives, so the transition would be somewhat minimal.

I'm still not fully sold on Max leaving RB. I feel like has been two views on Horner's firing, either it's because the team has already lost Max, or this is a last ditch effort to retain Max. I'm more of the mind of the latter than the former, but it wouldn't completely shock me if Max decided to join Mercedes. I don't think Ferrari is a good fit, can you imagine the meltdowns he would have with their strategy calls? That would be some next level complaining.

If Horner went to Ferrari all that poor strategy crap would end, he would bring in new people. But i dont see that happening anyway


What i do see happening is him going to Cadillac. I know they brought Peter Crolla in, but id go out of my way to bring Horner to Caddy. I can also see him maybe going to Aston and bringing Max with him. Alonzo seems tired of the shit, Stroll doesn't seem like he is enjoying it anymore. so Newey, Max and Horner at Aston.... wow...

 

[Dannyvandelft]

I can also see him maybe going to Aston

I had that same thought.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

Apparently Toto and Max were yachting together in Sardinia, where Max signed a 5 year deal at Mercedes

 

[tracer bullet]

Apparently Toto and Max were yachting together in Sardinia, where Max signed a 5 year deal at Mercedes

The former appears to be the case, the latter? Just a guess for now?

Assuming if it happens, it'll be Russell getting replaced, they're having some contract issues apparently? Wonder where he would go. Lots of shuffling around the last year or two, but maybe it's always that way and I've only recently noticed.

 

[J29DB03]

Horner will be in red before Spa.

On second thought, he’ll be at Aston next year. Already has a relationship with Honda. Won’t be Alpine, he wouldn’t go to a team using Merc engines.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

The former appears to be the case, the latter? Just a guess for now?

Assuming if it happens, it'll be Russell getting replaced, they're having some contract issues apparently? Wonder where he would go. Lots of shuffling around the last year or two, but maybe it's always that way and I've only recently noticed.

Yeah it's all hearsay until it's official

 

[FLtrackdays]

I kinda liked the idea Thomas had of him getting back with Newey & Horner at Aston, with unlimited checks being written by papa Stroll. But hell, if Jos and Toto get along and Max is cool with it, Mercedes it is. I doubt Kimi will get in the way & love to learn from Max as well.

George will have lots of options - you’d think. Red Bull, Cadillac & Aston all could have that 2026 car to compete with. What a weird ass season. All because RB couldn’t make a 2nd car drivable for others? Or is Max just able to drive on the extreme edge like many former champions have stated & RB can’t set up two cars differently? Guess we’ll find out if the baby bull manager can translate the same success to it’s bigger bull brother.

 

[tracer bullet]

I really don't know, so I'll ask for opinions - is George good enough to win a championship if he's in a great car? I kind of think so but it seems that so many F1 drivers are pretty great that maybe he's actually just mid pack. Or top 10 but no way #1?

Trying to think of what team has the best cars right now. McLaren, it would seem. It was Mercedes for a while, then Red Bull for a while. But aside from McLaren which team's next best? One of them, maybe Ferrari, maybe another? Seems like Cadillac can't be as good as the others without at least a few years under their belt, and I'd think George would want at least some chance of being able to win.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

I really don't know, so I'll ask for opinions - is George good enough to win a championship if he's in a great car? I kind of think so but it seems that so many F1 drivers are pretty great that maybe he's actually just mid pack. Or top 10 but no way #1?

Trying to think of what team has the best cars right now. McLaren, it would seem. It was Mercedes for a while, then Red Bull for a while. But aside from McLaren which team's next best? One of them, maybe Ferrari, maybe another? Seems like Cadillac can't be as good as the others without at least a few years under their belt, and I'd think George would want at least some chance of being able to win.

The McLaren is an amazing car. They should be winning every race. The only reason they didn't is because they don't have an exceptional driver. Piastri and Norris are good, but Max shouldn't be able to beat them in the state that RedBull is in. The second best team has to be Mercedes. Having a rookie as a second driver is obviously costing them points so it might not seem as obvious, but I put them as a clear second. Ferrari and RedBull are close, so I'd say who's third is track specific.

George is the same caliber as Norris and Piastri. Good, but not a great. But of those three, Piastri has the most potential to become a great. I think he'll grab the title this year, and then it's going to be interesting to see how he deals with a new car next season.

I don't think much of Cadillac yet. It's most likely going to be another HAAS. Back end of the midfield for a while.

 

[BrettMRC]

I'd put George in the top 5 drivers I think.

I still wish Mercedes had taken a risk at the start of 2021 and put him in the No.2 seat.

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