Formula 1 Talk

[johnnyskids]

I think there is very little chance that Max moves to Mercedes for next season. Maybe in 2027, but not 2026. And if he did, I think George would move to Aston Martin or Williams, both teams moving up in performance... especially Aston Martin.

And who is going to drive for Cadillac in 2026? I certainly hope they can do better than taking anybody from IndyCar... unless they could get Alex Palou, and I'm not sure he would go even if you offered him big money. Right now he is the big fish in the little pond. The super star. At Cadillac he would be at the back half of the field, if not the very back.

It's always silly this time of year with all the rumors. Nothing really new from previous years and Toto's desire to add Max. Of course it would appear more likely due to his teams struggles and internal issues that have popped up over the past year and a half.

I don't think anyone can really predict what Max will do. He's unique in that he has already stated that he won't be driving an F1 car into his later years and he's been saying that for a few seasons now. Not that I expect him to retire from the sport anytime soon, but a one year break from the sport in 2026 to spend with his new born child, see who is the best on the grid with an open seat, and restart his career again. I don't think it's the craziest idea, it's not like he'd be sitting at home changing diapers either, he'd still have a pretty busy schedule with sim racing and likely some other forms of racing like Le Mans or other forms, just not as a full time driver.

As for George, I really feel for him. He earned his seat at Mercedes, they built him into a very good driver, and to let him leave right when he's in his prime seems like a bad look. Of course it's an even worse look to let Kimi go, especially with how special the start to his career has been. I would think that RB would be in hot pursuit of George if Max were to leave or take a year off, but they wouldn't be the only one. I doubt Williams would be willing to let either of their drivers go to have the privilege of paying George a massive amount. Aston could go after him if they finally move on from Stroll, but that again isn't a guarantee. Regardless George should have a seat on the grid in some capacity and I hope it's with a competitive team.

Sponsored

 

[johnnyskids]

No conversations about the F1 race today? I'm a bit surprised. Here is my take:

As a McLaren fan, I obviously enjoyed this morning’s F1 race. But after that I watched the NASCAR race I had on the DVR from Saturday night’s race from Atlanta. Now I’m not much of a NASCAR fan, and especially not races on an oval. When they race road courses, they can be more fun than even a F1 race. They do some pushing and shoving that most road racing series don’t allow. BTW, next week's NASCAR race is the city street race in Chicago and the week after they are in Sonoma. But I digress… back to Atlanta. This was FAR AND AWAY the best NASCAR race I have ever watched! And I’d even go so far as to say it’s in the top 10 of my all time favorite races.

There were more over under passes than I have seen in any other 10 races. One car would take the lead in turns 1 & 2 and the other car would pass back in 3 & 4. Then they would do it again the very next lap. Then the 3rd place car would get a run and pass both of them and the car that pushed him would slide up into 3rd. Then they would start passing each other all over again! It was crazy for most of the race. But the last 20 or 30 laps were absolutely insane! Officially 13 different drivers lead a lap and there were 46 lead changes. But if the leader got passed in turns 1 & 2 and then he passed back into the lead in turns 3 & 4, that doesn’t count as a lead change because they only count them at the start finish line! I’d guess there were more like 60+ lead changes. BTW, I had an inkling that this could be a good race because I watched the NASCAR Xfinity race late Saturday night on my DVR from Friday’s race and it was pretty good as well!

I don't typically watch any NASCAR other than their annual street track, which as you pointed out is this coming weekend. I also just looked at the weather, and it's saying there will be some rain and thunder showers. Wonder if they'd red flag the race if there is thunder showers or if they'll keep it running as it's on a street course. Either way, the last two times they had this race some rain was present and my goodness is it fun to see this big cars sliding around into each other. Completely different skill than most of the drivers have so there is a lot of chaos that happens throughout the race. I'll be certain to record it again this year, thanks for reminding me.

 

[Ron L]

I don't typically watch any NASCAR other than their annual street track, which as you pointed out is this coming weekend. I also just looked at the weather, and it's saying there will be some rain and thunder showers. Wonder if they'd red flag the race if there is thunder showers or if they'll keep it running as it's on a street course. Either way, the last two times they had this race some rain was present and my goodness is it fun to see this big cars sliding around into each other. Completely different skill than most of the drivers have so there is a lot of chaos that happens throughout the race. I'll be certain to record it again this year, thanks for reminding me.

I agree completely. Watching the big cars slide around is great fun. And they do slide more than sports cars or formula cars, which makes them fun to watch on any kind of road course.

 

[gixxersixxerman]

That RB in FP1 was one of the worse F1 cars I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen, that I can recall, the understeer Max had. Literally looked like he was on ice, steering wheel 90* and the car going straight. I really wonder if Yuki is sitting there thinking he made a mistake going to RB. That VCARB looks better than RB right now. Zac trying to hype up Ferrari as their main competition this week… lol…

I still think this is Lando’s race to lose. He just looks on it.

.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

Lap of the Gods! Unbelievable. I can't see him keeping the McLaren's behind tomorrow in the dry with their gentle tire wear, but holy crap. That was epic. Lewis too, fantastic effort in that dog of a car.

 

[Ron L]

That was an incredible lap by Max. I wonder if he would set the car up with a bit of push and by driving around it would do less damage to the rear tires and be more competitive with the McLarens? I'm wondering if the reason nobody else can drive a Red Bull is because it's so pointy that you have to drive a very loose car and over work the rear tires?

And I know a lot of us hope that you are correct. " I can't see him keeping the McLarens behind tomorrow in the dry with their gentle tire wear..."

 

[FLtrackdays]

I’m with Danny. The wife and I were like what the focccckkkkk…. ?

Alex Jakes was doing his typical flip out (sounded more sincere) and DC was in shock. Loved how F1 tv didn’t edit out all the great comments. Including the Irish (or was it Scottish) chap, former Silverstone winner, that was being interviewed post race. When asked what it was like beating Schumacher, he said a rare thing and Senna & Verstappen were similar to Schumacher. Rare flukes, anomalies, in driving history. They just do things, no matter how hard you try, better (according to him). He went into great detail and I recommend everyone give it a watch, that can. Jolynn Palmer had his dad with him, it was great!

Guess it pays to never count out Max. Even in an inferior car. Extra pointy. The Scottish driver talked about that too. Check it out and can’t wait to see if Max can hang in there today!! Cheers ???

 

[Johnny Utah]

Is TSU just that bad of a driver compared to everyone else (especially Max because they’re both driving for Redbull)? That dude always finishes in the back no matter what equipment he gets in.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

Is TSU just that bad of a driver compared to Max, or does it just look worse because they’re driving Redbulls?

The car is awful. Without Max that team would be p6 or worse.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

NICOOOOOOOO!!!! So happy for him!

What a race. Max's low downforce cost him. Higher tire wear, more sliding, less downforce in the wet, harder to bring back up to temp after a Safety Car, but, his slide gave Nico his podium. So in the end super happy.

Piastri's penalty was warranted. It was plain dangerous driving. And reiterated that Russell in Canada should also have been penalized.
Years ago in Monza (Schumacher I think) did the same and Button almost rear ended a car and veered off into the wall trying to avoid a crash. So IMO absolutely right by the stewards.

 

[tracer bullet]

NICOOOOOOOO!!!! So happy for him!

Same! I've never met an F1 driver and only know what I know from interviews, reading, and of course the Netflix show. But he's one of my favorites. Not minding Hamilton getting high up as well. I kind of hoped he'd win 1 more season someday with Ferrari but clearly that won't happen.

Kind of expected Piastri to end up over top of Norris this year but it's not looking that way. The penalty today didn't help of course. I've got no real opinion on which of them is better, though.

Can't believe anyone can pass anyone else in that rain.

 

[Dannyvandelft]

Kind of expected Piastri to end up over top of Norris this year

Piastri should have won today. I still don't understand why he did what he did. It was unnecessary. Max didn't have the pace to challenge him. I think the buddy-buddy stuff is finally over at McLaren. You can tell Piastri is losing that cool of his with how he was after the race. I can see them clashing in the not too distant future. Piastri is without a doubt the better driver of the two, but he can't make silly mistakes like those when the title is on the line. I expect Piastri to come back harder next race.

 

[romanLegion9574]

Is TSU just that bad of a driver compared to everyone else (especially Max because they’re both driving for Redbull)? That dude always finishes in the back no matter what equipment he gets in.

The car is part of it, but I honestly think he’s overhyped because he’s a likeable character.

The senior team was dealing with Checo in bad form for 1.5 years and Tsunoda was never even rumored to be a replacement.

Not to mention, they chose Lawson over Tsunoda due to potential. That didn’t go away 2 races into the season and just in time for Suzuka.

It’s no secret that he’s sponsored by Honda and that’s why he’s been in the sport so long. There were pretty strong rumors that Honda offered some big sum of money to put Yuki in the seat for Suzuka, and it makes a lot of sense for Red Bull to accept since they dropped Checo with his Latam sponsorship.

He was also outperformed by several drivers including Lawson in the junior formulas.

Lastly, watching the races last year, he made rookie mistakes like spinning out in Canada, COTA, and trying to be a hero on Mexico T1 lap 1 as an experienced driver

 

[BrettMRC]

Piastri has been pushing his luck with safety car restarts a few times now, was good to see Nico in the cool down room explaining the facts of life to him!
Glad Lando won, always nice to see a British driver get P1 at Silverstone - but Piastri lost it, Lando wasn't there on pure pace IMO, (accepting that he lost a place due to the slow pit stop).

Hamilton did an exceptional job in the Ferrari, that looked to be about the twitchiest car on the field in those conditions, and he owned his own mistakes too whilst also pointing out that the strategy just isn't there.

Hulkenberg... a long time coming and proof that with experience and a safe strategy you can get the job done. I'm glad he finally got a podium, he's a solid midfield driver who deserved it.

Verstappen had a bit of a mare, I think he was probably nailed on for 3rd or 4th until his spin... as for his team mate... I think the 2nd seat is getting a lot of flak, but I suspect the performance differential is magnified now that the field spread is so close, a couple of tenths of a second can be the difference of dozens of places now - on average the actual qualifying gap in pure pace is no worse than it was with Perez. (Although race consistency is seriously lacking)

A good weekend! (...especially if you include Ozzies farewell gig and the Oasis comeback)

 

[Dannyvandelft]

Hamilton did an exceptional job

I didn't think so to be fair. He gained no places, even after Max had his slide. Hulkenberg came from 19th to 3rd in a tractor and Hamilton was on him but couldn't get past in a far superior car. When they pitted the gap went from less than a second to 8 seconds plus.

Sponsored