[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Given I have the 7x WDC who performs week in, week out, I would de-risk the situation entirely and stay the course with HAM-BOT for 2021 and move the HAM-RUS in 2022.
As Sainz said, "90% may be able to win in the Mercedes but 90% wouldn't be able to beat Lewis Hamilton. That says it all.

Totally agree on both counts.
Turkey was an unbelievable race by Hamilton...not in the best car at all for the track & conditions...but out-drove the complete field by skill alone.
That race was the perfect example of why he is the best driver of modern F1.
Drivers like Leclerc and Russell may yet prove to be as good but I'm not putting any money on it.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

On the other hand..with Hamilton out of the running, had Russell been driving any car other than the Merc would he still have qualified 2nd? But that is pure speculation

That's an easy one .Russell has "0" driver points with the Williams car.
Today in the Merc W11 he showed us the Merc IS the fastest car of the decade .

Russell showed us today "Irrefutable Facts"

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Was it? I honestly don't know. Regulations have long tried to promote some fairness and parity, but for as long as I've tuned in certain teams have been dominant. If regs are being followed, I'd say that's life in the big city for everyone else on the grid. Be better.

My issue is far more with the #1 and #2 driver paradigm. That's where F1 has it wrong.

If every team committed to maximizing internal competition, then it would be a better show.

On that note, big head shake from Horner on the pit wall today re Albon. And in Q2 did Alex say "that's all I've got," or something to that effect?

That's a positive . Horner confirmed , he's very disappointed by Albon's performance from today ...

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

That's an easy one .Russell has "0" driver points with the Williams car.
Today in the Merc W11 he showed us the Merc IS the fastest car of the decade .

Russell showed us today "Irrefutable Facts"

Not really, my friend. RUS was fastest in testing the W10. All we have proven this week is that this track is an anomaly in that the top 14 cars qualified under 1 second apart.

No points scored today. Only setting the grid.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

That is pretty high stakes poker.

Given I have the 7x WDC who performs week in, week out, I would de-risk the situation entirely and stay the course with HAM-BOT for 2021 and move the HAM-RUS in 2022.

You're team principal. Contracts are made to be broken. You going to make us wait until '22 for HAM vs. RUS?

He's already proven absolute dominance over Bottas. Merc are all but guaranteed the best car on the grid next year. No WCC challengers.

Wouldn't his 8th mean more beating the massively talented up and comer? Revisiting our prior discussion, doesn't a move put more eyeballs on Hamilton, the F1 season, and therefore Mercedes?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Not really, my friend. RUS was fastest in testing the W10. All we have proven this week is that this track is an anomaly in that the top 14 cars qualified under 1 second apart.

No points scored today. Only setting the grid.

Well my friend , we'll see that tomorrow during the race.
I'm pretty sure ,next week at the Yas Marina Circuit the situation will be even more clear . Russell will show it once again how fast the Merc W11 actually is .
No matter who is driving in a Merc W11 . The advantage is huge ...

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

You're team principal. Contracts are made to be broken. You going to make us wait until '22 for HAM vs. RUS?

He's already proven absolute dominance over Bottas. Merc are all but guaranteed the best car on the grid next year. No WCC challengers.

Wouldn't his 8th mean more beating the massively talented up and comer? Revisiting our prior discussion, doesn't a move put more eyeballs on Hamilton, the F1 season, and therefore Mercedes?

Yes. Because I move according to a long-term plan and not in order to get more eyeballs. I'm going to win and 8th WDC for HAM and 8th WCC for the team. My succession plan for moving RUS into the seat will reach fruition in 2022 and I will see HAM into a Niki-esque role within the team in 2024 and have a possible 10x WDC in the pit helping manage the drivers and taking the heat off my moves as TP. And I put NOR in the 2nd seat in 2024

Copy and paste this and please send to Toto. I will share credit with you.

[Admiral]

Not long to go now for the start, no iffs, no buts Max will win, end of, since Max has come into F1 he is my favourite and will be a F1 Champion as he has the determination and passion that IMO no other driver has

[minn19]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Was it? I honestly don't know. Regulations have long tried to promote some fairness and parity, but for as long as I've tuned in certain teams have been dominant. If regs are being followed, I'd say that's life in the big city for everyone else on the grid. Be better.

My issue is far more with the #1 and #2 driver paradigm. That's where F1 has it wrong.

If every team committed to maximizing internal competition, then it would be a better show.

On that note, big head shake from Horner on the pit wall today re Albon. And in Q2 did Alex say "that's all I've got," or something to that effect?

Yah unless Albon does something great tomorrow, I think he is done at RBR.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by minn19

Yah unless Albon does something great tomorrow, I think he is done at RBR.

I do feel sorry for Albon...he has been given a car that doesn't suit him at all, is second in line for any performance upgrades, a B team of mechanics, a race strategy apparently devised by Homer Simson and lacklustre indifferent support from management.
Albon turned up for the preseason test 2018 at Bahrain to find there wasn't even a hotel room booked for him.

Red Bull are well know for having a strict #1 driver set up with the #2 driver getting the brown end of the stick.
The Red Bull young driver program is the least desired of upcoming talent due the way it craps on most of its drivers.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

I do feel sorry for Albon...he has been given a car that doesn't suit him at all, is second in line for any performance upgrades, a B team of mechanics, a race strategy apparently devised by Homer Simson and lacklustre indifferent support from management.
Albon turned up for the preseason test 2018 at Bahrain to find there wasn't even a hotel room booked for him.

Red Bull are well know for having a strict #1 driver set up with the #2 driver getting the brown end of the stick.
The Red Bull young driver program is the least desired of upcoming talent due the way it craps on most of its drivers.

It might be best for him to leave as RBR has gone all in on Max and only Max it seems. I don't get that strategy, but sports/race teams seem to always make inexplicable decisions like this to people on the outside.

I don't know if the above is true (not all calling you a liar) and I've read similar stories from online F1 sites. I don't know what is going on, but they definitely seem to chew through drivers that seemingly have a lot of talent and potential. That doesn't seem beneficial for the long term prospects of RBR.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Admiral

Not long to go now for the start, no iffs, no buts Max will win, end of, since Max has come into F1 he is my favourite and will be a F1 Champion as he has the determination and passion that IMO no other driver has

THIS !!! SPOT ON !!!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by minn19

Yah unless Albon does something great tomorrow, I think he is done at RBR.

RB needs NICO the HULK !

[minn19]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

RB needs NICO the HULK !

I like the Hulk, but I don’t think he’s a podium threat every weekend for RBR so I’m not sure what they are gaining bringing him in. Would be cool if I was wrong. I think Perez deserves that seat more and would a be the podium threat every weekend RBR is looking for. Assuming they don’t screw him over like they did the last three guys in that seat.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by minn19

I like the Hulk, but I don’t think he’s a podium threat every weekend for RBR so I’m not sure what they are gaining bringing him in. Would be cool if I was wrong. I think Perez deserves that seat more and would a be the podium threat every weekend RBR is looking for. Assuming they don’t screw him over like they did the last three guys in that seat.

Albon is not screwed by RB . He just doesn't has it .
Perez is fine as well . He showed great stuff .

The Wolff and Russell are speaking..

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Albon is not screwed by RB . He just doesn't has it .
Perez is fine as well . He showed great stuff .

The Wolff and Russell are speaking..

We heard it from Russell,''Max deserves more pole positions''.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by minn19

I like the Hulk, but I don’t think he’s a podium threat every weekend for RBR so I’m not sure what they are gaining bringing him in. Would be cool if I was wrong. I think Perez deserves that seat more and would a be the podium threat every weekend RBR is looking for. Assuming they don’t screw him over like they did the last three guys in that seat.

If the RB is indeed a tricky drive, then the substantial experience of either could be a major boost. Hulk and Perez have driven for multiple teams, been through many chassis, major regulation changes, engineers, etc. Bet both would be able to adjust and develop the car to suit their preferences.

GAS and ALB were 14 when Nico did this

Agree that as the season has progressed, seems grossly unfair Perez isn't on the grid next year. Harder for Hulk to make a case from his couch, but nevertheless.

RB have to alter strategy, even if just for 1 year. They've tried youth and internal promotion, hasn't worked.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

We heard it from Russell,''Max deserves more pole positions''.

Think Russell got Toto's race strategy today ...
*Push on your brake pedal when you see MAX in your mirrors* !
MAX will be squeezed by LeCrash along him , while Russell hits the brakes . By this Bottas can make his gap ...

That's the only way to keep MAX off...
At least if they get the chance to do it

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Agree that as the season has progressed, seems grossly unfair Perez isn't on the grid next year. Harder for Hulk to make a case from his couch, but nevertheless.

RB have to alter strategy, even if just for 1 year. They've tried youth and internal promotion, hasn't worked.

if Albon is let go...
You would think that a talented driver like Perez who brings with him a large amount of sponsorship would be a shoe in .
OTOH Verstappen wouldn't want a successful team mate who would threaten his dominant position in the team.
If Perez doesn't get the drive then it is likely that Verstappen had got his way.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Think Russell got Toto's race strategy today ...
*Push on your brake pedal when you see MAX in your mirrors* !
MAX will be squeezed by LeCrash along him , while Russell hits the brakes . By this Bottas can make his gap ...

That's the only way to keep MAX off...
At least if they get the chance to do it

Wolff is indeed a master of thinking up dirty tactics Russell needs time he said to learn properly the buttons and car placing which is completely different from the Williams so hopefully Max will jump him on the clean side at the start and let Lecrunch terrorise Russell.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

Wolff is indeed a master of thinking up dirty tactics Russell needs time he said to learn properly the buttons and car placing which is completely different from the Williams so hopefully Max will jump him on the clean side at the start and let Lecrunch terrorise Russell.

In the last races , Ferrari got actually an outstanding launch at the start grid .
Even SEB showed amazing stuff in his first lap ..

But 3-4 laps further in the race , they lose it completely ..
Think today , LeCrash will be fast at the start .

The little oval lap from 54 sec. will be a mess !
The race is 87 laps . That's just crazy !

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

if Albon is let go...
You would think that a talented driver like Perez who brings with him a large amount of sponsorship would be a shoe in .
OTOH Verstappen wouldn't want a successful team mate who would threaten his dominant position in the team.
If Perez doesn't get the drive then it is likely that Verstappen had got his way.

I don't know... I think Max is looking for a scrap. And believes that if he can get another RB actually racing at the front of the pack, he'll better challenge the Mercs and best his teammate more often than not.

Wasn't Max who stopped the RIC vs. VER show.