Motorsport Off Topic Thread

Scam said:
Yeah. But it rather dictates the one driver system we all know RB have. If it’s true it should raise massive alarm bells for anyone tempted to go there *cough* Lando *cough*.
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I'm not sure that's true. It's just using a yardstick. Pérez is reportedly on $10m/year. Not up there with the top guys but still at the upper end of the payscale, seems reasonable for RB to expect performance to match. Also, I bet McLaren wish they'd put a performance clause in DR's contract!

Tinfoil hat time, it might say “within 125pts of Verstappen” ie you can’t beat him by that much either ;)
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:p
 
The performance clause in of itself I don’t find unusual. The points I do though as there’s 7 points between first and second, 23 races this season so that’s 161 points. That’s not taking in to account the fastest lap point.

So over a season 125 points is quite close and would require Perez to beat Verstappen a few times. Even last year when Perez got 2 wins, he still finished 149 points off Verstappen.
 
Scam said:
Yeah. But it rather dictates the one driver system we all know RB have. If it’s true it should raise massive alarm bells for anyone tempted to go there *cough* Lando *cough*.

Tinfoil hat time, it might say “within 125pts of Verstappen” ie you can’t beat him by that much either ;)
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But then we, and presumably Lando, knew that already? RB have had a very clear number one driver for most years over the last decade or more. When they took a new front wing off Webbers car and put it on Vettels after Vettel crashed it's hard to hide...

Sure there's exceptions but they're just that, exceptions. When Ricciardo got promoted they probably started out planning to favour Vettel still but could hardly continue that for long. Also when Verstappen initially got promoted I don't think they favoured him but did start to hence why Ricciardo left.

Anyone that replaces Perez in that seat either knows they're a number 2 driver or they're an idiot :p
 
SKILL said:
Anyone that replaces Perez in that seat either knows they're a number 2 driver or they're an idiot :p
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Which is why anyone with any ambition for titles or winning championships should stay the hell away. It's Max's team and always will be. Lando, or his management should be speaking to Mercedes, Sauber/Audi or Ferrari to sound out their intentions for 2025 and beyond. Given Audi's history and success in other forms of motorsport they won't be happy unless they're winning. Lando could 'do a Hamilton' and join a middling team who will have been planning for the reg changes for years.
 
Mr Jack said:
Not up there with the top guys but still at the upper end of the payscale, seems reasonable for RB to expect performance to match.
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I mean, he is second in the championship. If he gets another wind and keeps finishing above Alonso, Hamilton and Leclerc then he should be fine to finish there at the end of the season right? :confused: Sure, the points difference doesn't look great right now but he is still second place, on a fifth of the salary of their other driver.
SKILL said:
But then we, and presumably Lando, knew that already?
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I dunno. I think Lando might be a bit blinded by his man-crush on Verstappen and RB. I also presume most drivers are arrogant enough to think they could turn the tide and become the number one.
 
Scam said:
I mean, he is second in the championship. If he gets another wind and keeps finishing above Alonso, Hamilton and Leclerc then he should be fine to finish there at the end of the season right? :confused: Sure, the points difference doesn't look great right now but he is still second place, on a fifth of the salary of their other driver.

I dunno. I think Lando might be a bit blinded by his man-crush on Verstappen and RB. I also presume most drivers are arrogant enough to think they could turn the tide and become the number one.
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I think that fits into the very last bit of my post "or they're an idiot :p" :cry:

I like Lando, and really dislike Max, but to think he could go into RB, with the team and car very much built around Max, and somehow change all that and beat him into 2nd is idiotic...

In other news... I just read some speculation that Sainz has signed a 'pre-contract' for Sauber/Audi in 2025, with Seidl already there could a Lando/Sainz pairing at Audi in 2026 be a thing? imo that would be a great fit for Audi, two solid drivers who are proven to get on well, the downside for Lando (or maybe appeal?) is he was kinda beaten pretty solidly by Sainz at McLaren.

E: I love Silly Season :cry:
 
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SKILL said:
I think that fits into the very last bit of my post "or they're an idiot :p" :cry:

I like Lando, and really dislike Max, but to think he could go into RB, with the team and car very much built around Max, and somehow change all that and beat him into 2nd is idiotic...

In other news... I just read some speculation that Sainz has signed a 'pre-contract' for Sauber/Audi in 2025, with Seidl already there could a Lando/Sainz pairing at Audi in 2026 be a thing? imo that would be a great fit for Audi, two solid drivers who are proven to get on well, the downside for Lando (or maybe appeal?) is he was kinda beaten pretty solidly by Sainz at McLaren.

E: I love Silly Season :cry:
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I'd counter that Lando has improved quite a bit since then. McLaren may see what Piastri is doing and be happy to let Lando leave at the end of his contract. They might have Palou or even O'Ward as options by then.
 
MissChief said:
I'd counter that Lando has improved quite a bit since then. McLaren may see what Piastri is doing and be happy to let Lando leave at the end of his contract. They might have Palou or even O'Ward as options by then.
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I would agree, with Ricciardo's issues pushing Lando into that Team Leader role and generally just more F1 experience it would be a surprise if he hasn't improved. That's why I added the "or appeal" element, he might see going to race alongside Sainz again as a good challenge...

As it stands today armchair experts, like myself, can sit and think/type things like:
"Well, when Lando was against Sainz at McLaren he was consistently outscored, and then Sainz went on to be beaten by Leclerc at Ferrari, ergo Lando is mediocre at best" :cry:

Just so we're clear that's a joke. I don't think that. I did however type it :p
 
MissChief said:
Lando, or his management should be speaking to Mercedes, Sauber/Audi or Ferrari to sound out their intentions for 2025 and beyond.
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Ferrari is a tricky one to think of there. If they stop their implosion and produce a championship winning car, I think they're always going to throw everything at one driver because that's just what Ferrari do. If you're not the one driver they want to win, you're probably not going to win.
 
Most of the recent Audi rumours seem to suggest Sainz has already signed a pre-contract for 2025 with Seidl apparantly keen to link up with him again - he likely know's what Lando's contract is and isn't willing to pay it! I'm not sure I see the fixation with Sainz, he's decent and probably closer to Leclerc than he gets credit for but he seems more of a Coulthard, Barrichello, Webber type of level driver - capable of a title in the right car but probably unlikely to get one.

Hamilton and to an extent Alonso probably hold the key to the next big set of driver moves - its now a matter of when not if they both retire, given Aston's progress that seat in 2025 could be quite coveted and if not Audi its probably where I'd be looking to go if I was Lando Norris (if McLaren don't keep up).

That said, if Aston keep up and Alonso keeps driving like he is who's to say he won't be there in '25?
 
chrismscotland said:
Most of the recent Audi rumours seem to suggest Sainz has already signed a pre-contract for 2025 with Seidl apparantly keen to link up with him again - he likely know's what Lando's contract is and isn't willing to pay it! I'm not sure I see the fixation with Sainz, he's decent and probably closer to Leclerc than he gets credit for but he seems more of a Coulthard, Barrichello, Webber type of level driver - capable of a title in the right car but probably unlikely to get one.
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I don't see Audi landing a Hamilton or Verstappen level driver for '26 - they're just too unproven. Sainz is a good choice when you can't get that because he's clearly an intelligent driver who thinks about strategy, etc. that probably also extends to being a good driver to lead the development of a team whilst also being not that far behind a driver like Leclerc.

That said, if Aston keep up and Alonso keeps driving like he is who's to say he won't be there in '25?
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I reckon Aston will want to replace Alonso for '26. He's delivering the goods now, but age will catch him eventually. With the change of rules, and Honda coming in as engine supplier, '26 is their big chance to make the leap to getting titles. I think they'll want to get hold of a driver capable of leading that charge - unless, of course, they decide its time to make Stroll their clear No. 1 driver...
 
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Mr Jack said:
I don't see Audi landing a Hamilton or Verstappen level driver for '26 - they're just too unproven. Sainz is a good choice when you can't get that because he's clearly an intelligent driver who thinks about strategy, etc. that probably also extends to be a good driver to lead the development of a team whilst also being not that far behind a driver like Leclerc.



I reckon Aston will want to replace Alonso for '26. He's delivering the goods now, but age will catch him eventually. With the change of rules, and Honda coming in as engine supplier, '26 is their big chance to make the leap to getting titles. I think they'll want to get hold of a driver capable of leading that charge - unless, of course, they decide its time to make Stroll their clear No. 1 driver...
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Many reckon Honda will want a Japanese driver in the team. Tsunoda probably.
 
Mr Jack said:
I reckon Aston will want to replace Alonso for '26. He's delivering the goods now, but age will catch him eventually. With the change of rules, and Honda coming in as engine supplier, '26 is their big chance to make the leap to getting titles. I think they'll want to get hold of a driver capable of leading that charge - unless, of course, they decide its time to make Stroll their clear No. 1 driver...
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Alonso could be in a wheelchair and he'd still outdrive Stroll.
 
if AM are serious about winning IMO they'll have to replace Stroll Jr at some point. They can't keep him while other title chasing teams have two superior drivers.

Stroll Jr may end up in Indycar.
 
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Mesai said:
Well he ain’t getting it for his son, but if that car manages to be great, whoever the second driver is will have a great opportunity.
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Depends on who they put in that seat and how they manage the team. Sure, they'd need a hell of a car advantage but Stroll is not the worst F1 driver ever or anything; he's just kinda ordinary and highly inconsistent. AM have generally been picking decent drivers to go alongside him so I don't think they're aiming to put a chump in the second seat in order to make Stroll look good.

MissChief said:
Stroll Jr may end up in Indycar.
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Wouldn't be the worst move for him, imo. Or something like DTM. But I think he wants to be in F1 and I think he'll stay there for as long as that is where he wants to be. He's still young so that may be a long time to come.
 
Mr Jack said:
Depends on who they put in that seat and how they manage the team. Sure, they'd need a hell of a car advantage but Stroll is not the worst F1 driver ever or anything; he's just kinda ordinary and highly inconsistent. AM have generally been picking decent drivers to go alongside him so I don't think they're aiming to put a chump in the second seat in order to make Stroll look good.
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This really, see RB, car advantage + one great driver and one 'just ok' driver = both championships

Slam62 said:
What if Alonso is not actually as good as people think?
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Oh boy, you must like punishment... I mean maybe you're not wrong to ask the question but they'll be a coming for ya now!
 
chrismscotland said:
Most of the recent Audi rumours seem to suggest Sainz has already signed a pre-contract for 2025 with Seidl apparantly keen to link up with him again - he likely know's what Lando's contract is and isn't willing to pay it! I'm not sure I see the fixation with Sainz, he's decent and probably closer to Leclerc than he gets credit for but he seems more of a Coulthard, Barrichello, Webber type of level driver - capable of a title in the right car but probably unlikely to get one.

Hamilton and to an extent Alonso probably hold the key to the next big set of driver moves - its now a matter of when not if they both retire, given Aston's progress that seat in 2025 could be quite coveted and if not Audi its probably where I'd be looking to go if I was Lando Norris (if McLaren don't keep up).

That said, if Aston keep up and Alonso keeps driving like he is who's to say he won't be there in '25?
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F1 closed down, time for the silly season regarding drivers then..
 
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