'Unsuitable' is an opinion isn't it, if it was actually unsuitable then it wouldn't be granted a licence. As for cashing in on the phenomena that is Max, why on earth not?
Motorsport Off Topic Thread
- Thread starter Shimmy
- Start date
Monaco receives a specific exemption in the regulations as it doesn't currently adhere to the track regulations in many ways including, but not limited to, minimum corner radius, track length and elevation.
Last edited:
Not sure if serious? Like him or loathe him I think general consensus is that he's a top tier driver. Sure cracks show under pressure from time to time but the same can be said for any of the greats. I personally believe he'd have reached a slightly more well rounded driver by now at a different team but that's beside the point.
Agreed, you only have to look at Hamilton’s and Vettel’s early careers to realise Max isn’t that different. Though they did show some signs of maturity after getting a little older and especially after securing their first titles. I also wonder if Max isn’t because of Red Bull basically enabling him. Though you don’t know what’s said behind closed doors so could just be Max being stubborn.
I've always maintained that the 2021 season as a whole showed his true character and unfortunately Masi enabled it and gifted him the WDC. Since then he's not been challenged, and all the naysayers have been proven right because in the space of three races he's been involved in two collisions. At the end of the day he's on his way to a fourth* WDC so I'm not exactly sure how long one must give a driver to mature and get past their angry teenager phase.
I think they all had an attitude yes, but not one quite so aggressively demeaning to their teams all of the time. And let's not forget he had his nickname (that we're not allowed to post here) before he got into F1. I think you're right though, RB are completely enabling him and they'll continue to do so whilst he's winning the WDC. What is a shame is that the stewards are seemingly enabling him as well which just makes it dangerous, and often unfair. EVeryone is pretty chilled about the Hamilton crash because there was no damage done, but if it had been worse and he punted Hamilton into the gravel then he would have robbed him of a podium. A 200th podium at that. To not give him a penalty is insane.
Last edited:
Vettel was a complete tool for most of his career - it was only really after his titles, and when he started spending more time with his family, that he became who he is today.
They're all aggressive when they're winning titles and more so when they start losing those title chances; it's only when they get to the point where the car is no longer competitive that they tend to chill out.
Lewis was sulky and miserable for most of his title reign; he still wines a bit now but you can see a steady improvement in his overall demeanour since 2022. Obviously the car has improved, which would help, whereas Alonso is going the opposite direction since AM can't seem to put a car together.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 16 Jul 2009
- Posts
- 8,743
- Location
- Edinburgh
Big changes at Audi - Matteo Binotto in as boss, Andreas Seidl out and the Chairman Oliver Hoffmann also out.
Effectively Binotto and Vasseur have swapped seats!
Effectively Binotto and Vasseur have swapped seats!
Audi Formula 1: Andreas Seidl removed and replaced by Mattia Binotto
Andreas Seidl is removed as head of Audi's Formula 1 project and replaced by former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto.
www.bbc.co.uk
Last edited:
Dammit, you beat me to it againBig changes at Audi - Matteo Binotto in as boss, Andreas Seidl out and the Chairman Oliver Hoffmann also out.
Effectively Binotto and Vasseur have swapped seats!
Audi Formula 1: Andreas Seidl removed and replaced by Mattia Binotto
Andreas Seidl is removed as head of Audi's Formula 1 project and replaced by former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto.www.bbc.co.uk
Does that apply to the Zandvoort circuit though? Because of the history of the Monaco circuit I can see why it gets special dispensation but the Dutch circuit only commenced again in 2021. Not in anyway historic..
Last edited:
Yikes! Seidl had barely got his feet under the table. Let's see what Binotto can do, I can think he was unfairly demeaned at Ferrari.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 16 Jul 2009
- Posts
- 8,743
- Location
- Edinburgh
I think Binotto was a bit of a token sacrifice at Ferrari; interesting to see what happens with Audi though, a lot of reports they aren't progressing very well in the background and are not wholly committed.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 15,693
- Location
- The land of milk & beans
Yikes. That's not a good sign of where Audi's expected progress and performance is compared to where they expected to be. Seems that the Sauber's going to continue to be a donkey for a good while yet.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 16 Jul 2009
- Posts
- 8,743
- Location
- Edinburgh
There's been a lot of rumour that Audi aren't really all in on the F1 project, the CEO who launched the project is gone and they've been under a lot of pressure to save money, they've binned off pretty much their entire motorsport programme except F1 at this point though.
I can see them competing for a few years and then just selling Sauber and remaining as an engine supplier if it doesn't go well though; that said it wouldn't be like Audi to come into a series a not ultimately be successful.
I can see them competing for a few years and then just selling Sauber and remaining as an engine supplier if it doesn't go well though; that said it wouldn't be like Audi to come into a series a not ultimately be successful.
Man of Honour
- Joined
- 16 Jul 2009
- Posts
- 8,743
- Location
- Edinburgh
Also in engine news, it appears that Renault/Alpine are closing to an agreement with Mercedes for engines and possibly other parts like gearbox, etc - with suggestions it could even be as soon as next season.
Seems a shame for the Renault F1 engine facility/staff - they've a massively long successful history in the sport; a Renault Factory team with a Mercedes engine seems utterly pointless to me but maybe an indicator they're thinking of selling up.
A team with a Merc engine deal in place would be worth a fair whack!
www.the-race.com
Seems a shame for the Renault F1 engine facility/staff - they've a massively long successful history in the sport; a Renault Factory team with a Mercedes engine seems utterly pointless to me but maybe an indicator they're thinking of selling up.
A team with a Merc engine deal in place would be worth a fair whack!
Renault set to drop works F1 engine, Alpine-Mercedes deal close
Renault looks increasingly likely to drop its works Formula 1 engine as its Alpine team focuses on closing a Mercedes customer deal
www.the-race.com
Mark Hughes on Binotto's chances of sorting Audi's F1 bid
What does Audi have in its new Formula 1 leadership signing Mattia Binotto? What has Binotto taken on? Mark Hughes gives his take
www.the-race.com
Their engines have been the worst for over 10 years now, although the v8 difference wasn't nearly as bad as their hybrid units.Also in engine news, it appears that Renault/Alpine are closing to an agreement with Mercedes for engines and possibly other parts like gearbox, etc - with suggestions it could even be as soon as next season.
Seems a shame for the Renault F1 engine facility/staff - they've a massively long successful history in the sport; a Renault Factory team with a Mercedes engine seems utterly pointless to me but maybe an indicator they're thinking of selling up.
A team with a Merc engine deal in place would be worth a fair whack!
Renault set to drop works F1 engine, Alpine-Mercedes deal close
Renault looks increasingly likely to drop its works Formula 1 engine as its Alpine team focuses on closing a Mercedes customer deal
Even with them simplifying the units in the new rules, it seems they don't have confidence in their ability to build a competitive engine or, like you said, doing a bit of downsizing to sell-off.
Some more about Binotto's appointment https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...notto-to-lead-their-f1.18JmFCS3pHjoNHW2j0rrQM