Yeah pretty sure it runs to the end of 2025 now
Poll: Official 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix Race Thread - Sakhir Circuit - Race 1/23
- Thread starter chrismscotland
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Caporegime
Whether there are clauses or not, I can't see that keeping Lando if he wants to leave is going to make sense for McLaren. At worst, he'll have to pay them some cash.
Soldato
I've always seen Lando as a virtual shoe-in for the Mercedes job when Lewis decides to quit. 2025 sounds about the right time. But, Alonso's proving that if you've still go the motivation then age isn't really a factor.
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That said if Merc don't get their car sorted out he could be more tempted to go elsewhere, especially with big money potentially coming in from Audi, Ford, Honda and whoever else
Caporegime
I reckon Lewis is in the sport at least until he's 40.
I also think Mercedes are looking at Antonelli as the driver to replace him - assuming he keeps being as promising as he's been.
Of course, who's to say Merc will stay? There's been plenty of rumours in recent years (when they were winning) that Merc HQ didn't necessarily want to keep the team.
If they keep losing I doubt they would struggle to find a buyer
If they keep losing I doubt they would struggle to find a buyer
I figured that every year that passes from 2021 is going to make it harder for Hamilton to win that 8th title properly, but Alonso is some way has started to show maybe there's a few years left to hope!
He seems pretty good at juggling a very busy non-racing schedule with F1 itself (the mind boggles, I don't know how people like that do it). The idea of giving up F1 to have more time on his 'hobbies' probably seems rather alien to him?
Soldato
I have set my Humax box to record the whole series - Make sure I never watch the news then watch it on Monday then I can fast forward ad's and boring bits'
Most times I find it OK but it's not the 80-90s is it.
Most times I find it OK but it's not the 80-90s is it.
Soldato
Kids. If he ever wants a family and kids then that'll be a huge motivation. Same as Vettel, your priorities start to change.
Doesn't seem to be a factor at the moment.
Caporegime
The figures I've seen suggest that F1 is some of the cheapest brand advertising that Merc have. Probably even more so now the budget cap has dropped the cost.
Not sure they will feel that way if the works team get regularly beaten by a customer team. They could reap most of the advertising benefits by just going to back to being an engine supplier
Rose tinted glasses really. There were many, many races with practically zero on track battles with three cars on the lead lap, even the odd occasion where the winner was over a lap ahead. Times between drivers were often 20-30 seconds, sometimes over a minute and reliability was awful, which, I’ll admit, did add some randomness to proceedings. Go and check out Wikipedia for the excitement of many races. Less than ten finishers, 30 seconds apart. Sure you can pick and choose those moments that were exciting but they were memorable because they were so uncommon.
Don
I always had the impression that he is not all that interested in the ladies and that may well factor into the kids situation?
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Soldato
Na, there's loads of stories of him with the ladies. I think the he just enjoys the single life, but likes to keep it private.
All the drivers spend most of their lives on the road, so must be virtually impossible to have any kind of meaningful relationship.
Soldato
Remember Mercedes before the F1 era? Mostly dull boxes targeted at old people.
Joining F1 was in line with a shift to making their cars more exciting and attractive to a younger generation. Can't see them want to go back on that.
The team itself must be fairly well self financing now. Plenty of advertising from elsewhere, plus supplying other teams with engines.
Soldato
How far are you going back with your assessment of Mercedes? https://www.hotcars.com/10-incredib...erformance-cars-wed-love-to-drive/#1954-300sl
Oh I forget I'm one of those 'old people' at 66 and I quite enjoy driving my BMW M235i, tuned to stage 1.
I doubt very much if there was ever this plan to make their products more attractive to younger people what so ever as it isn't cost effective for any manufacturer to do this just to sell their cars to a certain target group..
Oh I forget I'm one of those 'old people' at 66 and I quite enjoy driving my BMW M235i, tuned to stage 1.
I doubt very much if there was ever this plan to make their products more attractive to younger people what so ever as it isn't cost effective for any manufacturer to do this just to sell their cars to a certain target group..
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Soldato
I doubt Merc will ever be competitive again..
Caporegime
They basically nailed the new engine regs and that is why they had so much success. They have no history of being strong. Red Bull are pretty much the only team that have managed to stay at the pointy end for 15 years. Just look at Ferrari and Mclaren they have been in the wilderness for 15 years themselves. Yes they have had the odd season with a strong car but nothing that blows everyone out of the water.
Soldato
I also voted a 6, but the first race of the season hype is realWell, I enjoyed the race, voted it a 6. Not a blinder by any stretch, but just enough going on to keep me interested throughout.
I have decided that I really must have a low bar for entertainment, compared to you lotI rarely find a race "boring" regardless of the outcomes!!
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To an extent sure, and definitely at the start of the Hybrid era that was the case but towards the end the engine advantage had largely disappeared. In 2020 there was little to no difference between the Merc and other engines, especially after 'party mode' was banned, but they still walked it because it was fundamentally a good car. Even in 2021 where the floor reg changes hurt Merc (and AM) far more than other teams they won both championships effectively.
But you're not wrong about RB, since about 2009 (?) they've been up there or thereabouts, it's impressive and something moth other teams fail miserably at. It's quite possible Merc will be the same as Ferrari/McLaren and disappear till the next big rule change.
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