Formula 1 2018: General Discussion Thread

H3llR4iser

Very interesting move for Ricciardo, Renault IS on an upward trajectory and with the Honda unit in the Red Bull next year, they may indeed be the third team in the pecking order (Haas and Sauber permitting, they're also doing very well).

I'll be curious to see how long the RBR-Honda relationship will take to blow up, with the Japanese culture of "never admitting mistakes" and Horner's tendency to point fingers.

Daniel has nothing to lose really - at RB he'd be just "the other driver", with an unproven engine that comes from a stubborn technical partner with a big (largely unjustified) reputation.

At least with Renault, if things don't work out it'll be public perception that "well, the car is cr@p".

Sainz would be the natural choice for RB, but I can't help but expect a surprise - I am sure Alonso will make his availability known, but I can't see them hiring a guy that'll be 38 next year...sure he would LOVE to go back to Honda

Burkie1203

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Sainz would be the natural choice for RB, but I can't help but expect a surprise - I am sure Alonso will make his availability known, but I can't see them hiring a guy that'll be 38 next year...

Gasly maybe?

Inviere

The only Red Bull Alonso will get near will be in a can. He’s ruined his marketability for himself, and I say that as a fan who laments him not getting the fabled third title

H3llR4iser

Inviere wrote: »

The only Red Bull Alonso will get near will be in a can. He’s ruined his marketability for himself, and I say that as a fan who laments hi, not getting the fabled third title

Precisely - and that's why the people going "ah, if Renault doesn't perform, Ricciardo will just be forgotten by top teams like Alonso was" - he won't be, Alonso actually ruined his career with the McLaren scandal and nailed the coffin shut with the political bickering he got involved in at Ferrari.

donspeekinglesh

PopePalpatine wrote: »

I don't see Alonso sticking it out in the midfield for another year, especially with his asking price. At least the Indy 500 doesn't clash with any WEC events.

Yep, I think he'll want to be one of the few drivers with FIA titles in two different disciplines.

Think he'll start his IndyCar career full-time at the Indy 500.

chicorytip

kopite386 wrote:

These are my predictions for the 2019 Driver Line-Up I know some are a bit out there but I had to try fit Russell and Ocon in somewhere.

kopite386 wrote:

Merc: Hamilton, Bottas Ferrari: Seb, Kimi Red Bull: Max, Sainz Renault: Hulkenberg, Danny Ric Torro Rosso: Gasly, Norris(on loan from McLaren) Williams: Stroll, Siroktin (possibly Russell/Ocon if Vandoorne stays) McLaren: Alonso, Ocon Force India: Perez, Russell Haas: KMag, LeClerc Sauber: Eriksen, Giovanzzi

No Raikkonen at Ferrari next season. Marchionne had already made the decision to change before he died so the new boss is unlikely to overturn that. It will be Leclerc but I would prefer someone more experienced. Sainz, perhaps, now that he's available?

skipper_G

chicorytip wrote: »

No Raikkonen at Ferrari next season. Marchionne had already made the decision to change before he died so the new boss is unlikely to overturn that. It will be Leclerc but I would prefer someone more experienced. Sainz, perhaps, now that he's available?

The Italian press were reporting that Camilleri was more likely to keep Kimi for stability after Marchionne's death. Suppose that's why the rumours of Leclerc to Ferrari have cooled a bit. I think he's a superstar and Ferrari would be hard pressed to get a number 2 driver with that much talent.

vectra

chicorytip wrote: »

No Raikkonen at Ferrari next season. Marchionne had already made the decision to change before he died so the new boss is unlikely to overturn that. It will be Leclerc but I would prefer someone more experienced. Sainz, perhaps, now that he's available?

Where did you see that?
I am convinced Ferrari will still be the same pair next year.

Cool_CM

H3llR4iser wrote: »

.sure he would LOVE to go back to Honda D

That would be so good!

Charlie-Bravo

If Red Bull were to confirm that Sainz is to return and fill the seat departed by Ricciardo, would it make sense to do the swap straightaway rather than drag things out to the end of the year. It may be beneficial for Danny to stay to maximise his championship points with red Bull rather than Renault.

Of course, the issues with Verstappen and Sainz is a hurdle completely in itself for the Red Bull team. I am thinking that Carlos would be very reluctant to team up with Max as he'll not favour being an unofficial No.2. All I do see is that Gasly is the best option for Red Bull for next year.

The following weeks and months of the driver market should prove very interesting for all of us.

Frank Bullitt

chicorytip wrote: »

No Raikkonen at Ferrari next season. Marchionne had already made the decision to change before he died so the new boss is unlikely to overturn that. It will be Leclerc but I would prefer someone more experienced. Sainz, perhaps, now that he's available?

Raikkonen will hang around at Ferrari, he doesn't pose any kind of a threat to Vettel, is playing the No.2 very well and that suits Ferrari.

Still think Leclerc will replace him but not next year.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

vectra

astrofluff wrote: »

If Red Bull were to confirm that Sainz is to return and fill the seat departed by Ricciardo, would it make sense to do the swap straightaway rather than drag things out to the end of the year. It may be beneficial for Danny to stay to maximise his championship points with red Bull rather than Renault.

Of course, the issues with Verstappen and Sainz is a hurdle completely in itself for the Red Bull team. I am thinking that Carlos would be very reluctant to team up with Max as he'll not favour being an unofficial No.2. All I do see is that Gasly is the best option for Red Bull for next year.

The following weeks and months of the driver market should prove very interesting for all of us.

Another thing to consider.
Who among the *good* drivers that are eager to progress, would really and truly want to jeopardize their chances by joining Red Bull knowing they would not get equal treatment to Max?

Harika

vectra wrote: »

Another thing to consider.
Who among the *good* drivers that are eager to progress, would really and truly want to jeopardize their chances by joining Red Bull knowing they would not get equal treatment to Max?

Grosjean, perez, vandoorne maybe
Realistic it will be a decision between sainz and gasly. If sainz gets ousted ferrari or Mercedes might want to grab him into the family.

Charlie-Bravo

What seat do people think will be confirmed next?

Inviere

astrofluff wrote: »

What seat do people think will be confirmed next?

Gasly to RB, I don't see they have any other choice given Sainz and Verstappen clash too much (everyone will have been watching the absolute headaches Merc had with Lewis & Nico for the last few seasons & won't want it for themselves).

vectra

astrofluff wrote: »

What seat do people think will be confirmed next?

Lance to Force India.
Perez to RBR

Inviere

vectra wrote: »

Perez to RBR

Interesting. Can't see it myself

skipper_G

vectra wrote: »

Lance to Force India.
Perez to RBR

Perez to RBR is either a typo or you've raided the liquor cabinet right?
Gasly surely in prime position for that seat, I suspect Checo will be staying put if the ownership is sorted out with Haas a possible destination otherwise

Inviere

skipper_G wrote: »

Perez to RBR is either a typo or you've raided the liquor cabinet right?

Was reading a theory on Reddit today about how Kimi might find his way into the free RB seat, bizarre notion, though admittedly, one I found intriguing. It'll never happen though.

Harika

vectra wrote: »

Perez to RBR

If that happens or anyone else than Gasly, Sainz or even Hartley RedBull can close its junior teams.

Burkie1203

Inviere wrote: »

Was reading a theory on Reddit today about how Kimi might find his way into the free RB seat, bizarre notion, though admittedly, one I found intriguing. It'll never happen though.

Which was?

Inviere

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Which was?

https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comments/94ic3r/theory_r%C3%A4ikk%C3%B6nen_will_be_ricciardos_replacement/

Harika

I throw Rosberg into the ring, maybe he is fed up from the promotion stuff and RedBull would be happy to have a WDC again.

Inviere

Harika wrote: »

I throw Rosberg into the ring, maybe he is fed up from the promotion stuff and RedBull would be happy to have a WDC again.

Now that I'd love to see.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

This post has been deleted.

AMKC

H3llR4iser wrote: »

Very interesting move for Ricciardo, Renault IS on an upward trajectory and with the Honda unit in the Red Bull next year, they may indeed be the third team in the pecking order (Haas and Sauber permitting, they're also doing very well).

I'll be curious to see how long the RBR-Honda relationship will take to blow up, with the Japanese culture of "never admitting mistakes" and Horner's tendency to point fingers.

Daniel has nothing to lose really - at RB he'd be just "the other driver", with an unproven engine that comes from a stubborn technical partner with a big (largely unjustified) reputation.

At least with Renault, if things don't work out it'll be public perception that "well, the car is cr@p".

Sainz would be the natural choice for RB, but I can't help but expect a surprise - I am sure Alonso will make his availability known, but I can't see them hiring a guy that'll be 38 next year...sure he would LOVE to go back to Honda

Harika wrote: »

I throw Rosberg into the ring, maybe he is fed up from the promotion stuff and RedBull would be happy to have a WDC again.

Never going to happen. Would be cool if it did but the Boss will never allow it. She is the one in control. As soon as he won his WDC that was it. Maybe if he had not won and was still racing in F1 he might have had more of a chance but then he would not be a WDC so Red Bull might not want him then. Bit of a catch 21. He sees Formula E as the way forward and maybe he is right. We will see after next year.

Inviere

AMKC wrote: »

He sees Formula E as the way forward and maybe he is right. We will see after next year.

They need some actual race tracks to move forwards. Tesco needs their car parks back

Jordan 199

astrofluff wrote: »

What seat do people think will be confirmed next?

Esteban Gutierrez to Red Bull

flazio

astrofluff wrote: »

What seat do people think will be confirmed next?

Me on a bar stool for the hurling replay later today.