Formula 1 2020 (Will Contain Race Day Spoilers)

[bob6600]

I felt for Albon today. Whilst I have feared for his future at Red Bull, he was rightly very critical of the team today as their car was not nice to drive at all. His only problem is that his times are too far off Max's. Russell showed what a genuine character he is in his post-Qualy interview with Sky. He stated that they (Max, George, Alex, LeClerc etc) have all raced through the ranks together and that Alex is a very good and quick racer. He said that Red Bull need to get their act together and give him a proper car (or words to the effect). It was really nice to see a driver praise his friend and ultimately rival, even though he has landed a top seat and George hasn't. This season, he has a point but based on last season or the latter part of it, Albon needed to get closer to Max.

 

[zipdip]

Well things conspired against me today and so I missed it all ,just called up the grid and it was worst than I feared,MB are way ahead of the others,Red Bull I think are wishing they had not signed up to the Honda engine,and Ferrari well they are well up there but just look at the times.

 

[GeeJayW]

I felt for Albon today. Whilst I have feared for his future at Red Bull, he was rightly very critical of the team today as their car was not nice to drive at all. His only problem is that his times are too far off Max's. Russell showed what a genuine character he is in his post-Qualy interview with Sky. He stated that they (Max, George, Alex, LeClerc etc) have all raced through the ranks together and that Alex is a very good and quick racer. He said that Red Bull need to get their act together and give him a proper car (or words to the effect). It was really nice to see a driver praise his friend and ultimately rival, even though he has landed a top seat and George hasn't. This season, he has a point but based on last season or the latter part of it, Albon needed to get closer to Max.

I feel for Alex too. Huge expectations on him and he's only had half a season with 'RBR' ( ), so will be a bit behind Max in understanding how to the best out of the car and team.

The Red Bull car has been pretty evil so far this weekend, they've really struggled to get the balance right. Wouldn't be surprised if it comes down to the integration/cohesiveness of aero and mechanical grip. Hungary is a bit of an odd circuit. Not sure what they'll be able to do about it for the race, though I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I do wonder if: For every race weekend Alex A fails to get anywhere near Max increases the chances of a Seb return to Red Bull for 2021?

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Does a 2nd consecutive race mean 2 in a row or 3 in a row....

 

[GeeJayW]

I do wonder if: For every race weekend Alex A fails to get anywhere near Max increases the chances of a Seb return to Red Bull for 2021?

I got the impression that Christian Horner is not keen to re-sign Seb; "We are looking forwards to the next generation of drivers, not backwards".

 

[bolidemichael]

Fair play to Stroll.

LC

 

[GeeJayW]

LC

Whoever that is....

 

[bob6600]

IF Albon was to have a very poor season, then they have 'tried' all drivers in their pool and none have matched Max. Seb may be a good replacement however Horner doesn't seem keen (as said), it would go against their philosophy of their programme (which they always bang on about) and they probably wouldn't take him back out of spite due to the way he left. This leaves bringing someone up from F2 and leap-frogging the Alpha Tauri boys or giving Kvyat another chance. I do wonder if the car isdesigned more around their number 1 driver (Seb back in the day and now Max) or is that just not possible? It could be more to his driving style or just that he is that much better than the rest.

As for Seb, I would like to see him in F1 next year and the RP does look promising. Business sense would have Seb and Checo in the car as they are the more successful drivers. Checo has said that the team doesn't owe him anything and he didn't do it for praise but in reality if it wasn't for him, they would have gone bust by now. On the money side, Checo brings in a lot of money and it will probably cost RP around $40 million to release him. Seb currently commands around $30 million a year. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out but we all know Lance isn't going anywhere.

Bottas is also supposed to be close to signing a contract with Mercedes.

Haas could do with 2 new drivers next year, say Checo and Hulk?

 

[GeeJayW]

IF Albon was to have a very poor season, then they have 'tried' all drivers in their pool and none have matched Max. Seb may be a good replacement however Horner doesn't seem keen (as said), it would go against their philosophy of their programme (which they always bang on about) and they probably wouldn't take him back out of spite due to the way he left. This leaves bringing someone up from F2 and leap-frogging the Alpha Tauri boys or giving Kvyat another chance. I do wonder if the car isdesigned more around their number 1 driver (Seb back in the day and now Max) or is that just not possible? It could be more to his driving style or just that he is that much better than the rest.

As for Seb, I would like to see him in F1 next year and the RP does look promising. Business sense would have Seb and Checo in the car as they are the more successful drivers. Checo has said that the team doesn't owe him anything and he didn't do it for praise but in reality if it wasn't for him, they would have gone bust by now. On the money side, Checo brings in a lot of money and it will probably cost RP around $40 million to release him. Seb currently commands around $30 million a year. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out but we all know Lance isn't going anywhere.

Bottas is also supposed to be close to signing a contract with Mercedes.

Haas could do with 2 new drivers next year, say Checo and Hulk?

Checo and Hulk would be strong driver line up for Haas. If they also get a decent donkey from Ferrari, who knows what could happen?

 

[AMGeed]

McLaren are going to be a force next season with a Mercedes engine instead of Renault. LN in particular, is making excellent progress with the car.
Ferrari must be a huge draw for any driver, but Sainz might actually already be in the better car and regret his move if it turns out badly for him at Ferrari next season. I think he is only on a 1 year deal?

 

[Stratman]

Does a 2nd consecutive race mean 2 in a row or 3 in a row....

You are Murray Walker and I claim my five pounds.

So-and-so starts the penultimate last lap but one is my favourite.

 

[bolidemichael]

Whoever that is....

DOH!

 

[Mactech]

It is interesting to note that Mercedes engined cars were all very strong on a circuit which actually does not reward power as much as on many others.
That is down to the work they have done on drivability and making the power available, in the right amounts, at the right time for the drivers to access.
Exactly as they have done with the downforce, it is that accessibility which is giving the cars lap time, and the the drivers confidence.
Difficult to measure, but rewarded by the stopwatch. Lewis's pole lap was an art form.
Honda still have work to do in that area, but as they have shown in Moto GP with their 'wrist to rear tyre' connection, they can and will get there.

 

[bolidemichael]

I agree with how thrilling Lewis' lap was to watch. The speed of his turn ins was breathtaking and Bottas must've been quite deflated having only been a tenth off. Both superb laps.

 

[Nat]

Even then, I think LH had a bit more left in his tank. It's awesome watching and witnessing him setting new records each race. If he wins the WDC this year will he go on to challenge and go one further than MS? F1 has to be a bit of a borefest for those who don't follow Merc and LH.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

....
F1 has to be a bit of a borefest for those who don't follow Merc and LH.

I'm just hoping Bottas can launch a bit of a challenge to at least keep it interesting.

I am not a LH fan due to an encounter with him where he was less than polite to a yong kid so for me I'd rather he was at the back.

 

[Nat]

I'm just hoping Bottas can launch a bit of a challenge to at least keep it interesting.

I am not a LH fan due to an encounter with him where he was less than polite to a yong kid so for me I'd rather he was at the back.

Oh dear, that's never a good thing to witness.

On another note, I've just seen the bit with GR backing up Albon - fair play to him and he said it well. Horner's head was probably spinning when he heard it

 

[bob6600]

On another note, I've just seen the bit with GR backing up Albon - fair play to him and he said it well. Horner's head was probably spinning when he heard it

I just read an article where apparently Max has said the George should focus on himself and not Red Bull. Clearly ruffled a few feathers. Fair play to Russell.

On another note, it's raining so a wet race ahead!

 

[Nat]

I just read an article where apparently Max has said the George should focus on himself and not Red Bull. Clearly ruffled a few feathers. Fair play to Russell.

On another note, it's raining so a wet race ahead!

Yep, just turned it on and the brollies are up. Should make an interesting race.

Going back to GR's comment. I'm sure Max wouldn't like it and will easily dismiss it as he's Horner golden boy and although he can win races they've delivered him a donkey of a car. He may be a future WDC, but not while LH is still in action. I like Albon and I hope RB don't drop him like they've done with other drivers and I hope once he has settled in he'll give Max a run. Which I think will make Max even more competitive. The RB pool of drivers seems to be drying up and clearly shows that youth over experience doesn't always work out. It would be interesting to see how Kimi or Seb would be in a RB.

Looking forward to this race.