Formula 1 2020 (Will Contain Race Day Spoilers)

[bob6600]

Interesting article that Hulkenberg nearly drove for Red Bull last weekend. Albon had an inconclusive test initially and Marko called the Hulk to put him on stand by. Maybe they are looking outside of their pool for next year?

Nico Hulkenberg almost drove for Red Bull in Eifel GP | PlanetF1

Nico Hulkenberg almost made his Red Bull debut at the Eifel GP with Helmut Marko revealing he called the driver after Alex Albon recorded an inconclusive test.

www.planetf1.com

 

[AMGeed]

Interesting article that Hulkenberg nearly drove for Red Bull last weekend. Albon had an inconclusive test initially and Marko called the Hulk to put him on stand by. Maybe they are looking outside of their pool for next year?

Nico Hulkenberg almost drove for Red Bull in Eifel GP | PlanetF1

Nico Hulkenberg almost made his Red Bull debut at the Eifel GP with Helmut Marko revealing he called the driver after Alex Albon recorded an inconclusive test.

www.planetf1.com

Albon had a bit of shocker on Sunday at the Nurburgring. Don't know if the pressure to get results is weighing on him, but too many more like that and he'll be out of the Red Bull to make way for someone else.

 

[bob6600]

Albon had a bit of shocker on Sunday at the Nurburgring. Don't know if the pressure to get results is weighing on him, but too many more like that and he'll be out of the Red Bull to make way for someone else.

Definitely. I do like the guy and he has to be given time to prove himself unlike Gasly was. But, he has had enough time now and unfortunately being paired with Max, it's even more difficult. Red Bull do need to realise though that this season they are a solid 2nd. Too far behind MB but also too far ahead of the rest of the teams to challenge their P2 in the WCC. We all know that F1 is a brutal sport and as you said, his days are unfortunately looking numbered.

 

[hgb]

It's not necessarily that Max is a better driver than Albon, the fact that the RB suits Max's driving style has to play a big part. Many excellent drivers have struggled initially when they have moved teams because the cars were set up in a different way than they preferred.
On a completely different topic, any thoughts on the imminent return of Alonso? In my opinion, however good a driver he may be, I would not have him in my team

 

[AMGeed]

^ Alonso should have stayed retired. Nobody doubts his ability,but he is disruptive, and at 39 bringing in a younger driver from F2 would have been a better move IMHO.

I'd place Max the second best driver on the grid now, just ahead of LeClerc and way better than Albon who has had quite enough time to familiarize himself within Red Bull.

 

[Stratman]

Is anyone else getting the feeling that Norris is becoming a whingey prima donna?

 

[AMGeed]

Is anyone else getting the feeling that Norris is becoming a whingey prima donna?

He could learn a thing or two from George Russell who has good reason to whinge.
McLaren would do well to advise him to button it and concentrate on driving.

 

[bob6600]

It's not necessarily that Max is a better driver than Albon, the fact that the RB suits Max's driving style has to play a big part. Many excellent drivers have struggled initially when they have moved teams because the cars were set up in a different way than they preferred.
On a completely different topic, any thoughts on the imminent return of Alonso? In my opinion, however good a driver he may be, I would not have him in my team

Problem with Red Bull is that they do tend to focus around one driver, it's probably the reason Danny Ric left. Max is definitely better in an F1 car than Albon but yes I agree they probably focus a lot more on getting the car perfect for him.

Alonso did a filming day today with Renault in the current car.

On a different note, I saw the post race interview on CH4 with Toto and Ola. Ola openly stated that he wants Toto to stay and so it seems to be whether he wants the challenge or not. Lewis also said somewhere that he's not done for a few years yet and so is also expected to sign with MB again. I think with Lewis, he just wants what is most likely to be his final contract to be as financially rewarding for himself as possible.

 

[GeeJayW]

Is anyone else getting the feeling that Norris is becoming a whingey prima donna?

I think they all whinge. We only get to hear an 'interesting' selection of radio traffic. Norris is very good, I hope he continues to make progress.

 

[AMGeed]

I think they all whinge. We only get to hear an 'interesting' selection of radio traffic. Norris is very good, I hope he continues to make progress.

That is true. When things aren't going right they will all sound off. All part of being competitive and wanting to be the best.

 

[GeeJayW]

^ Alonso should have stayed retired. Nobody doubts his ability,but he is disruptive, and at 39 bringing in a younger driver from F2 would have been a better move IMHO.

I'd place Max the second best driver on the grid now, just ahead of LeClerc and way better than Albon who has had quite enough time to familiarize himself within Red Bull.

Couldn't agree more...

 

[hgb]

^ Alonso should have stayed retired. Nobody doubts his ability,but he is disruptive, and at 39 bringing in a younger driver from F2 would have been a better move IMHO.

I'd place Max the second best driver on the grid now, just ahead of LeClerc and way better than Albon who has had quite enough time to familiarize himself within Red Bull.

Agree Alonso should have stayed retired. Much better drivers have struggled on returning to F1 after a year out so out.
Like you I can't understand why any team principal would want him, especially Renault.

 

[Dryce]

It's not necessarily that Max is a better driver than Albon, the fact that the RB suits Max's driving style has to play a big part.

I get the impression that MV will just adapt to the car. That said - with RB there is obviously a huge incentive to then tune the car towards what makes MV faster. That would put his teammates at a disadvantage. Particularly if they really need the car to operate in a specific sweet spot to suvive.

However I think modern racing is so much about having a portfolio of nuanced race management skills rather than just raw speed that what we are seeing is that the combination of race day characteristics, circuit characteristics, and car characteristics means that some drivers such as MV and LH are head and shoulders above their peers across the whole championship schedule whereas other drivers seem more variable.

 

[bob6600]

Mercedes confirm they stopped working on and updating this year's car 'a long time ago'. Red Bull will probably close at least some of the gap before the end of the season but MB know the title is theirs.

Mercedes on early 2021 car development shift as F1 titles loom

First outside chance at wrapping up a seventh Constructors Championship for Mercedes comes at the next race in Portugal

www.skysports.com

F2 Driver Tsunoda will get an FP1 drive in Imola. If I was one of the 3 'Red Bull' drivers, I'd be concerned.

Tsunoda to get AlphaTauri test ahead of potential FP1

Red Bull and Honda junior Yuki Tsunoda will get a test in a previous-spec AlphaTauri car at Imola next month, ahead of a potential FP1 run. Tsunoda is currently third in the Formula 2 championship …

racer.com

 

[Nat]

I'd have prefered Alonso to have come back in a new team and not at the expense of a current driver. There are many talented drivers in the the F1 line up who I'd like to still see. Time will tell if he still has it.

 

[AMGeed]

Interesting rumour.

Pierre Gasly 'eyeing Renault seat next to Alonso' | Planet F1

A reason may have been found for Pierre Gasly having “upset a few people at Red Bull” – it’s claimed he is eyeing a Renault drive.

www.planetf1.com

 

[Nat]

I couldn't read that as my pc has an ad/pop up blocker. In my opinion and it's just that. Red bull have demonstrated how ruthless they can be, just like the prancing donkey - unless you are Max or Charles. I don't ill wish them but equally Albon, Gasly, etc could have had better results if it were not for the team principles aka general managers, etc.

 

[AMGeed]

^ There are a few sources running this rumour now.

Amid rumors of Red Bull rift, Gasly seeking Renault drive for 2021 : Reports

According to news outlet Blick, AlphaTauri driver and Italian GP winner Pierre Gasly could move to Renault ahead of the 2021 season.

www.essentiallysports.com

 

[Stratman]

It can't be any good for either party, having a driver spend an entire season knowing he's leaving on less than amicable terms. The team will direct all their efforts at his team mate, the driver may well get a case of the f**kits and ignore team orders and suchlike. It should make for interesting and possibly amusing radio chatter.

 

[bob6600]

I read that too. He has a good chance too as Ocon hasn't been anything special this season. Red Bull did the same with Sainz and lost him.