Formula One 2018 - General Thread

[Stratman]

Off to Renault

 

[GeeJayW]

Off to Renault

Not surprised really. Effectively No.2 driver to Max and a Honda engine to boot (which may well improve of course).

 

[Dryce]

Not surprised really. Effectively No.2 driver to Max and a Honda engine to boot (which may well improve of course).

Not just No 2 driver at RBR but possbly on quite a bit less money than their favourite son. I think the signs were there when DR was being careful with his words when the RBR switch to Honda was announced. RBR have probably taken the view that they're offering him the best seat available given that he's locked out of Mercedes and Ferrari - so why pay him the same as MV.

From DR's point of view he was ahead of MV in the WDC in 2016, 2017, and currently in 2018.

MV is very fast when things work out but seems particularly vulnerable to gremlins and brainfarts. OTOH DR isn't slow and he's shown he can manage to dig out points and play the percentages. If MV continues to mature then RBR don't need DR as insurance any more. OTOH if they bring in a driver less mature than DR who is still capable of challenging or even spooking MV then they risk a lot of their bodtwork and components lying on on track with the cars off track.

Hopefully this works for DR and Renault get stronger - and for that matter it would also be a good thing if Honda come good at RBR.

 

[grober]

So Daniel Ricciardo teams up with Nico Hülkenberg displacing Carlos Sainz, who may join McLaren although he also remains in the frame to return to Red Bull as Verstappen's partner?
Daniel Ricciardo quits Red Bull for Renault

 

[confusionhunter]

Lots of dice rolling on next years engines.... Torro Rosso have had some strong performances with the Honda and in many races outscored the McLarens. With TR theyve been less in the spot light than they were with Mclaren, with RB they are right back in the spotlight!! If I'm honest I'm not that fussed about Renault as a team but AM fussed about Ricciardo so mixed feelings as a supporter....

 

[artyman]

I wonder if Alonso will now jump ship at McLaren and go to Red Bull

 

[baxlin]

I wonder if Alonso will now jump ship at McLaren and go to Red Bull

Not sure he’d relish being Red Bull number 2 driver, but it would be interesting to see him outperform MV.

 

[DSM10000]

Not sure he’d relish being Red Bull number 2 driver, but it would be interesting to see him outperform MV.

Back with Honda power after some of his comments?

Would Honda allow it?

 

[GeeJayW]

I would be surprised to see Alonso at RB...

 

[fabes]

He's only got one more season left in F1 IMHO, so he (Alonso) has to decide carefully.....

Not something he has had a lot of luck with to date.

Mentoring MV could be a good swansong, as will as setting the bar for the little whippersnapper / protégé

Honda may or may not be happy as they may hold the view that THEY were the ones trapped by a poor Maclaren chasis and not vice versa (if Alonso did have any sway on ending the relationship)

 

[GeeJayW]

He's only got one more season left in F1 IMHO, so he (Alonso) has to decide carefully.....

Not something he has had a lot of luck with to date.

Mentoring MV could be a good swansong, as will as setting the bar for the little whippersnapper / protégé

Honda may or may not be happy as they may hold the view that THEY were the ones trapped by a poor Maclaren chasis and not vice versa (if Alonso did have any sway on ending the relationship)

Alonso's comments about the Honda engine will not have gone down at all well at Honda. I also don't think that Alonso copes well with a genuinely quick team mate, so would IMHO be a destabilising influence in RB who (will continue to) need someone to work with Max rather than against him. I think he'll see out his F1 days at McLaren, but I've been wrong before.

 

[confusionhunter]

On Alonso: Yea look at the fall out when he was losing to Hamilton 10 or so years ago!

 

[fabes]

Fair point

Some teams may view him almost as damaged goods with little to lose should he see his ego being shaded by a team mate.

He really has effed up his career in the last 8 years or so....

 

[whitenemesis]

Wishing him a speedy recovery
Niki Lauda: Three-time Formula 1 champion has lung transplant

 

[GeeJayW]

Wishing him a speedy recovery
Niki Lauda: Three-time Formula 1 champion has lung transplant

Oh gosh! I didn't realise that's what he had been undergoing. He did some serious damage to his lungs in the '76 accident and it can't have been at all easy for him even after he'd come through it.

I too wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[grober]

That's a big blow to the senior management of the Mercedes F 1 team. As Toto Wolffs wingman no young whipersnapper however talented was going challenge the decisions of a man who'd already been there done that several times over at time when death was ever present at every F1 race.

 

[zipdip]

I thought it strange he was missing at the last race,lets hope he recovers well and is soon back in the garage.

 

[Dryce]

Mentoring MV could be a good swansong, as will as setting the bar for the little whippersnapper / protégé

Just like he mentored LH a decaded ago ......

And MV isn't likely to take on the concept that he needs mentoring. FA would just be target to dominate and crush.

RBR will have a real problem getting a driver to pair with MV. DR had a reasonable temprament and ability - he scored most of their points. So they need somebody with ability who is also mature and steady. If JB was a few years younger and still racing then he'd have been a good choice.

I think Kimi would actually be a good match for MV - not quite fast enough to trouble MV but good enough to get a decent haul of points - and unlikely to get psyched by the situation.

 

[AMGeed]

Force India out of administration.
Look to Lance Stroll moving to the team now his father is one of the investors.

Force India: Formula 1 team to come out of administration

 

[whitenemesis]

Alonso to Retire
Fernando Alonso: McLaren's Spanish driver to retire from Formula 1 at end of season