In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :
If not for some mental gaffes has had, I'd put him for more than one- he was amazing at Sauber, and the start at Ferrari was strong. Just some mental errors.
In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :
If not for some mental gaffes has had, I'd put him for more than one- he was amazing at Sauber, and the start at Ferrari was strong. Just some mental errors.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/Siu9X53dCZ4ZgBG8/?mibextid=oFDknk
Let's see if this works...
Well, like the announcers said - if you took away Verstappen 12 sec out front, this was a great race to watch!
We know he's not going to win every race this year, but will the championship tighten up again as the season goes along?
In reply to CrashDummy :
Sainz has beaten Leclerc in every race he's competed in this season. Did Ferrari fire the wrong driver? Is Lewis really an upgrade at age 40 and beyond? Seems like Sainz is driving great at the moment.
At RB Jr. I really thought that Sainz was fairly close to Max in terms of speed, but that Jos V. is politically more of a juggernaut in F1 and can tip the needle in Max's favor. To be honest Sainz is not as consistent as max. I think Leclerc has the speed, but he seems to make to many mental mistakes. Lewis should retire, in all honesty its much more fun when the other cars are competitive to watch Leclerc, Sainz, or Russell try to pass Max. However when Ferrari calls you take it. I am afraid that Hamilton outspokenness and political prowess, is aggressive and while he can drive the wheels off of any car, he isn't MSchumi when it comes to car development, and whether Lewis is faster or slower then Leclerc it seems like a bad gamble, because if he is slower then he is finished and if he is faster, then what do you do with Leclerc who is supposed to be the long term future 
In reply to trigun7469 :
Schumi didn't exactly light up the track when he went to Mercedes- Rosberg was faster than him quite a bit- and the car didn't progress much when he was there.. I think it was more the team around him at Ferrari.
In reply to alfadriver :
Ferrari basically had unlimited budget/testing and their own test track during Schumi's rein. I'm pretty sure they spent a lot more than any of their competitors.
In reply to alfadriver :
There have been many articles about M. Schumi influence on the Mercedes team. Ross Brown and Laudi have credited M. Schumi for a role in the championship years after his tenure. Personally I thought it was silly of him to comeback. While the Senna name is a popular name to associate in F1, the modern day F1 driver is highly influence on the preparation approach of schumi did physically, mentally, of course rallying his crew members and staying late.
In reply to trigun7469 :
So he convinced Brawn to turn the team over to Wolff? This was a talented team before Mike came- just totally underbudget. Then he and Mercedes showed up, and they were a nominal team. I get trying to speculate the "what if's" and whatnot. And maybe the result was that Lewis was able to win a race.
Well Fernando is signed up. This leaves Carlos as the last big player.
I believe that Carlos will go to Merc and they put Kimi in a Williams for 2 years like they did George. I would love to see him go to RB though and see what the battle looks like between him and Max.
Wouldn't it be great to have an all spanish team and send lance to wec? Doubt it would ever happen but man it would be a fun thing to watch.
Carlos will probably end up at Merc but man that team is gutted and sliding quickly to the mid-pack.
In reply to NY Nick :
It still leaves the wild and unlikely rumor move of Max to Mercedes, and I would assume Carlos to RB. Or Carlos could goes to Audi with Hulk. However Stake looks like a slash and burn situation.
Andretti just confirmed F2 and F3 programs, I wonder if a Alpine buyout will happen. If so would that stir the driver lineup. Ocon moving to Mercedes, Gasley and Herta at AA and Carlos goes to Audi.
I hope Kimi likes driving around a broken chassis 
In reply to trigun7469 :
Alpine buyout will not happen for AA because of the little clause they put in about running Renault motors till 2029. I don't see AA losing the Cadillac backing there. That is if Alpine really is for sale as they have affirmed they are not.
bmw88rider said:In reply to trigun7469 :
Alpine buyout will not happen for AA because of the little clause they put in about running Renault motors till 2029. I don't see AA losing the Cadillac backing there. That is if Alpine really is for sale as they have affirmed they are not.
I was under the impression that the initial proposal was a Cadillac badged renault engine in the AA cars
In reply to bmw88rider :
AA and Renault Agreement expired, if AA buys them outright then AA can re-badge as they feel fit as cadillac. I was just imaging like a Brawn/Honda scenario without the success. However I would think Renault would stay as the supplier for f2/3 and then make a return to F1 in 2026, the engine is clearly a weak point (ask RB). Again I am just speculating because AA announced the F2/3 program which I would assume that would try to find any avenue to get into F1 including buying out a team (like they almost did with Sauber).
Don't forget that an AA buyout of anyone needs to be approved by the teams and F1.
In a just world, I had Yuki going to Aston because of his Honda sponsorship and Aston becoming the "factory" Honda team next year, but I just don't think Stroll the elder will fire his son.....or send him over to the WEC team - which is where he should go IMHO.
That would leave Red Bull junior with openings for Liam to come back, and if DannyRickyBobby just isn't cutting it, an opening for another Red Bull junior driver too.
If Carlos goes to Merc for sure, then Kimi A could wind up at Williams next year, then if Carlos is on a short contract, they can then move him to Audi and Kimi up to Merc.
If Andretti doesn't buy Alpeeny, then those guys are pretty much stuck there, there's really no where else for them to go. If Andretti does buy the team, then all bets are off for Ocon and Gasly.
All in all, I still think the big shake ups are coming for the 2026 season.
alfadriver said:Don't forget that an AA buyout of anyone needs to be approved by the teams and F1.
I'm not seeing that. Do you have a link?
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
No, but remember the teams chose between the three bidders of Force India when they broke up. And wasn't Andretti part of the Rossi bid? Anyone bidding for the Alpine team will be scrutinized whoever it is.
I don't believe dorilton had to do that when purchasing williams. If you buy the license, you don't need to go through any of the approval.
I thought they did. F1 isn't going to let some Joe Schmoe buy the team without some kind of security that they will at least try hard. Darleton had lots and lots of real money behind them. But the debate between Rossi/RIch Energy/Stroll was interesting to see over Force India.
I'm sure there would be less of a problem keeping a team alive vs. starting a new one. But if someone else came in to bid on the team besides AA, then there will be some real talk (assuming it's not Rich Energy).
In reply to alfadriver :
When Williams was bought out they did not change the name, from what I read there was no interference from F1. It was up to the shareholders, to sell it. However F1 does require approval to change the name, I think that is what might give AA trouble if he decides to purchase a team. However Sauber always seem to bypass the process by adding Sauber somewhere in the name (Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber). Perhaps Andretti can re-name the team AGAR or Andretti Global Alpine Racing.
In reply to trigun7469 :
Did F1 have to Approve the change from Torro Rosso to Alpah Tauri or Alpha Tauri to Visa Cash App RB Racing Bulls or Renault to Alpine? I don't know those answers seems like they just announced the re branding but there was probably a bunch of behind the scenes approvals.
I am neither a fan or a detractor of AA. I hope they get a team, they have tried harder than anyone I can think of in recent memory.
In reply to trigun7469 :
I would say F1 sticks their nose in when they want to. Again, there was a pretty strong debate between Stroll, Rossi, and Rich Energy for Force India. And given their obvious disdain for Andretti, my gut tells me they will stick their nose in it, again.
Let alone the times F1 helped teams find new owners in the past. Or just let them die.
In reply to NY Nick :
Yes, every time
In reply to alfadriver :
Interfere with who buys into a F1 team? There has been no problem teams accepting money from dictators (as long as there name isn't on it), heck HAAS is basically skirted every which way accepting money even during sanctions. On 1 team and want to have stock at another team is only bad if it becomes public. F1 for some reason hates Michael Andretti, I honestly I see nothing but good for him entering the grid. Prima and Carlin should have also been on the F1 grid, but entering a new team seems to be very politically charged, Haas should get a lot of credit for what he did.
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