Checo is also on a different floor than Max. The new floor they debuted that Max rejected but Red Bull wants testing numbers on it so they’re running checo out with it.
Checo also can’t change floors due to the cap. I suspect this gap would happen with almost everyone on the grid. Max is just operating at a different level currently.
It's insane that Riccardo was able to hold his own better at Red Bull than he has in the other stops since, whereas the #2 Red Bull seat has been a disaster for everyone else. Probably was due to Max's inexperience at the time. Daniel raced against a lesser driver than the others.
Checo won Max the title last year, he could dnf every race this year and still be well regarded at Red Bull
Interesting that it hasn't rebranded as the Texas GP or Austin GP, following the Las Vegas GP and Miami GP US GP has more cachet, I guess
He should have stayed at Alpine. Although I think most drivers would have done the same as him and jumped to that McLaren seat. The Alpine was having crazy engine problems and they were not going to make any engine changes for the next season, so I think that was a big reason why he bailed. But he finished 5th that season and had some podiums, and now that Alpine car looks better than the mclarens.
Might do the Dutch GP. Can stay at a cool hotel in Rotterdam super cheap and train on up and its around my birthday. Now to talk my wife and sister in law into this.
Fuck off Europeans for complaining about that start time. Half of F1 races start at that time here...and as I've stated before I love it. A midnight start time CST isn't ideal but whatever...it's not like I'm not going to watch it no matter the time.
Did anyone think it would be anything else? Las Vegas was going to shut down on a football Sunday? Nah
I don’t think the Chinese GP will stay on the schedule since they still are under zero Covid and I can’t see them lifting that anytime soon.
Max has it wrapped up, so what are the other storylines to be interested the rest of the year? Alpine/MCL (Alpine) and Ferrari/Merc (toss up for two teams who should be fighting for first)? Maybe whether or not Williams is salable with demonstrated progress? From a driver perspective I guess it's whether Mick can show enough to get a seat next year (probably not)? Whether Riccardio is worth a seat (no)? I assume with American ownership this will lead to a reworking of the points structure to favor a playoff format.
I don’t like a playoff for WDC at all. I suppose there might be an interesting format for Constructors that makes the midfield more interesting in the latter stages of the season. Not sure what it would be. As with most Americanized sports it will likely just be more money in exchange for the soul of the sport.
My post was unclear. I agree completely with you that I do not want (nor should traditional fans want) a playoff style system. I am anticipating a playoff style system at some point in the future.
Sounds like Ricciardo to Alpine is gaining steam. Horner said on a podcast if he was head of Alpine that would be his choice. Seems Gasly is next best available, but he isn't really available unless Alpha finds someone they really want.
Do not understand the Ricciardo love. The guy is 33 & still living off past "potential". Great instinctual driver, but F1 requires so much more & he hasn't been willing to do that for years
what does that mean. He finished top 5 in driver standings 2 years ago and then jumped to mclaren. He hasn’t figured out how to make the car work for him. I’m gonna guess he’s doing everything he’s supposed to. The guy has also won more races than every driver currently on the grid not named Hamilton, verstappen Vettel and Alonso who are all world champions. I personally think he’s also great to have in the sport. Seems like most other drivers enjoy him. edit: forgot about valteri he probably has more wins also.