Not that I know or would know, but I could foresee them doing a full American swing. Going Canada, US1, Mexico, US2, Brazil, US3. Something like that would certainly make logistical sense considering they could treat Brazil as the only true fly away race while keeping having that time to move the equipment around the North Americas. If they did this, I could even see a few teams setting up a temporary HQ in the US. Like Haas already is in NC, but I could see other teams set up shop for a few weeks in a central location in the Americas. That or I know McLaren charters a plane for the fly away folks. Maybe F1 could do that for everyone. Rent a 777 or 747 and fly the teams back to Britain when it isn’t a back to back.
I edited to add that I could see F1 or the teams themselves just flying back and forth. Sure it’s a longer flight than from Austria for instance, but there would likely be a week break between a few of those races so they could go home for 10 days and break it into two trips or so.
I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you there. Put top whatever X driver you want on it, but there hasn't been a #2 driver as good as he since Rosburg. If you were to do a driver draft for next year, Lewis, Max, and Charles go 1-3 (not really up for debate), personally I'm going Ricc next. Anyone else and you are taking a leap of faith on potential where two drivers have already failed.
This is an interesting theory. I agree that the 1-3 would be exactly that, but who is the 4th best driver on the grid? I mean this as a current talent level too. Not based off past history (aka Fernado/Seb/kimi) I am admittedly a Checo fan, so I feel like his talent in always putting that Force India/RP car in the points/near the top is hard to ignore. Ric is extremely talented, and did a lot with an overall shity Renault car. By the end of the year he should be neck and neck with Lando. Sainz/Lando are right there too. Everyone loves ol' Georgie boy, but it reality his talent on Sunday hasn't really shown up. He's undoubtedly Mr. Saturday, but I haven't seen the racecraft out of him that others seem to possess. Maybe it's cause the Williams is still a shit car in the races, but that is kinda the point of being a racing driver. Being good at the racing part. I think I'd go Lewis, Max, Charles, Checo, Danny Ric, Carlos, Lando.
After the top three I think it’s basically personal preference I don’t rate Ricciardo but I also didn’t watch F1 when he was winning
I think if I did a big board... 1) Lewis 2) Max 3) Charles 4) Lando 5) Russell 6) Alonso 7) Ricardo 8) Carlos 9) Checo 10) Mick
If lando can finish ahead of either bottas or Perez that would be more impressive than lewis or max winning the championship IMO
What's up with the lack of Bottas on everyone's list? Does the Merc make him look that good. Full disclosure Ive only been watching for 2 years
Lando's in his seat purely based on merit, not because of $$$. Sure his dad is wealthy, but all that did was help fund him through karting, etc. in the same way that Verstappen's or Rosberg's dad's would have. It's not like his dad gave McLaren a blank check so they would put him in a seat like Maz or Latifi.
Hand up. I forgot about Bottas. He's a top tier driver too. Yeah he's in the best car, but he also was a podium sitter with Williams before going over the Merc. On my list he'd be somewhere between Riccardo and Sainz/Lando.
Bottas has actually been overall very impressive in qualifying. Lewis is an (if not the) all time great qualifier and Bottas has put up some damn good laps to hold his own and get poles. He's probably the guy I would feel least comfortable rating him no matter where I decided.
No question he can flash that one lap speed on Saturday. Sunday... well that's an entirely different story.
The same can be said for George Russell. Obviously the equipment is different. But people fawn over George for doing the exact same thing. Bottas is a top driver without a doubt. He’s paired with legit one of, if not the best of all time and he holds his own. They say Lewis vs Max this year. But I promise you Bottas will be around at the end of the year too. Yes the Merc is the best car, but other than maybe Charles and Max, who is getting a better result than him in that seat? He’s got the greatest, and worst job in the world. He’s in that seat yes, but he’s compared to Lewis. He’s a steady ass teammate, and Merc’s 7 in a row doesn’t happen without his steady hand behind the wheel for the last several years. (Yes I’m aware the streak began before he came over to Merc)
If you’re gonna claim Lewis is the best driver ever, how the fuck can you leave Bottas out of your top 10 current drivers when he’s finished the season no worse than 3rd each season with Mercedes?
Really enjoying Mercedes F1 YT channel and their race debriefs. Extremely candid and detail orientated. Helps with understanding decisions and tech.
I remember Toto saying right after his accident that he "didn't want his last experience in an F1 car to be literally escaping flames" So good on Toto, and Merc for following up on that. Good for Roman too. I think it'll be good closure for him, and I actually think he'll do quite well in Indy car moving forward.
Good shout. Appreciated the candor when James admitted they basically didn't consider the knock on implications to having Valterri come in when he did for the soft tire/fastest lap run.
a funny thing I heard on a podcast the other day was Brendan Schaub talking about his friend Daniel Riccardo. He was talking to a guy who said he didnt know him but knew that meant he was racing Lewis Hamilton. Shaub shoots back: "Daniel is the best driver in the world it just sucks because he is in a lesser car. Equal cars Daniel wins I think easily." shit had me rolling he is so in his friend's butt that he is deadass going to believe he is better than Sir Lewis Hamilton as a racecar driver
Nobody asked but on my mind. Vettel gives a cunt vibe (from someone who has only been following mildly closely since 2018). Verstappen is a whiny bitch on the track at all times so I can't fuck with him. Lando Norris and Charles LeClerc though? Love 'em.
Glad you said it and not me. I know lots of people prefer Red Bull to Mercedes because they are seen as the only challenger to Mercedes dominance, but Horner seems like such a whiny cunt it’s hard to root for them.
I'm in this camp (rooting more for RB), but Verstappen's incessant whining is getting hard to take. Horner I don't mind as much because he's just a wind-up artist and I kind of appreciate it. MV on the other hand seems to blame everything and anything other than himself for the performances out there.
I like Lewis but don’t root for him. His life would be hard but he seems like he’s always positive I’m a lando fanboy
Bottas also takes the second seat role as well as any guy that’s got more poles than like 95% of drivers ever. how many other current drivers would take the second Merc seat? How many could handle it and do well in it? Yes Lando and Russell and all the 20 year olds but I’m talking guys who have won something.
I don't like Horner, but he is married to a spice girl. I bet Toto leaves copies of her playboy issue laying around to fuck with him.
On pretty much all accounts Seb’s a top notch human being. In a way he reminds me a lot of Dirk. Does things his own way. Really funny, and enjoys self deprecating humor. Does things for the right reasons, not for for the publicity (a small good example of this is the fans he met in Austin I believe in the elevator or something and remembered their names and left tickets for the race under his name after they told him they couldn’t afford tickets) and I think the biggest thing, and I bet we’ll see it discussed and played out on Drive to survive is his mentorship and admiration for Mick. When Seb was coming in to F1 Michael took him under his wind and helped guide him. On all accounts Seb is doing the same for Mick. Seb may not be the racer he once was, but the sport is better off for having him still on the grid. I’d be willing to bet if you surveyed everyone on the grid, Seb would likely be voted most likable by his peers.
appreciate the take. I mean I dont root against him, nor do I think that he is very close to the end of his career, but I just dont like his smirk lol
its always an excuse EDIT: and to be fair I think Lewis has a similar tendency to whine but because he is a champion and undoubtedly a generational driver his competitiveness gives him a pass for me
This is very shallow but I just don't like MV's face. Not to mention his dirt smudge he calls a mustache. And Ive said this before, Horner can be funny, but comes off as the petty little brother to Merc protesting everything. Here's an idea, come up with some revolutionary tech yourself instead of crying foul when Merc comes up with something. Also seems like to rule changes with the rear end and rake were specifically made to help Red Bull. And yes it would be nice to have a more competitive field overall, so I get it.
Gonna be some disappointed posters itt over the next decade because Max isn't going anywhere and you know he's always going to be in one of the best cars.
that's true but dont be mad when he isnt dominate because other people have better mentality in similar performing cars
I just said he has an excuse all the time. if you think that is made up then not sure what to tell you. its always something. whether its he needs a better teammate, a better power unit, regulation changes, etc.
I mean also its just my opinion, you can feel free to ignore it or show it to me when I am wrong thats fine. figured I'd stir the pot a little.
Cool. You focus on that. I'm guessing he'll continue to focus on being one of the top 2 F1 drivers like he has been.
Not liking a guy? I understand. Not respecting that he is definitely the 2nd best driver on the grid though?
I'm new, so maybe that is the standard. Just figured AlphaTauri(Red Bull) would have paid enough to where he wasn't making less than the Haas/Williams guys.
Based on that chart and performance this season I’d say Lando is the best bargain by a very large margin
I don't think Bottas is a bad driver. I'm not building my team around him. He's a solid #2. Because you could put anyone on my list in the Mercedes and they match if not top his results. I believe he's a solid #2 maybe one of the best #2s so if you slid him in the 8-10 range I wouldn't argue.