Realizing that I now have put myself in the position of having financial interest in rooting for Mazepin is not great.
On talent and performance alone he shouldn't have a drive. If Haas sells the team I think he's gone. If Haas wants to give it another year in the hope that the Ferrari engine is on par with the best of the field then he's 100% returning. For everyone's safety on the track I hope you win the bet.
is it also possible haas is using the money from him to fund this years team? i know they want to spend $0 so maybe they got him in with the eye on him paying for 2021 and them using all other resources on 2022
I generally agree with Bankz that if Haas holds on to the team he is likely to stay. He's bringing in significant revenue that is super valuable for a team like Haas that operates on shoestring margins. However, if he continues to lap ~1 second behind his teammate, I could also see Ferrari asking/requesting that he's replaced with someone who is a better challenger/mentor for Schumacher. Even if the team is bought, there's precedent to retain the drivers as evidenced by the Williams takeover and retention of pay driver Latifi. Who knows, should be an interesting bet.
I love when f1 is competitive because the mind games are amazing. Haven't had this since Seb v Lewis from 18? and before that Lewis v Rosberg
Just like Monaco was a huge track for RB and by extension the championship, I think France this week is huge for Merc. Not so much results wise since there's a ton of racing left to do, but more about pace in quali & the race. By all accounts Hamilton is the favorite here, but if Verstappen beats him on merit, then I think you will see a significant shift in the odds for the WDC.
This. They brought in maz to help pay for this year, and then take advantage of basically an extra year of development towards the new car. Unless daddy pulls his money out of the sport, Maz ain’t going anywhere next year either. Only way Maz gets the boot is if they nail the 22 car, Mick’s keeping them in the running for points, and Maz is still miles behind his teammate. Gene and them can go to American sponsors and more than makeup the difference in advertisements
One of the commentators was down at that t14/15 and it seems kinda tricky, that final one being about 150 degree turn. Is there a track that implements a curved parking deck ramp turn? That would be incredible.
Bounced Yuki. Analyst on sky sports called them baguette curbs, love the name. FIA responded to requests by Merc and others by doing zilch.
He had a time wiped during fp3 for crossing white line and bitched that he didn't on radio. Shockingly, replay showed he was waaaaay over the line.
Nor should they. This track is beyond forgiving and doesn’t make drivers pay for mistakes. Now it does. Keep the curbs.
If redbull is this strong… I’m curious if Mercedes starts to put recourses into this car because it’s clear Redbull is focused on winning the title this year.
Haha I went to google and tried to do my own research before asking. So shift some of their 2022 bucks?
Teams are spending 2021 dollars on the 2022 car. Mercedes being one of them. Redbull isnt. So yeah I’m curious if Mercedes tries to do some updating for this 2021 car or says fuck it they can have this.
Also seems like Ferrari is taking a big risk with the engine package for next year. Given the engine will freeze till 2025 they better knock this out the park.
Just got around to watching qualifying. Fuck yes Max!!! Tomorrow might just be a great race. Sergio Q4 too so Merc can't do their 2v1 strategies that they've been able use so effectively in the past. Midfield battle is all mixed up too. Let's gooo!!
Just saw the post qualifying interviews and Lewis said it might rain tomorrow too. Oh man if that happens too.....
I’m sorry, I am wondering about any damage, but that turn doesn’t have any of the baguettes actually so it might not be that serious. And he’s setting fastest laps.