The Racing Thread
- Thread starter AWP
- Start date
He cost RB about 20 million in WCC money this year. There was no way they could keep him around.
Topkick
Verified Military
Topkick
Verified Military
I mostly follow off road racing. Red Bull will often finish 2 trucks in the top 5 no matter the race or who's driving. I don't dislike Verstappen, and RB wouldnt hire him if he sucked ass. But he really hasn't raced seriously without Red Bull, right? I was a fan of Michael Schumacher, and he at least appeared to bring Ferrari back to respectability. Just an observation, I don't really have a dog in the hunt.
Verstappen is probably the best driver in F1 right now. He is consistent, rarely wrecks (himself), and can rise to the occasion when needed. Qualifying for Monaco 2023 is a great example. Down .2 in Sectors 1 and 2, he put in a flawless performance in Sector 3 to take P1 over Alonso. Max is simply in a class of his own right now and could most likely be the only driver capable of winning the WCC this year whether he drove for RB, Ferrari, or McLaren.
My post above is primarily because I'm a McLaren fan and Max did Oscar dirty in turn 1 yesterday; Max even apologized after the race. But that is classic Max, he's a bully. Passing him on the outside is almost impossible because he will run you off the track. If you fold, you're in the gravel. If you stand up to him, you crash.
But that also demonstrates how he passes. Out breaking another driver is a classic technique. Where other drivers might back off if they can't pass, minus Osama bin Russell, Max sends it and again you have to choose to give up the position or crash. Yesterday, Oscar had nowhere to go, Max could see that, but he went anyway and effectively took a guy out of the race. (Oscar clawing back for points deserved some attention, but yesterday had a lot going on) McLaren's constructor's championship then fell squarely on Norris' shoulders. While Lando delivered, he shouldn't be in that spot.
End of the day, Max is the best driver in F1 right now and maybe the world. Jos' abuse of Max as a child has created a racing juggernaut and I can't deny Max's talent. That talent is offset by his driving style and why I don't like him. He's dirty but continues to get away with it. I thought the qually penalty in Qatar was garbage, but 10 seconds is mostly fair in Abu Dhabi. Great driver and I love the feud with Norris, but his bullying needs to end.
My post above is primarily because I'm a McLaren fan and Max did Oscar dirty in turn 1 yesterday; Max even apologized after the race. But that is classic Max, he's a bully. Passing him on the outside is almost impossible because he will run you off the track. If you fold, you're in the gravel. If you stand up to him, you crash.
But that also demonstrates how he passes. Out breaking another driver is a classic technique. Where other drivers might back off if they can't pass, minus Osama bin Russell, Max sends it and again you have to choose to give up the position or crash. Yesterday, Oscar had nowhere to go, Max could see that, but he went anyway and effectively took a guy out of the race. (Oscar clawing back for points deserved some attention, but yesterday had a lot going on) McLaren's constructor's championship then fell squarely on Norris' shoulders. While Lando delivered, he shouldn't be in that spot.
End of the day, Max is the best driver in F1 right now and maybe the world. Jos' abuse of Max as a child has created a racing juggernaut and I can't deny Max's talent. That talent is offset by his driving style and why I don't like him. He's dirty but continues to get away with it. I thought the qually penalty in Qatar was garbage, but 10 seconds is mostly fair in Abu Dhabi. Great driver and I love the feud with Norris, but his bullying needs to end.
I'm still not convinced Max will race through 2028 and his contract, so I'd expect RB to hedge its bets and sign as many rookies as it can.
A wildcard will be Cadillac/ GM. They will take an experienced driver to mentor Huerta (or whoever), so who will that be?
Lawson was promoted as I typed this...
I was reading about the Colton Herta situation and I believe he would be the guy, but he doesn't have the points for his Super License yet. He's currently sitting at 39 out of 40 points needed. I was really hoping to see KMag join the GM team, but I doubt that will happen with him driving LMDh.
With Max, I think him becoming a dad will be the driving factor for any decision to step away. If he's learned anything from his childhood, he knows he doesn't want to be his dad.
With Max, I think him becoming a dad will be the driving factor for any decision to step away. If he's learned anything from his childhood, he knows he doesn't want to be his dad.
New dad, possible underperforming car, 4 time champ, 2026 rules inbound, the FIA and Russell being twats, sim racing, desire to start his own team...he has a ton of reasons to walk away.
I think he'll be a great dad. Guy may be a dick, but watching how he interacts with Penelope, he's learned how NOT to act with a child.
Looks like Hadjar took the vacancy left by Lawson.
Hadjar signs for RB as he takes final seat on 2025 grid
Hadjar signs for RB as he takes final seat on 2025 grid
1 rookie-ish driver, another pure rookie, Yuki being Yuki... Marko Palpatine and the Career Killers is my favorite new band.
Similar threads
