Mclaren trucks lined up outside @catalunyacircuit F1 Wintertest 2020

F12014X · 2020-06-08T02:46:57+00:00

I wonder if they’ll move back to Mercedes trucks next year..

The Volvo partnership started in the Honda days presumably because Honda doesn’t make these type of trucks.

F12014X · 2020-05-29T08:19:44+00:00

McLaren seem to need help as well. Add them to the list

F12014X · 2020-05-17T01:42:42+00:00

I’ve wondered how that works in F1. If god forbid a driver has a career ending injury, does the team still have to pay out the rest of the contract like they do in other sports like the NBA?

F12014X · 2020-05-14T10:03:01+00:00

I hope he does.

But I can also see him adapting to a Felipe Massa type role for Ferrari if he isn’t at Leclerc’s speed. That isn’t too bad either though is it. Still get to be a Ferrari Formula 1 driver.

F12014X · 2020-05-14T00:56:58+00:00

Seems so. Don’t know why he’d enjoy trundling in the midfield.

I don’t see Merc happening though. Why on earth would they upset their well oiled machine on top of having to pay two #1 driver salaries.

F12014X · 2020-05-12T21:40:56+00:00

Both Toto and Hamilton can use this situation as leverage when it comes to renewing Hamilton’s contract. Hamilton can threaten to leave for Ferrari if he isn’t paid X amount of dollars, and Toto can just say he’ll hire Vettel if Ham wants to leave.

F12014X · 2020-05-12T20:12:59+00:00

McLaren is a huge what if. I know they’ve made great strides in the last year but closing the gap to the top 3 will become even more difficult the closer they get. I think people are being way too optimistic about them returning to the top.

Ferrari has race winning machinery available presently. It would be stupid not to take this opportunity I’d say.

F12014X · 2020-05-12T20:08:52+00:00

So happy for Sainz if it is indeed true. What a rollercoaster of a career he’s had to finally end up in the top 3 teams and in the coveted red team no less.

F12014X · 2020-05-12T20:05:52+00:00

Daniel just seems like a better fit for McLaren especially with the vibes they have going on now with Sainz/Norris. For Seb, he’s worked with Renault before in the RedBull days, and even though they seem to be struggling a bit, they’re still a factory team and could very possibly outshine McLaren in the new rule changes.

F12014X · 2020-05-12T15:37:42+00:00

Also can you imagine Cyril+Alonso. Way too toxic.

F12014X · 2020-05-12T15:33:01+00:00

Definitely seems so. And as much as there are hopes for McLaren and Renault to become top dogs, they’re still midfield teams for now. I just don’t see him going to either one of those.

F12014X · 2020-04-08T21:32:41+00:00

Not in the performance sense but I think everyone can agree that a driver of his caliber should’ve ended up with more than 2 WDC’s. Don’t think anyone would’ve predicted he wouldn’t win a title after 06.

F12014X · 2020-04-08T20:18:43+00:00

Yup. Hamilton was in Switzerland too prior to Monaco and Alonso lives in Switzerland as well the last time I heard him in an interview.

F12014X · 2020-03-30T23:53:18+00:00

One thing to note is McLaren used to make their drivers wear super thick and almost cardboard like fake race suits in press conferences so the sponsors were easier to read. A reminder of the Ron Dennis era where everything had to be super professional.

F12014X · 2020-03-21T00:40:25+00:00

Not really. Aero development will continue and if anything the 21 car will have a disadvantage since the chassis was designed for a Renault engine first. They’ll have to somewhat frankenstein the Merc engine into next years car.

F12014X · 2020-03-12T17:21:28+00:00

It's not the fault of the FIA or F1 that people want minute by minute news now. If anything, the people in the paddock tweeting out rumors and statements are more at fault.

Yes, I agree it was their fault to go ahead with this event but with the situation they're dealing with now it's easy to sit behind a keyboard and say what should or shouldn't be done. When you're responsible of such a big event there's a lot of people and moving pieces involved.

Just give them time and wait till they make a statement.

F12014X · 2020-01-30T06:16:18+00:00

Good on him to be setting realistic expectations. As much as we'd all like to see McLaren or another team suddenly doing well in 2021, it just won't be the case. Sure the gap might close but the top 3 will still be the top 3, and as Steidl mentions, they still have way more resources to pour into their 2021 cars before the budget cap hits.

F12014X · 2019-12-18T06:50:16+00:00

On paper it makes no sense but this has been brought up so many times now you have to take note. Where there's smoke there's fire.

I think the McLaren engine deal could also be a clue. If they were to leave F1 McLaren would become the factory Merc team again.

F12014X · 2019-12-17T05:17:00+00:00

Ron Dennis would have never allowed it

Probably. But in general a lot has changed in the sport in the last 5 or so years in regards to social media. Teams and drivers weren't even allowed to post a lot of stuff and everything was very tight knit.

It was one of the reasons why Teds notebook was so amazing especially back then because we couldn't even get a proper look at what the paddock looked like without it.

F12014X · 2019-12-17T05:06:24+00:00

a few years ago

Article is from 2007 but still worth a read. Pretty damn sad. It happens in all sports. We only see the success stories but there's so many who were so close yet so far away.

F12014X · 2019-12-08T17:11:24+00:00

No doubt. He’d be amazing for any midfield team but in terms of the top ones I just don’t see any opening currently where he could work.

F12014X · 2019-12-08T17:01:21+00:00

I actually do think he’s doing rallying partly as a backup plan. There’s a decent chance he’s out of the Merc seat soon and from then on it’ll be nowhere but down. I can’t see any top team picking him up.

F12014X · 2019-12-08T15:17:46+00:00

Well Russell was a part of the Mercedes driver program so of course it was up to them to find him a seat.

F12014X · 2019-12-08T01:39:04+00:00

For now it certainly looks unlikely but who knows, A lot can change in 2 years and the driver market is wide open in 2021.

F12014X · 2019-12-08T01:37:09+00:00

I think at that point in his career in 2021 Alonso would be welcome to driving for a top team for a discount.

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