F1

[was thatguy]

Red Bull sends Lawson back down to Racing Bulls, puts Yuki in the seat.
No surprise at all with Lawsons absolutely dismal performance in the first 2 races.
The kid is completely lost. That car is the moon to him.

Imo yuki should have got that ride to start with.
He’s been the defacto #2 car for a while now.
Now’s his chance.

 

[Member: 71]

 

[Cdog]

Being a Daniel Ricardo fan I think Red Bull’s getting everything deserves

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

I wonder if they set up the two cars differently for each driver or just default to Max’s preferences. I keep reading, from multiple drivers, that Max is driving on a razor’s edge at all times with the sensitivity turned to the max. It’s possible Lawson just can’t drive that way…..

 

[was thatguy]

View attachment 1492157

Mario Andretti is on the board of the new Cadillac team for 2026.
He is hinting at Checo for the #2 seat as an experienced driver and race winner.

Andretti said: “All I can say is that Liam Lawson is making Checo look very very good…”

 

[Cdog]

Mario Andretti is on the board of the new Cadillac team for 2026.
He is hinting at Checo for the #2 seat as an experienced driver and race winner.

Andretti said: “All I can say is that Liam Lawson is making Checo look very very good…”

I think Mario is probably biting off a little more than he can chew. I don’t blame him for being optimistic, but let’s face it. He’s gonna get his shit pushed in for a couple years just like haas.

 

[was thatguy]

I wonder if they set up the two cars differently for each driver or just default to Max’s preferences. I keep reading, from multiple drivers, that Max is driving on a razor’s edge at all times with the sensitivity turned to the max. It’s possible Lawson just can’t drive that way…..

Few can.
If yuki can’t perform in it, you gotta start wondering about the car.
It’s hard to believe that Checo simply lost his skills last year.
It’s also hard to believe (but more possible) that Lawson failed so utterly miserable right out of the gate.

 

[was thatguy]

I think Mario is probably biting off a little more than he can chew. I don’t blame him for being optimistic, but let’s face it. He’s gonna get his shit pushed in for a couple years just like haas.

Agreed.
I think it’d be a very frustrating way for Sergio to finish up.

 

[ChevelleSB406]

RedBull has developed a monster that only Max can manage, its actually made me more impressed with him than before. Its only gotten worse. Gasley -> Albon -> Checo -> Lawson, its just gotten more extreme with being overly sharp without rear stability, and apparently this year, a very narrow window to get the tires into the right temp, I am betting lawson couldn't get temp in the front and was overheating the rear. All the above drivers have skill and still have it, but especially with Checo getting worse as year went, it was Redbull developing further down the path of extreme sharpness.

 

[Cdog]

RedBull has developed a monster that only Max can manage, its actually made me more impressed with him than before. Its only gotten worse. Gasley -> Albon -> Checo -> Lawson, its just gotten more extreme with being overly sharp without rear stability, and apparently this year, a very narrow window to get the tires into the right temp, I am betting lawson couldn't get temp in the front and was overheating the rear. All the above drivers have skill and still have it, but especially with Checo getting worse as year went, it was Redbull developing further down the path of extreme sharpness.

Yes!

 

[Cdog]

Few can.
If yuki can’t perform in it, you gotta start wondering about the car.
It’s hard to believe that Checo simply lost his skills last year.
It’s also hard to believe (but more possible) that Lawson failed so utterly miserable right out of the gate.

Get ready to watch yuki choke

 

[Flatsix66]

Bring back V10's!

 

[was thatguy]

Get ready to watch yuki choke

I hope not! Lol
At the least maybe he can give some useful feedback on the car that Lawson simply is unable to?
Yuki and Gasly are my favorite drivers.

 

[Tooms22]

Being a Daniel Ricardo fan I think Red Bull’s getting everything deserves

I'm a Ricciardo fan as well. I think they let him run the Red Bull car last year in testing at some point.

He must not have shown that he had the touch. But I do remember his times were impressive.

I called Lawson being a flop. Not sure how he hopped right over Yuki. Yuki isn't a great driver but tends to be consistent with that P8-P14 every week.

It will be interesting to see who gets that other seat full time because the Constructor's Cup is getting away from them quick.

 

[JLG614]

Few can.
If yuki can’t perform in it, you gotta start wondering about the car.
It’s hard to believe that Checo simply lost his skills last year.
It’s also hard to believe (but more possible) that Lawson failed so utterly miserable right out of the gate.

This is my thought as well. We will find out this weekend. I really do wonder if the car is honestly just shit and alot to handle and max is just so great of a driver that he is outperforming most in a really bad car. Max is my favorite on the track. Yes he is aggressive and alot of people don't like him but if you listen to him in interviews and listen to different podcasts he honestly is just a solid no bullshit driver. He is not there to make friends or impress people, it is a job to him and his job is to win. If you hear some back story on him when he was young and how he raced karts and learned to drive it really is impressive. He wasn't taught to stare at data and try to figure it out from there, he was taught to drive and respond first to see if his reactions match what the data said.

On a conspiracy theory note. I read that Red Bull had to put another driver in to try and get more team points. There is a clause in max's contract that gave him the option to leave if the team was not scoring enough points for the constructors championship. Everyone keeps gossiping that Max is going to leave Red Bull at the end of this year and go join Mercedes. I would have bought it last year but I find it highly doubtful now that mercedes would take him because russel and antonelli have been preforming very impressively this year. But I could see him leaving this year and going to join Aston Martin because they have Newey now and we all know that Strolls daddy has some deep pockets and basically just bought out the rest of the team this week. Time will tell but man its exciting to watch

 

[Cdog]

I'm a Ricciardo fan as well. I think they let him run the Red Bull car last year in testing at some point.

He must not have shown that he had the touch. But I do remember his times were impressive.

I called Lawson being a flop. Not sure how he hopped right over Yuki. Yuki isn't a great driver but tends to be consistent with that P8-P14 every week.

It will be interesting to see who gets that other seat full time because the Constructor's Cup is getting away from them quick.

I think yuki might actually hurt himself. He’s way over his head.

 

[Cdog]

I hope not! Lol
At the least maybe he can give some useful feedback on the car that Lawson simply is unable to?
Yuki and Gasly are my favorite drivers.

That’s the thing about Yuki unless you translate cuss words and frustration into set up feedback. I think you’re going to be disappointed.I’m

 

[mbrown2]

Few can.
If yuki can’t perform in it, you gotta start wondering about the car.
It’s hard to believe that Checo simply lost his skills last year.
It’s also hard to believe (but more possible) that Lawson failed so utterly miserable right out of the gate.

They should have picked up Sainz. Can't believe Merc or RB did not get him; I like watching him as a driver.

 

[was thatguy]

That’s the thing about Yuki unless you translate cuss words and frustration into set up feedback. I think you’re going to be disappointed.I’m

2 years ago absolutely.
It seems he’s possibly grown up a little bit now?
Either way, here is his big chance.

His first year in the Red Bull program I thought for sure his mouth would get him released very quickly.

 

[was thatguy]

This is my thought as well. We will find out this weekend. I really do wonder if the car is honestly just shit and alot to handle and max is just so great of a driver that he is outperforming most in a really bad car. Max is my favorite on the track. Yes he is aggressive and alot of people don't like him but if you listen to him in interviews and listen to different podcasts he honestly is just a solid no bullshit driver. He is not there to make friends or impress people, it is a job to him and his job is to win. If you hear some back story on him when he was young and how he raced karts and learned to drive it really is impressive. He wasn't taught to stare at data and try to figure it out from there, he was taught to drive and respond first to see if his reactions match what the data said.

On a conspiracy theory note. I read that Red Bull had to put another driver in to try and get more team points. There is a clause in max's contract that gave him the option to leave if the team was not scoring enough points for the constructors championship. Everyone keeps gossiping that Max is going to leave Red Bull at the end of this year and go join Mercedes. I would have bought it last year but I find it highly doubtful now that mercedes would take him because russel and antonelli have been preforming very impressively this year. But I could see him leaving this year and going to join Aston Martin because they have Newey now and we all know that Strolls daddy has some deep pockets and basically just bought out the rest of the team this week. Time will tell but man its exciting to watch

Kimi Antonelli is absolutely putting on a show.
He appears to be the shining star of the rookies.

 

[Cdog]

2 years ago absolutely.
It seems he’s possibly grown up a little bit now?
Either way, here is his big chance.

His first year in the Red Bull program I thought for sure his mouth would get him released very quickly.

You forget the only reason why he has that seat is because Honda wants them there and they’re paying a lot of money for it

 

[was thatguy]

You forget the only reason why he has that seat is because Honda wants them there and they’re paying a lot of money for it

I wouldn’t say it’s the “only” reason, but it’s definitely been a factor.

Then again, 99.9% of people say Lance Stroll is only on the grid because of daddy…yet he’s 8 in driver points and becoming more consistent all the time.

Privilege gets you in the door, it doesn’t keep you there.

I watched Stroll talking one day and he said something like “I’m well aware that I was born into privilege and wealth. But from my perspective it means I have to constantly work harder to prove myself, to overcome that stigma, and that still isn’t always enough.”

I can’t wait for this race!

 

[rrrr]

Mario Andretti is on the board of the new Cadillac team for 2026.
He is hinting at Checo for the #2 seat as an experienced driver and race winner.

Andretti said: “All I can say is that Liam Lawson is making Checo look very very good…”

Mario is a brand ambassador, and has no say in team operations. He's around to shake hands and buttonhole sponsors.

 

[was thatguy]

Mario is a brand ambassador, and has no say in team operations. He's around to shake hands and buttonhole sponsors.

I didn’t say it was his decision, I said he’s hinting that Checo is on their list.

 

[Rennsport]

I listen to Chris Harris’ podcast and this episode is spot on about Lawson. Worth the listen

Google Search

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Kimi Antonelli is absolutely putting on a show.
He appears to be the shining star of the rookies.

He has been an absolute stud so far.

 

[mbrown2]

On a serparate note ... Ferrari Team to Driver Communications are must see TV!

That team can fock up a great weekend quickly!

 

[rrrr]

I didn’t say it was his decision, I said he’s hinting that Checo is on their list.

And I was clarifying he doesn't have any input in those decisions.

 

[ChevelleSB406]

Max's comments about Honda, and maybe teaming up again were interesting. if RedBull give him 60M a year, what is Stroll going to roll out plus recruit further to bring him over to Honda power in a Newey designed car? Max has been papering over the cracks at RedBull for sure.

In regards to Danny Ric's test, I believe it was a prior model, 1 or 2 years old, not the 2024 nightmare, it could have been the 2023 half nightmare Ironically, if Danny said the car is flawed, it would be the only person Horner would believe and start a pivot.

Lewis saying the same thing about the Merc concept, and seat position too far forward. The engineers love it, and all the wind tunnel is great, but he said it can't be driven. They would not have changed for George. Luckily, George and Kimi get the evolution of that this year.

Excited for this weekend, ready for Haas to break my heart as usual. I am a Lando fan since he came up, so my choice is him to win at all, and somehow for Haas to get a podium one day.

 

[was thatguy]

It always amazes me that almost every driver on the grid, in any one of those cars, can slap on a set of soft tires and go out and collect the fastest lap bonus point.
I have the F1 app and watch a lot of the analysis videos.
The telemetry graphs comparing drivers and cars are virtually identical when they superimpose them.
One tiny little “blip” on, say, braking point, or gear shift or acceleration points is the difference between podium or zero points.
The real time data collection, and system tweaking, is mind boggling.
The driver is expected to execute the operation of the vehicle as instructed and make adjustments as required, like a robot.
“Reduce pace and increase interval for clean air and tire life, plan B”
That might mean just .3 seconds a lap difference for a few laps, which every driver on the grid is expected to be able achieve simply by braking different into a single corner.

When they say it’s the “20 best drivers in the world” it’s hard to argue against that the more you watch them.
You have a car that is the pinnacle of engineering, with mostly kids driving them, doing over 200 mph heading straight for a corner, then diving on the brakes while downshifting, accelerating out and heading for the next corner, with more kids doing the same thing all around them, and the race engineers watching and analyzing every single thing they do under microscopic conditions.
And they do it over and over almost perfectly the same every lap, while racing against 19 other drivers doing it almost perfectly the same.

It’s really crazy.

 

[Cdog]

Max's comments about Honda, and maybe teaming up again were interesting. if RedBull give him 60M a year, what is Stroll going to roll out plus recruit further to bring him over to Honda power in a Newey designed car? Max has been papering over the cracks at RedBull for sure.

In regards to Danny Ric's test, I believe it was a prior model, 1 or 2 years old, not the 2024 nightmare, it could have been the 2023 half nightmare Ironically, if Danny said the car is flawed, it would be the only person Horner would believe and start a pivot.

Lewis saying the same thing about the Merc concept, and seat position too far forward. The engineers love it, and all the wind tunnel is great, but he said it can't be driven. They would not have changed for George. Luckily, George and Kimi get the evolution of that this year.

Excited for this weekend, ready for Haas to break my heart as usual. I am a Lando fan since he came up, so my choice is him to win at all, and somehow for Haas to get a podium one day.

Great synopsis with exception to being a Lando fan. Hahahaha!

I don’t dislike him, he’s just indifferent to me.

 

[JBZ]

Removing the fastest lap point is Lame

I thought it was a cool way to collect a point.
I don't understand what the problem was.

 

[JJ McClure]

Removing the fastest lap point is Lame

I thought it was a cool way to collect a point.
I don't understand what the problem was.

You’d have to research who won the fastest lap points most often against who didn’t. Then you’d have idea of who called the FIA. Let me know. I’m curious too

 

[Racey]

You’d have to research who won the fastest lap points most often against who didn’t. Then you’d have idea of who called the FIA. Let me know. I’m curious too

Because there were several instances where cars back in 4th or lower that had huge gaps ahead and behind where they could have a 'free' pit stop would wait till the very end of the race and throw on softs to get the point. So they were basically giving points to cars that hadn't earned anything on actual pace.....

If you look at qualifying times vs race pace times any car on the field could set the fastest lap during the race so it was kinda lame and had no relationship to actual competitiveness.

 

[was thatguy]

Because there were several instances where cars back in 4th or lower that had huge gaps ahead and behind where they could have a 'free' pit stop would wait till the very end of the race and throw on softs to get the point. So they were basically giving points to cars that hadn't earned anything on actual pace.....

If you look at qualifying times vs race pace times any car on the field could set the fastest lap during the race so it was kinda lame and had no relationship to actual competitiveness.

Pretty sure only a car finishing in points (P10 or better) could win the fast lap lap point?

 

[Racey]

Pretty sure only a car finishing in points (P10 or better) could win the fast lap lap point?

Yes but that doesn't change the fact that cars 4-10th were getting bonus points for no reason of merit.

Basically at the minimum it rewarded the guy at the back of the train that has a free pit stop but couldn't get past the guy in front...

 

[JBZ]

Fastest Lap is Fastest Lap

 

[Rennsport]

I think a point should be awarded for pole

 

[Racer56]

I just read that Haas F1 is no more at the end of the season and is Toyota Gazoo now.

 

[Racey]

I think a point should be awarded for pole

A lot more merit to that than when the guy running in 16th sets the fastest lap

 

[ChevelleSB406]

I just read that Haas F1 is no more at the end of the season and is Toyota Gazoo now.

i will look to read what I can, Haas has a chance to bail and make a bunch of money, but he never seems to be interested, has had offers. He also has not been interested in doing what is necessary to become competitive, so I have no idea what he is up to. I would think he would go in phases, start selling chunks. Its a funny time to do so, its the first year he is not going into his own pocket at all for sponsorship.

 

[MooreMoney]

I have really got into watching F1 the last 5 years. If you haven’t been to a race to see how fast these cars are going it’s hard to put it into perspective on TV. These guys driving them are crazy

 

[HST4ME]

I have really got into watching F1 the last 5 years. If you haven’t been to a race to see how fast these cars are going it’s hard to put it into perspective on TV. These guys driving them are crazy

The current lumber wagons are nothing compared to the v 10 era. They need to stop this current rules bloated tech goat fuck and build some race cars again

 

[caribbean20]

how fast these cars are going it’s hard to put it into perspective on TV. These guys driving them are crazy

Hear, hear. Was at the Singapore F1 in about ‘11. We were at a curve and saw a lower class come through. Later out comes the F1 guys for practice, same curve, and here comes Vettel and Webber in their Red Bulls. Wow, no comparison. I was just blown away.

 

[MooreMoney]

The current lumber wagons are nothing compared to the v 10 era. They need to stop this current rules bloated tech goat fuck and build some race cars again

Rumor has it the 26 cars battery might run out on the long straights. Doesn’t seem like racing to me when you are worried about running out of power.

 

[MooreMoney]

Hear, hear. Was at the Singapore F1 in about ‘11. We were at a curve and saw a lower class come through. Later out comes the F1 guys for practice, same curve, and here comes Vettel and Webber in their Red Bulls. Wow, no comparison. I don’t as just blown away.

Austin a couple years ago same for me. Lower class looks fast and even the pace car looked fast. Then the f1 comes out and it’s honestly not fathomable how fast they go.

 

[was thatguy]

I have really got into watching F1 the last 5 years. If you haven’t been to a race to see how fast these cars are going it’s hard to put it into perspective on TV. These guys driving them are crazy

It really is hard for the mind to process.
I like to think I’m a decent driver, by no means at all close to any sort of competitive level, but I can sort of negotiate a track at a fun speed.
The most impressive thing to me is their ability to accelerate right into their braking points.
They do not “coast”…lol
Those cars are literally undrivable for 99.9% of the driving population, and probably 9 out of 10 legit race car drivers would spin out or crash before completing a single lap in a F1 car.

Now try driving that car to its limits.
Like to the very edge of what the car can do.
That is what they do. It’s impossible for me to comprehend being able to do that.

And they all do it within millimeters. The telemetry graphs don’t lie.
The race engineers have it right by in front of them. They know where to pick up a tenth, where to save tire life, where the driver is underperforming.
So not only does the driver have to be able to drive the car to its limits (that’s where the car has to be for any meaningful data or improvement), he has to do it with a pissed off Yuki up his ass, some mid field ex champs looking for redemption trying to jam him, and a frustrated race engineer telling him to “Stay out…push push push”.

lol

Add in the risk of death and it’s no wonder that their minimum wage is 1-2 million a year.

 

[caribbean20]

For most guys, certainly for me, we have a risk governor wired into our brains. F1, those guys have had their governor removed, if they ever even had one.

 

[was thatguy]

For most guys, certainly for me, we have a risk governor wired into our brains. F1, those guys have had their governor removed, if they ever even had one.

Truth!

Most of them now have been carting since the age of 3 or so.
They’ve raced each other since they were in diapers practically, especially as they progressed and the contenders thinned out.
By the time they make it to F1 (if they make it) they’ve typically had numerous wins and championships in all kinds of global classes including F2 and F3.
Even then, it’s a completely different beast.

Max was 17.
Kimi is 18, and is succeeding at the highest level in a Mercedes F1 car…a car that was a 7 time world champions car.

That’s mind blowing to me.

 

[was thatguy]

On a serparate note ... Ferrari Team to Driver Communications are must see TV!

That team can fock up a great weekend quickly!

Double Disqualification last race.