ParadiseGT3

Merc 2012, then 2013-2021. Think they're likely already oriented toward '26.

Is the RB clearly the best car on the grid right now, or is that the trend heading into the latter part of this season and '25? I'm not sure.

I think Max jumps ship.

Let's see if they sign Carlos. I can't make sense of why he hasn't been announced at Audi yet.

Carlo_Carrera

They can’t as far as the car goes. The rules are not yet finalized and the rules also prohibit work on the 2026 car until 2025.

And Ross Brawn was the one who oversaw the transformation of the Mercedes car from 2012 to 2013. Toto wasn’t even there yet.

Mercedes is going down, not up.

Nowanker

I've seen much worse looks on the man...

skl

With all the news concerning Kyle Larson and the indy run it reminds me of when Rick Mears tried out a Brabham F1 back in the day. In the end he didn't want to move to Europe, but I would have loved to see the Rocket in a F1 car showing the boys on the other side of the pond we know how to turn right and left too!

Would love to see what #5 could do in a F1 car. That "kid" can drive the wheels off anything... not sure he's into all the data etc but I don't think he would disappoint!


(and please! I can't get that image above out of my head...help!!!)

ParadiseGT3

You mean other than powertrain? The foundation of their 8 consecutive constructors' championships? Timely article: https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...ot-2014-repeat

New, unproven RB Ford could be a Honda "GP2 engine" repeat.

If '26 is a reset, including powertrain, it's not clear to me that RB would be any driver's #1 choice. Not even sure it's the best car on the grid right now, or that that's the trend for the remainder of '24 and into '25.

Carlo_Carrera

Yes, they can work on the engine, but not the car.

The engineer who was the head of Mercedes engine unit for the past 25 years has left and is now at Red Bull Powertrains.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...WnF7KXBe7wY6t9

Mercedes F1 is suffering from brain drain. The people who build their dominate cars of 2013-2019 are not there anymore.

Carrera51

I think Red Bull will have an answer for McLaren and Ferrari's updates to their cars in the coming races. I liked Max's comment on the radio after the checkered when he said they had to work for that one. Sure he didn't cruise to the win, but even when Lando got into DRS range, he still didn't pull off the pass for the win.

ParadiseGT3

Have seen the Merc personnel outflow. On the other side, RB lost the best F1 aerodynamicist in history and are headed into a new gen with an unproven powertrain department.

With an offer from Merc apparently on the table, I just don't think it's that clear cut of a decision for the Verstappen camp. Max doesn't seem to care about $, but it's also worth noting that Mercedes has much more depth in the wider automotive space. Other forms of racing, things that could interest Verstappen long-term. Red Bull are F1, stunts, and caustic fluids.

Carlo_Carrera

If RedBull cars continue to be frontrunners Max isn't going anywhere.

Carrera51

Whatever Max does, I hope he runs LeMans, Daytona 24, Sebring, and the Indy 500 while he's still at the top of his game. He has said there are other venues he wants to race in while he's still young.

Carlo_Carrera

Carrera51

Wow! That looks like a real life version almost as wild as the one at the end of the Speed Racer movie from the 2000s. Watched it dozens of times with my sons when they were little.

Carlo_Carrera

goin2drt

Yeah and at least he wore his Senna tribute shirt in honor and respect for the tribute lap and VER was too good to do that. Although 6 days later after being blasted on social media he “claims” it was stolen and not one person in the entire area had an extra one for him.

multi21

In a post right out of "Man yelling at clouds"

Sebastian Vettel's camp, the organizer of the event, came out with the statement that several shirts were stolen including, but not limited to, Max's shirt as well as Valtteri Bottas, who didn't wear the Senna shirt either.

"Regardless, the truth has now come out about Max Verstappen’s Ayrton Senna T-shirt. F1 journalist Mariana Becker is reported to have contacted Sebastian Vettel’s advisor. She noted that many Senna tribute T-shirts were stolen, including the ones for Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas. So, it seems like Verstappen was criticized unnecessarily."

https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1...senna-tribute/

LOL, I guess Hamilton fans have to hand their hat on something besides race wins.