thebishman

Interesting you bring up the role of fathers.

I can easily see a scenario where Jos and Marko tell Horner that Checo is the #2 for RB, because both Jos and Marko know that Checo will never challenge Max as a handful of other options would in a RB, BUT Checo will garner enough points to allow RB to win the WCC.
Horner is desperate to keep Max in the team. Add in Checo’s sponsorship and it’s a done deal even though all of us know Carlos and others would be faster in the #2 RB car.

Ksdaoski

It was a Sky Sports F1 podcast....about 20mins in

“I think Sainz was, actually was Horner's man a little bit, within this, if he were to come back, it would be Horner convincing him to do so. But I think the biggest problem there was back from the Toro Rosso days wasn’t it, and I think it’s the fathers are particularly not seeing eye to eye and I think that might have proved too much of a tricky thing for them to have to handle.” Lazenby said.

Also had a former Red Bull engineer who had similar comments..."So many people saying it should have been Sainz are forgetting that Jos and Sainz Snr. spent most of the time trying to kill one another at Toro Rosso. It was never happening," Drury wrote. Dan Drury was a senior systems engineer at Red Bull from 2016 until early 2022....

LuigiVampa

A gender neutral term to describe people who speak a language where words have genders.

But I digress - I think RB has lost its way. Under Dieter they used to have a stable of young drivers, a junior RB F1 team (regardless of their name) to give them experience, and then it was off to RB Varsity.

multi21

BREAKING: FIA to reveal F1 2026 regulations on Thursday, 6 June at 3.30pm CEST (2.30pm UK).
- Significant changes to both power unit and chassis regulations are expected.
- Largest power unit changes since the 2014 move to turbo hybrid power.
- Greater focus on electrical power, with a more balanced split between internal combustion and electric power.
- MGU-K power output to be tripled allowing PU to run on 100% carbon-free sustainable fuel.
- New regulations have already attracted manufacturers like Audi and Honda to the sport.
- From 2026, Red Bull to produce power units with Ford as partners.
- Factory teams are already preparing for the 2026 regulation changes.
- Chassis expected to be slightly shorter with a potentially lower minimum weight which will result in different look and sound for the 2026 cars.
- FIA's reveal will highlight what regulations allow and restrict for the 2026 machines.
VIA: [PLANET F1:

Dennis C

Apparently they’re ditching the MGU-H, which will make a huge difference in the way that the cars sound.

skl

Unfortunately they will still be bloated and huge, just like indycars, and they will never go back to what we loved in the '70 thru the early 2000's, at least not in my lifetime. I personally don't give a sh*t about all the electric crap and batteries but I'm not the demographic they're going after anymore. Same with indycar and that new hybrid system that just adds weight and complexity. Oh well... guess I'll just watch the interactions between Carlos Sr. and Jos, etc etc etc

And then I'll go drive one of my 914's and not worry about turning off the auto- stop start button!!!

LuigiVampa

I heard someone say that in the next 50 or so years people will drive old gas powered cars in the same way some people still ride horses.

I don't think much of the technology in F1 cars is transferable to street cars, at least not in a meaningful way. It makes no sense not to just build a V-12 engine and call F1 what it is - entertainment.

The green energy push and the blue haired people have to ruin everything.

Carrera51

I think Checo getting an extension makes sense. He is a team player. He knows RB is built around Max. I don't think Sainz would have been ok with being the clear number 2 and that would have led to friction in the team. Will be interesting to see where Sainz ends up. Would be nice if Mr. Stroll would pair him with Alonso and sent Lance to WEC or Indycar.

multi21

Dominicali has floated the idea of going back to NA engines for the formula after the 2026 regs IF, renewable fuel could be used - all this as most F1 fans prefer the sound of those engines and have long called for them to be a part of F1 again. At that point, however, 20 years may have passed after the introduction of hybrid engines and a new generation of fans who have never heard the roar of a V10 engine at 18,000 RPM may not care. Of course there's the distinct possibility that Dominicali himself will not be in charge at that time either to push for those engines as well. For me, the sound of V10's and eventually V8 engines was one of the reasons to go in person.

Carlo_Carrera

Not to be a jerk but both Porsche and Mercedes have just introduced sports cars with a light weight MGU-H type setup. Ironic how that is being dropped by F1.

I agree though the green push is misguided and mishandled, especially in motorsports.

I also agree that in the future driving a pure ICE car will be considered a pleasure experience like riding a horse.

multi21

A report out of Spain has indicated a contract has been reviewed by a law firm in Madrid which puts Sainz in a Williams starting in 2025.

ParadiseGT3

Good lord

Ksdaoski

Again it's all speculation, but rumors are Mercedes new engine for 2026 is supposedly very strong and the leading frontrunner with the new specs. And Williams is excited about the opportunity for 2026. Who knows if true.... Still have to deal with both MB and McLaren with the same powertrains.

ParadiseGT3

I'd take the Williams seat over Alpine, not sure about over Audi, but just think it's a travesty Carlos is choosing between these mid to lower tier options.

Maybe it's just a 2 year deal through 2026, which would align with Checo's expiration, Lewis @ Ferrari, Fernando @ Aston (I think), perhaps others. A mid-term strategic move for him, whereas the Audi contract may have been a long-term commitment.

multi21

As posted yesterday, the 2026 regulations are to be released today. Word is that "ground effects" will no longer be a part of the formula reverting back to a flat bottom car. Mercedes is nothing else is and always has been, a wonderful engine maker. If ground effects are eliminated, then it somewhat neutralizes what Newey might come up with and gives Merc an advantage if they can get the engine regs right.