No F1 thread?

[integrale_evo]

Bottas to be Merc reserve driver

[duncs500]

I think Yuki's done a good enough job to deserve that seat at Red Bull, but then again, who would really want it as you'll be Vertsappen's perennial bitch?

Agree re your second point, but I disagree that Yuki has done enough to get into a top tier seat generally. He's had ample time in an F1 car and just hasn't stood out enough to get into a top team. Appreciate RBs structure kinda means we don't expect them to have two elite (and I use that term relative to other F1 drivers) drivers, but that policy has just cost them a title.

[jamcg]

He has outperformed all the teammates he’s been paired with, Lawson is definitely the closest but qualified a lot lower than yuki. He must be getting pissed off with the redbull programme by now, if a seat opened up for him elsewhere I bed he’d take it

https://www.racefans.net/2024/12/19/did ... -over-him/

[duncs500]

He has outperformed all the teammates he’s been paired with, Lawson is definitely the closest but qualified a lot lower than yuki. He must be getting pissed off with the redbull programme by now, if a seat opened up for him elsewhere I bed he’d take it

https://www.racefans.net/2024/12/19/did ... -over-him/

Not sure if serious? You're quite wrong about that and the article you linked sums it up.

"Points on his debut in Bahrain set expectations high, but Tsunoda largely failed to live up to them in his first season. Team principal Franz Tost grew concerned following a series of collisions, but Tsunoda earned a second season at the team.

In his second season Tsunoda showed a lot more polish and potential. He ran Gasly closer in qualifying and took a larger share of the team’s points. The more experienced driver still comfortably out-scored him by almost two to one, but the improvement Tsunoda had made was obvious."

"To put Tsunoda’s current form into perspective with his performances against Lawson, here’s how he did in his first 11 races against Gasly in 2021. The pair enjoyed a much more competitive car, hence the higher points scores for both, but Tsunoda over his first 11 races arguably didn’t impress quite as well against his team mate as Lawson has done."

This is not the performance of a potential future world champion, and that is what top tier teams should be looking for. The guy couldn't beat Gasly who was way off it in a RedBull. Don't get me wrong, I like him and he's a solid driver, but not one that teams are fawning over.

[Mito Man]

Tsunoda was only there due to some contractual obligation with Honda that there must be a Japanese driver (amazing that in F1 shit like that still goes on). As for why he's stayed on I really do think that it's because everyone in the Red Bull young driver program is a bit average. So much so that they kept throwing Ric in.

Hadjar will be going to RB alongside Tsunoda. Hadjar is such a colossal cunt of exceptional magnitude that I reckon he will make Max look like an angel. I can't imagine how much worse his attitude will get in F1.

[John]

This is excellent

[Swervin_Mervin]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/ar ... 8x03252mpo

And the dictatorship begins. Hopefully all the drivers will swear like troopers from the 1st moment.

[Mito Man]

Honestly hoping Liberty and F1 split from the FIA.

[nuttinnew]

[mik]

[Mito Man]

We have the first car of the new season!

[Mito Man]

F1 livery launch tonight at 8pm
https://www.youtube.com/live/Mw1r6DwYy- ... JxeUNhL_0J

[Zonda_]

Well so far Red Bull is the most embarrassing!

[Mito Man]

Ugh, the white bits on the Ferrari mixed with the blue HP logo look shit.

[nuttinnew]

[IanF]

Absolute joke.. FIA needs scrapping

British officials barred from FIA meeting amid NDA dispute

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433 ... en-sulayem

[duncs500]

Yep, basically going full Trump except you'd hope that Ben Sulayem has less moronic followers so it will not be allowed to stand for too long.

[duncs500]

Testing showing a lot of promise in terms of closeness of the field, a lot of potential for this season to be excellent.

[duncs500]

What's everyone's prediction for the season? Answer in order:

1.) WDC?
2.) WCC?
3.) Who gets more points out of Lewis and Charles?

[Mito Man]

1 - Lando
2 - Mclaren
3 - Lewis, although difficult to predict, I reckon Lewis will be beaten in qualifying but have better race pace.

Going off testing so far it appears like the pecking order is Mclaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull. - Not far off the tail end of last year really.
Mclaren have mighty race pace and low degradation. Ferrari are fast over a lap but have tyre wear problems. Mercedes close behind. Red Bull hopefully not even challenging for podiums with Max having a full toys out the pram moment and walking off mid way through the season whilst asking MBS to suck his balls. One can dream...