OV9

I can’t see Mclaren ever getting out of the midfield with Zack at the helm.

Don’t forget McLaren getting Mercedes power in 2021, so perfect time for someone to come in and influence development

Orange Cola wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:24 pm

integrale_evo wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:17 pm Ricciardo and Norris will be the most fun pairing on the grid too. Not quite sure how that fits in with the traditionally serious mclaren teams though.

Fine, I think. Zack is serious but has a more human and less robotic side which Ron didn’t seem to have. It’ll continue make McLaren appeal to a younger audience with more engagement too so it’s no bad thing.

This. My eldest son, at 15, absolutely fucking loves McLaren, and Norris in particular, buying loads of his merch.

Mito Man wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:39 pm I can’t see Mclaren ever getting out of the midfield with Zack at the helm.

I think they can get to the top three but that’s about it. I get the impression Mercedes have head hunted the majority the good people out the other teams and until that changes, which will be driven by management changes, the field won’t even out.

NotoriousREV wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:42 pm

Orange Cola wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:24 pm

integrale_evo wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:17 pm Ricciardo and Norris will be the most fun pairing on the grid too. Not quite sure how that fits in with the traditionally serious mclaren teams though.

Fine, I think. Zack is serious but has a more human and less robotic side which Ron didn’t seem to have. It’ll continue make McLaren appeal to a younger audience with more engagement too so it’s no bad thing.

This. My eldest son, at 15, absolutely fucking loves McLaren, and Norris in particular, buying loads of his merch.

I think it’s a really good strategy, obviously your son can’t afford a car now but should the day come when he’s got the opportunity to buy such a car he’ll be in the McLaren show room before the others. I’d love to see the kickback statistics they get from their current image and driver line up bringing younger people into the road car show rooms and buying their merchandise.

Mercedes tried it with Lewis but they’re still a bit too much of a serious old mans brand Renault lack the character that used to match their fun (hot) hatchbacks (Dan sticks out like a bit of an oddity there), Ferrari just don’t appeal with Seb having a melt down and constant over hyping with no delivery but it’ll be interesting to see how that changes with Sainz going there. Alfa Romeo have no presence and no one else makes road cars.

The silly thing is that Renault can capitalise the most on their F1 program as they’re the only F1 manufacturer that make affordable road cars but from the outside the team is as boring as their cars.
Then again not sure how much it matters to people’s opinions these days.

You’re right, where’s the modern day equivalent to the Clio Williams?

Orange Cola wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 10:02 pm You’re right, where’s the modern day equivalent to the Clio Williams?

you don’t even have to look back that far. There’s loads of RenaultSport hatches - several even with F1 branding, but now it’s just the Megane, the Clio has gone dull.

Mito Man wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 9:59 pm The silly thing is that Renault can capitalise the most on their F1 program as they’re the only F1 manufacturer that make affordable road cars but from the outside the team is as boring as their cars.
Then again not sure how much it matters to people’s opinions these days.

You own an affordable Alfa Romeo

Yeah, one from long before they returned to F1. Anyway Alfa are just a sponsor and they can’t be around much longer. They’re selling 3 cars, one of which is over 10 years old and have no hybrid/EV tech. Someone at Fiat seems intent on killing it off.

I really don't think motorsport success drives road car sales any more. Sporty cars sell less well than they ever have. What happened to the coupe segment? Cars like the 200sx, Prelude, Fiat Coupe etc. all gone. There's the BRZ/GT-86 but you hardly ever see those. People want SUVs and motorsport doesn't really apply there.

Delphi wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 8:42 am I really don't think motorsport success drives road car sales any more. Sporty cars sell less well than they ever have. What happened to the coupe segment? Cars like the 200sx, Prelude, Fiat Coupe etc. all gone. There's the BRZ/GT-86 but you hardly ever see those. People want SUVs and motorsport doesn't really apply there.

And the Mustang! And all the completely pointless, least practical, massively over weight lifestyle SUV coupes thank you.

Mito Man wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 11:42 pm Yeah, one from long before they returned to F1. Anyway Alfa are just a sponsor and they can’t be around much longer. They’re selling 3 cars, one of which is over 10 years old and have no hybrid/EV tech. Someone at Fiat seems intent on killing it off.

Aren’t they trying to use Fiat to get their fleet emissions down?

I drove a Stelvio not so long ago, it was surprisingly shit. I don’t know how it gets such good reviews.

Orange Cola wrote: Thu May 14, 2020 8:56 am

Mito Man wrote: Wed May 13, 2020 11:42 pm Yeah, one from long before they returned to F1. Anyway Alfa are just a sponsor and they can’t be around much longer. They’re selling 3 cars, one of which is over 10 years old and have no hybrid/EV tech. Someone at Fiat seems intent on killing it off.

Aren’t they trying to use Fiat to get their fleet emissions down?

I drove a Stelvio not so long ago, it was surprisingly shit. I don’t know how it gets such good reviews.

They must be but even using Fiat can’t be that effective as they have a pretty high CO2 output for what they are. Again no hybrids or EVs and that Fiat 500 with a drill battery ‘hybrid’ hardly counts

So if DR is off to McLaren I wonder of Bottas gets another season at Mercedes? I would love to see George in the other Merc if Bottas cannot stay close to Lewis again.

Danny ric to McLaren 2021 confirmed

The Sky F1 News post also said "a place which could be filled by Alonso" Ocon v Alonso

I hope they bring back Alonso

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/52661201

Sainz to Ferrari now also confirmed