The F1 Thread

[Kenny]

It is the 1st time this season. Was level after the 2nd race but Vettel was classed as the leader as he had won the opening race.

Bear must have drifted off when they spoke about it.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Wasn't that bad a race tbf. Plenty of mid-field action, quality scrap between Kimi and Bottas early on and then you have Danny Ric with an outstanding drive. I've seen a hell of a lot worse.

 

[Nando]

Sainz is off to Renault, possibly before the end of the season.

 

[The Bear]

Palmer deserves to be binned. He's shite.

 

[Carrotdude]

Good move for them if it happens. Gasly is next in line at Toro Rosso isn't he?

 

[Kenny]

Bottas signs for another year at Mercedes

 

[Nando]

Absolute no brainer for them, but intriguing again that it's only a year.

 

[Kenny]

Danny Ric's contract ends in 2018 at Red Bull. Chance they may be looking at him I reckon

 

[Nando]

I'd love to see that. With Sainz off to Renault I'd be interesting to see who could potentially replace him as Kvyat has already been binned and we may not even see Gasly next year.

 

[Freddeno]

Ricciardo is such a talent and deserves more than red bull soon..

 

[The Bear]

I'd like to see Danny at Mercedes. As long as it's not Vettel or Max. Can't stand either of their petulant personalities.

 

[jlo]

Interesting developments this afternoon. Looks very likely Renault will split with Red Bull after 2018 also, forcing Red Bull to use the Honda engines from 2019 onwards (Toro Rosso are doing so from 2018). Renault have just had enough of Red Bull's constant public criticism of them it seems, and now will devote themselves to their factory team and McLaren.

So Ricciardo or Verstappen staying at Red Bull beyond next season now looks incredibly unlikely.

 

[jlo]

So the merry-go-round has commenced.

McLaren split with Honda, signed 3 year deal to take up Renault engines from next year. Probably looking to build their own engines for 2021 when rules change come in.

Toro-Rosso split with Renault, take up 3 year deal with Honda.

Carlos Sainz confirmed with Renault for 2018. Only Palmer he can replace there.

Alonso expected to confirm staying with McLaren in the coming weeks as well.

 

[Carrotdude]

Red bull saying they have a car maker deal coming soon and it's not Porsche (who are supposedly getting involved in 2021 when the regs change)

Hopefully this gets mclaren and Alonso fighting with the red bulls next season at least which would be great

 

[jlo]

Red Bull are going to have few engine options for 2019 and 2020 though, can you imagine any new supplier coming in and developing for those seasons when the engine rules will change so much in 2021. They won't want to risk doing a Honda, which ironically means Red Bull might be stuck with Honda for those seasons. However I suspect they might work very damn hard next year, via Toro Rosso, to move that engine forwards.

And presumably a car maker deal will mean Red Bull itself dropping out the sport (as a brand).

 

[Nando]

Red Bull are right in the mix here.

 

[Kenny]

Always going to be a track they would be good at. Surprised at Ferrari so far though, they should have been pushing them. I think Lewis will take being 3rd behind the 2 RB's though (although I reckon Max might hit the wall in the race)

 

[Carrotdude]

Quali could be fun, red bull are quick, Ferrari too and Hamilton getting quicker through p3 and they haven't turned the engine up yet. Alonso and Vandoorne currently p4 and p5 which is fantastic and shows how good the chassis is I guess. Hulkenburg also looking quick and will trouble top 10

 

[Nando]

Anybody who wants to doubt that the McLaren is a fundamentally good car needs to watch that back. It looks wonderful to drive around here.

 

[Freddeno]

as good as it is, breaks down at most races so doesnt matter