I've seen Ocon needlessly clash wheels with teammates before - banging wheels with Perez and throwing away valuable points in holding up Alonso. Ocon has never been able to resist this sort of thing, sharing a garage with a guy with whom he has a long standing antipathy is a recipe for disaster. Alpine desperately needs points, as things stand they're second from last after eight races.
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/sergio-perez-red-bull-new-f1-deal/
Perez confirmed at RB for 2025 & (poss) 2026
Disappointed Perez is carrying on. Too many journeyman (IMHO) drivers in F1.
It's amazing that the top team can't attract a better driver
It’s amazing that the top team can’t attract a better driver
The combination of Verstappen & Horner toxicity must only appeal to a very limited number of drivers...
Would you want to join RB?
Upcoming Driver - Here is the chance to drive possibly the best F1 car there is, but you are not allowed to win any races unless Max has already retired from that race. At all other times you must be subservient to Max and everything we will do will be focussed on Max. You can simply come along for the ride for a year or so.
Older Driver - You can see out your time with possibly the best F1 car there is, but you will be associated with the most toxic and disliked brand in F1 just when you are looking for post-racing retirements gigs as brand ambassador etc. Oh, and you are still not allowed to win and must remain subservient to Max's whims.
This leaves the middle ground of drivers who just need a seat and would be happy with some points occasionally as they know they are never going to make the top of the podium anyway and have given up hope of the WDC in the future already. Oh, and don't mind letting Max win every race and be subservient to Max's whims.
not the most appealing of options
I think RB are probably agnostic as to which driver in the team comes first - It's probably true of every team TBH. But in reality you'd need to be an exceptional talent to get past Max anyway. I think the problem is that with a resurgent Ferraris and Maclarens, and the fact all four of those drivers can get past Perez that surprised me about the decision. But balance that with the fact he's a known entity, it makes the Verstappen side of the garage content (for now at least) and RB don't need any more headaches, you end up with this.
Having Perez as your no.2 when you've clearly got a better car works well enough, when you don't have that car advantage, he's exposed, and then so's Max. For a neutral fans perspective, it makes for more exciting racing though.
This is the ranking which matters, and Perez dropped five places last year. I had him as my own driver of the year back in 2020 after a great 2019 but he's dropping back now. Just riding it out until retirement or genuinely trying but not as quick as he was?
What stands out for me on that list though is that you need to be in a top team to show that you're fast. So extra kudos to Albon I think, it does seem to support the idea that he is outperforming that car
If you listen to the High Performance podcast with Albon he explains the issue very well.
When RedBull had a car advantage Perez could be 0.4 seconds a lap behind Max and that would still be P2
Now that the others are catching up that 0.4s gap is putting him P6-10
Another factor for Red Bull, if they promoted Lawson to be #2 and he was faster than Verstappen, he'd be driven off the track quite literally.
Not likely to happen though is it? Whatever you think of Max, he is undoubtedly the (one of the) quickest driver on the grid.
He has form, why did Ricardo leave?
2026 regs have been announced. Summary:
It says 'reduced ground effect', from what I've been reading it should really say 'massively reduced ground effect' (possible that the venturi tunnels will be gone entirely) so will be quite a big shake up.
Yeah - Dr.Obbs on ****ter is speculating they will be flat floors.
And did Scalextric do the rendering for this!... 🤣
https://twitter.com/dr_obbs/status/1798673899368141221?s=12&t=EQoHg-RGok071Fjc15ZHKw
Seems the teams weren’t all onboard with the new regs!! Typical FIA…
https://twitter.com/dr_obbs/status/1798779146966872281?s=46&t=EQoHg-RGok071Fjc15ZHKw
Apparently today was quite the chaotic day with the release of these new regulations. I’ve been informed that each team has sent a technical representative to meet with the FiA about the release of the regulations at some point today. Apparently the released regs were never finally approved by all teams, and at least two teams are threatening to walk away from the series if they go ahead as released today. There are a LOT of angry team members across the grid.
After a bit more digging, specifically the concerns are around the active aero for the front and rear wings which will NOT be driver controlled, but triggered via control systems and software. The teams feel this is a huge risk in the event of failure. Additionally the concern is that the cost cap would prohibit the cost of replacement active aero parts as well. 💰
Sounds like the FiA had a bit of an issue on their hands with this one. 😳
That was a lot closer than I was expecting. Who put a stick in Ferraris wheel?
👏🏻what a turnaround by mercedes!
I expect both Red Bull and Mclaren will be faster on race pace but still, brilliant job by the engineers.
Amazing how close the fight at the front is in quali now, Hamilton was only 3 tenths back but starts 6 places behind. 😳
That was the most exciting qualy for a looooong time. So close!!
Anyone know what the weather is doing?
According to the Met Office, there's a strong chance of rain in Montreal this afternoon https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/f25dygmvw#?date=2024-06-09
Well this is a fun race! Loads going on! That safety car screwed Lando; he was going off into the distance then…
Merc are eeeking closer - podiums certainly possible for rest of season. Perhaps they should consider not ‘losing’ Lewis those mystery 2-3 tenths in qualifying so they get two cars up front. 🤔
And great win for Jamie Chadwick today…
Forgot to say, (double) overtake of the season for Albon!
Also
Puzzling that your get DQ for minor technical breaches yet such a nothing penalty for doing something dangerous and admitting that it was so you wouldn't disadvantage your driver with a safety car...
As they admitted it was "dangerous" by one driver so as not to disadvantage another. So probably taken at manager level. It would only be fair that bothe drivers (hence the team) were docked places next race.
Why Max as well?
Are you new here?
well quite.
nickc
The 3 place penalty for Sergio and fine for the team seems appropriate, Why Max as well? He had nothing to do with it.
The fine for the team does not seem appropriate to me, €25K is nothing for purposely ignoring a safety rule to benefit your other driver.
Tsunoda received a €10K fine for being late to the anthems at this race for example.
Why Max as well? He had nothing to do with it.
because the team decided to benefit him by dangerous actions. The financial gain from the win will surely be larger than the fine.
Anyone know whether the fine is included in the budget cap or not? If it reduces the amount of money available for parts or development, that would be the major impact, Red Bull won't care about 25K otherwise.
They're exempt I think.
Edit: Sorry that makes little sense. Fines are exempt from the budget cap.
"Fines are exempt from the budget cap."
Pity, because a team could flout the rules with impunity, making the budget cap a bit of a farce.
Pity, because a team could flout the rules with impunity, making the budget cap a bit of a farce.
No, because technical infringements = DQ
Did anyone else see the 3D renderings of the Ferrari to 2026 regs over the weekend - looks way better than those renderings released by F1 above...
https://www.instagram.com/chrispauldesignofficial/
Anyone see Geri Halliwell at the Dior launch?
Not a mis-type
That 2026 Ferrari looks alright doesn't it.
Geri Halliwell
She reportedly deliberate dropped her married name. Interesting times, perhaps “Horn”er will get some kind of comeuppance after all for DickPickgate.
