Upgrade to enjoy this feature!
Vital MX fantasy is free to play, but paid users have great benefits. Paid member benefits:
- View and download rider stats
- Pick trends
- Create a private league
- And more!
Only $10 for all 2024 SX, MX, and SMX series (regularly $30).
Sainz could be heading to Red Bull.
I can't remember who said it, but they said Ferrari made the wrong decision by hiring Hamilton and sacking Sainz.
Vettel has already had a number of conversations with Toto Wolff. He's not ruling out a comeback.
That’s crazy talk. I’d rather see Ice Man Raikkonen back in F1. Dude rode MX on his home track in the off-season.
I think its going to be just like when Vettel went to Ferrari for Hamilton.
The Shop
IMO, I don't see him being better than Sainz.
Vettel trying to come back is hilarious. Just not good enough imo. As for Danny Boy, he has a few more rounds but he needs to beat Yuki tomorrow without the help of the team. Just a better performance drive. Will the racing gods give me Alonso and Max at Red Bull? Probably not haha
A dry Suzuka always delivers.
Not a bad race with the different, and changing, tyre strategies.
Great chess match for 6th-8th at the end.
And...
Another race where Sainz making Ferrari question their decision in replacing him with princess hamilton.
And, Ricciardo may have put his career into the wall on lap one.
Sucks.
Yep and Yuki scoring points again doesn't help Ricciardo's situation.
but he has had more chances than most because he was a proven race winner but has never delivered after leavening Redbull.
Sad thing about Sainz is that he has been the odd man out at couple teams. He may not be the number one driver on a team but he has always matched up and held his ground against his team mate. Would like to see him land at Redbull, Mercedes or Aston Martin.
Sainz at Red Bull would be a threat to Max, which is why I think it’s more likely he ends up going to either Aston Martin or trying to get ahead of Audi’s entry. It’s enjoyable him giving Ferrari the bird by being so good though.
Too early to be writing Hamilton off though, the car is a dog and (rightly) Merc are now building around Russell. Not much point doing too much judging over this year in that environment.
Alonso’s problem is Alonso. Out of the car he has always caused issues that teams just don’t want to deal with, irrespective of his ability in the car. I can’t see Red Bull wanting to have any part in that, not with the risk it would piss off the Verstappen camp.
Vettel coming back makes more sense than Ricciardo.
As for him not being good enough, he's got 4 World Championships to his name.
With the numerous rumors about stroll being gone at the end of the year, the Aston Martin seat sounds like the probable landing spot.
He'd definitely not have a problem getting his elbows out dealing with Alonso.
Not sure about Perez's contract, but they seem to be loyal to him.
And with him knowing Sainz is out there lurking, I bet we see a better overall season's performance than in the past.
I seriously doubt that Mercedes is where he would want to go.
In the past yes, but they would gain a phenomenal driver who knows how to help setup a car. Like I said, won’t happen but would be amazing.
Merc left scratching their heads and now Ferrari giving a second think about Lewis I bet. Oh Daniel son how bad it is getting.
Ferrari aren't questioning their move for Hamilton, not right now. The Merc this year is an absolute dog, and it's suiting Russell more at the minute but writing off next year where it's going to be completely different ballgame is premature putting it mildly. Sainz is driving for his life and future in F1 at the minute, it's to be expected he is possibly more motivated...
We see that in all forms of racing.
A racer in a contract year, looking for a new ride, etc...
Suddenly rides/drives like there's no tomorrow.
(Or like they're expected to weekend after weekend, by their teams, and fans)
Pit Row
And with new aero regs coming soon, Benz may be right back in the catbird's seat.
If nothing more than their history of in house, reliable engines.
Something redbull may not be so fortunate to have.
I'm not sure what the engine situation is and how much development there will be considering the new format, will need to look into that a bit more. I think part of the reason Hamilton has gone to Ferrari though is the recruitment they've been doing from Merc and Red Bull alike prior to 2026. I wouldn't be surprised at all if when he leaves there's a few that go with him, Bono being one of the most likely.
Sainz has a plan in place, it just can’t be public. Lewis and Ferrari will be interesting, because the fork in the road will be met.
In winning the other grands prix this season, Wolff's assessment on Verstappen was to the point as he said: "No one is going to catch Max this year.
"His driving and the car are just spectacular. You can see the way he manages the tyres and basically this season now is best of the rest.
"That's the fight that's on. Hopefully, we can catch up to the McLarens and Ferraris and fight for P2. This is what it is this year and what it was last year, and we had a P2 last year."
For sure. Lewis is at an age where things (in theory) start to slow down and it could easily be a move where it doesn't work out and he decides to call it time. I'm not sure that's something that's clear either way yet, which is one of many things that will make that move fascinating.
I agree, he can take the Ferrari and do very well. But if he falters and Charles beats his pants off we have the answer. Either way it is exciting and the number 2 RB debacle has Netflix drooling
I agree with his past accomplishments. Just don’t believe we have too many up and comers now to start taking seats. Vettel just complains
New regs feature less downforce.
Something redbull and newey have always been the best at.
Plus, Honda is leaving the team.
Mercedes has always had a great engine/electronics package.
Wonder though, if decreasing the downforce without decreasing the size, and heavy ass weight of these cars is the right direction.
Could end up being a season of tyre durability nightmares.
We've seen Pirelli have serious issues in the past.
I'm fairly sure that the regs include a weight reduction by making the cars shorter and slightly more narrow, if they've been signed off by the FIA/FOM and I'm not 100% sure if they are 'fixed' in that process yet.
Ferrari have been recruiting heavily in aerodynamics though from RBR and engine techs from Merc/Honda, Elkann and Fred Vasseur definitely seem to have a vision and a clarity on where they are going which will be interesting to see if it pays off or falls flat as it did in the Vettel/Alonso era. There are a huge number of rumours around about Newey being on the move to Aston or Ferrari as well...
Red Bull are something of a contradiction to watch at the minute. On the surface they are smashing everything, but behind the scenes it's a complete clusterf***.
Did they really think simply reducing aero would be the solution they were hoping for ???
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1s-2026-active-aero-plan-set-for-cha…
Haven't followed nascar in over 20yrs.
But I seem to remember them reducing downforce, and the cars were unraceable.
They are indeed going to have to lighten the cars,
make them smaller, and increase the tyre's contact patch.
Hopefully focusing on more mechanical grip.
These cars have evolved into tanks over many seasons.
They won't reinvent the modern F1 car overnight.
Andretti opened their Silverstone base last Thursday.
Post a reply to: 2024 F1 World Championship