[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yes , because MAX won 19 races in 2023 .

The LEW fans and amnesia....

LEW was in the running for P2 in the 2023 WDC .
But LEW got a DNF in Qatar and LEW was DQ (disqualified) at COTA with his cheating Merc floor .

Checo was served P2 on a silver platter

Checo was due some good luck from time to time if not that often

[dfox]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Yes , because MAX won 19 races in 2023 .

The LEW fans and amnesia....

LEW was in the running for P2 in the 2023 WDC .
But LEW got a DNF in Qatar and LEW was DQ (disqualified) at COTA with his cheating Merc floor .

Checo was served P2 on a silver platter

Checo also DNF'd in Japan and Mexico (mostly his own fault)... so Hamilton and Perez completed the same number of races...

[dfox]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

C'Mon Man, "Animal" / "Legend"? That's laughable

Those words are actual quotations from Max and GP...

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/20...48532933565728

[Fillip]

There is an excellent fans meetup happening at the Moose Bawr where f1 fans can meet with other f1 fans, and talk all things Formula 1. This meetup is happening tomorrow (Friday) at 8:00pm.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by dfox

Those words are actual quotations from Max and GP...

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/20...48532933565728

Praise from teammates during one race, that holds a lot of credibility

[dfox]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Praise from teammates during one race, that holds a lot of credibility

But... that's all it was. I specifically mentioned one race, and put up quotations from that one race.

There were quite a few other examples from 2021 and 2022 where Checo helped out Max. 2023 - either Checo was winning, or he sucked and Max didn't need any help. 2024, early on Checo and Max both up on podiums... Lately Checo can't seem to find the car, and neither can max. So it is what it is.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

I agree that Checo ran a great race to help MAX in Abu Dhabi 2021 .
That was in 'one race and actually It's Checo's job as the #2 driver at Red Bull ...

My question for you is :
Where was/is Checo in 2022 ? 2023 ? 2024 ?

Originally Posted by G30M

from what we know in the news, working hard to pay off Max's salary!

Originally Posted by Car-Addicted

2022
1 Max Verstappen NED Red Bull Racing RBPT 454
2 Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 308
3 Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull Racing RBPT 305
2023
1 Max Verstappen NED Red Bull RBPT 575
2 Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull RBPT 285
3 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 234
2024
1 Max Verstappen NED Red Bull Racing 169
2 Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 138
3 Lando Norris GBR McLaren 113
4 Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 108
5 Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull Racing 107

What is the issue here?

The issue here is that Checo is never there to help MAX when it's needed .
From what we are seeing is that MAX will need help in this season because Ferrari and McLaren improved at lot by upgrades !
The RB20 is not dominant anymore . That's why the Red Bull Team will need a race strategy more than ever before ..
But then you need two drivers , but I see only one RB driver in the front ,as usual (!)
And that is because Checo is performing below average , as usual (!)
Red Bull has made a big mistake to sign Checo for a new 1 + 1 year RB contract.

IMHO. SAINZ was the man to replace Checo ...At least Carlito has b@lls .
Too bad !

[Charles B]

Attachment 3474162

Attachment 3474164

Attachment 3474165

Attachment 3474166

Attachment 3474167

We got up at 5:30 this morning to go to the Open House in Pit lane.
We high fived Oscar and Danny, Lando came out, we saw Niko, Yuki and Zhou on track walk.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The issue here is that Checo is never there to help MAX when it's needed .
From what we are seeing is that MAX will need help in this season because Ferrari and McLaren improved at lot by upgrades !
The RB20 is not dominant anymore . That's why the Red Bull Team will need a race strategy more than ever before ..
But then you need two drivers , but I see only one RB driver in the front ,as usual (!)
And that is because Checo is performing below average , as usual (!)
Red Bull has made a big mistake to sign Checo for a new 1 + 1 year RB contract.

IMHO. SAINZ was the man to replace Checo ...At least Carlito has b@lls .
Too bad !

It's a crunch decision but we know that MEX money talks and in the end RBR must be confident that the hard ride can be fixed soon and things will return to some better placings with Checo moving up too to back the Constructors score more.

[G30M]

F1 2026 regulations released https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...XgeJqsVQtDr2UB

From 2026 onwards Formula 1 will have:

- More agile cars, which are 30kg lighter and thus better able to battle on track
- A redesigned power unit featuring increased battery power and an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power plus the use of 100% sustainable fuels
- Active aerodynamics in the form of moveable front and rear wings to allow for closer racing
- Increased overtaking opportunities through the introduction of a new system that gives drivers a short burst of additional battery power when within one second of the car in front
Improved safety through stronger structures and even tougher tests
- Commitment from a record number of six power unit manufacturers

[M5Rick]

Carlos most probably to Williams ! Waiting for confirmation.

[Chihuahua]

I remember when going from Ferrari to Williams would have been considered an upgrade. My how times change.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by G30M

F1 2026 regulations released https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...XgeJqsVQtDr2UB

From 2026 onwards Formula 1 will have:

- More agile cars, which are 30kg lighter and thus better able to battle on track
- A redesigned power unit featuring increased battery power and an even split between internal combustion engine and electric power plus the use of 100% sustainable fuels
- Active aerodynamics in the form of moveable front and rear wings to allow for closer racing
- Increased overtaking opportunities through the introduction of a new system that gives drivers a short burst of additional battery power when within one second of the car in front
Improved safety through stronger structures and even tougher tests
- Commitment from a record number of six power unit manufacturers

guess I'll play with slot cars in '26 instead of watching F1.

[M5Rick]

Who's zoomin' who, Checo that's who.

[M5Rick]

FP1
On a sodden track it's steady Eddie as MAX tries out inters with the sun out at last..and a Red Flag as GUA hits the wall.

[M5Rick]

Bit of a washout as rain expected later and Lance does just an installation lap with preserving tyres now and in their garages so no real time lap times.
RIC's helmet has a special design on it featuring dripping maple syrup

[M5Rick]

Spoke too soon as a few come out on slicks with a dry line formed for the couple or so minutes left.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Money talks

As posted earlier:

Ralf Schumacher suggests that Sergio Perez's sponsorship money is crucial for Red Bull's budget, especially considering Max Verstappen's high salary. Despite not achieving a podium since the Chinese Grand Prix, Perez's financial contributions make him valuable to the team.
With Perez's sponsorship deals with companies like Disney, Telcel, Mobil, Claro, Nescafé, and KitKat, a contract extension with Red Bull is reportedly on the horizon.
“You shouldn’t forget, as long as Max Verstappen stays, that’s what I’ve heard at least once, the budget limits are relatively tight at Red Bull, and Perez brings money.”
VIA: [PLANET F1: https://www.planetf1.com/.../sergio-perez-sponsors-max... ]

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

The issue here is that Checo is never there to help MAX when it's needed .
From what we are seeing is that MAX will need help in this season because Ferrari and McLaren improved at lot by upgrades !
The RB20 is not dominant anymore . That's why the Red Bull Team will need a race strategy more than ever before ..
But then you need two drivers , but I see only one RB driver in the front ,as usual (!)
And that is because Checo is performing below average , as usual (!)
Red Bull has made a big mistake to sign Checo for a new 1 + 1 year RB contract.

IMHO. SAINZ was the man to replace Checo ...At least Carlito has b@lls .
Too bad !

MAX is out of FP2. He had to box it as he could smell burning, could be battery.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

FP1
On a sodden track it's steady Eddie as MAX tries out inters with the sun out at last..and a Red Flag as GUA hits the wall.

MAX got a new HONDA PU ,ICE, TURBO, MGU-H ,MGU-K , exhaust .

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MAX got a new HONDA PU ,ICE, TURBO, MGU-H ,MGU-K , exhaust .

Team is surrounding car and not letting on what could be the cause...
* it's an ERS fault so not too bad.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Team is surrounding car and not letting on what could be the cause...
* it's and ERS fault so not too bad.

Smoke came out his ERS (Energy Recovery System) (!)

Smoke is always bad news , think a replacement is required .
He just ran 4 laps . Too bad , they couldn't store the necessary data .
IMHO . That's a bad start for MAX..
Won't speak about the set-up issues (!)
Damn !