the pattern that we saw with Danny Ric, and any number of IndyCar drivers, I'm starting to see from Zak (and others) towards Lando. if Lando is smart, he proactively finds a new team, otherwise he'll be sacked eventually
the pattern is: sign new driver to multi year contract as greatest thing since sliced bread, going for wins and championships, we're fully behind him results aren't there, it's the car/team not him, we're fully behind him results still not there, psychological games begin results still not there, we have other options, maybe there's a break clause in the contract, more psych games driver sacked. this happened to Danny, and the Indy team with Rosenqvist, Rossi, Malukas, Pourchaire, Illot Lando is in stage 3 right now.
Hummm ... We will see. F1 is a completely different scene than Indycar where drivers can be easily swapped because it's a specs series. At the moment, I see Norris as the best chance for McLaren to do well; Ricciardo never looked that promising.
Guys, Lando is way better than Danny Ric....You can't even make that comparison. They brought Danny Ric in to be Seat #1 at McLaren ahead of Lando and to mentor him after Sainz left for Ferrari and Danny just never lived up to the early potential he showed. I think Lando did what he needed to do for the team, but the results are and have been there...Let's see what happens this weekend. Right now I'd say McLaren has the best car and the best drivers....
the point isn't the merits between Danny and Lando, or comparing Indy to F1. the point is how Zak treats his drivers, which is poor. Both Zak and Andrea made statements this week that were not very supportive of Lando, in my observation that's the beginning of a driver at McLaren being shown the door.
Yet they are considering him as #1 during summer break. This will be interesting. Mclando stated himself its a bit early for that. McLaren set for summer decision over making Norris drivers’ title shot a priority McLaren to assess whether it will prioritise Lando Norris over Oscar Piastri in his fight with Max Verstappen for the Formula 1 drivers' championship title.
McLaren deserve to lose if Norris isn't their #1 driver now. He's 40 points clear of his team mate and #2 in the WDC. The math on this stuff isn't very hard, yet teams blow it time and time again.
I'd argue it's too late to consider it. Hungary was the time to do it. Huge fan of Piastri but Lando is well ahead in the WDC and we know what a machine Max is.
If McLaren is going to go for it--they really need both cars to podium every race. WDC and WCC at one fell swoop. Will they:: I have no friggen idea.
They compromised qualifying for race set up. Shrewd gamble, wonder if it will pay off. We’ll all know in a few hours.
McLaren extends Stella’s contract as team principal Former Alonso and Schumacher engineer granted a multi-year contract extension to head McLaren F1 team
I remember people on fchat squawking when Ferrari were on their hot streak I'd prefer we won every year
Oscar Piastri: McLaren will prioritise F1 Constructors' Championship over helping Lando Norris win drivers' title "The first objective is to win the constructors' for the team and I think we've got a very strong chance of doing that," Piastri told Sky Sports News. "We've been closing the gap to Red Bull in the last six or seven races. “I think for me, the drivers' standings, of course I'd like to finish as high as I can. I'm not not out of the running for the championship myself, it's a very big ask, but I want to string together good races, build consistency on that front, and really help the team to win the constructors'. "If it comes to a situation where I need to help Lando later in the year then of course it is something we'll discuss, but the first target is to win the constructors' and try do a good job for myself as well."
I hope is better than Kimi and more adaptable etc. I like Oscar. Mclaren have a superb pair currently driving.
I hope he is luckier I prefer lucky to better Chris Amon was a great driver who only knew BAD luck ..... hard for me to say as an Aussie
If I were given the task of setting up a new F1 team that was going to have a highly competitive car, I’m not sure there is any driver I’d select over Piastri right now, maybe even Max. I think his head is capable of doing great things in this sport. If he hones his race craft to match he’d be tough to beat. Put Piastri’s head on Max’s shoulders and you’d have another Schumacher
McLaren aims to "cash in" on aero development, set for testing limit advantage Holding fire on upgrades gives more leeway to McLaren's aero testing allocation in second half of 2024 Formula 1 season
