Herta certainly have the excuses down in order to be in F1 -...
Herta certainly have the excuses down in order to be in F1 - https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/herta-feels-fast-enough-for-formula-1-after-first-test/10337367/ I understand why the Americans wants a US driver in F1, but there are several drivers that may be a better choice than Herta, maybe Pourchaire or Oscar Piastri? However more US races and a larger push for F1 in the US could be his chance. Indy is just not F1, look at the current championship leader in Indycar Marcus Ericsson, he didn't make any impression in F1. Maybe Logan Sargeant would be the better choice of a US driver over Herta?
I think many are confused on what happened with Palou's Mclaren signing this morning and Ganassi's claim that Palou would be racing for them. Many took his signing to Mclaren Racing and his driving the 2021 Mclaren meant he's going to F1. As far as I know that's not what's happening. Palou will be driving for Mclaren in Indycar and presumably more involved with Mclaren F1 which leaves the door wide open for Palou coming to F1 in the future, but not yet. Ricciardo did a statement just now. Image Unavailable, Please Login
There are now 3 GPs in the States, so one can understand that, to keep the US public interested, Liberty (an American company) is pushing for an American driver. Zak Brown (McLaren CEO) is also American. So if you put 2 and 2 together, there is a chance to see an American driver in F1 in the near future, at McLaren in all likelihood. Pourchaire or Piastri, as good as they could be, do not fit in that scenario. True that Marcus Ericsson didn't shine in F1, like he does in Indycar. Like many in F1, he never had access to a top car, and in a specs series, he doesn't suffer that handicap.
Fact and fiction: Making sense of the Ricciardo-McLaren situation https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/34247114/making-sense-ricciardo-mclaren-situation
Difference is Ferrari would rarely ever go w a nuclear option, we've usually just continued overpaying till the end of the contract lol.
I am surprised the "performance related" pay system isn't more wide spread in F1. Let's say a basic retainer, plus a fixed amount per point ( $l0k or $20K) earned during the season. Flavio Briatore used that system to motivate some of his drivers (Nelson Piquet?), and it worked.
The drivers are 'delusional' if they think pay cannot be altered. There is not a shortage of talent for seats. Even if LH or Max made half-- they are making 20mil+ per year to live in Monaco and drive in circles. This does not include private commercial endorsement contract money. They are not under paid given the risk. They need to be a bit more savvy about this issue.
It also worked with Kimi at Lotus - except Lotus was so badly managed at the time they were not able to pay him For the record, Lotus was then owned by the same guy who now put the Bordeaux football club into bankrupt. He has an amazing track record.
They got rid of Schumi at a time when he would have at least bagged one more title. They got rid of Arrivabene for producing a winning car. They kept Vettel who lost them at least 1 title, perhaps 2. They sure make weird decisions over there.
That was the ex-Renault team rebadged "Lotus", bought by a Luxemburg-based company named Genii, owned by Gérard Lopez, following the crashgate scandal. The same team that was bought back by Renault, and is now called Alpine! I don't know much about football, by I thought Lopez was trying to "save" the Bordeaux FC from bankruptcy from its American owners.
He faces forgery charges in Luxemburg, of all places; must be pretty interesting... https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/26/tory-donor-and-vladimir-putin-associate-facing-forgery-charges-in-luxembourg Rgds
Now the speculations can really begin, Vettel has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season
Who's he really trying to convince? https://www.planetf1.com/news/daniel-ricciardo-indycar-drivers-threat/
He ran out of excuses a few races ago , all we hear from him is a bunch of promises but he has not delivered the goods . Ron Dennis would have sacked him by now , what a dud for $17mill a year.
This is quite significant in the Alex Palou - Mclaren Racing saga: Looks like it was about an F1 seat then!
Heading into Hungary, Ricciardo has 19 points to Norris's 70. Not a good look for the guy that told Norris that he was going to end him.
Serious question - why on earth would Alpine even entertain this? He committed to helping them build a championship challenge, abandoned the project half way through, commands a hideous salary and has driven like he's been in an F2 car the last 2 years.. Then add to the mix Piastri in the wings...I just can't understand it.
Of course - but his abandonment of their prior iteration and poor performance have not. Old blood with a history of fickleness and lack of results vs. brand new potential future of the sport? Seems like you’d need to take leave of your senses to go for Ric over Piastri…
Just look how Renault and McLaren took Alonso back after serious disagreements too. New management often don't bother with the past history of a team, and refuses to carry its "baggage". Piastri is a totally unknown quantity, that's what I am saying, and Alpine may prefer him to start F1 on loan in another team.
