I would love to see Hamilton in Scarlet Red but Riccardo would be great too! Max still has a hot head and isn't ready yet.
The drivers market doesn't indicate any of that in the near future. Hamilton and Ricciardo are not available until 2021 at the earliest, and I think it's the same for Vesrtappen. Ricciardo has shown an interest for Ferrari when he was looking for an escape from Red Bull, but was turned down. That shows that Ferrari isn't interested in him. Mercedes will certainly hold on to Hamilton, unless they withdraw after 2020, or Hamilton stops. There are rumours that Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract if the Honda engine doesn't perform, so he could be free in 2020.
I think 2019 will be crucial for Max' career. He will be de-facto Number One at Red Bull, and experience the Honda PU; We will see how he deals with both. He could mature very quickly and become a reliable player, or make plenty of tantrums on his way out of F1, like his father did.
The scenario I spoke of is during this off season. What future driver can you get to Ferrari to add to LeClerc, that would give guidance to him? None that I can see. For that guidance, you need the experienced drivers. Nico would be great candidate for Ferrari, as would Massa. Imagine a Hamilton Rosberg rivalry! A dark horse could be JB.
I think a confident Vettel would be able to support Chuck, our danger is if the team doesn’t perform in AD, will vettels mood and confidence be right over the winter where they will be starting to bond within the team and understand the new car? I think if there became a need to replace Seb (which is unlikely at best) then Rosberg would be my choice to partner Chuck.. he knows the strengths of the Mercedes (the newer car is an evolution of the old) and seeing him in press conferences and at the track will bring back bad memories for elton. If the car is capable, Rosberg is a very intelligent driver that will quickly understand it’s foibles and how to minutely adjust things, and be able to teach these skills to chuck (if he needs it). On the track, if the car is competitive, then Elton will not enjoy fighting with nico at all, it will put pressure on him that he hasn’t got from his real team mate, nor from Seb. Although Seb spent four years beating everyone, Elton included, I don’t think there was a fear of Seb from any of them, they all knew the red bull was a massive part of those titles. Similarly, this is why drivers don’t fear Elton, the car is the biggest proportion of the job as will most likely the ferrari if it wins a title. Nico’s presence, however, will be a reminder to Elton of the seasons spent fighting very very intensely, and if the ferrari is good enough, or worse if it proves to have an edge at certain tracks, this may well induce mistakes which is exactly what he doesn’t do at the moment. Still, all this is hearsay and wishful thinking. Seb will be back next year, ideally pumped up and confident, and with this years mistakes locked away in the back of his mind, and chuck will prove a great prospect and to have the intelligence to follow Seb home for the moment and wait for his time in the sunshine!
I think we all must remember that very often in sport, to reach the pinnacle they sometimes have to be a bit mad, a bit of a split personality. Look at McEnroe in tennis, Tiger Woods, etc etc. My personal favorite pool player Earl Strickland is a prime example. On his day (as he is getting older, and the concentration wanes which affects your game, it did mine too) he is fantastic, he makes the shots a normal player, even another great player, doesn’t even see, let alone be able to play. However, he also loves to have an argument with the crowd, to rile the opponent, he feeds off what would have me or anyone else unable to pick up the stick. I’ve been at the Mosconi Cup with him, and the crowd have been shouting abuse at him (totally unnecessary but they insist on letting the European crowd act like football hooligans) but he plays better and better for it, it’s totally wierd. Alex Higgins, Ronnie o Sullivan, both in snooker, had and have issues with their conduct, yet were and are both great players that most others can’t get near when they are playing at 90%, let alone 100% Max has a dysfunctional personality, in that he can shut out the other competitors so well they become merely moving bollards around which he fully intends to sweep, and in his mind, they are duty bound to let him through, but if they don’t, max is mad enough to not care the consequences. It’s just part of him, Senna was very similar, but more spiritual about it, god was his guide through the bollards!. These superstars traits have to be accepted at some level or we will lose them, the sport won’t be the same without them, we’ll be left with the dull ones, the bottles, the grosjeans, that no one can get on board with because they are just drivers, snoring around the track to be part of the show
I dont see him leaving with a bad season. Red Bull have too much placed into him - financially etc. They have to make do with him. He is young enough to survive another bad season with a new PU. Additional factors may come into play with seat changes etc. I would think if Honda fail again there will be family pressure on him via father etc and Red Bull management will have to respond. Its a soap opera potential of their own making.
I think the time where every newcomer in F1 needs a mentor is over. Many are quite familiar with the atmosphere already, and have spent many hours on simulators to familiarise with the conditions. They receive plenty of coaching from the teams, learn about communications (media), and most have F2 experience which is very intense. So, I cannot see why a good F2 driver cannot step into F1 and hit the ground running, and feel at ease immediatly providing he has a half decent car. But why do you need to bring back the name of drivers who have retired or moved on anyway? Is it some sort of fantasy F1? Nico Rosberg has no intention of ever race again. Button is winning championships in Japan, and quite happy doing it. Massa seems to be racing stock cars in Brasil.
I think another bad season with Honda will test Verstappen patience to the limits. We may potentially head for a divorce if expectations are not met., and see Max walking away at the end of 2019. I wouldn't expect him to be like Alonso and suffer year after year the frustration to be at mid field at best. Also, if Honda fails Red Bull, Dieter Matschechitz may well revise his involvement in F1 and quit. There is no fun for him spending lots of money if he doesn't dominate like during the Vettel era.
True dat. It was a stressful situation but you can't argue with the FIA. It's like cursing a referee at a soccer game. It just makes things worse.
Yes, but have you seen the steward picking up the cone? Seb could have climbed out of the car and remove it himself and he still woud have been faster. That steward was well aware "of his importance"....
