That's a possibility.....but Max is at a disadvantage compared to Lewis starting in 2014 with Mercedes and the rules that aided Mercedes to dominate. Max has a tougher outlook going forward after his 2 wins.
He could be running out of time since he is apparently thinking about retirement before 30 y.o, to try different series.
Yes, that's when he signed with Mercedes. Both Lewis and Mercedes exploited the rules to their favor, to include Nico, to win those 6.
lewis lews lewis lewis. 21 vs 22 % 6 in a span of 7 JC guys give it a rest, Thats an illness OBSESSED
No surprises here, Max is a driver from another era. A pure racer without bullshits. Sometimes excessive on track but willing to try others séries like Le Mans. Not a lecturer.
LH took a car capable of winning and did. No one filed a single charge or major protest against Mercedes. If this was Ferrari - this conversation would be a celebration. Mercedes built a team and car to win. The goal of F1. LH was recruited by Lauda. Lauda picked well.
Mercedes did a better job than the other teams that were caught with their pants down when the hybrid rules were adopted.
Mercedes had a 7 year development headstart on their hybrid. FIA then froze engine development. As a "sport" it was hilarious
Like Alonso, Max may soon get bored with endurance racing that puts the team's interests above the driver. In endurance you share a car, drive to a pre-determined pace, follow team orders, etc ... Even if most races are run like sprints nowadays, I don't think they are as satisfying as F1 for a top racer like Max. Le Mans (the jewel on the crown) is like Indy though, and some drivers would like to have it on their CV before retiring.
What's wrong with being ahead in development in a certain field ? If tomorrow the FIA decided to adopt the rotary engine, and Mazda brought its technology, would you say they are cheating ?
No one is saying Mercedes cheated. Mercedes used the formula and rules to their advantage and everyone agreed to it. No one expected the monumental advantage Mercedes would have. Look what happened when a team FINALLY catches up in 2021.
Problem is when one of the main contenders is closely involved on the rules writing process while others not. And this few years in advance.
I like it when an F1 driver ventures out into other motorsports like WEC and IndyCar....the triple crown.
Mercedes lobbied the FIA very well indeed to suit Merc's hidden agenda and Todt was most helpful during his reign. The facts were revealed much later by Lauda. https://f1i.com/news/88073-montezemolo-accepting-hybrid-power-unit-era-mistake.html
Yup, since 2007. And well done to them, hats off...they lobbied extremely well and played Ferrari like a fiddle. They were more worried about cylinder count rather than the technology behind it, i.e. where the real power was made. Renault followed the Mercedes play but vastly underrated it and seemed more interested in promoting the green agenda. Cosworth couldn't afford it and left, Honda came in a year earlier than wanted and Mclaren was unwilling to give them the freedom needed to work this engine. The initial engine freeze with such a complicated engine was the height of stupidity from everyone involved (except Mercedes, who I bet couldn't believe their luck). The token system as equally as stupid, for each step manufacturers made to catch up to Mercedes, Mercedes learned from the previous step and just increased power further and further. Yes, they also had superior chassis and aero during this time, but the freeze and later token system essentially meant a lasting advantage never seen before and one that'll never be seen again due to regulations put in by FIA.
Yet he knows progress was inevitable - "I made a mistake, yes. But I felt that I could not put Ferrari in a position antithetical to progress. A fearful Ferrari could not be my Ferrari," he concluded. And Ferrari did well to toss 2 titles with Vettel. As if they were not competitive! Mercedes got it right. RedBull last year and won how many races?????????? Stop this idiocy about Mercedes. That same logic can be applied to RedBull and its domination from last year. I can spin a ludicrous conspiracy about that easily LOL. They got it right and won did RedBull. Welcome to F1!
Those were really the most controversial aspects of this formula. I still can't hardly understand how the teams accepted them as part of the package..
Agree Montezemolo and Dominicali were plain stupids when they accepted the token system.. Or arrogant.
Are you suggesting that Red Bull benefitted from a 7 year development advantage that was then protected by the FIA ? Re: Mercedes domination. Todt was complicit due to a personal beef he had with LdM and Ferrari, who had sacked Todt twice ! Revenge is a dish best eaten chilled. Schumacher stepped in on the first sacking to protect Todt. Such personal loyalty is rare in F1.