2023 Formula 1 Season Thread

[KelVarnsen]

I’m not sure they even need a 2nd driver

[KelVarnsen]

Ocon big mad at Alpine

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

I’m not sure they even need a 2nd driver

That would be hilarious. Just build 1 car, spend the saved money on aero and catering, still win constructors.

[Flabbibulin]

What is the hold up here?

[KelVarnsen]

Oh Checo

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Oh Checo

He's my new Bottas. Great drive by Gasly.

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

He's my new Bottas.

Perez is more Luca Badoer at this point

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Oh Checo

That was such an own goal. No pressure easy lap.

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

That was such an own goal. No pressure easy lap.

I was referring to the speeding in pit lane. While under the red flag.

[Ironhorse]

As was I. That was so unavoidable.

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

As was I. That was so unavoidable.

It cost me a point in the pool. I am disappoint.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by KelVarnsen

Who replaces Checo at RB next year?

Danny Ric being out for the year makes this even more interesting - you have to think if he turned in decent performance for AT the seat was his. But if he doesn't race again this year I don't think he's shown enough to prove he's earned the seat yet, which opens it up. But most established drivers are under contract for 2024, which makes it possible they might even keep him...

[KelVarnsen]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Danny Ric being out for the year makes this even more interesting - you have to think if he turned in decent performance for AT the seat was his. But if he doesn't race again this year I don't think he's shown enough to prove he's earned the seat yet, which opens it up. But most established drivers are under contract for 2024, which makes it possible they might even keep him...

Sounds like Danny Ric should be back by Singapore

[Sylvanfan]

I don't think they replace Perez. He's still second in the drivers standings and won the two races that Verstappen could not. He never really threatens Max or gets mixed up with him and cause him to crash. For all his gaffes and transgressions, they really don't change anything by having a better second driver. They'd have the same number of wins and they'd be 1-2 in the Drivers Championship. So there's not enough to gain by changing for what it would cost. It's boring for fans, but for Red Bull they probably prefer this to someone challenging Verstappen.

[KelVarnsen]

If there was a clear 2nd team then Perez wouldn’t be 2nd. His shortcomings are masked by the lack of a clean 2nd team.

[powderjunkie]

Fun race, but I couldn't enough at Crofty trying to drum up controversy over the RBR stops. It's not like Max didn't get caught out on the first stop...I wonder if the champs will start favouring the exit end of the pitlane on tracks with a threat of rain?

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Logan Sargent?

Is this real life?

Q3: yes.

Race: yes.

Had to feel for him sitting out there with his head in his hands.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I don't think they replace Perez. He's still second in the drivers standings and won the two races that Verstappen could not. He never really threatens Max or gets mixed up with him and cause him to crash. For all his gaffes and transgressions, they really don't change anything by having a better second driver. They'd have the same number of wins and they'd be 1-2 in the Drivers Championship. So there's not enough to gain by changing for what it would cost. It's boring for fans, but for Red Bull they probably prefer this to someone challenging Verstappen.

Until Hamilton actually signs the contract with Mercedes I'll be hoping for him to sign with RB. Also hoping for that are the Drive to Survive producers, because the drama would be epic. It would be a real battle with potentially GOAT on the line.

But you're right that RBR probably doesn't want all the drama, they just want to win and this year Perez has done enough for them to do that.

[KelVarnsen]

Speaking about drivers not performing.

Daddy Stroll needs to replace Lance. Lance just isn't good enough, and he is actually hurting AM in the points.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Until Hamilton actually signs the contract with Mercedes I'll be hoping for him to sign with RB. Also hoping for that are the Drive to Survive producers, because the drama would be epic. It would be a real battle with potentially GOAT on the line.

But you're right that RBR probably doesn't want all the drama, they just want to win and this year Perez has done enough for them to do that.

Literally anyone could have done enough for them to win this year.
They're running away with the constructors championship with just Max's points.
Max: 339
Mercedes: 255

Any other team would consider what Sergio is doing to be a great year.
I have a feeling Horner isn't as impressed.

[Sylvanfan]

As far as I can tell the only teams who have two comparable drivers are

Mercedes with Hamilton and Russell but inconsistent car.
Ferrari with Leclerc and Sainz, poor strategy Leclerc sketchy in qualifying and Sainz has gaffes
Alpine with Gasly and Ocon, but I don't think either is a world champion type.

McLaren is starting to look that way with Piastri's progress to catch up to Norris.

But no team is really showing they can field two consistent cars every week to challenge Red Bull. McLaren has been better lately, but they were also off gor a lot of races to start.

Red Bull can be ruthless, but they likely do have a lot of belief in the car, and even if they had Lewis Hamilton or Alonso as the second driver the end result is a few more Constructors points. But maybe not as those guys likely won't be as accepting of being the second driver.

As for Aston, getting an upgraded driver 2 would help, but let's face it Lawrence is not going to do that. This seems to work for Alonso as he's still a good competitive driver and still gets to be the top driver and not really be pushed by the younger guy.