Formula 1 Discussion - And favourite driver?

Really fucking glad for Leclerc but the last 3 laps of Indy that I managed to catch was more exciting than the entirety of Monaco. Something needs to be done either about the cars or the track because they are way too big for the current track.
Monaco special tyres that are supersoft and so cannot make a full race distance would be a start. Then even if they can get a cheap red flag stop at the start they wouldn't be able to go to the end even on the hard.

If they could work out a way to make DRS work in the tunnel that wouldn't be lethal that'd be good too since it runs down to an actual overtaking spot unlike the start-finish straight.

Another option would be either slow the swimming pool section right down to give a possible overtake into there, or speed it up more to give the braking zone into Rascasse heavier braking and so the possibility of an overtake. It's a perfectly possible overtaking spot in the junior series but doesn't seem to work in F1.
 
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I just watched the VOD this evening because my third world internet connection always shit the bed whenever I tried to watch it live. It is a snoozer, but luckily Kino Casino also uploaded their Aaron Polycule interview to YouTube.

Watching Kmag crash into Perez with the commentary of a fat Canadian saying "woahh buddy" and an ex-cokehead cackling like a hyena is very fun and keeps me awake to watch the race. It's very on brand too with Monaco being a place for casinos and all.
 
Remember when Porsche asked for the MGU-H to be removed from the 2026 regulations as a condition of entering F1? They claimed it had no road relevance but today they announced that the new 911 will have one.
The MGU-H (or as I called it once, electro-turbo-compound) is a system that is not likely to be put onto a car whose owners have ever have to pay the slightest bit of attention to the 'total' line of a repair bill.
 
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Without fail (with the exception of gq/fashion shit videos) anytimes there's a video with Lewis that isn't in direct relation to F1 I find myself dare I say, enjoying it. I don't get why he's such a fag when f1 media is involved cause I actually enjoyed this. He's a pretty down to earth fellow when he's not pandering to star wars nerds and the rainbow folk.

He really is checked out though. Dude straight shitted on merc. If they weren't with holding parts from him before they certainly will after this on principal. That was one of the things I didn't like, we know the car is shit lewis please don't go on one of the most viral youtube shows out and shit all over us. I get it obviously like the car is no doubt shit but it kinda left a bad taste in my mouth. He has all the wins and accolades he's very talented no doubt a competitor. But it's very clear he's not cut from the same cloth verstappen or alonso are. Bitching on the radio in the heat of the moment or in post session interviews is fine. Going on a huge YouTube show and airing your grievances to normies is kinda toxic so that left a bad taste in my mouth. Majority of the people who watch this have no idea what the fuck he's talking about or all the nuance and context involved in f1. He's not wrong about the car obviously but for fucks sake he really gives no fucks about merc and idk that's kinda sad to me after all they did together. Like ungrateful sounding almost. Obviously he had to put in the work but like they gave you a fucking rocket ship and greased alot of wheels to help get you to where you are. You can see why merc was also probably over him at this point is what I'm saying I guess. That's the thing about lewis I started this giving him props and by the end I realize he's just a toxic narcissist. A cool one though. Albeit dressed faggily.
 
He really is checked out though. Dude straight shitted on merc. If they weren't with holding parts from him before they certainly will after this on principal. That was one of the things I didn't like, we know the car is shit lewis please don't go on one of the most viral youtube shows out and shit all over us.
Toto has spent a decade encouraging and enabling this behavior. I'm not defending Hamilton here, he is an ungrateful POS, but Toto has gone on the radio after a race and straight up called the car a shitbox in front of everyone. They're as bad as each other.
 
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Esteban Ocon will leave Alpine at the end of this season, with both sides saying they “have agreed together to part ways” at the conclusion of his current contract.

Alpine has endured a tough start to 2024, scoring just two points in total and currently sitting ninth in the constructors’ championship. Ocon scored the first of those points in Miami, but came under fire from team principal Bruno Famin after causing a collision with teammate Pierre Gasly on the opening lap in Monaco.

While Ocon is still set to race for the team for the remainder of the year, it has now been confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season, with Audi and Haas two potential destinations for the 27-year-old.

“It’s been a significant period of my life to be racing at this team in Formula 1,” Ocon said. “While I’ve been here for five years as a full-time racing driver, my professional career started at Enstone back when I was a teenager, so it will always be a special place for me.

“We have had some great moments together, some tough moments as well, and I am certainly grateful to everyone at the team for these memorable times. I will announce my plans very soon but, in the meantime, my full focus is on delivering on track for this team and having a successful remainder of the season.”

Ocon has finished on the podium twice for Alpine on top of a surprise victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, and Famin says the target will be to ensure more strong results over the remainder of the year.

“We would like to firstly thank Esteban for his commitment to the team for the past five years,” Famin said. “During his time, we have celebrated some fantastic moments together, the best of which coming at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with a memorable race win.

“We still have 16 races to complete in 2024 together with a clear objective: to continue to work tirelessly as a team to push for the best on-track results. We wish Esteban the very best for the next chapter of his driving career when that moment comes.”

With neither side confirming their 2025 plans, Alpine remains an outside option for Carlos Sainz once he leaves Ferrari, but could also look to promote reserve driver Jack Doohan who has impressed in private tests.

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Was out of contract at end of year anyway. Hopefully it'll be a seat for a good junior and not just another midfield driver.

Ocon may end up in that merc seat on a 1 year while they get Kimi up to speed in a Williams given he came into F1 as a mercedes junior and Toto is still his manager.
 
So any guesses who will replace Ocon? Schumacher is currently driving for Alpine (Endurance), Bottas and Zhou are free, Sargeant might need a new seat or even Sainz. Or maybe a rookie?
 
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Jack Doohan would be a solid choice, though I would only expect Mick to get that seat if there are no other options. He was really mediocre with that Haas and only stuck around for so long for the same reason Bruno Senna stuck around for a bit, having that family connection.
 
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So at least one driver this year is going to be out of F1 for 2025. It could even be up to 3.

What we know:

Ocon out at Alpine (Doohan, Bottas, Schumi Jr., Zhou most likely replacement candidates)

Hulk out at Haas (Bearman most likely, but Bottas, Ocon slim replacement candidates)

Zhou or Bottas out at Sauber (Hulk replacing)

It is quite possible that also:

Sargent out at Williams (Bottas, Ocon, Sainz replacement candidates [Pretty sure Vowles doesn't want Kimi for some reason, read a blurb somewhere along those lines])

Magnussen out at Haas (Bottas, Ocon, Schumi Jr again possible replacements)

Bottas or Zhou (whichever one left after Hulk takes the other's seat) out at Sauber-Sainz would be expected to take that seat, but if not, then who-Ocon, Pourchaire, someone else?

We know Merc will have an available seat, presumably going to Kimi, but if not him, its a tossup who would get the presumably only for a single season seat-Ocon, Schumi Jr.?)

We assume Checo will stay with Red Bull and both RB drivers will stay, but possible 1 or 2 of those 3 could move or be out. I'd assume Yuki will stick with RB but he could be a dark horse for a move to Williams or Haas. Doubt he will get the Sauber/Audi drive over Sainz.

So, my half-ass prediction for 2025 grid is:

Red Bull - same as 2024
McLaren - same as 2024
Ferrari - Charles and Nigger
Merc - George and Kimi
Aston - Fred and Mr. Magoo
RB - same as 2024
Alpine - Gasly and Bottas
Haas - Bearman and ???
Williams - Albon and Ocon
Sauber - Sainz and Hulk

If it plays out above, Zhou, Sargent and Magnussen all gone. I think Sargent will be let go, he is another Stoffel. Magnussen, if indeed he is going to be out at Haas, will have to so some spectacular stuff over remainder of 2024 to snag an F1 drive for 2025. So, good chance he is done and dusted at end of year too. Chink money could keep Zhou in, maybe at Haas or Williams, with Ocon taking the seat in the team that Zhou doesn't take, assuming Chinaman isn't gone for good.

Pourchaire doing ok in Indy, so he'd be small possibility of snagging a seat if he does well rest of year in Indy and gets an F1 offer and doesn't want to stay in Indy. If he doesn't get an F1 drive next year though I would say he never will.

I just wish that blind bastard from my country would fuck off somewhere, or get glasses and improve mightily. One of the two, but chances of him miraculously getting better are slim to none so the F1 world will be better off if he isn't in it. Sadly I can see him having a seat until he is 40 though as dad is desperately trying to buy his kid a title and seems unwilling to open his eyes to fact that it is highly unlikely to happen.

Maybe if Newey goes to AM there would be a chance, but I have real fear that Newey is going to end up at Ferrari and god forbid he does and the jungle bunny ends up winning another title or 3 because of it. Be sad days indeed if we have to put up with more glory and plaudits for the wannabe nig.

That's my late night ramble and pontification! See what 2025 brings and if the stars line up as I have foretold it to be.
 
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I think what they realized is that Perez is good enough to be a number 2 and he's mega popular in Mexico so he likely funds his seat just from all the Red Bull can and merch sales.
 
I think what they realized is that Perez is good enough to be a number 2 and he's mega popular in Mexico so he likely funds his seat just from all the Red Bull can and merch sales.
True but with the Red Bull being on a knife edge for set up this year and a strong McLaren and Ferrari in the pack both with 2 good drivers, taking someone who keeps getting knocked out of qualifying and scraping minor points will mean struggling for that WCC.

That's not to say anyone else would be doing any better. Max likes his cars set up in a way that's near undrivable to other drivers so it's a poison chalace to try being his team mate.

Still I think trying to get Sainz back would have been A good move, but that's not to say they didn't try.
 
I think what they realized is that Perez is good enough to be a number 2 and he's mega popular in Mexico so he likely funds his seat just from all the Red Bull can and merch sales.
Carlos Slim has cubic acres of money and is why modern Mexico has such an outsize presence in motorsport.
 
That's not to say anyone else would be doing any better. Max likes his cars set up in a way that's near undrivable to other drivers so it's a poison chalace to try being his team mate.
Just saying, Max helps Team Redline with their setups and they don't seem to have any issues driving them…
 
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