[Team] Red Bull: Unbullievable

[flatlandsman]

He is there because he brings a huge wad of cash, would have been gone after McLaren otherwise, a decent driver and has some skills, but does certainly not warrant any more time in F1

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by S griffin

I think Perez needs to move on. I still rate him a lot, but I feel he's overstayed his time at RBR. I think he's been unlucky against Max too.

It's not an easy team when the pressure is on either. There's been plenty of drivers who have let their head drop in this situation. Perez probably needs a fresh start. He is still on occasion showing what a talented driver he is. It doesn't the car isn't that great. Fair play to Max for keeping his head up. But it could all have been a different story if the others had been up there sooner

If he is dropped by RBR, then I cant see him getting another drive in F1 - so bad has he been. Not just in terms of lack of pace, but silly mistakes and car damaging collisions when batting other cars too.

I was a big fan of his, and I was delighted when he got the RBR seat. Some of the opportunist podiums that he got by running alternative strategies in poor cars were very impressive. With him lacking those few tenths in outright pace vs MV, I thought perhaps that RBR would put him on alternative curveball strategies from time to time to see if he could do the same. But they have not really done that, or if they have done so it's not worked. It's just gone from bad to worse.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by steve_r

If he is dropped by RBR, then I cant see him getting another drive in F1 - so bad has he been. Not just in terms of lack of pace, but silly mistakes and car damaging collisions when batting other cars too.

I was a big fan of his, and I was delighted when he got the RBR seat. Some of the opportunist podiums that he got by running alternative strategies in poor cars were very impressive. With him lacking those few tenths in outright pace vs MV, I thought perhaps that RBR would put him on alternative curveball strategies from time to time to see if he could do the same. But they have not really done that, or if they have done so it's not worked. It's just gone from bad to worse.

Not even replacing Bottas?

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Not even replacing Bottas?

What - as Mercedes test driver? Or is Bottas going to Indycars or endurance racing?

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by steve_r

What - as Mercedes test driver? Or is Bottas going to Indycars or endurance racing?

Perez replacing Bottas at Sauber but I see Sauber have signed Gabriel Bortoleto.

[S griffin]

I feel for Perez, it’s not easy being Verstappen’s team mate, but he isn’t doing enough to justify his seat, considering RBR are down to third in the constructors title. But is it the chicken or the egg? Is he letting his head drop too much or is it the team’s fault for concentrating too much on their golden boy Max? Could be both

[Sandgroper]

Oh My what do RB do now with Perez and the teams Championship???

[TrapezeArtist]

Originally Posted by Sandgroper

Oh My what do RB do now with Perez and the teams Championship???

The manufacturers championship is gone.

For a team with a bottomless money pot and a huge supply of junior drivers, Red Bull (both teams) have managed to get themselves in a fine pickle drivers wise.

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

The manufacturers championship is gone.

For a team with a bottomless money pot and a huge supply of junior drivers, Red Bull (both teams) have managed to get themselves in a fine pickle drivers wise.

Agree - maybe Marko spent too much time and energy (allegedly) trying to stab Horner in the back and lost focus on the junior development program, maybe it was something else but no question that they've ended up in a weird situation given the development program that they have and the large number of drivers in it.

[Sandgroper]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

The manufacturers championship is gone.

For a team with a bottomless money pot and a huge supply of junior drivers, Red Bull (both teams) have managed to get themselves in a fine pickle drivers wise.

Agreed but Im sure financially they would rather be second than third. With Perez there that second position looks highly unlikely

[chillibowl]

Congrats to Max on his 4th drivers title. Can’t say I recall a time where the one who won the drivers was driving something other than a top 2 car in the constructors?

On one hand, can chalk that up to Perez under delivering but other hand is Max won and held on to this title in a weak car while using every trick in his arsenal. Over the line at times sure but still impressive title imo.

His most impressive title in a way.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Congrats to Max on his 4th drivers title. Can’t say I recall a time where the one who won the drivers was driving something other than a top 2 car in the constructors?

1983. Piquet took the title for Brabham, they finished 3rd in the constructors. Unlike 2024, the championships for both were very tight, which makes this more reasonable. Patrese, Piquets teammate, did have an awful year though.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

1983. Piquet took the title for Brabham, they finished 3rd in the constructors. Unlike 2024, the championships for both were very tight, which makes this more reasonable. Patrese, Piquets teammate, did have an awful year though.

But at least he won a race, although that was the last race. So there’s still a chance for Checo! If only…

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

Congrats to Max on his 4th drivers title. Can’t say I recall a time where the one who won the drivers was driving something other than a top 2 car in the constructors?

On one hand, can chalk that up to Perez under delivering but other hand is Max won and held on to this title in a weak car while using every trick in his arsenal. Over the line at times sure but still impressive title imo.

His most impressive title in a way.

A ‘weak’ car? Seriously? It was anything but weak for half the season…..

[chillibowl]

fair fair, 'weak car' is overstating my point...more to my feelings would have been to say Max was the difference maker this season and not the car.

im inclined to agree when he says he would have still won it had he been driving for Mclaren or Ferrari...and conversely, my feeling is that none of the Mclaren or Ferrari drivers could have done better if they had been driving the RB car.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Between the win in Spain and the win in Brazil he had 4 podium finishes, three of which were in second place. He also won the sprint race at Austin.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Between the win in Spain and the win in Brazil he had 4 podium finishes, three of which were in second place. He also won the sprint race at Austin.

Yes. I would agree. The RB20 was never the fourth best car. It was usually first or second throughout the season, handled by a driver who was superb in form throughout the year.
Even when it dropped from being the best car the differences between the third best and the best car were relatively small differences in lap time, often dependent on track, bumpiness, tire deg, and weather or surface issues.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Sandgroper

Oh My what do RB do now with Perez and the teams Championship???

Nothing.
He is in the car until the end of the season barring sickness, concussion etc.

But it is going to the shareholders so the wider company, not just Horner and Marko.
This may be to deflect any criticism but also because the hit they may take in buying out his contract will be a major cost and the loss of financial sponsorship.
Placing the decision in a wider context broadens the responsibility and reduces any personal attacks on any one individual.

https://racer.com/2024/11/25/red-bul...perezs-future/

[Skam85]

By every metric, Perez has to be gone.

Has to be gone.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Skam85

By every metric, Perez has to be gone.

Has to be gone.

Presumably he has some spicy texts from Christian that's keeping him there.

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

Presumably he has some spicy texts from Christian that's keeping him there.

Ultimate plot twist: Checo is the "PA"

[Sandgroper]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Ultimate plot twist: Checco is the "PA"

LOL


Dun Dun Duuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Ultimate plot twist: Checo is the "PA"

Netflix episode on this is going to be wild.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by TrapezeArtist

For a team with a bottomless money pot and a huge supply of junior drivers, Red Bull (both teams) have managed to get themselves in a fine pickle drivers wise.

Don't panic!

Red Bull karting superstar Arvid Linblad is supposed to be the next Kimi Antonelli. It all depends on how Linblad's F2 season goes in 2025.

The first half of Linblad's rookie FIA F3 season was superb (4 race victories, the most of anyone) but then the second half of he season was a disaster for some reason.

Since it will (probably) be necessarily to make space for Linblad in 2026, that is why I think it is so important for Red Bull to run RBR: Verstappen/Tsunoda and VCARB: Lawson/Hadjar in 2025, to work out if Hadjar is up to it and which of these drivers are worth keeping.

Of course Russell would be RBR's target if Verstappen chooses to go to Aston Martin - Honda.

[Sandgroper]

Its not sounding rosy for Checco as you could imagine.

Do they get Yuki to move up into the main seat? Not sure how his and Max's temperament will gel. Could be a recipe for disaster.

Leaves room for a younger bull to take Yukis seat?