It's absurd to question the car's reliability based on just one issue.
No doubt, it would add excitement to the sport if Red Bull faced car problems, giving other teams an opportunity to challenge them. However, we're dealing with Red Bull and Max Verstappen here.
"So, I had to adapt the way I communicate in order to not create even more pressure in the team because it would break us [...] It's not because of a lack of trying that we are not competitive. So, I'd rather be helpful and encouraging and say, 'That's interesting'."
Toto Wolff appears optimistic, but there's an underlying acknowledgment that Lewis Hamilton's exit marks a significant shift from Mercedes' previously unshakeable culture of success.
It serves as a sobering reminder of past mistakes in aerodynamic design and the tendency to overlook driver feedback, a concern Hamilton has frequently raised.
As a result, Mercedes is now in a rebuilding phase, working to recapture the winning spirit that characterized its earlier triumphs. The decision on their replacement for Lewis will be a make or break for the whole team.
The interesting aspect in all of this is: what actually went wrong in the development of the car? As Gasley stated in the article, they went from fighting with Carlos for P4 last year to fighting Hulkenberg for P14.
Adrian Newey once designed the Valkyrie for Aston Martin as a side project, showcasing his passion and creativity (and probably staying connected with them).
While I’m skeptical about him accepting their offer, considering his legacy at Mercedes, Lewis moving to Ferrari was also once unimaginable too. There were rumors about Ferrari offering him a contract. Looking at his creative sideprojects, Aston and Ferrari seem to be the only realistic options he might consider.
"If we were trying to draw that pattern together then probably the strongest correlation that we can make at the moment, is that our competitiveness drops when the track is warm, when the day is at its warmest and therefore the tyre temperatures rise with those of the track. [...] From FP3 to qualifying in Melbourne there was not a set-up change."
"That will be that there are underlying characteristics in say the aerodynamic map that you've engineered or the suspension characteristic that is aggravating that particular feature."
The team's performance dips when the track heats up, and it's not just about setup changes. There are underlying factors in the aero or suspension setup and design that Mercedes need to fix.
If Sainz becomes Ferrari's top driver this year and challenges for the championship (unlikely with Max's dominance), it'd be ironic. He's matured at Ferrari, while Leclerc's still making old mistakes, lacking progress.
It’d be ironic if Sainz ends up as Ferrari’s top driver this year and even challenges for the championship (though I doubt it with Max’s dominance). He seems to have really matured at Ferrari, evolving into a well-rounded driver.
Meanwhile, Leclerc’s got the speed, but he’s still repeating the same mistakes from his early days at Ferrari, showing a lack of progress.
Russell has a knack for getting into sticky situations, then pointing fingers later. But that crash? Looked peculiar on the replays.
Seemed like he had the speed to pass Alonso, but got caught off guard by Alonso's slowing Aston. Let's wait and see what the stewards make of it.
Edit: Alonso received a penalty. The explanation is intriguing: Russell, closely trailing him, anticipated Alonso to maintain his recent driving style. However, Alonso opted to slow down in the corner to accelerate afterward, catching Russell off guard. While Russell may have exaggerated, with him tailing Alonso so closely, the move was unexpected and perilous, leaving Russell insufficient time to adjust.
It's exciting to see Bearman in a Ferrari, but Sainz needs to get back in the car ASAP and prove he's worthy of a seat next year (he definitely will find one though).
I'd love to see him outperforming Charles, to be honest.
As entertaining as he was in "Drive to Survive" and interviews, Steiner's handling of drivers and lack of leadership were the main issues for Haas. While he was the right fit for managing Gene's unambitious investment in F1, he wasn't the right guy for managing the F1 team tbh.
I doubt Horner can maintain his position with such damning evidence against him. His behavior seems indefensible.
However, Horner is likely to play the corporate waiting game, e.g. let people forget or ignore the issue, especially given Max and Red Bull's success this season. He's been cleared by an the laughable internal investigation. Reports suggest he has the backing of Thai investors + all strategic partners, notably Ford, were left in the dark during the investigation and learned everything from the news.
He'll stay until major financial backers like Ford decide to pull out, and that doesn't seem likely anytime soon.
It must be incredibly frustrating for Yuki to witness team orders that further diminish his slim chances of securing the second Red Bull seat alongside Max. However, as Daniel pointed out, driving in an immature and irresponsible manner post-checkered flag, especially towards a teammate, is a clear red flag for that coveted second Red Bull seat.
It must be incredibly frustrating for Yuki to witness team orders that further diminish his slim chances of securing the second Red Bull seat alongside Max.
However, as Daniel pointed out, driving in an immature and irresponsible manner post-checkered flag, especially towards a teammate, is a clear red flag for that coveted second Red Bull seat.
A man without integrity conveniently shifts opinions when facing personal setbacks.
While Steiner is entertaining on screen, his behavior as a team principal, trash-talking his drivers, is entirely unacceptable. He shouldn’t shift the blame onto Gene for his own leadership shortcomings.
Edit: Gene is certainly not a man of integrity himself, and he should consider letting Andretti take over the reins. Both Steiner and Haas are definitley not the pinnacle of F1 leadership.
What do you do when your boss sends clearly inappropriate messages, and you express discomfort? You take screenshots as a precaution, knowing the power dynamics might lead to negative consequences for not complying. The focus is on self-preservation, not extortion.
The guilt lies with the boss who oversteps boundaries and holds a position of power. It's probably not the first time she's faced inappropriate behavior from a male colleague or boss, a situation many women experience at workplaces.
I don't see Horner retaining his position unless he clears himself of all accusations. Reports have hinted that Red Bull offered him a graceful exit last year, and if true, the situation might be serious.
An investigation will reveal the truth, and in terms of allegations related to inappropriate behavior, they need to be addressed for him to continue.
It's absurd to question the car's reliability based on just one issue.
No doubt, it would add excitement to the sport if Red Bull faced car problems, giving other teams an opportunity to challenge them. However, we're dealing with Red Bull and Max Verstappen here.