Pre-silly-season-silliness.

[chrisc90]

Does anyone think Nyck de Vries has a legitimate chance of landing a full time drive next year? IMHO I can see him at Williams replacing Latifi.

He never seems to be away from Toto at the minute. They must be literally joined at the hip.

[djos]

Latest rumour apparently has Daniel sitting out 2023 as Mercedes’ reserve driver so he can take the seat vacated by Lewis if he retires in 2024.

[Big Tea]

Latest rumour apparently has Daniel sitting out 2023 as Mercedes’ reserve driver so he can take the seat vacated by Lewis if he retires in 2024.

Does anyone really think that will fly? Does not sound likely to me.

[Shakeman]

Ricciardo as a reserve driver I can see but Merc can do way better for a Lewis replacement, I mean come on Ric is exhibiting back marker level pace.

[djos]

Latest rumour apparently has Daniel sitting out 2023 as Mercedes’ reserve driver so he can take the seat vacated by Lewis if he retires in 2024.

Does anyone really think that will fly? Does not sound likely to me.

I don’t believe it either, but this is the topic for silliness.

[djos]

Ricciardo as a reserve driver I can see but Merc can do way better for a Lewis replacement, I mean come on Ric is exhibiting back marker level pace.

Oh what rubbish, his driving style is just incompatible with the brake then turn style of the McLaren.

Every other top tier car uses a trail braking style that Daniel prefers.

It’s been this way since Schumacher used it to great effect in his dominant Ferraris.

[Shakeman]

Ricciardo has proven he can’t adapt, all great drivers adapt their driving style to match the car, he clearly can’t. He’s made a lot of money out of his limited talent so fair play to him but he’s not fit to tie Lewis’ shoelaces let alone drive his car.

[djos]

Ricciardo has proven he can’t adapt, all great drivers adapt their driving style to match the car, he clearly can’t. He’s made a lot of money out of his limited talent so fair play to him but he’s not fit to tie Lewis’ shoelaces let alone drive his car.

Rubbish, he's had issues with only 1 car philosophy out of the 5 he's driven, and he comprehensively beat a 4 time champion in his rookie year at RBR. Also, his race craft is excellent, literally only 1 of his race wins was from pole (Monaco), the rest he were won the hard way (including Monza last year). He also never had a dominant car but was able to win against the best Car/Team combo F1 has ever seen (Mercedes).

Compare that to eg Bottas who only ever wins GP's from pole in the best car!

Even if Russel is the defacto Merc #1 driver, Daniel + George would still be a much better pairing than Lewis + Bottas was.

[Zynerji]

Ricciardo has proven he can’t adapt, all great drivers adapt their driving style to match the car, he clearly can’t. He’s made a lot of money out of his limited talent so fair play to him but he’s not fit to tie Lewis’ shoelaces let alone drive his car.

Rubbish, he's had issues with only 1 car philosophy out of the 5 he's driven, and he comprehensively beat a 4 time champion in his rookie year at RBR. Also, his race craft is excellent, literally only 1 of his race wins was from pole (Monaco), the rest he were won the hard way (including Monza last year). He also never had a dominant car but was able to win against the best Car/Team combo F1 has ever seen (Mercedes).

Compare that to eg Bottas who only ever wins GP's from pole in the best car!

Even if Russel is the defacto Merc #1 driver, Daniel + George would still be a much better pairing than Lewis + Bottas was.

You lost me there.

Best pairing for George would be Lando IMHO.

[djos]

Ricciardo has proven he can’t adapt, all great drivers adapt their driving style to match the car, he clearly can’t. He’s made a lot of money out of his limited talent so fair play to him but he’s not fit to tie Lewis’ shoelaces let alone drive his car.

Rubbish, he's had issues with only 1 car philosophy out of the 5 he's driven, and he comprehensively beat a 4 time champion in his rookie year at RBR. Also, his race craft is excellent, literally only 1 of his race wins was from pole (Monaco), the rest he were won the hard way (including Monza last year). He also never had a dominant car but was able to win against the best Car/Team combo F1 has ever seen (Mercedes).

Compare that to eg Bottas who only ever wins GP's from pole in the best car!

Even if Russel is the defacto Merc #1 driver, Daniel + George would still be a much better pairing than Lewis + Bottas was.

You lost me there.

Best pairing for George would be Lando IMHO.

McLaren would never let Lando go.

[Zynerji]

Rubbish, he's had issues with only 1 car philosophy out of the 5 he's driven, and he comprehensively beat a 4 time champion in his rookie year at RBR. Also, his race craft is excellent, literally only 1 of his race wins was from pole (Monaco), the rest he were won the hard way (including Monza last year). He also never had a dominant car but was able to win against the best Car/Team combo F1 has ever seen (Mercedes).

Compare that to eg Bottas who only ever wins GP's from pole in the best car!

Even if Russel is the defacto Merc #1 driver, Daniel + George would still be a much better pairing than Lewis + Bottas was.

You lost me there.

Best pairing for George would be Lando IMHO.

McLaren would never let Lando go.

They are both young, and probably will race for another 10 years. It could happen!

[djos]

You lost me there.

Best pairing for George would be Lando IMHO.

McLaren would never let Lando go.

They are both young, and probably will race for another 10 years. It could happen!

True, that's more of a medium to long term possibility - we are really talking about short term options, atm.

[Zynerji]

McLaren would never let Lando go.

They are both young, and probably will race for another 10 years. It could happen!

True, that's more of a medium to long term possibility - we are really talking about short term options, atm.

The way its going, they may try to snipe Albon..

[djos]

They are both young, and probably will race for another 10 years. It could happen!

True, that's more of a medium to long term possibility - we are really talking about short term options, atm.

The way its going, they may try to snipe Albon..

Now that would be interesting.

[Zynerji]

True, that's more of a medium to long term possibility - we are really talking about short term options, atm.

The way its going, they may try to snipe Albon..

Now that would be interesting.

Don't laugh. Easily the most improved driver IMHO.