Vanja #66 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2022, 12:35
Good luck to Vasseur, he'll need it. The biggest thing he needs to do regarding teams focus and strategies is to set a clear #1 driver and focus their 2023 campaign on him. I think all Tifosi have had enough
equality shenanigans since 2017...
I thought Raikkonen running ridiculously long on hopelessly slow tyres simply to block a rival was clear cut second driver status to the point of comedy, lol?
Shal_Leg16 wrote: ↑16 Dec 2022, 21:13
for eg. - RB asking Perez to let Max win Spanish Gp. now one might say at that point it was too early to set team orders but imagine a close season like 2021 where title was won by just 5 points. that's when even these early calls make difference. RB know how its done hence they dont waste time.
Hmm, the only reason Red Bull have such slow second drivers as Gasly, Albon, Perez is because Ricciardo left.
Otherwise they would have Daniel Ricciardo as second driver, who (if on form) would probably present the aforementioned "too fast for a number two driver problem"!
I.e., RBR have a clear second driver by circumstance rather than by deliberately choosing slow second drivers. It does work well for them at all the moment, but they are still seeking out fast options for second driver in future. Heck, RBR even made a contract offer to Lando Nortis (surely not for a "number two, must defer at all times" role?).
Just wait and see, Mercedes will have this problem with Russell. They will look silly if they always prioritise Hamilton in '23, '24 etc when Russell is right there on Hamilton's gearbox or ahead.
Edit - About Red Bull people might say oh Mark Webber was a clear number two. In 2011-2013, this is true for those seasons as he was so slow BUT in 2010, Webber nearly win the WDC! Surely not possible for a number two status driver?
Webber's main problem was that he couldn't adapt to the change to Pirelli tyres.