What consequence would it be to Lando? The only team worth leaving Mclaren for would have been RB.
What consequence would it be to Lando? The only team worth leaving Mclaren for would have been RB.
His previous contract was firm through 2025, it would be ridiculous for McLaren to offer a new contract that left them more exposed. I'm of the opinion that whatever options he has would be after 2026, there's really no need to rush through a new contract, with likely a higher salary, but less secure for the team. That doesn't add up for me.
With the reality that Hamilton is moving to Ferrari, I wonder if Hamilton being very positive about McLaren during the last year was him trying to keep his options open. Could also explain why both McLaren and Ferrari announced their extensions in the last few days.pazazamadaz wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 12:40I wonder if Lewis was waiting to see what Lando did before making his decision. If it is true that he's going to Farrari. Maybe he was keen on a return to a resurgent McLaren if Lando went to Red Bull.
Also, what does this say about the situation at Mercedes? Does it suggest all is not well.
If the TPs knew then Lando knew and if he'd wanted to go to Merc he would not have signed, but he did.
In fairness to Sainz - Hamilton is a world class 7 time world champion. Hard for Ferrari to say no if Hamilton is knocking. They have a younger guy in Leclerc (26).mwillems wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 15:46If the TPs knew then Lando knew and if he'd wanted to go to Merc he would not have signed, but he did.
Lando is going nowhere and I doubt he'd want to. But if he didn't know, I doubt he'd still want to go. it's a sideways move so he'd be gaining little by going to Merc but would lose everything he has built up at Mclaren.
Poor old Sainz, always the Bridesmaid. He's a nice guy and I know some rate him highly, especially in the comparisons to Lando in the early days. But it seems the Paddock doesn't value him any more than just a solid good driver.
I hope he gets the Merc seat but you'd think Albon will get it.
Do you think Lando knew about Hamilton?mwillems wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 15:46If the TPs knew then Lando knew and if he'd wanted to go to Merc he would not have signed, but he did.
Lando is going nowhere and I doubt he'd want to. But if he didn't know, I doubt he'd still want to go. it's a sideways move so he'd be gaining little by going to Merc but would lose everything he has built up at Mclaren.
Poor old Sainz, always the Bridesmaid. He's a nice guy and I know some rate him highly, especially in the comparisons to Lando in the early days. But it seems the Paddock doesn't value him any more than just a solid good driver.
I hope he gets the Merc seat but you'd think Albon will get it.
I don't know, but I think that if the TPs knew then Lando knew. Either way I think the Mclaren deal was not a direct response to Hamilton, it was always next on the cards for Mclaren and Lando and whilst it might have played into what Landos numbers looked liked, I don't think he was off to Merc.AR3-GP wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 16:36Do you think Lando knew about Hamilton?mwillems wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 15:46If the TPs knew then Lando knew and if he'd wanted to go to Merc he would not have signed, but he did.
Lando is going nowhere and I doubt he'd want to. But if he didn't know, I doubt he'd still want to go. it's a sideways move so he'd be gaining little by going to Merc but would lose everything he has built up at Mclaren.
Poor old Sainz, always the Bridesmaid. He's a nice guy and I know some rate him highly, especially in the comparisons to Lando in the early days. But it seems the Paddock doesn't value him any more than just a solid good driver.
I hope he gets the Merc seat but you'd think Albon will get it.
Yeah he's a better driver for sure. I think Sainz is "just" a solid driver, but well worth a seat in F1, I never thought he was going to better Leclerc, but he did better than I thought he would. But in part that is circumstance and in part that is Leclercs errors, because Leclerc is outright the faster driver. I don't think Lando had the biggest challenge in terms of team mates when against Carlos but he was by no means a pushover either. But that just about sums up Carlos, and it's why no-one seems to make or keep him as their number 1.FittingMechanics wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 16:29In fairness to Sainz - Hamilton is a world class 7 time world champion. Hard for Ferrari to say no if Hamilton is knocking. They have a younger guy in Leclerc (26).mwillems wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 15:46If the TPs knew then Lando knew and if he'd wanted to go to Merc he would not have signed, but he did.
Lando is going nowhere and I doubt he'd want to. But if he didn't know, I doubt he'd still want to go. it's a sideways move so he'd be gaining little by going to Merc but would lose everything he has built up at Mclaren.
Poor old Sainz, always the Bridesmaid. He's a nice guy and I know some rate him highly, especially in the comparisons to Lando in the early days. But it seems the Paddock doesn't value him any more than just a solid good driver.
I hope he gets the Merc seat but you'd think Albon will get it.
I do think Sainz is a good solid driver but his options will be quite limited. He could end up like Bottas in a low midfield team.