Last year it was cloudier, so track temp is definitely higher this year. I also think that the added pressure in SQ3 has an negative impact on the times
I honestly doubt current form Perez makes Verstappen happy. With the field closing up Verstappen needs a docile wingman. Perez is docile, but not a wingman in this form.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑28 Jun 2024, 18:35I think that was Max Verstappen. The cars are equal now.
I didn't really care to see where Perez finished, if he even made Q3? I have no clue. This guy did not deserve a contract based on his driving alone. There is something deeper to this, even more than commercial reasons. This about two things... keeping Max happy and kissing corporate azz!
I think that with Red Bull investing hundreds of millions into RB powertrains, the shareholders are not happy just to win races, they need to sell cans and merchandise. And America is their next big playing field hence Ford coming on board and Checo staying.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑28 Jun 2024, 18:35I think that was Max Verstappen. The cars are equal now.
I didn't really care to see where Perez finished, if he even made Q3? I have no clue. This guy did not deserve a contract based on his driving alone. There is something deeper to this, even more than commercial reasons. This about two things... keeping Max happy and kissing corporate azz!
even if they only had one new set left?
What cost? Red Bull Racing is flushed with sponsorship deal money. Around $500+ million a year just by putting stickers on car. They can only spend 145 million for racing team. 50 million on Max and another 100 million on RBPT. The RBPT infrastructure was built over the past couple of years. It's one time investment and not recurring. Without any pay driver, Red Bull used to spend around $400 million a year on car development before cost cap kicked in. Every team on the grid is profitable entity due to that. I don't think Red Bull GmbH puts a penny on the team. Similar to Daimler and Ferrari.Dee wrote: ↑28 Jun 2024, 20:09I think that with Red Bull investing hundreds of millions into RB powertrains, the shareholders are not happy just to win races, they need to sell cans and merchandise. And America is their next big playing field hence Ford coming on board and Checo staying.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑28 Jun 2024, 18:35I think that was Max Verstappen. The cars are equal now.
I didn't really care to see where Perez finished, if he even made Q3? I have no clue. This guy did not deserve a contract based on his driving alone. There is something deeper to this, even more than commercial reasons. This about two things... keeping Max happy and kissing corporate azz!
If RB had done what Mateschitz and Marko wanted, sell 50% to Porche and let them take half of the cost, we wouldn't be in this position now.
And simply run a rebadged "Audi" power unit. That would have been interesting....Dee wrote: ↑28 Jun 2024, 20:09I think that with Red Bull investing hundreds of millions into RB powertrains, the shareholders are not happy just to win races, they need to sell cans and merchandise. And America is their next big playing field hence Ford coming on board and Checo staying.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑28 Jun 2024, 18:35I think that was Max Verstappen. The cars are equal now.
I didn't really care to see where Perez finished, if he even made Q3? I have no clue. This guy did not deserve a contract based on his driving alone. There is something deeper to this, even more than commercial reasons. This about two things... keeping Max happy and kissing corporate azz!
If RB had done what Mateschitz and Marko wanted, sell 50% to Porche and let them take half of the cost, we wouldn't be in this position now.