Silly season 2024-2025

[KimiRai]

Sainz to Williams

[90feet]

Sainz to Williams

Always seemed to me like this was very very obviously the right choice if he couldn't join Mercedes or Red Bull. "Audi" is overrated as hell based solely on the name, it's still Sauber until 2026 and still a joke of an organization until then.

I think Williams will take a big step forward next season and a lot of people will be "surprised" because they haven't been paying attention.

[MYsee]

Unless he has an epic get out of RBR free card written into his contract, I can’t imagine this is even an option for him.

I'm with you. This story just seems to be a constant media fodder but lacks any substance. Max has a contract and he's consistently said he's staying, which makes a move despite recent "struggles" very unlikely. He seems a creature of comfort and familiarity, and I can't see him giving that up. Besides his camp has immense power within the organization, which is unlikely to be the case at Mercedes.

Doesn't seem to be true as of the last 6 months. Thai (majority) side of RB backed Horner on the civil war and ever since it looks like Horner has almost all of the control in the team.

How many camps have the power to take a war to their teams principal? The Verstappens still hold much sway(or else Marko likely wouldn't have his job), even if they failed to oust Horner.

[taperoo2k]

I'm with you. This story just seems to be a constant media fodder but lacks any substance. Max has a contract and he's consistently said he's staying, which makes a move despite recent "struggles" very unlikely. He seems a creature of comfort and familiarity, and I can't see him giving that up. Besides his camp has immense power within the organization, which is unlikely to be the case at Mercedes.

Doesn't seem to be true as of the last 6 months. Thai (majority) side of RB backed Horner on the civil war and ever since it looks like Horner has almost all of the control in the team.

How many camps have the power to take a war to their teams principal? The Verstappens still hold much sway(or else Marko likely wouldn't have his job), even if they failed to oust Horner.

They hold power because Redbull don't currently have a ready replacement for Max. I guess we hear so much about Max to Mercedes because Jos Verstappen is probably stirring the pot. Basically, if Max left for Mercedes in 2025, they'd be up a creek without a paddle.

[zeph]

Sainz to Williams

Always seemed to me like this was very very obviously the right choice if he couldn't join Mercedes or Red Bull. "Audi" is overrated as hell based solely on the name, it's still Sauber until 2026 and still a joke of an organization until then.

I think Williams will take a big step forward next season and a lot of people will be "surprised" because they haven't been paying attention.

All true. But depending on how quickly Binotto can get to work, I feel Audi is not without a prayer here. It seems unlikely they will hit the ground running come ‘26, but stranger things have happened.

In my estimation, Sainz deserves better. It’s possible Williams will take a McLaren-like step forward next season, but I would not bet on it.

[90feet]

Sainz to Williams

Always seemed to me like this was very very obviously the right choice if he couldn't join Mercedes or Red Bull. "Audi" is overrated as hell based solely on the name, it's still Sauber until 2026 and still a joke of an organization until then.

I think Williams will take a big step forward next season and a lot of people will be "surprised" because they haven't been paying attention.

All true. But depending on how quickly Binotto can get to work, I feel Audi is not without a prayer here. It seems unlikely they will hit the ground running come ‘26, but stranger things have happened.

In my estimation, Sainz deserves better. It’s possible Williams will take a McLaren-like step forward next season, but I would not bet on it.

I can't make any sense of why anyone has any confidence whatsoever in Sauber/Audi. Being a manufacturer is not a golden ticket to the front of the grid; numerous other manufacturers have tried and failed, and unlike Audi, many of those actually had F1 experience before. Hinwil hasn't seen a dime since the BMW days and the cost cap limits how much Audi will be able to invest. Williams is already a couple years ahead in that regard.

Do people just not know any of this? Sauber are the worst team on the grid and they'll be getting a new name and an engine from someone who has never built an F1 engine before, all under a leader who was fired from Ferrari. How does that inspire confidence? 5 or 10 years from now, if they're still in the sport, then I'd expect Audi to be near the front of the grid. But not within the next 2-3 years.

I don't expect Williams will make a "McLaren-like" leap forward, but they'll improve, and they are very clearly the best of Sainz's immediate options.

[Jambier]

Poor Sainz.

A good driver that goes from a winning team to Williams.

Seems like en end of career a Bottas way for him

[f1isgood]

Poor Sainz.

A good driver that goes from a winning team to Williams.

Seems like en end of career a Bottas way for him

It is just a bad market and Red Bull being idiots. Nothing to see.

[langedweil]

No desire for the WCC then I guess ..

[djos]

https://twitter.com/rbr_daily/status/18 ... 00AXBCFwjw

No desire for the WCC then I guess ..

Wow! They need a decent wingman for Max and they stick with Sergio.

[Gillian]

https://twitter.com/rbr_daily/status/18 ... 00AXBCFwjw

No desire for the WCC then I guess ..

Wow! They need a decent wingman for Max and they stick with Sergio.

No Verstappen is leaving and they want to keep Perez as a measure stick.

[djos]

https://twitter.com/rbr_daily/status/18 ... 00AXBCFwjw

No desire for the WCC then I guess ..

Wow! They need a decent wingman for Max and they stick with Sergio.

No Verstappen is leaving and they want to keep Perez as a measure stick.

Brave prediction, but it seems unlikely Max is leaving RedBull.

[Gillian]

Wow! They need a decent wingman for Max and they stick with Sergio.

No Verstappen is leaving and they want to keep Perez as a measure stick.

Brave prediction, but it seems unlikely Max is leaving RedBull.

I made a braver prediction earlier in this thread by which I still stand (Verstappen to Ferrari).

[djos]

No Verstappen is leaving and they want to keep Perez as a measure stick.

Brave prediction, but it seems unlikely Max is leaving RedBull.

I made a braver prediction earlier in this thread by which I still stand (Verstappen to Ferrari).

Yeah I agree, that is braver.

[langedweil]

Wow! They need a decent wingman for Max and they stick with Sergio.

No Verstappen is leaving and they want to keep Perez as a measure stick.

Brave prediction, but it seems unlikely Max is leaving RedBull.

Nothing will surprise me anymore