Silly season 2024-2025

[DGP123]

I think KA to Merc was done a long time ago. Merc/Toto strung it along for media/fan interest.

[langedweil]

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/jona ... principal/

Wheatly to Audi ..

[deadhead]

Who’s actually left for 2025 now?

Merc surely gonna have to rely on junior seats now sainz has gone?

I get the feeling Mercedes wasn't ever interested in Sainz. Sainz chose between Alpine, Williams, and Audi.

Obviously non of the big teams were really intersted in Sainz, otherwise he wouldn't be going to Williams.

[zeph]

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/jona ... principal/

Wheatly to Audi ..

Man, they are taking this seriously. With Binotto running the factory, and this guy as team principal they could really turn this into something.

2026 may be too soon for them to come in with guns blazing, but if Audi has the patience and vision to let them put it all together, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make good a few years down the road.

[djos]

They just need to fire James key and hire someone competent to develop the car concept.

[djos]

Yeah, I agree 100%!

https://apple.news/A7FCeuDnMRq6p8J1IzfICEQ

“You can just see that Perez is having a hard time mentally. He has so much pressure on him. He makes one mistake after another.

“If someone like Perez is just whining and then someone comes along with a big smile and brings energy to the team, then he can lift such a team up.

“A few races ago we talked Ricciardo down. If you had to choose to replace Perez, the most logical choice would be to put Ricciardo in. Purely for the experience and the energy he brings, because he would be a great second driver next to Max.”

[zeph]

They just need to fire James key and hire someone competent to develop the car concept.

From Audi? He was let go along with Andreas Seidl, I believe.

[djos]

They just need to fire James key and hire someone competent to develop the car concept.

From Audi? He was let go along with Andreas Seidl, I believe.

Oh good, I only saw that Andreas and Oliver got the boot.

Edit: do you have a link to this? I can’t find anything online.

[zeph]

I could have sworn I read that on the-race.com but upon checking back I can't find an actual report of him being ousted. I think in my mind I conflated Key and Seidl leaving McLaren with Seidl and Hoffman out at Audi. Or something like that.

I do hope Binotto sacks him, although I guess it's possible he'll find a way to incorporate whatever strengths Key has into his team.

[djos]

I could have sworn I read that on the-race.com but upon checking back I can't find an actual report of him being ousted. I think in my mind I conflated Key and Seidl leaving McLaren with Seidl and Hoffman out at Audi. Or something like that.

I do hope Binotto sacks him, although I guess it's possible he'll find a way to incorporate whatever strengths Key has into his team.

I completely agree, the claim was Key would “make an immediate impact” on joining the team. It’s been immediate alright, they’ve hit rock bottom on so many levels it isn’t funny!

It’s little wonder why Maclaren turned around their car performance within 1 season after firing him.

[zeph]

Yeah, James Key's career is a study in back-marker mediocrity, with some midfield highlights. Hardly impressive.

[Nickel]

Yeah, James Key's career is a study in back-marker mediocrity, with some midfield highlights. Hardly impressive.

He had a few banger years at Sauber. That seems to be his nadir.

[djos]

Yeah, James Key's career is a study in back-marker mediocrity, with some midfield highlights. Hardly impressive.

He had a few banger years at Sauber. That seems to be his nadir.

“Better lucky than good” is the phrase that springs to mind.

[organic]

Seems that Ricciardo to red bull was so so close to happening. Some Dutch GP promotional material has Daniel as Max's teammate.

This details Daniel's career in chronological order and ends with "As Verstappen's teammate he continues to strive for success"

[djos]

Seems that Ricciardo to red bull was so so close to happening. Some Dutch GP promotional material has Daniel as Max's teammate.

This details Daniel's career in chronological order and ends with "As Verstappen's teammate he continues to strive for success"

https://i.imgur.com/if99MVc.jpeg

Wow! TBH, I think everyone was shocked that Perez wasn’t benched.

Based on Christian’s statement, I think Perez has the 3-4 races after the break to pull his head out, or he’s getting dumped.

I suspect Christian also wants to see Daniel’s performance continue to trend up as well.