Silly Season 2020/2021 (starting with silliness in 2019)

[Manoah2u]

As others have mentioned here, i think it would be pretty sure to say that Hulk has done Sim work @ RBR. He was after all - to my surprise though - ready to take Albon's seat when there were concerns over Covid, so he's been there before i'm sure. This means they have data on Hulk.

What would seem likely to me is that if Hulk would be 'worse' in the simulators than Albon, i don't think Hulk would be concidered for a seat. If Hulk is BETTER or EQUAL to Albon, it might be a headscratch, as the final verdict would be whether he'd be actually better in real life racing. If Hulk is significantly better than Albon, perhaps even as promising as Max, then chances increase he would get a chance.

However, to what degree do simulators work, as for all we know, Albon could be destroying Max in the simulators, but completely lose touch in real life.

In between Hulk and Perez, atleast Perez being able to perform - also under pressure - is a proven given. But, since he has NOT done any simulator work for RBR,
it's hard to compare him to Max/Albon.

It would be interesting if all f1 racing drivers did a race in some spec-series vehicle race, midseason or something. non-championship. just for fun.
drivers get to have all telemetry data themselves from themselves, and be able to present this to teams in their decision for contracting a driver.

I think this would improve chances for guys Like Russell and even Magnussen to get a realistic judgement.

[Jolle]

As others have mentioned here, i think it would be pretty sure to say that Hulk has done Sim work @ RBR. He was after all - to my surprise though - ready to take Albon's seat when there were concerns over Covid, so he's been there before i'm sure. This means they have data on Hulk.

What would seem likely to me is that if Hulk would be 'worse' in the simulators than Albon, i don't think Hulk would be concidered for a seat. If Hulk is BETTER or EQUAL to Albon, it might be a headscratch, as the final verdict would be whether he'd be actually better in real life racing. If Hulk is significantly better than Albon, perhaps even as promising as Max, then chances increase he would get a chance.

However, to what degree do simulators work, as for all we know, Albon could be destroying Max in the simulators, but completely lose touch in real life.

In between Hulk and Perez, atleast Perez being able to perform - also under pressure - is a proven given. But, since he has NOT done any simulator work for RBR,
it's hard to compare him to Max/Albon.

It would be interesting if all f1 racing drivers did a race in some spec-series vehicle race, midseason or something. non-championship. just for fun.
drivers get to have all telemetry data themselves from themselves, and be able to present this to teams in their decision for contracting a driver.

I think this would improve chances for guys Like Russell and even Magnussen to get a realistic judgement.

I assume that the people who run the several teams have more then enough insight who is performing on which level. A spec race would be pure entertainment for fans.

The teams have GPS data on all cars, on track visuals, a good idea of performance of the different cars (and for their customers even all), etc etc.

Plus, for especially young drivers it’s not just speed that is important, but the ability to grow and react to setup changes. This is the most important thing they work on at a test with a young driver, they already know his speed...

[Big Tea]

I would love to see Red Bull bring Hulk in for the next race, Say Albon is unwell or something, we could have a much better idea of how reality fits our thoughts them, and so would Red Bull.

Maybe they have already tried another driver and decided it was no improvement?
Who is their sim driver BTW anyone know?

That wouldn’t be very fair to Hulk... Bringing him for one weekend? He will definitely need more time than that to get into a rhythm... In addition to having to understand the car, how to maximize it and get familiar with the team... And beyond all of that, he would be measure against Max...


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He did the same for RP and was able to point out a few 'areas of concern' to them which they addressed apparently, because when he came back the second time he said the car was very different.

Besides, I think he would take any chance to get his name in the frame and keep his skills fresh, and he would not drive for free. Unfair to expect a win from him, but I would still expect him to be more than happy to drive for them as long as he knew what was expected.

[DChemTech]

I would love to see Red Bull bring Hulk in for the next race, Say Albon is unwell or something, we could have a much better idea of how reality fits our thoughts them, and so would Red Bull.

Maybe they have already tried another driver and decided it was no improvement?
Who is their sim driver BTW anyone know?

That wouldn’t be very fair to Hulk... Bringing him for one weekend? He will definitely need more time than that to get into a rhythm... In addition to having to understand the car, how to maximize it and get familiar with the team... And beyond all of that, he would be measure against Max...


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He did the same for RP and was able to point out a few 'areas of concern' to them which they addressed apparently, because when he came back the second time he said the car was very different.

Besides, I think he would take any chance to get his name in the frame and keep his skills fresh, and he would not drive for free. Unfair to expect a win from him, but I would still expect him to be more than happy to drive for them as long as he knew what was expected.

Indeed, he doesn't have to win or score a podium - lest something happens with the Mercs or Max that's a longshot anyway - but he should be able to show he can handle the car at least. Maybe not perfectly, but one weekend should be enough for any decent driver to show he can adapt his driving style to suit the vehicle. Max showed that rather well when he had to switch to RB mid-season. Based on his RP performances, Hulk can sufficiently adjust too, even in a season where he's not an active driver - but it would be good to repeat that showing in an RB, as it's quite a different beast from the strollator.

[ScottB]

Albon's done, he's had his chance and he had a spin all on his own with it.

Sky reported that the decision between Hulk and Perez may be around mentality; Marko is supposed to think that Hulk will not be bothered by being beaten by Max, while Perez could be. I suppose he had a few 'moments' when paired with Ocon.

And I'd say that's it, talk of anyone else being under consideration, especially George Russell, is just bonkers. Never going to happen.

[PlatinumZealot]

Albon for 2021.

He will race under probabtion with Perez on a provisional contract. If he cannot perform in three races he will be replace by Perez.

[Big Tea]

Albon for 2021.

He will race under probabtion with Perez on a provisional contract. If he cannot perform in three races he will be replace by Perez.

Would Perez accept that sort of contract?

[Wouter]

I believe Jake Dennis has done sim work. And Sergio Sette Camera is a test driver and Buemi is the reserve driver as Dennis and Camera dont hold a licence for F1.

Sergio Sette Camera is the reserve driver of RB together with Buemi and has a Super License.

09 March 2020.
Brazilian driver Sergio Sette Camara is back in Red Bull colours after rejoining their programme as Test and Reserve Driver for them and AlphaTauri this season. He will share the role with Sebastian Buemi who has been both teams’ Reserve Driver since 2012.

[ScottB]

I never quite get the 'give him another x races' angle, sort of like football, where a manager could be said to have a game or 2 left to save their job.

Once things get that bad, they aren't likely to recover, and even if they did, not for long. Say Albon is on the podium in Turkey, we could easily be back to discussing him getting fired before the grid lands in Abu Dhabi, as has already happened, post Mugello.

If Red Bull are interested in preserving his F1 career, then send him back to the junior team and see if he can recover / beat Gasly. If all Red Bull are interested in is finding the best available teammate for Max, then I fail to see what another 1, 2, or 5 races would teach us about Alex that the ones we've already had so far this year haven't already.

[Racer X]

Albon for 2021.

He will race under probabtion with Perez on a provisional contract. If he cannot perform in three races he will be replace by Perez.

Would Perez accept that sort of contract?

I mean all 4 of their drivers are RedBull contracted drivers they just drive for one team or the other. So they could get Perez for Alfa and have him available to them. They could always switch out Albon if he doesnt perform again at the start of the first few races next year?

Its not like Perez would have a choice he has gotten a lot more nervous recently when asked about his deal next year. He keeps saying hes got nothing but he is in talks. The worse things get for Perez the better angle that RedBull gets and they can then have a very solid driver at Alfa.

[Manoah2u]

Albon for 2021.

He will race under probabtion with Perez on a provisional contract. If he cannot perform in three races he will be replace by Perez.

He raced the entire 2021 season under probation and has been deemed incapable.
there is no need to repeat the same for 2021 and think the results would be different.

[Big Tea]

Albon for 2021.

He will race under probabtion with Perez on a provisional contract. If he cannot perform in three races he will be replace by Perez.

He raced the entire 2021 season under probation and has been deemed incapable.
there is no need to repeat the same for 2021 and think the results would be different.

RBR know what they have with albon, so they either have to decide to let it continue and hope he 'grows into it' of have to take another chance as they did with Gasly.

Even bringing an 'experienced driver' in is not a cert, remember Vettel in 2014? and he had been the poster boy for the team until 'suddenly' things went Dan's way. (No, not suggesting underhandedness, just a change of ethos in design that did not fit him)


So, they pays their money and takes their choice. Long game or short game. Unless Albon burns out first

[6 of 12]

Albon must be out for Turkey FOR SURE. Seriously, how many more races will RBR put up with basically competing with ONE car? wtaf

[Racer X]

No, not suggesting underhandedness, just a change of ethos in design that did not fit him

Edit: also its just too much of a coincidence that they ban the>>>
The blown diffuser (traction control) *after it* was banned Sebastian cant help but spin at least 1 time per Grand Prix also his overall speed has dropped because he's having a hard time at corner exit. It explains his slower overall speed and spinning.

But anyways Ricciardo leaving RedBull was a shame because it pushed the academy to produce quickly and we all know that story.

Take Ricciardo himself for example he properly developed in Toro Rosso before moving up to RedBull.

[Big Tea]

No, not suggesting underhandedness, just a change of ethos in design that did not fit him

Edit: also its just too much of a coincidence that they ban the>>>
The blown diffuser (traction control) *after it* was banned Sebastian cant help but spin at least 1 time per Grand Prix also his overall speed has dropped because he's having a hard time at corner exit. It explains his slower overall speed and spinning.

But anyways Ricciardo leaving RedBull was a shame because it pushed the academy to produce quickly and we all know that story.

Take Ricciardo himself for example he properly developed in Toro Rosso before moving up to RedBull.

Why I mention it is because it is similar to the problems Albon sees to have.
With the original Red Bull rear end sucked to the road, it did seem to be exactly what Seb liked.
After the change, he lost out to dan and even left the team.

I know Ferrari must have been an attraction to him, but would he have left if he was able to adapt to the 'new style' Red bull?

Is this also connected with both Seb and Red Bull saying there is no return for him?
Getting sidetracked, but what I am trying to say is maybe some people no matter how good or experienced just can not adapt to that car?
Would another driver just become another Gasly/Albon?