Sainz to McLaren
Discussion
Shows that even though Alonso has moved on to Indycar with McLaren he's still pulling the strings when it comes to influencing Zak Brown....
Sainz is a good peddlar but got overlooked by his own driver scheme at Red Bull in favour of Verstappen, and now dropped completly by the scheme in favour of Gasly and he's been no faster than Hulkenburg who has consistently beat him this season? He's not a driver on the 'up'. The only benefit will be estrella sponsorship and a safe pair of hands if your going to risk another Hamilton in the second seat...aka Norris!
Edited to add...
I have never really liked Alonso, especially after his antics back in 2007 when he 'dobbed in his team' and cost them $100m in fines because Hamitlon was wipping his backside... He's a kid who throws his toys out the pram and I can never understand how he got invited back to the team bearing in mind how unloyal he was and what he cost them He's now treated like a god by Zak Brown and can do no wrong.
Sainz is a good peddlar but got overlooked by his own driver scheme at Red Bull in favour of Verstappen, and now dropped completly by the scheme in favour of Gasly and he's been no faster than Hulkenburg who has consistently beat him this season? He's not a driver on the 'up'. The only benefit will be estrella sponsorship and a safe pair of hands if your going to risk another Hamilton in the second seat...aka Norris!
Edited to add...
I have never really liked Alonso, especially after his antics back in 2007 when he 'dobbed in his team' and cost them $100m in fines because Hamitlon was wipping his backside... He's a kid who throws his toys out the pram and I can never understand how he got invited back to the team bearing in mind how unloyal he was and what he cost them He's now treated like a god by Zak Brown and can do no wrong.
Edited by super7 on Friday 17th August 09:57
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Sainz has been disappointing at Renault.
I don't think it's a great move for all concerned.
I sort of agree, but I don't think either driver or team had many other options than to pair up. If RBR didn't want him, where else in F1 could Sainz have realistically gone? On that basis, McLaren was probably his best option, especially if they can finally live up to expectation and start get that performance curve pointing upwards. I don't think it's a great move for all concerned.
Similarly for McLaren, who traditionally want an established 'name' driver, if not a champion. Sainz just about qualifies there, with a bit of his father's reflected glory and Alonso's recommendation. Who else is available and better than Sainz? Vandoorne doesn't come across as a team leader, or certainly not for a team such as McLaren.
thegreenhell said:
I sort of agree, but I don't think either driver or team had many other options than to pair up. If RBR didn't want him, where else in F1 could Sainz have realistically gone? On that basis, McLaren was probably his best option, especially if they can finally live up to expectation and start get that performance curve pointing upwards.
Similarly for McLaren, who traditionally want an established 'name' driver, if not a champion. Sainz just about qualifies there, with a bit of his father's reflected glory and Alonso's recommendation. Who else is available and better than Sainz? Vandoorne doesn't come across as a team leader, or certainly not for a team such as McLaren.
Yes this is the issue. Both parties had little choice.Similarly for McLaren, who traditionally want an established 'name' driver, if not a champion. Sainz just about qualifies there, with a bit of his father's reflected glory and Alonso's recommendation. Who else is available and better than Sainz? Vandoorne doesn't come across as a team leader, or certainly not for a team such as McLaren.
On a different note Alonso basically gave up waiting for the McLaren to come good. If he had won a race this year then he would have continued IMO.
I also think Alonso was clearly looking elsewhere for 2019 but the big teams were clearly not interested. Kimi IMO will be at Ferrari in 2019.
I am just not sure if McLaren will keep Vandoorne.
They keep stating that they are not disappointed with him and Alonso also tried to big him up before retiring but when you need the team and your star driver to state this then his head is clearly on the block.
Yes he is still young but I have not seem one bit of magic from him.
super7 said:
I have never really liked Alonso, especially after his antics back in 2007 when he 'dobbed in his team' and cost them $100m in fines because Hamitlon was wipping his backside.
Just as a point of order. Wasn’t it Ron Dennis himself who told Max Mosley about the Ferrari information? My understanding was Alonso threatened it and by the time he was ready to apologise, Dennis had already done the deed.He’s no saint, he’s made a few bad decisions but he’s one of the greats and I’ve always liked him.
Deesee said:
Good for Sainz, earnt his spurs at TR and Renault, McLaren are still a name you would want to drive for, and they can only go one way!
Earned his spurs how exactly.In the races since Sainz joined Renault, Hulkenberg has outscored him 60-36 despite having 2 more DNFs.
At Toro Rosso he had his arse properly handed to him by Max 62-22, Max's best finish was 4th (twice), Sainz's was 7th (once).
Dull and unimaginitive choice by Mclaren, probably admitting the next 2 seasons are write offs.
Norfolkit said:
Earned his spurs how exactly.
In the races since Sainz joined Renault, Hulkenberg has outscored him 60-36 despite having 2 more DNFs.
At Toro Rosso he had his arse properly handed to him by Max 62-22, Max's best finish was 4th (twice), Sainz's was 7th (once).
Dull and unimaginitive choice by Mclaren, probably admitting the next 2 seasons are write offs.
I’m one of Hulkenberg fans, so yes he’s not in his class (presently) so ’ll happliy conceed that.In the races since Sainz joined Renault, Hulkenberg has outscored him 60-36 despite having 2 more DNFs.
At Toro Rosso he had his arse properly handed to him by Max 62-22, Max's best finish was 4th (twice), Sainz's was 7th (once).
Dull and unimaginitive choice by Mclaren, probably admitting the next 2 seasons are write offs.
Max well he’s the second coming right?!? Red bull spec team/s have bet the farm on him.
He’s done enough to warrant a drive, drives well, quali well, got decent people behind him.
rallycross said:
Carlos Jnr is a very underrated driver, its a shame to see him get manouvered out / into McLaren, his talents are far better than their current shambles set up deserves, let hope they start getting back on form it would be a shame if his career fades due to ending up there.
But why do yo think he's a very underrated diver?Genuinely interested why because I just can't see it.
Norfolkit said:
But why do yo think he's a very underrated diver?
Genuinely interested why because I just can't see it.
Looks like most people on this thread think the same and I am surprised by that - he’s proved how quick he was alongside Max V - and he has had far less incidents than Max: redbull is a strange set up that typically favours one driver (both teams) and I would bet that Carlos in an equal set up would be right there with Max in equal cars, what better benchmark than MV?Genuinely interested why because I just can't see it.
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