The Official F1 2023 silly season *contains speculation*

[JonChalk]

glazbagun said:

vaud said:

entropy said:

super7 said:

Nah..... Danny Ric is a broken man.

What makes him a broken man other than McLaren performance?

Have you seen how he looks in the press pen recently?

I'd love to know what Danny has to say about his decline. He's gone from embarrassing a 4xWDC and mixing it with a (now) 2xWDC golden boy to trailing the next generation by miles.

Either that or Lando is actually the second coming of Clark & the McLaren is a dog!

I think the second part is true - the McLaren really isn't that good - nowhere near the top 3 and only keeping its head above water courtesy of Lando.

It's never ever fastest in a straight line, and really only likes medium-speed corners and certainly not low-speed ones.

McLaren better do better next year, or i suspect Lando will be looking elsewhere, contract or not.

[KaraK]

Deesee said:

PhilAsia said:

He was interviewed yesterday wearing sunglasses and explaining that everything was fantastic, with the incredible professionalism of the waterboarding he received bringing the team together and, if he could be so bold, thoroughly deserved.

I get the feeling revenge will be served very cold…

I wouldn't rule it out... but it wouldn't be smart. Being paid handsomely to drive a car that is the current class of the field and being in with a decent shout at #2 in the WDC is surely a better option than the dole queue - even if being Max's bh is an integral part of the job.

And make no mistake about it - if he doesn't toe the line he'll be out faster than you can blink, they might have let Gasly go to Alpine and Albon to Williams but they've got DeVries, Lawson, and (from the sounds of it Ricciardo) who would all be quite happy to take his place.

Perez has zero cards to play, and zero leverage. His "2 year contract" isn't worth the paper it's printed on - this is F1, and crucially this is Red Bull. No other top team would look twice at him - and there's no room in the midfield, hell, there's no room at the back of the field. He can play the supporting role RBR want him to do or he can leave F1, those are his only two options.

I'm no fan of Max or RBR but on this one I'm struggling to drum up any feelings of sympathy for Checo - a blind man on a galloping horse could see exactly what he was being hired to do at RBR, and everything that came along with it. Acting all surprised now - nearly two full seasons later is fooling nobody.

Now chop, chop, Sergio. Max's drink is nearly empty.

[Pflanzgarten]

Yes, people seem to forget Checo was out on his arse at Sakhir in 2020 when he pulled off that most unlikely of wins when Mercedes fumbled George’s stand in.

No seat for 2021, he was even giving out signed replica helmets to his side of the garage as a thank you (I should know, I’ve got one ) at the end of his career.

Then just before the champagne photo with the team who comes knocking at the back door of the garage?

He’s done well for himself, his stats are better than they ever would be even if he could have found a seat for 2021 anywhere else.

[carl_w]

Pflanzgarten said:

Yes, people seem to forget Checo was out on his arse at Sakhir in 2020 when he pulled off that most unlikely of wins when Mercedes fumbled George’s stand in.

No seat for 2021, he was even giving out signed replica helmets to his side of the garage as a thank you (I should know, I’ve got one ) at the end of his career.

Then just before the champagne photo with the team who comes knocking at the back door of the garage?

He’s done well for himself, his stats are better than they ever would be even if he could have found a seat for 2021 anywhere else.

He also did well at the Turkish GP in 2020, and for a while (if I recall) it looked like he might win it but in the end he came second.

[Leithen]

Deesee said:

PhilAsia said:

He was interviewed yesterday wearing sunglasses and explaining that everything was fantastic, with the incredible professionalism of the waterboarding he received bringing the team together and, if he could be so bold, thoroughly deserved.

I get the feeling revenge will be served very cold…

I've always felt that the maxim of not pissing off Mexicans was a wise one.

[liner33]

Does anyone else think that the Ricardo deal was to help keep Perez in his box/offer options if-when things get out of hand ?

Sends a message if nothing else imo

[matrignano]

KaraK said:

I wouldn't rule it out... but it wouldn't be smart. Being paid handsomely to drive a car that is the current class of the field and being in with a decent shout at #2 in the WDC is surely a better option than the dole queue - even if being Max's bh is an integral part of the job.

And make no mistake about it - if he doesn't toe the line he'll be out faster than you can blink, they might have let Gasly go to Alpine and Albon to Williams but they've got DeVries, Lawson, and (from the sounds of it Ricciardo) who would all be quite happy to take his place.

Perez has zero cards to play, and zero leverage. His "2 year contract" isn't worth the paper it's printed on - this is F1, and crucially this is Red Bull. No other top team would look twice at him - and there's no room in the midfield, hell, there's no room at the back of the field. He can play the supporting role RBR want him to do or he can leave F1, those are his only two options.

I'm no fan of Max or RBR but on this one I'm struggling to drum up any feelings of sympathy for Checo - a blind man on a galloping horse could see exactly what he was being hired to do at RBR, and everything that came along with it. Acting all surprised now - nearly two full seasons later is fooling nobody.

Now chop, chop, Sergio. Max's drink is nearly empty.

I think Checo is well aware, and accepting, that he is the number 2 driver.

However I doubt he was expecting Max to try to deny him second place in the WDC, for a petty reason, and then RBR to side with Max to top it off.

That’s a seriously stty way to treat one of your guys, number 2 or number 10.

[PhilAsia]

liner33 said:

Does anyone else think that the Ricardo deal was to help keep Perez in his box/offer options if-when things get out of hand ?

Sends a message if nothing else imo

Quite possibly.

1) Hey Ric, we cannot offer you huge $$$, but if Checo is out, you're in...

2) Hey Checo, you get out of hand you're out...

3) Now go and apologise to Max!

4) You ok Max?

Sounds like Red Bull.

[HustleRussell]

matrignano said:

I think Checo is well aware, and accepting, that he is the number 2 driver.

However I doubt he was expecting Max to try to deny him second place in the WDC, for a petty reason, and then RBR to side with Max to top it off.

That’s a seriously stty way to treat one of your guys, number 2 or number 10.

Unfortunately I am reminded of Abu Dhabi 2021.

“Checo is a legend”.

I’m surprised Red Bull and Verstappen have managed to sour things with Perez so quickly. I thought Perez was perfect for them- and he is, but if he ever thought that the goodwill went both ways he was sadly mistaken.

Even his moon shot Monaco win was too much for the confoundingly insecure Verstappen camp to tolerate.

[PhilAsia]

HustleRussell said:

matrignano said:

I think Checo is well aware, and accepting, that he is the number 2 driver.

However I doubt he was expecting Max to try to deny him second place in the WDC, for a petty reason, and then RBR to side with Max to top it off.

That’s a seriously stty way to treat one of your guys, number 2 or number 10.

Unfortunately I am reminded of Abu Dhabi 2021.

“Checo is a legend”.

I’m surprised Red Bull and Verstappen have managed to sour things with Perez so quickly. I thought Perez was perfect for them- and he is, but if he ever thought that the goodwill went both ways he was sadly mistaken.

Even his moon shot Monaco win was too much for the confoundingly insecure Verstappen camp to tolerate.

Jos boohooing the RB strategy for not getting Max the win was hilarious!! Classy Verstappen stompy feet petulance

[Faust66]

Thinking outside the box...

I wonder just how much Perez knows about the whole budget cap issue at RB? If (and it's a BIG if) he was pissed off enough, could he follow in the footsteps of Piquet Jnr and spill the beans to the FIA?

This may well be an 'out there' theory. But hey, it's happened before.

[Killer2005]

Unsure how legit this is, but "FIA is commencing a study to reduce spray in wet conditions. One of the suggested ideas is using a standard bodywork kit, aiming to suppress the tyre spray by use of minimal bodywork over the wheels (wheel arches)"

https://twitter.com/tgruener/status/15936357799092...


Really hope they don't go that way but we'll see what happens.

[Petrus1983]

Faust66 said:

Thinking outside the box...

I wonder just how much Perez knows about the whole budget cap issue at RB? If (and it's a BIG if) he was pissed off enough, could he follow in the footsteps of Piquet Jnr and spill the beans to the FIA?

This may well be an 'out there' theory. But hey, it's happened before.

One of the drivers involved is still racing in F1, the other is racing in stock cars in Brazil. I doubt anyone will make that mistake again.

[Faust66]

Petrus1983 said:

Faust66 said:

Thinking outside the box...

I wonder just how much Perez knows about the whole budget cap issue at RB? If (and it's a BIG if) he was pissed off enough, could he follow in the footsteps of Piquet Jnr and spill the beans to the FIA?

This may well be an 'out there' theory. But hey, it's happened before.

One of the drivers involved is still racing in F1, the other is racing in stock cars in Brazil. I doubt anyone will make that mistake again.

Very good point.

Decisions made in the heat of anger though...

[vaud]

Faust66 said:

Thinking outside the box...

I wonder just how much Perez knows about the whole budget cap issue at RB? If (and it's a BIG if) he was pissed off enough, could he follow in the footsteps of Piquet Jnr and spill the beans to the FIA?

This may well be an 'out there' theory. But hey, it's happened before.

They would keep the drivers out of it. Why take them through a complex set of audit submissions? Or tell them of a possible breach in detail?

[DBSV8]

Leithen said:

Deesee said:

PhilAsia said:

He was interviewed yesterday wearing sunglasses and explaining that everything was fantastic, with the incredible professionalism of the waterboarding he received bringing the team together and, if he could be so bold, thoroughly deserved.

I get the feeling revenge will be served very cold…

I've always felt that the maxim of not pissing off Mexicans was a wise one.

lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat

[Leithen]

DBSV8 said:

Leithen said:

Deesee said:

PhilAsia said:

He was interviewed yesterday wearing sunglasses and explaining that everything was fantastic, with the incredible professionalism of the waterboarding he received bringing the team together and, if he could be so bold, thoroughly deserved.

I get the feeling revenge will be served very cold…

I've always felt that the maxim of not pissing off Mexicans was a wise one.

lazy, feckless, flatulent, overweight, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat

It’s the Uzi you have to watch for.

[HustleRussell]

All done for silly season then with Sergeant securing his superlicence.


I'm quite happy to see Hulkenberg back. Undecided about how to characterise Haas' driver selections over the years though;

'Last chance saloon' for experienced guns for hire who have fallen on hard times?

Home for unwanted dogs?

Just one more job lads, next stop Costa Del..?


I think Magnussen will have a hard time trying to beat Hulkenberg which can only be a good thing for the team. I have a feeling the current generation cars could suit Hulkenberg's style better than those he had for the majority of his career, particularly if Pirelli deliver on their promise of a more robust front tyre.

Based on the hearsay slowly leaking out of Haas, Mick could do worse than to have a season to take stock of his F1 experience so far and look around him at the job being done by the competition. I am sure he will get another go and do a much better job. Sounds like he needs to shed all of the baggage.


I find it hard to square Ricciardo's decision to take the development driver role at Red Bull, considering his career arc so far.


It's a good grid for 2023 and I look forward to considerably better cars than we had this year.

[thegreenhell]

HustleRussell said:

I find it hard to square Ricciardo's decision to take the development driver role at Red Bull, considering his career arc so far.

He hasn't actually signed anything yet, has he? It's just Helmut Marko spouting off in an interview that it might happen. Nothing official has been announced to that effect.

[vaud]

I'd like to see Danny and Mick take on some events together - Dakar, Le Mans, etc.