[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Won't take long and the Red Bull Team is looking like an empty place (!)
People at the RB factory disagree that Horner is fired and leave the team..

He had his fingers in too many pies so the bosses had to act, it's a cruel world even if you're proved innocent. Too many incidents and clashes is not good for the Red Bull marque and other sponsors especially incoming Ford also.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

MAX looks better in blue

Mercedes F1 has no plans for a blue livery.

[M5Rick]

I'll rephrase that then, MAX looks better remaining in blue.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Already over a year ago, Mercedes boss Ola Källenius stated in German press that he thinks Verstappen "would look good in silver", particularly once F1's rules reshuffle happens in F1 2026.

"Mercedes sense clear Max Verstappen opportunity with ‘look good in silver’ tease
PlanetGP - 26 Jun 2024
https://www.planetf1.com/news/merced...nity-in-silver
Mercedes-Benz Group chairman and CEO Ola Källenius thinks Max Verstappen “would look good in silver”, particularly once Formula 1’s rules reshuffle happens in F1 2026.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend that talks with Verstappen are not currently taking place, having initially made him their top target to replace Lewis Hamilton at the team next season.

Mercedes chairman: Max Verstappen ‘would look good in silver’
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until F1 2028, having signed a mega contract extension with the team after winning his first title in 2021, but the competitive order is almost certain to change in Formula 1’s regulations reset in F1 2026.
The three-time World Champion will still likely be the most sought-after driver on the market at that time, too, should he become available at any time before the end of his deal.
Mercedes chairman Källenius senses an “opportunity” to put the team back at the front of the field when the sport’s rules reset, with the Mercedes power unit potentially a decisive factor in the team’s performance among the huge regulation changes.
Red Bull are creating their own power units for the first time from F1 2026 in partnership with Ford, with a plethora of unknowns heading into the sport’s new era.
And if Mercedes are able to re-establish themselves at the top of the pack again, he teased the possibility of trying to bring Verstappen to the team.
“The best driver wants to have the best car. And that’s our job, to bring the best package together,” Källenius told Sky Germany.
“The cards will be reshuffled in 2026. New order with new rules. That’s also an opportunity. Who knows.
“But I think Max would look good in silver, wouldn’t he?”
In the here and now, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes’ driver search may well extend later into the season, with the team looking to assess all their options before making a decision on Hamilton’s replacement.
Junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli remains among the candidates to join the grid next season, while Wolff explained that the team are likely to wait before making a final call.
“We want to go in a completely new generation. If it is with Kimi or see what Max does,” Wolff told DAZN in Barcelona.
“I didn’t want to have Carlos wait anymore. I think we may take a decision in November.
“Carlos is a race winner in Ferrari but it all came down to the decision that Ferrari said: ‘We want to have Lewis Hamilton in the car for next year.'”

George Russell is kept waiting for how long then and when he wins there are no smiles from Wolff which must be telling.

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

George Russell is kept waiting for how long then and when he wins there are no smiles from Wolff which must be telling.

For sure Max in blue or silver over green..Unless they boot my boy Stroll

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

For sure Max in blue or silver over green..Unless they boot my boy Stroll

Some would say red also but frankly the world is MAX's oyster, I'm not sure but with what's been flying about on the net I think he's already made his mind up. Oh my days I have a song for that and I'm planning to play it before long

[Artemis]

Russell has a lifeline if Alpine (read: Briatore) are willing to hire Antonelli as loaned driver (he remains under the Mercedes umbrella). Starting from next season, Alpine will be supplied with Mercedes PU's and gearboxes - that would ease the decision-making.

Verstappen + Russell = poor Russell. It's no secret that there's bad blood between those two.

But if Wolff calls the shots, it will be a Verstappen + Antonelli pairing, with Verstappen as Yoda for Skywalker Antonelli.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Already over a year ago, Mercedes boss Ola Källenius stated in German press that he thinks Verstappen "would look good in silver", particularly once F1's rules reshuffle happens in F1 2026.

but he needs GP ...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QbWNOCkilh4

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Some would say red also but frankly the world is MAX's oyster, I'm not sure but with what's been flying about on the net I think he's already made his mind up. Oh my days I have a song for that and I'm planning to play it before long

Don't you dare..

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

Don't you dare..

Promise, it's a good one, maybe for tomorrow

[MoeTE87]

Can't wait for this race to be honest. Feels like it's been forever since they last raced. I am also ready for all of the rumors and shit to be laid to rest! lol.

Who's ready for some racing?! I know I am!

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Can't wait for this race to be honest. Feels like it's been forever since they last raced. I am also ready for all of the rumors and shit to be laid to rest! lol.

Who's ready for some racing?! I know I am!

Right on! And enough of this will he or won't he heheh

[G30M]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Can't wait for this race to be honest.!

2 races! right?

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by G30M

2 races! right?

Hell yeah! Forgot about the Sprint Race! Woooooooo

[Fillip]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Can't wait for this race to be honest. Feels like it's been forever since they last raced. I am also ready for all of the rumors and shit to be laid to rest! lol.

Who's ready for some racing?! I know I am!

Hopefully this one delivers like Silverstone did. Even if it's only half as good, it will still be a solid watch.

[3798j]

This is telling...

"The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the absolute priority. But you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises." - - - Toto Wolff

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/t...n-f1/10744472/

[G30M]

Originally Posted by 3798j

This is telling...

"The direction of travel is definitely that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That is the absolute priority. But you can't look past someone like Max and the plans he has for the future. We did that, but I don't think there will be any big surprises." - - - Toto Wolff

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/t...n-f1/10744472/

the word on the street is that Max is easier to wiggle out of his contract for 2027 than for 2026 (still needs George to beat him by a lot of points in the next 2.5 races).

that Toto had already offered George a 1+1 year contract but he doesn't want a 1 year contract. so he stirred the pot to get everybody talking and put some pressure on Darth Toto.

where Max himself wants to be in 2026 nobody knows, he doesn't tell, but ultimately he will decide on his own destiny. (or Jos is/will ??)

even if Max decides last minute to join Merc, it's not the end, say George has signed a contract, Merc will loan Kimi to Alpine for example. Alpine is kind of like Vcarb, but not quite.

[M5Rick]

Here's one before lights out, ex F1 pilot Riccardo Patrese has described Alpine Briatore's character akin to a WW2 unexploded bomb. Should make Colapinto even more worried.
Link
https://racingnews365.com/flavio-bri...-former-driver

[Killed by Death]

[M5Rick]

Are we surprised?

[Killed by Death]

'Merica

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Not saying anything negative about Alb, as he is one of the better drivers in F1, but Carlos has gotten body slammed by Alb this year - no way would he have a snowball's chance in hell to be anywhere near Max in the same car. His driving style was like Per so he'd suffer from the same pace disadvantage that would only get larger further into the season.