Had a slow start to the season, but he is right on his game now. Not even halfway, a lot to come from the quiet chap. Even if he is not renewed, it would be great to see him take the fight to the last race.
Haven't Red Bull taken up Saniz's 2018 option already and told him he was staying at Torro Rosso? Think the Helmut was pretty damning about Sainz complaining about this as he made it clear that if you have a Red Bull contract they will decide where you drive and that they had paid for Sainz's entire career. I am not convinced about Sainz anyway. He has made a lot of mistakes that have gone unnoticed and clearly has temperament issues as well. I'd like to see Perez given a fair chance again.
I think you're right on the last bit. Being quick, dependable, but not a big fans favourite or media character means Merc won't make much money out of him. Sadly that counts these days over driving ability.
I agree , it does him no favours to keep his head down & get on with it . He does have the occasional rude word , but if it was the " So called " Ice man , they wold be fawning all over him .
Both renaults finished and Palmer was the first of them to cross the line. It's so amazing I must write it twice PALMER FINISHED IN FRONT OF HULK Ye, he needs to ram either Vettel or Hamilton off, he'll gain a ****load of fans if he does that. But he keeps doing it to the mysteriously popular Kimi, that isn't doing him any favours at all in the popularity stakes.
I think Bottas is doing well for himself, quietly getting on with some good results is exactly what Mercedes needs. A big persona will only clash with Hamilton, and love him or loathe him Hamilton is the caliber of driver you very much want, especially if you have a team mate for him that quietly gets on with things causing no drama.
Regrettably, despite his supreme skills in the car, those skills have rarely extended to putting himself in the right team at the right time.
Ferrari said they aren't interested, Mercedes won't upset the apple cart. Alonso should retire honestly. It's not ever going to come good, so he may as well move on to inevitable success in Le Mans and Indy.