I agree . If Renault are rubbish , he's just as likely to throw the toys out of the pram ( Again ) and go . How ironic , if Honda turn things around and 2 years from now RBR have one of the best engines out there ....
I think Mercedes are just keeping their options open, I don't think Vettel is the sole motivation. If Bottas continues as he is (competitive but not likely to seriously threaten Hamilton over a season), I think they'll keep him as long as they keep Hamilton. Whilst things are harmonious, there's no benefit in changing their lineup. I think their driver lineup beyond 2018 depends on their plans for their future in the sport. Mercedes are likely to continue to dominate (or at least be strong) until 2021, but beyond that if the technical regs don't match up with what they want from the sport, I think they'll leave. Formula E is a better way to push their "green" credentials, and the series will be fairly well established by then. So if they aim to leave in 2021, I think they'll keep the Hamilton/Bottas combination. It'll see them to several more titles, and they don't need to "future proof" themselves. If they aim to continue longer, I think they'll try for Verstappen.
Well RB have been nasty to Renault in the past so I dont blame them for dumping them. Good luck with Honda
I don't think that's RBR duping Mclaren. I think Red Bull are in big trouble. They wanted free choice and Renault have said no. Now they are utterly dependant on Honda. If there's no signs of improvement next year Ricciardo and Verstappen will leave (with no obvious replacements at STR) then they might be forced to run the worst engine on the grid. This could be the beginning of the end for the whole team. Don't think they'll be up for a rebuilding job again.
Maybe so, but in all honesty I think RedBull will come out smelling of roses on this one. Honda now have 3 years under them, are receiving extra help through Liberty and Ross is unlikely to let them fail - if at all possible. TR will have a further year of development before RedBull would technically commit to Honda for 2019 onwards. If Honda are still sh1te and RB give the ultimatum of a Renault engine or leaving, I think F1 would still buckle to this demand, some way or another. I think its just a win win for RedBull, Honda come good and they are effectively a works team, Honda stay the same and RedBull hold F1 to ransom.
I disagree , History has proved that Honda ( Being Japanese ) simply can't abide outside help , they are only successful when they swallow their pride and take outside help that they gt anywhere . I honestly did not see this coming !! I thought it would be RBR & Renault - Torro Rosso and Honda , then after a year or two , RBR could choose to go to Honda IF they sort themselves out , or stick with Renault . It's all on a knife edge IMHO , which as a fan of F1 , can only be a good thing from a fans point if view . If things go pear shaped & RBR threaten to withdraw , who knows ? in the day's of Bernie I agree they would do almost anything to keep the team , but with the Liberty group ?
lol, Alonso and Palmer, I wonder why they were chosen, but the journo's bottled it and never asked either about 'driving standards'? As to Palmer's seat, he must be out, surprised he managed to stay after getting only 1 point last season, this season he has a better car but has done even worse. The only way I can think of him staying is by moving to Sauber so Ericsson looks good. Is it me or is Hamilton is starting to catch a bit of an American accent?
Renault have called Red Bulls bluff finally. They better start squirming to the FIA to get Honda special dispensation. In all seriousness I do hope Honda fix themselves up, as much as it would be gutting for McLaren if they do, Red Bull are a pretty fine team and driver developers and I don't want to see them vanish.
I think RB will be protected at all costs, if they pull out that would be two teams and Honda gone. I think they hold all the cards myself. Agree re Honda and outside help, but you feel they've got to come good at some point, after all a broken clock is right twice a day!
Unfortunately the team was pretty dire before being Red Bull. Stewart had its moments but Jaguar was awful. I can't see who would come in and buy an operation that's bound to be valued at ..... $400m? Maybe more. It's a big ask considering any new buyer will have the same power unit problems that had forced Red Bull to quit to start with.
For the record I'd love to see McLaren with Alonso come good, for the sake of entertainment in F1. The last 4 years have been amongst the worst for me personally watching.(But that's another story) I fear for McLaren however on this one. The only way that this doesn't work for Red Bull is IF Honda never come good. You have to suspect that the outside help that has been directed at Honda will result in a much smaller jaws of performance between Merc leading the way down to Honda. If Honda end up on par (or as close as) to Renault, Red Bull will have fallen on their feet in some ways. The key to all of this is whether Renault finally make the step up to Ferrari or Merc level. If they do, McLaren will be set fair for some decent results. If they don't, they may have take on all the pain for Red Bulls gain, and given Alonsos luck this past 8 years or so, that would just about take the biscuit! Honda might be on the money come 2021 new PU for all we know
I am not superstitious ., but I agree Alonso has a history of making piss poor decisions . That's why I have said from day 1 , that , imho ,McLaren are daft to every thing they can to keep him . He is a fantastic driver , but a bit of a hot head .
Honda never made it with BAR and before that is history, different times. However, McLaren expectations were high and consequently there was a cultural clash. The type of errors Honda have made have made it worse, the nature of the problems reported one has never heard complained about with other engine manufacturers. McLaren worked with Mercedes since 1995 and the two cultures were probably more of a match. But in 15 years with Mercedes McLaren only achieved 1 constructors championship, and 3 drivers championships, only one in the 21st century. Expectations are the real issue here, there were 10 dry years in terms of a drivers championship in there. Perhaps we all had too high expectations, unjustified by history. A fresh start for Honda is good, Mclaren's emotions will be calmer but they will languish down in 3-4th place with Renault, Alonso stated he was unhappy at second with Ferrari. Fundamentally, McLaren are probably more of an influencer than Redbull and would have been a good partner but for the expectations. It could be 10 years for Honda to win again (another 7 after these first 3) based on the success of other engine manufacturers. When was Ferrari's last constructors or drivers championship success? 2008 and 2007 respectively. It ain't easy!!
