birchesgreen
Established Member
Interesting move, i wonder if they genuinely fear Max will leave now so want to have a known quantity in the other seat not an unproven prospect.
Sergio Perez has signed a new two-year contract to stay at Red Bull: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cv22n5ypp5ro
he comes with significant sponsorship which will be useful even for a team like red bullThe loyalty that Christian has to Checo is baffling
Enough to cover the drop in prize money from losing the championship though?he comes with significant sponsorship which will be useful even for a team like red bull
no idea - are Red Bull worried about that? they never seem that botheredEnough to cover the drop in prize money from losing the championship though?
Red Bull's global revenue is something like €10B a year so I guess they're not in for the prize money.Enough to cover the drop in prize money from losing the championship though?
I dare say that Ricciardo is responsible for a significant proportion of Red Bull sales in Australia.They seem to love Ricciardo for no real reason (apart from his personality, which is very valid)
On another note, Lance Stroll’s presence at the top level is so unfuriating, and I’d love nothing more than to see another existing F1 driver or Drugovich in his seat.
I'm not sure there's been anyone in F1 so obviously undeserving of their seat from the start of their career and throughout.
Before he started F1 he won the F3 championship, in a field including Norris and Russell.I'm not sure there's been anyone in F1 so obviously undeserving of their seat from the start of their career and throughout. Oh to be born into literally insane wealth.
With Checo, I think the ”known quantity“ aspect is certainly in play, but the sponsorship aspect cannot be estimated. Apparently a huge amount of sponsorship comes from Mexico and businesses associated with the country. I believe the same applies to Yuki Tsunoda’s place at VCARB, and the relationship between Honda, Yuki and Red Bull.
However, I believe I’ve also heard recently that Red Bull have no interest in putting Yuki in the parent team seat at any point in the near or distant future. If this is true, why on earth are they seemingly keeping him around? They seem to love Ricciardo for no real reason (apart from his personality, which is very valid), but he’s seemingly in contention for a Red Bull seat again in the future - very surprised Checo got his 2 year contract given this. Either way, Liam Lawson is somehow not being given his VCARB opportunity, that he surely deserves.
Speaking of youngsters not being considered, why are Sauber/Audi not looking at Theo Pourchaire? I believe he’s still in their setup, and if Carlos doesn’t sign, they’re going to end up with an Ocon or a Gasly, given Zhou and Bottas both look to be on the way out. On another note, Lance Stroll’s presence at the top level is so unfuriating, and I’d love nothing more than to see another existing F1 driver or Drugovich in his seat.
Talking of pay drivers there's the infamous Pastor 'crashtor' Maldonado who managed to score Williams last GP win back in 2012 at Barcelona. The post race celebrations were still on-going when a fire broke out in the Williams garage.You forgot Pedro Diniz, the original pay driver or some of other poor drivers on the grid in the 1990’s towards the rear of the field.
Do a Google Images search for "2026 Formula 1 cars".
Not exactly very good looking, most of them... and is the 2026 McLaren's design a hint that they will be signing Bruce Wayne as a driver...?
I always found the fact he managed to crash the car at a publicity event in his own home town was hilarious.Talking of pay drivers there's the infamous Pastor 'crashtor' Maldonado who managed to score Williams last GP win back in 2012 at Barcelona. The post race celebrations were still on-going when a fire broke out in the Williams garage.
I would hope the actual designs are much better looking when they do appear!These will all be fan created, except the one 'model' put out by F1 themselves, which is just a mockup. There's no way any of them have their 2026 livery ready yet.

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/h...lliams-shortlist-for-2025.1801235335357520279'He's an incredible driver’ – Vowles says Sainz is top of Williams shortlist for 2025
What a way to respond to getting a new contract!Sergio Perez knocked out in Q1
How Red Bull managed to agree to the 2 year deal I’ll never understandWhat a way to respond to getting a new contract!
He doesn’t fight with Max and has done sufficiently well that Red Bull have won the last two constructors titles?How Red Bull managed to agree to the 2 year deal I’ll never understand
Probably this more than anything. Who else is there on the grid who could be teammate to Max?He doesn’t fight with Max and has done sufficiently well that Red Bull have won the last two constructors titles?
Good summary, but can we take a moment to recognise Alex Albon's incredible double overtake? Move of the season right there.Max Verstappen has won an entertaining wet/dry Canadian Grand Prix. Lando Norris finished second, George Russell finished third, Lewis Hamilton finished fourth & Oscar Piastri finished fifth. Any of theses drivers at one point had a sniff of the win.
Both Ferrari’s retired in a poor race for them where they were barely in the points with one car. Leclerc had engine trouble, went on dries too early, got lapped & retired. Sainz had a spin which collected Alex Albon.
Sergio Perez retired after a poor race when he touched the wet part when on dry tyres & put the car in barrier’s backwards.
They don't rate Yuki but he is part of the deal with HondaHowever, I believe I’ve also heard recently that Red Bull have no interest in putting Yuki in the parent team seat at any point in the near or distant future. If this is true, why on earth are they seemingly keeping him around?
he is Horners man - I think he wants/ed him in the Rd Bull but he hasn't been good enough. He should be gone.They seem to love Ricciardo for no real reason
Wont get a chance as he isn't an "Audi" man - I think the boat has sailed for him F1 wise. They want a solid, experienced, German F1 driver ( Hülkenberg) and Sainz / AN OtherSpeaking of youngsters not being considered, why are Sauber/Audi not looking at Theo Pourchaire
On another note, Lance Stroll’s presence at the top level is so unfuriating, and I’d love nothing more than to see another existing F1 driver or Drugovich in his seat.
Now I bash daddy's boy Lance often enough but he is an average F1 driver perfectly deserving of his place. He is no worse than any midfield driver. He has podiums and a poll position and a good lower formula career behind him. Who would you put in the car other than him AND deliver a significant performance upgrade ( perhaps Sainz but who else...............)I'm not sure there's been anyone in F1 so obviously undeserving of their seat from the start of their career and throughout. Oh to be born into literally insane wealth.
Because Max Verstappen doesn't want a challenger, Perez knows his place and he comes with significant coin behind himHow Red Bull managed to agree to the 2 year deal I’ll never understand
Red Bull aren't putting Yuki in thier car this side of hell freezing over. The Red Bull people simply don't rate himDeal or no deal (excuse the pun) it won't stop them pulling the plug early if they decided to. Yuki Tsunoda has got a one year deal with the sister RB team.
he is Horners man - I think he wants/ed him in the Rd Bull but he hasn't been good enough. He should be gone.
Which inspired a Q1 elimination, trailing around at the back, hitting the wall and getting fined for driving his damaged car back to the pits in an unsafe condition. Good that he's feeling well-motivated!Sergio Perez has signed a new two-year contract to stay at Red Bull: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cv22n5ypp5ro