Well, it makes sense that a factory team will always have a hotter motor than a customer team, and since Renault is in it's second season as a mfr, I think he's on the right track. That's where the problems between Red Bull and Renault have been - Red Bull is convinced that they've been getting "seconds" from Renault. I think the Honda won't come good for another year or more, so Riccardo may be able to finish better than he is now. If they have engine failures, he sure knows where to point the finger too! Now Big Mac says they were *this* close to signing Ricciardo to their team.....that would have been an obvious and easy out for Alonso to go Indy racing. Renault are currently (a distant) fourth in points so it makes more sense to go there if he wants to win some races next season.....Big Mac are only holding on to 7th because of Alonso's efforts so I really doubt they had a snowball's chance of signing Danny boy. But, I think he missed a good bet not going to HAAS instead, think of what he could have done with that car, with the Ferrari engine now widely considered the most powerful on the grid....Big Jeans has been close to podium finishes several times this year and either crashed or did something stupid - I think we'd have seen a HAAS at least on the podium under Danny Ricky Bobby......and having him dicing it out with Mad Max would have been fun to see. I expect the problem there was simply salary - he can get a lot more from a works team than an independent. As it is, if the Renault comes good next year and with him driving - plus 2019 being a learning year for Red Bull Honda - he could see Renault right where Red Bull is now, third in points and vying for the occasional win. I think it may turn out to be a good move for him after all, at least for the two years he's contracted, after that - with the rules change - he can move anywhere he wants. So drivers on the bubble this fall Kimi at Ferrari Sainz Brenda Hardley Alonso depending on what he decides to do next year Who knows if Force India will be on the grid since they're in administration right now, so Perez and Ocon could be available. If Stroll's daddy buys Force India he'll go there, moving one of the guys above out That would give Sirotkin's backers a chance to buy or buy into Williams, maybe Kvyat comes back and we have an all Russian team? This silly season promises to be extra silly....only the first domino has fallen.
I believe that most of it hinges on how many zeros are on that check he gets from the Frenchie French team.
Interesting, you really think Alanso will go to Indy? Last couple F1 drivers didn’t do all that will if memory is correct. Note not saying it’s harder, just it appears to be pretty different. That said, would love to see him go to Indy... then we can see the “best driver in the world”... continue to lose season after season. Not sure what he will blame his loss on but he will figure out something... (FYI this is sarcasm mixed with tired of whining.. the best driver in the world is a reference a few folks who believe he is like old Bernie and Alanso himself) It will be an interesting trade season. I’m a bit behind still.... but catching up. Overall, pretty good season so far. I do hate the halo from a looks perspective... but get it from safety.
I'm not sure Fernando is the best in the world, but he is definitely in the top 5. I hope he does go to Indy, it would be great for the series. As far as I'm concerned he has nothing left to prove. He should go where he'll be happy & I think Indy cars would do that for him. The rest of the yearly seat swapping should be fun to watch.
Agreed - I think he is a very good driver and it would be good for Indy. I'm hoping Indy starts to allow some development on the car... 2 years ago I went down to the St. Pete race.. great venue.
I think Danny went to Renault because Max is going to Multi-21 him, and I’m sure that fellow Red Bull Aussie Webber has warned Danny about what it was like getting booted to second fiddle for Vettel. As for who gets the second seat, Red Bull is going to want someone who will stay out of Max’s way and be content to just run interference. I’m betting someone from their Young Driver’s program.
Well, he damn near won Indy 500 last year, plus McLaren has been making noises about getting into Indy racing, so I think the chances are good he'll wind up there. Mansell did pretty well when he went to Indy car!
Only trouble with Alonso being in a McLaren Indy car is the fact Honda is not happy with him. He didn't hold back on his negative thoughts about his Honda F1 engine. I hope he can make his way there & that the team fields a good car for him.
Yea.. LS baby.. would be real interesting in McLaren got into Indy.. thats interesting. Yea - again, good driver just complains a bit much for me. I'm more of the "put up or shut up".. But that's just me.
I think if Fernando was in a competitive car he'd be much quieter than he has been. He is not happy trundling around in a turd of a car. That I understand, it must be painful. LS in an Indy car, that's interesting. Although the rules won't allow it. Do you remember what Penske did at Indy with one? Brilliant! https://www.autosport.com/indycar/feature/7321/the-indy-500-engine-they-had-to-outlaw
McLaren should stick to F1. The car is a mess. Diluting the F1 effort with an Indy car program would be a mistake. If Alonso wants to go, so be it.
Yup!! Funny ever since we started the LS swap for the 88 Esprit.. whenever a car has a problem we joke.. looks like an LS swap. In all seriousness.. parts are cheap, it’s reliable HP and the LS3 weight is light. Pretty darn good package.
I think their car manufacturing is distracting them... much less adding an Indy team. If anything, the should do a factory back for GTLM.. Indy makes no sense (in my mind). Regarding Alonso.. I bet he goes to WEC over Indy but I could be wrong..especially if he wants the triple crown.
I guess he’ll take orders. Until the Multi-21 thing. https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/20/red-bull-confirm-pierre-gasly-max-verstappen-team-mate-f1-2019/
It will be an interesting pairing. Gasly is an up & comer with talent. I wonder how long until he feels he can try & beat up on Max.