McLaren in 2019: Sainz and Norris, sponsors, management, rumour and scuttlebutt from the MTC

Edited by Button4life, 18 March 2019 - 20:26.

It was difficult today to compare them, but Norris made a good first impression.

I rate Sainz quite highly, so if Norris can match or beat him that would say a lot about the young lad.

Edited by Lights, 16 March 2019 - 13:51.

It's too early to draw any conclusions but Norris certainly did himself no harm today. Usual caveats about Albert Park being an atypical grand prix track and Sainz having an unfortunate time of it. 

Hmm - I don't think Sainz's misfortunes made Norris quick, it seems to me he did it all on his ownsome... When needed he pulled a better lap out of the bag, you don't do that because it's an "unusual" circuit, you do it because you have the ability and react well under pressure.

I never thought Norris would be in the last part of qualifying in Aussie, So very impressive of the rookie!

By the way, I was reading Norris's Wikipedia article and it says that he was born in Bristol and privately educated at Millfield School in Street, Somerset. So why is it that when he speaks it sounds like English is his second language? What is his accent?

His mother is Belgian, I think. Could that be the reason?

5 years since the last podium for the team, unless I'm mistaken?

Anyway, good weekend for Norris.

Norris was very impressive. But we don't need to argue over whether this was down to Sainz's misfortunes - we can just watch the rest of the season to see how they both do!

By the way, I was reading Norris's Wikipedia article and it says that he was born in Bristol and privately educated at Millfield School in Street, Somerset. So why is it that when he speaks it sounds like English is his second language? What is his accent?

Please don't ruin the illusion for me that he speaks with a thick West Country accent

Anyway, good weekend for Norris.

Good weekend? Mediocre race day. How long was he stuck behind giovinazzi? This boy needs to learn fast.

Good weekend? Mediocre race day. How long was he stuck behind giovinazzi? This boy needs to learn fast.

Glad we're keeping expectations firmly in check after race one

Good weekend? Mediocre race day. How long was he stuck behind giovinazzi? This boy needs to learn fast.

Of course it was a good weekend. He made Q3 and brought the car home in his first race.

Ridciulous to expect anything more given where the car is at.

Good weekend? Mediocre race day. How long was he stuck behind giovinazzi? This boy needs to learn fast.

Ah come on...overtaking around AP is hard work for even the seasoned pros! Yeah, in an ideal world he'd have got past a lot earlier but don't forget that noone overtook him while he was stuck behind Gio either so it's that at least partly shows how difficult it is to overtake. A mixture of a better team strategy and perhaps a small increase of race craft from Norris would have got him home well in the points. On that basis I think it was a fairly positive weekend.

Edited by sgtkate, 18 March 2019 - 13:58.

Norris was very impressive. But we don't need to argue over whether this was down to Sainz's misfortunes - we can just watch the rest of the season to see how they both do!

By the way, I was reading Norris's Wikipedia article and it says that he was born in Bristol and privately educated at Millfield School in Street, Somerset. So why is it that when he speaks it sounds like English is his second language? What is his accent?

Sounds English to me 

By the way, I was reading Norris's Wikipedia article and it says that he was born in Bristol and privately educated at Millfield School in Street, Somerset. So why is it that when he speaks it sounds like English is his second language? What is his accent?

I did not notice anything unusual about Norris' accent.     

Norris was very impressive. But we don't need to argue over whether this was down to Sainz's misfortunes - we can just watch the rest of the season to see how they both do!

By the way, I was reading Norris's Wikipedia article and it says that he was born in Bristol and privately educated at Millfield School in Street, Somerset. So why is it that when he speaks it sounds like English is his second language? What is his accent?

Edited by TennisUK, 18 March 2019 - 15:17.

I believe this will be the season we see Sainz as the midfield driver he is, Norris showed he's quick will get more confident and Sainz will be frustrated quick. 

It’s unlikelt he would ever have acquired a west country accent with his background. I agree though that his accent is strange. I had wondered if it may be because he hung out with all sorts of nationalities since he was a child, karting etc. And his mum is Belgian. His dad’s place is but a few miles from mine. He is fairly well known in the area.

To write off Norris' race as mediocre or anything seems a bit harsh. I'm not a big fan of the guy, wasn't keen on him in F2 last year, but he qualified 8th and raced just fine in his first ever F1 race, in a competitive midfield, had one of the few overtakes of the day and made no obvious blunders. As debut races go, that's a success to me. As confidence and comfort grows, he'll soon score points I hope.

It’s unlikelt he would ever have acquired a west country accent with his background. I agree though that his accent is strange. I had wondered if it may be because he hung out with all sorts of nationalities since he was a child, karting etc. And his mum is Belgian. His dad’s place is but a few miles from mine. He is fairly well known in the area.

Maybe he can speak Dutch too ? like Verstappen and Hulkenberg

I have no horse in the race here but felt Gio was moving in the braking zones, both late and multiple moves per corner. Should have been warned IMHO. 

I'm really happy Norris did so well. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Magnussen had a great debut qualy and race too but was really bad after that race. I think Norris has more talent than him though so I don't expect that to happen.
I'm not worrying about Sainz. He's definitely as good as Verstappen, Hamilton, LeClerc etc but he's good and experienced enough to score many points for this team. I think Norris will beat Sainz this season. Sainz will probably be better in the 1st races but I think after a few races Norris will be atleast as good in the race.

Please tell me there’s a word missing between “he’s definitely...” and “... as good as”...

Edited by Button4life, 18 March 2019 - 20:27.

Maybe he can speak Dutch too ? like Verstappen and Hulkenberg

George Russell can curse in Dutch !

De Ferran defends Norris’ race performance

https://www.planetf1...ce-performance/

He was one of the drivers of the race. I wouldn't have thought he would need defence.

This is what we need. Some good old German grunt. What are the chances of signing BMW on a works deal post 2021?

Edited by Dennista, 21 March 2019 - 17:04.

This is what we need. Some good old German grunt. What are the chances of signing BMW on a works deal post 2021?

 

About as slim as you being happy about a Mclaren performance this year

He was one of the drivers of the race. I wouldn't have thought he would need defence.

I believe this will be the season we see Sainz as the midfield driver he is, Norris showed he's quick will get more confident and Sainz will be frustrated quick. 

A man after my own thoughts!

When the last time McLaren ever had such mediocre numero uno driver?

This is what we need. Some good old German grunt. What are the chances of signing BMW on a works deal post 2021?

 

Considering for a second the grief Honda went through with McLaren liason,why on earth would BMW plough the same furrow and how would the outcome be any different? The only way I see a viable BMW Mclaren partenership is BMW buying McLaren outright ala Mercedes==>Brawn.That too would be equally daft given they walked away from acquiring a much cheaper Sauber outfit....Then again dreaming of these improbable scenarios is free hey!

This is what we need. Some good old German grunt. What are the chances of signing BMW on a works deal post 2021?

Electric cars are future in Europe, all major car manufacturers are behind Tesla in EV tech and manufacturing capacity.

The manufacturers will focus on EV tech than hybrid, so chances of anyone new coming in is going to be very very low.

Have you tried driving an EV from the heart of England to Cornwall or Scotland? Or across France? EVs work fine for relatively short commutes to and from work but even after 110 years of development cannot replace the infernal combustion engine.

As for BMW coming into F1 in 2021.....not a chance. They're still smarting from their Williams and Sauber days.

Please don't ruin the illusion for me that he speaks with a thick West Country accent

You a snob or what?

About time the diversty of UKs many a varied accents brought to the foe!...Not everyone speaks with a cut glass BBC accent!..Imagine a Scousser or a Geordie hey!...even that grating Norfolk/Suffolk one...I was roiding my boik down the roid wthout a loight and I fell into a doik...WTF!

Edited by Fatgadget, 21 March 2019 - 19:26.

You a snob or what?

About time the diversty of UKs many a varied accents brought to the foe!...Not everyone speaks with a cut glass BBC accent!..Imagine a Scousser or a Geordie hey!...even that grating Norfolk/Suffolk one...I was roiding my boik down the roid wthout a loight and I fell into a doik...WTF!

That's brilliant.

During my last visit to Vienna I all of sudden met the guy from Glasgow. For the first hour i managed to understand him. But after third shot of vodka it was just pure guessing from my side. I think that many accents of the language make those languages much better.

You a snob or what?

About time the diversty of UKs many a varied accents brought to the foe!...Not everyone speaks with a cut glass BBC accent!..Imagine a Scousser or a Geordie hey!...even that grating Norfolk/Suffolk one...I was roiding my boik down the roid wthout a loight and I fell into a doik...WTF!

No, no, please no.  We are still recovering from the dreary Brummagem droning of Nioigel Mournsell.

Electric cars are future in Europe, all major car manufacturers are behind Tesla in EV tech and manufacturing capacity.

The manufacturers will focus on EV tech than hybrid, so chances of anyone new coming in is going to be very very low.

Tesla has no idea how to mass produce cars... IDK what you're on about. 

Tesla has no idea how to mass produce cars... IDK what you're on about. 

They make 6,000/wk, which qualifies as having at least some idea of how it's done.

I couldn't watch the race, only the 30 mins highlights on F1TV, so can't really comment on Norris' performance. However being a little hesitant to overtake is an issue he already shown regularly in F2 last year in my opinion, so there could be something to it.

He's got probably a decade to learn it, but it's one of the areas he can improve.

Edited by noikeee, 22 March 2019 - 18:27.

I couldn't watch the race, only the 30 mins highlights on F1TV, so can't really comment on Norris' performance. However being a little hesitant to overtake is an issue he already shown regularly in F2 last year in my opinion, so there could be something to it.

He's got probably a decade to learn it, but it's one of the areas he can improve.

This is the current state of play.

Last pole 2012. That's 7 years.

Last win -  https://www.youtube....h?v=EFxfXPBGT5k

Edited by Dennista, 22 March 2019 - 19:14.

They make 6,000/wk, which qualifies as having at least some idea of how it's done.

In non-fully automated assembly lines with piss poor build quality. The model 3 is a heap of junk. 

Their premium cars aren't even on an assembly line. Model S and Xs are assembled mostly by hand. 

I think he is a bit cautious not to make silly mistakes and look fool out there.

His mother is Belgian, I think. Could that be the reason?

Is that a rethorical question?

His mother is Belgian, I think. Could that be the reason?

yep, looked it up. He's half Flemisch 

Have you tried driving an EV from the heart of England to Cornwall or Scotland? Or across France? EVs work fine for relatively short commutes to and from work but even after 110 years of development cannot replace the infernal combustion engine.

 

 

Amsterdam - Northcape - Amsterdam

Amsterdam - Monaco- Amsterdam 

Amsterdam - Nice - Milan - Vienna - Brno - Berlin - Amsterdam

No problem whatsoever with a Model S 85. Getting to and back from Brno into Austria was a bit tricky as the Czech Republic did not have Superchargers that year.

There is a reason why BMW is working like crazy suddenly to transition to EV. Why Volkswagen has put a massive amount of money into EV platfroms for their entire product range (Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat). In Europe and China the internal combustion engine is a dead end. Not worth any further development as new ICE cars will be banned in less than 10 years. 

Whatever F1 does at the moment, now new engine manufacturer will step into the class. Unless they move full EV or Hydrogen.