118 replies to this topic

[Rediscoveryx]

So interesting that two short years ago there was still such a widespread confidence in drivers like Perez and Hulkenberg to become race winners. In the time since, it seems to me like while they have kept treading water in midfield teams the perception of them (as well as Sainz, Magnussen etc) has become that they’re perennial midfielders and basically written off from ever making the breakthrough. I don’t think they will, anyway. Not unless they get offered a Red Bull seat.

Right now, the next in line are

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Race winner in F1
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Charles Leclerc (nearly there!)
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———————————————-
Alex Albon (in a top team)
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———————————————-
———————————————-
———————————————-
Lando Norris (waiting on McLaren)
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Esteban Ocon (waiting on Mercedes)
George Russell (waiting on Mercedes)
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And, bluntly, nobody else has much of a chance.

 

 

Well, Sainz should be in with roughly the same shot as Norris I'd imagine. But anyone other than Leclerc would be quite surprising.

[Marklar]

Back then it was also thought that one of those drivers would end up replacing Kimi at Ferrari. Few expected them to actually give a academy driver a shot.

[SenorSjon]

So interesting that two short years ago there was still such a widespread confidence in drivers like Perez and Hulkenberg to become race winners. In the time since, it seems to me like while they have kept treading water in midfield teams the perception of them (as well as Sainz, Magnussen etc) has become that they’re perennial midfielders and basically written off from ever making the breakthrough. I don’t think they will, anyway. Not unless they get offered a Red Bull seat.

Right now, the next in line are

———————————————-
Race winner in F1
———————————————-
Charles Leclerc (nearly there!)
———————————————-
———————————————-
———————————————-
Alex Albon (in a top team)
———————————————-
———————————————-
———————————————-
———————————————-
Lando Norris (waiting on McLaren)
———————————————-
———————————————-
Esteban Ocon (waiting on Mercedes)
George Russell (waiting on Mercedes)
———————————————-

And, bluntly, nobody else has much of a chance.

 

Sainz has as much chance as Norris in this. 

[Outsider]

Sainz has as much chance as Norris in this. 

true, McLaren have difficulties giving both cars good strategy

[sopa]

I think the difference between Sainz and Norris is that Sainz is already established good midfield driver, who is unlikely to be hired by top 3 teams. His best shot is if McLaren ever becomes competitive again. However, what concerns Norris, he is still in a development phase as a driver. He could emerge as superior to Sainz and become a genuine object of interest for top teams. We will see.

[Ali623]

I think the difference between Sainz and Norris is that Sainz is already established good midfield driver, who is unlikely to be hired by top 3 teams. His best shot is if McLaren ever becomes competitive again. However, what concerns Norris, he is still in a development phase as a driver. He could emerge as superior to Sainz and become a genuine object of interest for top teams. We will see.

Sainz is only 24 and if he continues in the form he’s in currently, there’s no reason why the top teams wouldn’t be interested

[messy]

Sainz has as much chance as Norris in this.

Not sure. I don’t think Norris will necessarily win with McLaren. While McLaren are a Renault customer, are they magically going to bridge the gap to the top teams while Sainz is still there? If Norris does well, he’s young and impressive, he’ll move on. Red Bull haven’t just forgotten about him.

Seems harsh I know especially given that Sainz has been absolutely brilliant in 2019 so far.....but I’d be almost as surprised if Sainz became the next winner as if it was Hulk or Perez. It’d take an even crazier race than Germany for that to happen.

Realistically it’ll be Leclerc, with Albon an outside bet given that he’s driving for a top team now. The rest are maybe more accurately the potential winners over the next few years dependant on where they end up. Is Sainz in the mix there? Possibly I guess.

[Marklar]

Sainz is probably now in the hot seat of at some point becoming a solid and experienced #2 in a top team after Grosjean's time seems over and Hulk/Perez were ignored so far, whether it actually happens is a different question.

[sopa]

Sainz is probably now in the hot seat of at some point becoming a solid and experienced #2 in a top team after Grosjean's time seems over and Hulk/Perez were ignored so far, whether it actually happens is a different question.

 

The problem for him is that there is quite a lot of competition among the young generation, even for #2 driver positions. Russell, Norris and Ocon are all looking to get top team seats. Also Ricciardo may well be back in the picture once his Renault contract runs out.

 

Maybe in an odd twist of fate he could end up as a #2 in Ferrari or Red Bull. Mercedes I can't see - they have Ocon and Russell to choose from, not to mention they wouldn't drop Bottas for Sainz, and Max himself may well be in the running for a Merc seat.

Edited by sopa, 15 August 2019 - 10:35.

[Frentzen99]

Charles Leclerc, I am starting to become a big fan of his. I can’t wait to see him battling Max and hopefully Ocon.

[V8 Fireworks]

I already voted, but wish to change my vote to Alexander Albon.     

[chhatra]

Charles Leclerc or Alex Albon. The only drivers in cars that can win.

[Muz Bee]

It's too easy to drop into this argument and now vote for Charles. He's a shoe-in as no driver outside the top 3 teams has a chance unless there's a more dramatic wet race than Hockenheim 2019 OR he can't make it stick in one of the 9 remaining races of 2019. If that were the case then all bets are off as maybe Occon could get a seat at Mercedes for 2020. I still doubt 2020 will produce winners outside of Hamilton, Verstappen, Vettel, Bottas/Occon, so I'm staying with Leclerc if this goes into the next decade..... 

[ElectricBoogie]

It's reccently been proven possible for a RBR driver to win even on debut. In the 3rd fastest car.
I don't expect it but RBR's uprising through this season on top of great strategies, Albon has a good shot if he has fewer problems to adjust to the ccar than Gasly had. With Stroll's strategy, a second driver in a Red Bull should win Germany. Crazy races happen.

[BiggestBuddyLazierFan]

It's reccently been proven possible for a RBR driver to win even on debut. In the 3rd fastest car.
I don't expect it but RBR's uprising through this season on top of great strategies, Albon has a good shot if he has fewer problems to adjust to the ccar than Gasly had. With Stroll's strategy, a second driver in a Red Bull should win Germany. Crazy races happen.

Red Bull is 2nd fastest car on the grid. And only because of Gaslies utter incompetence it appears 3rd in standings

[Marklar]

Red Bull is 2nd fastest car on the grid. And only because of Gaslies utter incompetence it appears 3rd in standings

That's not quite true. Red Bull has been the 2nd quickest car, at times even the quickest, since Spielberg. Before that, with the exception of Monaco Ferrari was always 2nd quickest, at times quickest.

Drivers and strategy team threw away quite a bit.

[Muppetmad]

We have our answer! A new thread for the 109th GP winner?

[garoidb]

I just voted for Charles Leclerc. I have a good feeling about him.

[maximilian]

Alex Albon is next!