89 replies to this topic

[jonklug]

Ferrari in 2026/28. I think he fits the brand like a glove and it will happen no matter what. It's writen in the stars just like Schumacher, Alonso, Vettel  and Raikkonen. 

 

I used to think this but right now I am almost convinced he will never drive for Ferrari. One of the reasons being, I think that team will keep failing at providing a championship winning car to its drivers. So I don't think the appeal will be there unless he really just wants the challenge/prestige of driving for them. 

[jonpollak]

Bull shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiit.

 

Ah but  ....It's twue, It's twue !!!

No one on his side of the garage enjoys working with him anymore.

He can't take losing.

Word is that's why he's become sullen and a petulant child.

 

 

I liked the 'go to Andretti' quip that BRG threw down.

Jp

[Nemo1965]

Ah but ....It's twue, It's twue !!!
No one on his side of the garage enjoys working with him anymore.
He can't take losing.
Word is that's why he's become sullen and a petulant child.


I liked the 'go to Andretti' quip that BRG threw down.
Jp

‘Lady, you’re licking my arm.’

[Nathan]

I would think Papa Stroll would be more than happy to let Max race Le Mans in an Aston if he joins his F1 team...

But then he is still in F1.

[jacdaniel]

It’s a tough one for Max. He’s a very loyal guy and I don’t see him easily walking away from Red Bull unless it is certain that they won’t be able to compete.

There’s also no guarantees that Merc, Aston etc will be the right move. For such a talented driver, the wisest thing might be to stay put and see ends up top dog in 2026

[Taxi]

I used to think this but right now I am almost convinced he will never drive for Ferrari. One of the reasons being, I think that team will keep failing at providing a championship winning car to its drivers. So I don't think the appeal will be there unless he really just wants the challenge/prestige of driving for them. 

 

It will happen. Every gerational talent ended up there except for Senna (and arguabily Mika) who died before he could have the chance. Even Hamilton eventually found the way to Maranello at 40. Max will too, he has 10 more years of competitive seasons in him.  

[Nemo1965]

About Max being a a leader or not: that can not be established by either his results or his public demeanor, only what happens in the factory and behind the scenes at Grand Prix. None of us are privy to that, or will be for the duration of his career. Only later, with creditable witnesses, one can state with some certainty that Schumacher, Hill, Senna, Lauda, Prost did galvanize the team with more than their results, while Ickx, Arnoux, Mansell and Hakkinen were fabulously fast but in essence only interested in driving.

I have no idea about Max his behavior behind the scenes of the F1-world, neither does any of you all. Btw: I hope that Max drives for three different F1-teams in his career, or three different classes. I just want to see tested how good he really is.

[noriaki]

I like changes and thus would love to see him drive anywhere outside of the RBR organization.

[Benchulo]

About Max being a a leader or not: that can not be established by either his results or his public demeanor, only what happens in the factory and behind the scenes at Grand Prix. None of us are privy to that, or will be for the duration of his career. Only later, with creditable witnesses, one can state with some certainty that Schumacher, Hill, Senna, Lauda, Prost did galvanize the team with more than their results, while Ickx, Arnoux, Mansell and Hakkinen were fabulously fast but in essence only interested in driving.

I have no idea about Max his behavior behind the scenes of the F1-world, neither does any of you all. Btw: I hope that Max drives for three different F1-teams in his career, or three different classes. I just want to see tested how good he really is.

Definitely it's quite hard to tell, how much influence Verstappen has behind the scenes. People working with him truly knows. But honestly, throwing his own team under the bus, or throwing tantrums publicly many a times, when everything is not going smooth as he likes, like in Hungary, is not a good quality of a leader, IMHO. Schumacher never did that.

Edited by Benchulo, 09 August 2024 - 03:20.

[teejay]

Juncos in Indycar replacing Argentina's great star Canapino! 

[renzmann]

Mercedes 2025 please.

 

Here's why. I like RBR, so I want them to dry out massively, become the new Alpine and have Horner leave eventually. Afterwards, they can rebuild and slowly rise to the top again. Verstappen leaving as early as 2025 - to the arch enemy, no less - would be perfect for that scenario to happen. I also like Verstappen, so I want him to have a competitive car to have a shot at the WDC. As of now, I have more faith in Merc than in RBR to achieve that in 2025. Come 2026, Merc will probably come up with a beast of an engine, so Verstappen's chances for future WDCs would be taken care of.

 

After winning winning and winning and winning with Merc, Verstappen - now the oldest driver in the field - returns to the old nest again for one final season. Post-Horner RBR now have regained some competitiveness, but aren't quite there yet, which is why TV pundit Hamilton argues this will ruin Verstappen's legacy a bit, just like his Ferrari adventure has done to his carreer, respectively. In what arguably will be his best season yet, Verstappen uses all of his old dog's racing tricks (most notably brake testing Antonelli in Saudi Arabia, a nod to 2021) to win WDC no. 10.

 

You're welcome.

 

 

As a sidenote: I hope he won't go to Aston Martin. Such a soulless team.

[AlexPrime]

RBR, to continue winning with them   
BUT, Ferrari will be magic.

[Lowgrip]

He will go where there is no tough(and proven) teammate, otherwise he will stay at RedBull and retire.

Mark my words.

[Laptom]

He will go where there is no tough(and proven) teammate, otherwise he will stay at RedBull and retire.

Mark my words.

Like racewinners Sainz, Ricciardo, Gashly and Perez? Even Albon would be a 2-time race winner without the rear wheel bowling actions of Hamilton.

As Max said, he doesn't care who would be his team mate. He will take the challenge.

[Lowgrip]

Like racewinners Sainz, Ricciardo, Gashly and Perez? Even Albon would be a 2-time race winner without the rear wheel bowling actions of Hamilton.

As Max said, he doesn't care who would be his team mate. He will take the challenge.

 

In fact I said "mark my words".

 

Max has nothing to gain(but a lot to lose) by going against Russell/Leclerc/Hamilton/Alonso. 
He is already considered as equal or greater than Senna(who by the way has had Prost as a teammate).

I suspect he will do a Schumacher and then retire. 

Edited by Lowgrip, 11 August 2024 - 09:03.

[P123]

I'm not sure I'd describe a driver like Albon who has led a total of 1 lap as a would-be race winner.  Twice over.    As 'maybe' goes, it's not even close.

 

A for Max, I think he goes wherever offers him the best opportunity of winning.

[Kao18]

In fact I said "mark my words".

 

Max has nothing to gain(but a lot to lose) by going against Russell/Leclerc/Hamilton/Alonso. 
He is already considered as equal or greater than Senna(who by the way has had Prost as a teammate).

I suspect he will do a Schumacher and then retire. 

 

So those 4 are the only tough teammates according to you?

 

Leclerc and Hamilton are each others teammates for the next two years so he cant go against them even of he wanted too.

 

You can leave them out and that would only leave two for you, I can definitely see him going to Mercedes or Aston Martin if the prospects of having a race winning car there are better than at Red Bull, regardless of whom is in the other car.

 

Fun fact by the way, all of Max' teammates (5 in total) are still in F1 and next years line up at Williams is being lauded as one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid. Meanwhile Bottas is still without a seat for next season...

Edited by Kao18, 11 August 2024 - 10:14.

[Sterzo]

Max has nothing to gain(but a lot to lose) by going against Russell/Leclerc/Hamilton/Alonso.

Beating them. That's what he has to gain. He's done it before, and no doubt wants to do it again. He's a racing driver.

Edited by Sterzo, 11 August 2024 - 10:37.

[AlexPrime]

Beating them. That's what he has to gain. He's done it before, and no doubt wants to do it again. He's a racing driver.

His main focus would be on competing for championships, not on satisfying his forum haters.

[RainyAfterlifeDaylight]

HRT

[YoungGun]

Any larger than life young British driver. 

[lewislorenzo]

Not fussed about the team just want him up against a top level driver😂

[JonTon]

Replacing Alonso, as I can’t imagine Stroll being left out.

You have to wonder whether Alonso would want to stick around after next season if Aston don't improve on their current performance. Will Newey's impact be felt in time before Alonso loses patience?

[Beamer]

Anything but Merc. 

[Beri]

Not fussed about the team just want him up against a top level driver

 

Then lets boot Leclerc out and have Verstappen vs Hamilton at Ferrari. If they can manage to make Ferrari World champion and one of them becomes drivers champion, you will have the wet dream of about every Tifosi there is.

[Joseki]

You have to wonder whether Alonso would want to stick around after next season if Aston don't improve on their current performance. Will Newey's impact be felt in time before Alonso loses patience?

It's nonsensical for Alonso to retire in 2025 when the factory will be completed early next year in time for 2026 and Newey will begin working in April-May 2025.

The very reason he agreed to the AM extension was to wait for 2026.

[Lowgrip]

Beating them. That's what he has to gain. He's done it before, and no doubt wants to do it again. He's a racing driver.

Done it before where/when? 

On each occasion where he has been less than solid this year, he would have found himself behind those at the chequered flag if in the same team.
 

It will not happen as along as Marko or Verstappen Sr. is around. 

Mark my comment. We will revisit it in due time. 

[JonTon]

It's nonsensical for Alonso to retire in 2025 when the factory will be completed early next year in time for 2026 and Newey will begin working in April-May 2025.

The very reason he agreed to the AM extension was to wait for 2026.

 

No doubt that was his motivation when he resigned but I could still see him throwing in the towel early if things are horrendous next season, after all he hasn't always had the most patience with his previous teams. Also, what if Aston had a chance to sign Max for 2026, would they really turn that down in favour of a 44/45 year old Alonso? Or would they pay him off / move him into the WEC team. Not that I want any of this to happen, I would love to see Alonso win a third WDC in 2026. 

[Laptom]

In fact I said "mark my words".

 

Max has nothing to gain(but a lot to lose) by going against Russell/Leclerc/Hamilton/Alonso. 
He is already considered as equal or greater than Senna(who by the way has had Prost as a teammate).

I suspect he will do a Schumacher and then retire. 

 

I don't believe that is how Max thinks. He doesn't think in gaining status or making money (off course it is nice, but not his motivator). He just wants to win. He thinks and believes he is the best and in his opinion they can put everybody next to him. Keep in mind, Perez was never the choice of Max and he repeately said that he is fighting the other teams alone and driving as without a teammate... He is not wrong.

[DS27]

The thought that Max would be worried going against Russell is funnier than that Australian break-dancer

[lewislorenzo]

The thought that Max would be worried going against Russell is funnier than that Australian break-dancer

Jos would be worried

[Baddoer]

Spyker F1

[JeanAlesi27]

Max,  Newey,  Honda.       

 

I suspect he's most likely to head to Merc if he does decide to leave Red Bull.  Being reunited with Newey and Honda at Aston Martin may be appealing too though.  And AM will need a big name once Alonso decides to retire.

 

Yep.

[cbo]

Then lets boot Leclerc out and have Verstappen vs Hamilton at Ferrari. If they can manage to make Ferrari World champion and one of them becomes drivers champion, you will have the wet dream of about every Tifosi there is.

That would result in a pile of red autoparts in the first corner of every race....😄

[Bliman]

I would like to see Max drive for Ferrari. And I would even like it more if he goes against Hamilton. Something got to happen then and it would be interesting to see how the drivers cope with Ferrari and how Ferrari would cope with the drivers. It also would be nice to see if Ferrari would get to the absolute top then.

Leclerc could join Mercedes because it would be very interesting against Russell.

One can dream, can't we.

[William Hunt]

I'd like to see him drive a garbage collecting truck, considering his poor behaviour over the radio and his on-track antis. Unsportive drivers should have no place in F1 imho, no matter how talented they are.

[George Costanza]

It's hard to know how good he is as a leader behind the scenes as we don't get much of a glimpse. Thay said, from what we've seen he doesn't appear to have many leadership qualities ala Schumacher.

To be fair, nobody has or had the same qualifications as Michael in terms of leadership. That's exactly what made him quite special at Ferrari. And every driver at Ferrari after Michael has faced intense pressure and couldn't quite do it or tried to do what Michael did.

Edited by George Costanza, 22 August 2024 - 18:26.

[George Costanza]

I used to think this but right now I am almost convinced he will never drive for Ferrari. One of the reasons being, I think that team will keep failing at providing a championship winning car to its drivers. So I don't think the appeal will be there unless he really just wants the challenge/prestige of driving for them.

I agree with that.

[Brian60]

Considering how aggressive he becomes when challenged I would say he's best suited for a seat in NASCAR or maybe a demolition derby.

[SenorSjon]

To be fair, nobody has or had the same qualifications as Michael in terms of leadership. That's exactly what made him quite special at Ferrari. And every driver at Ferrari after Michael has faced intense pressure and couldn't quite do it or tried to do what Michael did.

 

It won't take long for the dry spell of titles at Ferrari reaches the same length pre-Schumacher times.

Big WDC gaps (since 1950):

1: 1979-2000 (21)

2: 2007-present (17)

3: 1964-1975 (11)

 

Big WCC gaps (awarded since 1958)

1. 2008-present (16)

2. 1983-1999 (16)

3: 1964-1975 (11)

 

However, when Schumacher started, it was 16 years when he started the 1996 campaign.