3627 replies to this topic

[kumo7]

blakey, on 16 Jan 2025 - 15:34, said:

No there is someone else who i think they have promoted within i believe

 

Very curious.

I have not got a clue.

 

 

pup, on 16 Jan 2025 - 16:11, said:

Well, I think when comparing Wheatley vs Courtenay; first, they're only letting Wheatley out three months early, which isn't much; and second, I don't think that we've heard the last on when Courtenay will start.  My guess is that he'll end up starting the first of 26 rather than have to wait until mid season - so, a similar three or four month early exit from his contract.  

 

Plus, Wheatley isn't going to be a threat at Audi.  Courtenay, on the other hand, I suspect will bring institutional knowledge that can quickly slot into a corresponding gap at McLaren.  

 

Whatever deed RedBull makes this year, will be the asset of McLaren. When it fails then the reason for it, when it recover, as well. 

 

When this internal shuffle can be effective, it wil only be good for the Mclaren's future. So Far, HR is doing a great job. 

[Maustinsj]

New Britain, on 16 Jan 2025 - 16:14, said:

Very possible and you might be right, but it does seem a bit petty (albeit entirely understandable) for them to hold back Courtenay when in Hannah Schmidt they already have his replacement and there is no end of compliments about how good she is at the job.

Petty seems to be Horner’s middle name.

[GreenMachine]

Maustinsj, on 17 Jan 2025 - 23:29, said:

Petty seems to be Horner’s middle name.

 

Seems quite reasonable to me, if not actually quite smart.  If the facts support it (under contract, contract provisions), I would too.  I am not going to let a valuable member of my staff go work for a very close competitor any sooner that the latest possible time I can possibly manage.

 

And if anyone can't see the difference between McLaren and Sauber in this context, they should consult the WCC standings and the relative points of those two teams. 

 

The quoted comment is typical of some of the nonsense spouted in these 'team' threads by posters who, to paraphrase the metaphor, put their keyboards in motion before their brains are in gear. 

[PitViperRacing]

Agree with above. I have no issues with it. It's the smart move competitively

[RPM40]

New Britain, on 16 Jan 2025 - 16:14, said:

Very possible and you might be right, but it does seem a bit petty (albeit entirely understandable) for them to hold back Courtenay when in Hannah Schmidt they already have his replacement and there is no end of compliments about how good she is at the job.

 

Its like Martin Whitmarsh and Brawn with Mercedes.

 

Never let your competition have a concession, always push for the maximum advantage. McLaren wouldn't have hired him if they didn't think it was as advantage.

[PayasYouRace]

This is the 2025 McLaren thread, not Lando vs Max 2024 or the driving standards thread. Come on, it’s still a January and you already can’t be trusted to remain on topic.

[RedRabbit]

SparkPlug86, on 03 Jan 2025 - 20:35, said:

Maybe, we'll see... it's happened before, it can happen again.

It did. Back in 2015, which was also a car that Newey was not involved with initially, while he took some time to work on yachts.

[Autodromo]

I have perhaps an odd question for the UK folks here.  I have never met, nor even heard of, anyone named "Lando" before other than the dude from Star Wars.  Is that a common name in the UK? 

[DW46]

Autodromo, on 20 Jan 2025 - 17:35, said:

I have perhaps an odd question for the UK folks here. I have never met, nor even heard of, anyone named "Lando" before other than the dude from Star Wars. Is that a common name in the UK?

Nope.

[KWSN - DSM]

https://en.wikipedia...ki/Lando_(name)

[1player]

KWSN - DSM, on 20 Jan 2025 - 18:00, said:

https://en.wikipedia...ki/Lando_(name)

Sounds like it's from medieval Italian origin (Landulf) - that said, I don't know any Italian person with that name either.

 

Oh well, I don't see anything wrong with fancy or original names. That's what they're for.

[mclarensmps]

The Doge of Venice is my new favourite thing. Apologies this is totally off topic but 

[BRG]

I always assumed it was short for Orlando, but apparently not.  His English father and Flemish mother appear to have selected an old Italian name for their wee laddie.

 

KWSN - DSM, on 20 Jan 2025 - 18:00, said:

https://en.wikipedia...ki/Lando_(name)

I like that Lando is so famous that he isn't in this list of Landos!  

[mclarensmps]

We've got to turn this Lando into the Doge of Woking

[baddog]

BRG, on 21 Jan 2025 - 18:50, said:

I always assumed it was short for Orlando, but apparently not.  His English father and Flemish mother appear to have selected an old Italian name for their wee laddie.

 

I like that Lando is so famous that he isn't in this list of Landos!  

 

He is

[BRG]

baddog, on 21 Jan 2025 - 19:34, said:

He is

Oops!

[BRG]

mclarensmps, on 21 Jan 2025 - 19:19, said:

We've got to turn this Lando into the Doge of Woking

They do have a canal in Woking, so...

[CPR]

mclarensmps, on 21 Jan 2025 - 19:19, said:

We've got to turn this Lando into the Doge of Woking

 
Venice is an incredible place with an amazing history. Would be nice to see Lando achieve a 1% of that.
 


(yes this is AI generated)

[kumo7]

Drivers have got to race with both their feet on the ground. 

[CPR]

kumo7, on 22 Jan 2025 - 01:22, said:

Drivers have got to race with both their feet on the ground. 

 

Bit too much drag...

[kumo7]

CPR, on 22 Jan 2025 - 01:43, said:

Bit too much drag...

Sorry, I am perhaps a little too thick...

[Mc_Silver]

https://www.instagra...TE2MHJicGx3eTZl

[kumo7]

Mc_Silver, on 22 Jan 2025 - 10:12, said:

https://www.instagra...TE2MHJicGx3eTZl

quite a different Lando, quietly being confident, calm, not funny, serious, focused. Becoming excited!

[jensfan09]

kumo7, on 22 Jan 2025 - 16:09, said:

quite a different Lando, quietly being confident, calm, not funny, serious, focused. Becoming excited!

Even compared to the start of this year, he has really matured, especially since the summer break!

[KWSN - DSM]

Norris is secure in himself, in him being able to keep Piastri behind him, in the McLaren being competitive, in him being in the thick of the WDC battle from the 1st race. 

[Mc_Silver]

KWSN - DSM, on 22 Jan 2025 - 16:17, said:

Norris is secure in himself, in him being able to keep Piastri behind him, in the McLaren being competitive, in him being in the thick of the WDC battle from the 1st race.

https://www.instagra...GFlNWpodTg4MQ==

https://www.instagra...mswZGQ4dTBuMzBm

Edited by Mc_Silver, 22 January 2025 - 20:36.

[DW46]

He’s got supply problems, he’s got labour difficulties of every kind but yeah he’s responsible.

Edited by DW46, 22 January 2025 - 21:46.

[kumo7]

Mc_Silver, on 22 Jan 2025 - 20:32, said:

https://www.instagra...GFlNWpodTg4MQ==

https://www.instagra...mswZGQ4dTBuMzBm

 

Lando now delivered the philosophy of McLaren to us. Lovely. He is speaking for McLaren,where he is strongly integrated as one, lovely. I support this team's great adventure and the project. McLaren Project 2025! Win both titles! I believe it! Beat the Red hype elsewhere, beat the blue and yellow!     

[kumo7]

I have to watch-out not to over heat.

[PayasYouRace]

Last day at work for one of my colleagues. He’s off to McLaren as a project engineer. Best of luck to him, but he’s a good engineer and good guy so he’ll be an asset for sure.

[kumo7]

PayasYouRace, on 23 Jan 2025 - 09:55, said:

Last day at work for one of my colleagues. He’s off to McLaren as a project engineer. Best of luck to him, but he’s a good engineer and good guy so he’ll be an asset for sure.

 

This is interesting.

Going to work for McLaren, means he will know more about McLaren... is his position like knowing it inside-out? ... huummm

 

 

Do we know more about what is going on with Oscar? Looking forward to hear from him. 

[PayasYouRace]

kumo7, on 23 Jan 2025 - 12:28, said:

This is interesting.
Going to work for McLaren, means he will know more about McLaren... is his position like knowing it inside-out? ... huummm


Do we know more about what is going on with Oscar? Looking forward to hear from him.

Don’t get your hopes up. I don’t expect to hear from him ever again. I didn’t even know his name until this morning. We worked on different programmes.

[Maustinsj]

PayasYouRace, on 23 Jan 2025 - 12:32, said:

Don’t get your hopes up. I don’t expect to hear from him ever again. I didn’t even know his name until this morning. We work on different programmes.

 

[mclarensmps]

PayasYouRace, on 23 Jan 2025 - 09:55, said:

Last day at work for one of my colleagues. He’s off to McLaren as a project engineer. Best of luck to him, but he’s a good engineer and good guy so he’ll be an asset for sure.

 

Congratulations to your colleague! Living some of our dreams here! 

[SophieB]

Quote

Ex-Sauber managing director and team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has joined McLaren in the team's newly created role of chief business affairs officer.

Alunni Bravi will report directly to McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and as part of his new remit will head up McLaren's driver development programme.

McLaren has also announced several other changes to its management structure.

 

https://www.autospor...-exit/10690931/

[rodlamas]

https://www.mclaren....ffairs-officer/

Zak just cannot stop

[mclarensmps]

Excellent, and starting right away to hit the ground running!

[kumo7]

PayasYouRace, on 23 Jan 2025 - 12:32, said:

Don’t get your hopes up. I don’t expect to hear from him ever again. I didn’t even know his name until this morning. We worked on different programmes.

if he had joy to join us here, will be fun.

there was another surprising signing from Sauber. This is truly surprising to me.

[kumo7]

rodlamas, on 23 Jan 2025 - 17:28, said:

https://www.mclaren....ffairs-officer/

Zak just cannot stop

 

It is significant how he does all of these. 

[Mark A]

PayasYouRace, on 23 Jan 2025 - 09:55, said:

Last day at work for one of my colleagues. He’s off to McLaren as a project engineer. Best of luck to him, but he’s a good engineer and good guy so he’ll be an asset for sure.

There are a few McLaren companies, Racing (F1 team), Automotive (incl. customer racing and MSO) & Applied.

If he isn't going to F1 he won't know much more than you.

[PayasYouRace]

Mark A, on 24 Jan 2025 - 08:36, said:

There are a few McLaren companies, Racing (F1 team), Automotive (incl. customer racing and MSO) & Applied.

If he isn't going to F1 he won't know much more than you.

He is definitely going to the F1 team. We spoke to him yesterday as he did the rounds saying goodbye to everyone.

[kumo7]

FIA on drivers expressive words. Autosport uses FIA boss and Norris shaking hands.

https://www.autospor...-body/10691122/

It appears to me that this is directly linked with the policy that Red Bull have been using to promote ‘excitement’ that is brand put forward.

Is it only me who think that the phrases were spoken by Red Bull drivers more than of other? Seb, Max, Yuki, they are an excitable character which were celebrated by the FOM as having the character. here I mean by RedBull because there was no clear definition this commercial assets of FOM of being ’the character’ on the grid.

Autosport choose the shoot that Norris and Sulayem shaking hands for this article, which is interesting. I take it that FIA rates Norris as the model; woops it is Autosport who is doing this… But imagine if and when FIA implements this role in practice, and starting to collect cash for swearing… it may eventually incur extra punishment with which some drivers will not be allowed to race for a month in the racing series where there are 24 races a year… excludes Decembers, Januarys, Februarys and Augusts for the racing season, so it comes down to 24 races during eight months, the races per month in avarange… ok even if it were 22 races, the points which this driver might lose are astronomical… what kind of struggle must a expressive driver go through to meet this FIA sporting codes? if a team vos being punished…

So may i conclude that Norris got an advantage?

Edited by kumo7, 24 January 2025 - 23:53.

[BRG]

kumo7, on 24 Jan 2025 - 23:42, said:

So may i conclude that Norris got an advantage?

What, by being a decent human being who understands his role as a sporting celebrity and acts accordingly?  An easy advantage for all the others too, if they want it.

[kumo7]

BRG, on 25 Jan 2025 - 10:00, said:

What, by being a decent human being who understands his role as a sporting celebrity and acts accordingly?  An easy advantage for all the others too, if they want it.

 

The delta to Max is so tiny, even a slighjtest thing like this can give Norris in McLaren a favor... 

[PayasYouRace]

I’ve seen some pretty wild takes here but Norris getting an advantage because Autosport chose to illustrate their article with a picture of Norris himself reluctantly shaking hands with MBS as a strong contender for the wildest of the year already.

[mclarensmps]

Maybe Oscar has the biggest advantage since he tends to say nothing at all!

[GlenWatkins]

mclarensmps, on 25 Jan 2025 - 14:23, said:

Maybe Oscar has the biggest advantage since he tends to say nothing at all!

Just another instance proving that he is mature beyond his years: He understands the power of keeping ones mouth shut. 

[kumo7]

GlenWatkins, on 25 Jan 2025 - 15:09, said:

Just another instance proving that he is mature beyond his years: He understands the power of keeping ones mouth shut. 

 

Sorry I have to laugh myself. 

It sounds funny to hear that Norris got advantage because Autosport choose him with MBS for the article.

 

Objectively speaking, it close to none sense.

 

What I wanted to say was the reasoning behind it rather than the fact. It is reasonable to assume that Norris has the least issue with MBS. 

Max may get penalty during the season, I mean this could only work better For Norris.

 

Never the less, I can agree that advantage does not come from this corner. It comes from the huge team efforts and the developments that both drivers and the team had made till the start of the season.   

[Mc_Silver]

Full interview with Lando

https://www.youtube....ive/VYsgk0pIKTU

Edited by Mc_Silver, 26 January 2025 - 20:50.

[numberten]

Mc_Silver, on 26 Jan 2025 - 20:49, said:

Full interview with Lando

https://www.youtube....ive/VYsgk0pIKTU

 

I'm interested to see if there will be any announcements regarding Mastercard prior to the livery launches - their presence seems to have stepped up slightly over the past couple weeks. It would be the obvious choice for the teams first title sponsor in a number of years (over a decade?).

 

As for the season ahead - it feels quite strange going into a season as favourites, it's been a while! I'm expecting a rollercoaster, Ferrari especially weren't too far behind on pace and you'd expect Verstappen to be a factor of course. Mercedes seem to have been fastest on specific circuits, and I could see that continuing into 2025. The driver dynamics are going to be so interesting - both Lando and Oscar will see this as their first big shot at winning a WDC, and those don't come along too often in the average career so neither will be willing to give an inch, regardless of their relationship. I hope the team is ready to manage this - the good thing is that Ferrari may have the same issues to manage internally. 

 

Last year I was just hoping for a win in a race where Red Bull/Verstappen slipped up - we got a lot more than that and as a result expectations have changed dramatically. This season won't be easy with 4 teams challenging for wins, but I'm confident in the team to bring home both championships this year. Let's go!