Auto Racing Thread

[Obsidian]

Did Max actually finish 20 seconds ahead of Checo? lol

[Krandor]

I mean did we really expect anything less? Next season prolly gonna be the exact same story as well, Red Bull nailed it so hard on the initial regs everyone is just huffing copiun that things will be different for 2026 with the new ones.

[Zetanio]

I think if you swapped Sainz into Checo's seat that gap would be substantially smaller.

[Demosthenes]

I keep trying to explain the difference between Sainz and Leclerc to people. The simplest way to put it, is that Leclerc has the pace Sainz doesn't have, but Sainz makes up for it with racing intelligence and the best comparison I can make for Sainz is Alonso. Either way, the gap between them is not that big and it really just depends on what kind of driver you want. If Lewis outclasses Leclerc and is in contention for the championship due to Ferrari magically not being clown shoes, they're gonna wish they kept Sainz.

[Krandor]

Ferrari magically not being clown shoes

Yeah I don't see that happening

[Zetanio]

I don't think it'll ever get a real comparison because Ferrari wears clown shoes.

[Krandor]

There is like... a lot going on with Red Bull in the last 24 hours.

It legitimately sounds like Verstappen leaving at the end of the season and going to another team might not be off the table because of all the behind the scenes nonsense going on with Horner.

[Zetanio]

Jos needs to fuck right off though. I fucking hate that guy. Marko and Horner clearly hate eachother and have their camps. we'll see what happens.

[Demosthenes]

Max isn't going anywhere. What other team would he want to be on? Sounds like Jos just wants to be principal or have his dick sucked 100% of the time.

[Obsidian]

Jos thinks he's a much bigger deal than he actually is. There's no chance in hell Max is going to another team after beating everybody by 20+ seconds in the first race of the season. No other car is even remotely close.

[Krandor]

I assume even the thought of Verstappen leaving is just to put public pressure on Red Bull ownership, cause even if Horner is super buddy buddy with the majority owners no way would you keep him over Max.

[Zetanio]

Newey and Max are more important than Horner.

[Nitsuki]

Newey and Max are more important than Horner.

Pretty much this, i can’t see Max leaving, but his dad needs to fuck right off.

[Demosthenes]

Newey and Max are more important than Horner.

Debatable. Horner is the reason they have either, and Horner has steered the team right since he showed up with them.

[Zetanio]

Debatable. Horner is the reason they have either, and Horner has steered the team right since he showed up with them.

I agree but the car is rock solid now through 2026 regs so they could have a fuckin statue as TD and still probably take 2024/25/26

[Demosthenes]

I agree but the car is rock solid now through 2026 regs so they could have a fuckin statue as TD and still probably take 2024/25/26

Unless Horner has actually done some shit they want to get rid of him for, 2026 is nothing. The same can be said about Max and Newey for the most part. They want to stay up front as long as possible, especially since it's 100% advertising for them. He's also absolutely critical for Honda shit right now, and Ford shit in the future. He might be a sniveling fuck, but he's been a spectacular and shrewd CEO and Principal for RBR and his removal will cause a backslide. If the car is competitive enough for fucking Perez to give the team a 1-2, I'd hazard Max might be the most replaceable. Put Leclerc, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Alonso or even Sainz in there and most of the races will shake out almost the same for RBR. The only time Max matters is when they are actually in contention with someone, which, they're not.

[Salodin]

I assume even the thought of Verstappen leaving is just to put public pressure on Red Bull ownership, cause even if Horner is super buddy buddy with the majority owners no way would you keep him over Max.

Pretty much this. Max is no stranger to turning a blind eye to drama, I can't imagine he'd jump ship when no other team is winning a championship until the new regs in 2026...maybe.

That said, I'm hella surprised this is all shaking out like this. Horner being dropped would be catastrophic to the team, but not enough to lose a title I don't think. Maybe the sport is big enough that his guiding hand isn't as necessary anymore for things like marketing, sponsorships, and what not. I don't think he was guiding their Jr. drivers either.

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[Demosthenes]

NFI about the junior program, I always just assumed that was Helmut's thing, but I don't actually know.

[Krandor]

While this is all going on too, the FIA president is getting investigated for race interference (from last season when Alonso had a penalty that took away his podium spot but then the penalty was rescinded, apparently at the order of Sulayem)

[Salodin]

Good, fuck that guy. These regs suck and the decisions lately have blown. Fuck off

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