quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Perez needs to get his walking papers after Mexico. The car was at least this weekend but he’s still .6 or more off.

If RBR had as strong of a driver pair as McLaren, Mercedes or Ferrari, they'd truly be unstoppable.

I think McLaren has the best pair of drivers with Ferrari & Mercedes just a bit off the lead.

Alonso to race in his 400th GP this weekend.
Just to be good enough that someone will pay you to race in that many races is an accomplishment.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Alonso to race in his 400th GP this weekend.
Just to be good enough that someone will pay you to race in that many races is an accomplishment.

I have always like Alonso. He is a fine driver, and even in a middle of the pack car, he entertains. His longevity is impressive.

I have enjoyed Valterri Bottas this past season. Dang I wish he was in a competitive car.

quote:

Originally posted by redstone:
I have enjoyed Valterri Bottas this past season. Dang I wish he was in a competitive car.

Saw a comment by him that returning to Mercedes as a reserve driver may be the only option, if he doesn't get an extension at Sauber/Audi
Suppose that could do as an Antonelli stand-in if the rookie struggles to get to pace.

It's looking like if Bottas can't do anything impressive in that Sauber like scoring points, then he might have to do a Ricciardo and spend a year at Mercedes.

I'm also impressed at Pato O'Ward in FP1. For someone that never drove the current McLaren, never drove the track, was told not to push because we need the data, and had a floor change, he was still only 0.3 behind Piastri. There were even Pato O'Ward cardboard heads traveling around the stands, but if you believe IndyCar management, he's just not popular enough to hold a race in Mexico...

8th in FP1/2 so maybe the Mexico track suits the Sauber a bit?
We'll see where he finishes quali.

The Sauber really isn't a good car this season.
This about sums it up

^^^^

Passing on the outside in the rain??

Not a bad race, actually got to watch it live for once.
Had the rain come in during the closing laps it really would've spiced it up.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Not a bad race, actually got to watch it live for once.
Had the rain come in during the closing laps it really would've spiced it up.

Agreed!

At least they are finally getting started, belatedly, on getting serious with penalties.

I was a bit shocked to see it twice, and the severity, but both deserved, IMO.
Decent comeback from it though, compared to the other side of the garage...

Max was driving angry this weekend. When they informed him of his first 10 second penalty he goes :"Quite impressive." I think he is feeling the pressure and these remaining races are going to be great because the championship is still up for grabs.

I almost feel bad for Checo and having to deal with the constant questions about last time there, etc. It's sort of like Danny Ric all over again. I get that it's a tough business, but that's gotta sting.

Red Bull seems to have the biggest overall gap between their drivers. For the most part all the teams have their drivers, on average, finish/perform fairly close to each other.

Perez is consistently pretty off the pace compared to Max.

But, I do agree, has to sting to have that on your ear/over your head all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by xd45man:
Max was driving angry this weekend. When they informed him of his first 10 second penalty he goes :"Quite impressive." I think he is feeling the pressure and these remaining races are going to be great because the championship is still up for grabs.

Unless Max DNFs and Lando gets a podium in the same race idk that this will get close enough to really challenge his lead.

Max picked up half the penalty points needed for a one race ban in Mexico.
They seem to be onto his game now so that could come into play too.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Max picked up half the penalty points needed for a one race ban in Mexico.
They seem to be onto his game now so that could come into play too.

I would love that. He's gotten away with this stuff for far too many years.

We had a pair of good races on Sunday as even NASCAR was worth watching. One of the recent quotes out there is George Russell confirmed that "19 out of 20 drivers believe driving standards need to be looked at." No surprise who the dissenting driver is.

There's also another news article out at RACER.com that Honer would not confirm if Perez would see out the rest of the year. If Red Bull does finish 3rd in the Constructors, the fault will lay entirely on him for keeping Perez when he's been a burden on the team for at least a year and a half.

Might be a good chance for Yuki to get a test in the big boy team & bump SP down to RB.
Or Lawson or on a long shot DR3 gets a brief return shot.

Sky commentary [I think] mentioned that Yuki & Liam may be a bit too hotheaded to earn a full time seat at RBR. Yuki has been better, but still seems to get hot under the collar quicker than most.

Lawson's not just showing up Perez. I think the shine's off of Yuki after only two races too.
At COTA he got spanked by Lawson.
He's quickly reverting to his over aggressive driving that results in spins and crashes.
First, he crashed out of qualifying which most likely kept Lawson from going into Q3, ahead of Yuki.
The crash at the start was due to trying to take a bit more than what was really there. The first few cars he passed were good moves. The last part, where there just wasn't room, is what put him out and was a bit of desperation move.