Any driver situation which includes Alpine as a participant can't be predicted these days. Plus, why would AT even want de Vries? He's older than Max and has less experience than Tsunoda (in F1). Not exactly the most forward-thinking approach, but these days nothing surprises me. The only thing I can think of is that RB wants to go double-Dutch from 2024/5.diffuser wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 15:19Count me in the "ain't over till the fat lady sings" Box.organic wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 12:51Eh if van Haren is reporting it as essentially a done deal, that's good enough for me. He's not just media but has been 100% accurate with RB/AT reports in the past. He's extremely close to the Verstappens and clearly has inside info into RBDChemTech wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 12:38
The media were quick to report Nyck allegedly would go to AT, but for as far we know, all he did was talk. Without an announcement, I don't rank either option higher than the other. And hell, Nyck could even go to Alpine - but even if that were announced I wouldn't take it as definitive
I would suspect it's cause Gasly wants to leave, no RBR future for him, and Alpine want him. They can force him to stay at SAT but how motivated would he be?continuum16 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:03Any driver situation which includes Alpine as a participant can't be predicted these days. Plus, why would AT even want de Vries? He's older than Max and has less experience than Tsunoda (in F1). Not exactly the most forward-thinking approach, but these days nothing surprises me. The only thing I can think of is that RB wants to go double-Dutch from 2024/5.
Williams probably would want to wait a year on Sargeant, but if they can't, then I think it will be him. I doubt he would do a worse job than Latifi...
I get Gasly's motivation to leave, I'm more surprised that de Vries would be a top choice to come in. I mean, Monza was impressive but a 27 year old Mercedes driver doesn't seem like RB's typical hunting ground. Maybe that says more about the RB junior program than de Vries, though. I mean, Checo wasn't affiliated either before he arrived after 2020. If you believe (as I do) that Yuki's backing was mostly Honda rather than RB, then Max would be the only RB junior driving for an RB team in 2023.diffuser wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:53I would suspect it's cause Gasly wants to leave, no RBR future for him, and Alpine want him. They can force him to stay at SAT but how motivated would he be?continuum16 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:03Any driver situation which includes Alpine as a participant can't be predicted these days. Plus, why would AT even want de Vries? He's older than Max and has less experience than Tsunoda (in F1). Not exactly the most forward-thinking approach, but these days nothing surprises me. The only thing I can think of is that RB wants to go double-Dutch from 2024/5.
Williams probably would want to wait a year on Sargeant, but if they can't, then I think it will be him. I doubt he would do a worse job than Latifi...
I guess Gasly had a contract that force him into resigning with SAT this spring. It doesn't otherwise make sense that he signed so early with all the driver seats that weren't settled.
NdV at AT is very similar to Hartley's stint at TR. It's not unprecedented, especially with the lack of developed talent that the RB academy is producing at the moment. Hadjar/Iwasa are the most promising right now and they're 1-2 years away; NdV is a decent stop-gap. Also has extra dutch marketing potential (not that RB needs any help with that tbf)continuum16 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 23:41I get Gasly's motivation to leave, I'm more surprised that de Vries would be a top choice to come in. I mean, Monza was impressive but a 27 year old Mercedes driver doesn't seem like RB's typical hunting ground. Maybe that says more about the RB junior program than de Vries, though. I mean, Checo wasn't affiliated either before he arrived after 2020. If you believe (as I do) that Yuki's backing was mostly Honda rather than RB, then Max would be the only RB junior driving for an RB team in 2023.diffuser wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:53I would suspect it's cause Gasly wants to leave, no RBR future for him, and Alpine want him. They can force him to stay at SAT but how motivated would he be?continuum16 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:03
Any driver situation which includes Alpine as a participant can't be predicted these days. Plus, why would AT even want de Vries? He's older than Max and has less experience than Tsunoda (in F1). Not exactly the most forward-thinking approach, but these days nothing surprises me. The only thing I can think of is that RB wants to go double-Dutch from 2024/5.
Williams probably would want to wait a year on Sargeant, but if they can't, then I think it will be him. I doubt he would do a worse job than Latifi...
I guess Gasly had a contract that force him into resigning with SAT this spring. It doesn't otherwise make sense that he signed so early with all the driver seats that weren't settled.
Only a few years ago STR/AT drivers weren't even guaranteed a full season and now the turnover, for better or for worse, has considerably slowed down.
The driver market is at a true standoff right now, with AT/Williams/Alpine all staring at each other, while Haas watches on. The question is whether Capito or Rossi will get impatient before Marko decides what to do with Gasly. The irony is that I can see Williams signing Nyck (with a sweetener from Mercedes, maybe?) meaning Gasly can't be replaced, so then Alpine will be back to square one again.
In which case, I eagerly await to see what bizarre take Rossi has after bungling another round of negotiations...
I think the more clear reason for the stalemate, is the fact that none of the drivers looking at drives next year are really a hot commodity,continuum16 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 23:41I get Gasly's motivation to leave, I'm more surprised that de Vries would be a top choice to come in. I mean, Monza was impressive but a 27 year old Mercedes driver doesn't seem like RB's typical hunting ground. Maybe that says more about the RB junior program than de Vries, though. I mean, Checo wasn't affiliated either before he arrived after 2020. If you believe (as I do) that Yuki's backing was mostly Honda rather than RB, then Max would be the only RB junior driving for an RB team in 2023.diffuser wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:53I would suspect it's cause Gasly wants to leave, no RBR future for him, and Alpine want him. They can force him to stay at SAT but how motivated would he be?continuum16 wrote: ↑23 Sep 2022, 17:03
Any driver situation which includes Alpine as a participant can't be predicted these days. Plus, why would AT even want de Vries? He's older than Max and has less experience than Tsunoda (in F1). Not exactly the most forward-thinking approach, but these days nothing surprises me. The only thing I can think of is that RB wants to go double-Dutch from 2024/5.
Williams probably would want to wait a year on Sargeant, but if they can't, then I think it will be him. I doubt he would do a worse job than Latifi...
I guess Gasly had a contract that force him into resigning with SAT this spring. It doesn't otherwise make sense that he signed so early with all the driver seats that weren't settled.
Only a few years ago STR/AT drivers weren't even guaranteed a full season and now the turnover, for better or for worse, has considerably slowed down.
The driver market is at a true standoff right now, with AT/Williams/Alpine all staring at each other, while Haas watches on. The question is whether Capito or Rossi will get impatient before Marko decides what to do with Gasly. The irony is that I can see Williams signing Nyck (with a sweetener from Mercedes, maybe?) meaning Gasly can't be replaced, so then Alpine will be back to square one again.
In which case, I eagerly await to see what bizarre take Rossi has after bungling another round of negotiations...
You'd think they could get that shot with the hard or soft tires ? Not yellow Mediums!!!!
I have a feeling that they must use mediums for those promo shots due to contracts. Pirelli historically marked their tires, at least in racing, with yellow logos so this might be due to brand recognition.