Lotus F1 Team have confirmed that the 2014 GP2 champion, and the team's current test driver, Jolyon Palmer will race for the team during the 2016 F1 season, alongside Pastor Maldonado.
I think Lewis would believe he could still win and Ric is a much calmer presence it seems.henra wrote:I'm just not sure Lewis would like that idea too much.ME4ME wrote: I think Ricciardo might fancy Rosbergs seat, and Toto just might like that idea as well
I would see it as if they wanted him, this would be the time. His STR deal is up at the end of this year, and I'll wager by 2017 he'll either be in a Red Bull, a Ferrari or a Mercedes. He wouldn't be the finished article, but a season or two alongside Hamilton before he retires would be an excellent idea, leaving him to potentially lead the team afterwards.PlatinumZealot wrote:It would be too easy for Lewis if you do that now haha. Verstappen is not the fastest qualifier and he would have a tough time with the mercedes pitstop strategy.
I hope this doesn't become a repeat of the Kimi to RBR sagadjos wrote:Won't happen, Webber was the last non-redbull junior driver to drive for the team and the junior ranks are now so chock full of talent there's no way they need Britney in their team causing trouble!FrukostScones wrote: but ROS in a 2017 RB could wreak havoc though
Not yet anyways, the guy is just 18 and a rookie, he might come into his own in this department too.PlatinumZealot wrote:It would be too easy for Lewis if you do that now haha. Verstappen is not the fastest qualifier and he would have a tough time with the mercedes pitstop strategy.
Ricciardo isn't going to throw tantrums if things don't go his way, it's not how Aussie sportsman behave.adrianjordan wrote:I think Lewis would believe he could still win and Ric is a much calmer presence it seems.henra wrote:I'm just not sure Lewis would like that idea too much.ME4ME wrote: I think Ricciardo might fancy Rosbergs seat, and Toto just might like that idea as well
Verstappen is said to be on a 2+1 contract. Surely Red Bull would want to let him gain further experience at Toro Rosso in 2016 and then make a decision around august if he is any better than either of their current drivers.ScottB wrote:I agree, they've got Verstappen and Sainz who will both be pushing for a top line drive, promoting either further validates their young driver program, would be, I would imagine, a lot cheaper than Rosberg and probably fit in better with their target market.
For what it's worth I'm not sure they'll be able to keep Max, but Sainz has shown enough to suggest he'd be promoted, arguably more than Kyvat had shown before he got the seat.
RedBull aren't going to let a proven multiple Race Winner and Team Player like Ricciardo go, if any of the RBR drivers were going to be released from contract it would be Kvyat. DK has done a decent job but DR has been mostly exceptional and only lost out to DK on WDC points because he "took one for the team" to test the new Renault PU (not to mention he had more PU driven grid penalties in general*).ME4ME wrote: Verstappen is said to be on a 2+1 contract. Surely Red Bull would want to let him gain further experience at Toro Rosso in 2016 and then make a decision around august if he is any better than either of their current drivers.
If he does get promoted, then I'd imagine Kvyat will lose his seat and be on the market for 2017. But with Mercedes unsure about Rosberg, and Ricciardo keeping his eyes open, Verstappen might even replace Danny Ric.
With that said, we cannot forget about Sainz, he can still turn it around with better reliability.
Pa;mer has not as yet been confirmed. As regards Maldonado...why the comment? He has won a GP, something that a lot of other current drivers have not done. Maldo is fast, and many of his accidents have been caused by others. Maybe a little overenthusiastic at times, but dont we want someone who at least makes an effort at passes etc.?stefan_ wrote:Yes, as far as I know they confirmed Palmer and Maldonado for 2016. God help us with the 2nd one still being on the grid.
He's a waste of an F1 seat, if you take $$$$$$$ out of the equation.gilgen wrote:As regards Maldonado...why the comment?
tell that Frank's hall of fameBanMeToo wrote:He's a waste of an F1 seat, if you take $$$$$$$ out of the equation.gilgen wrote:As regards Maldonado...why the comment?
