2018 McLaren F1 Team - Renault

[M840TR]

Racefans are reporting that Mclaren will announce next driver in September. Seems like they've already decided who they'll hire. Coincidence that Perez says he's signed already for 2019?

https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/30/mcl ... september/

[RonDennis]

Racefans are reporting that Mclaren will announce next driver in September. Seems like they've already decided who they'll hire. Coincidence that Perez says he's signed already for 2019?

https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/30/mcl ... september/

I doubt it. They're clearly testing Norris right now. First against Vandoorne, now against Alonso. I wouldn't even be surprised if they give him the car for a full weekend.

[Ground Effect]

Racefans are reporting that Mclaren will announce next driver in September. Seems like they've already decided who they'll hire. Coincidence that Perez says he's signed already for 2019?

https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/30/mcl ... september/

I doubt it. They're clearly testing Norris right now. First against Vandoorne, now against Alonso. I wouldn't even be surprised if they give him the car for a full weekend.

I just don't see them bringing in Lando now. I think they'll be trying to avoid another promising driver from their programme disappointing, especially now that the team is not producing the goods in terms of the car. KMag, Stoffel now and even a young Checo, all were partly hampered by a bad car. Gil was initially brought in to have eyes on the young drivers, so it's not impossible he feels this should be part of his development. I think it's going to be Ocon or Checo. I wouldn't mind either, their both solid, Checo brings money and it wouldn't be a bad thing to be owed a favour by Mercedes, you never know when it may become useful.

[Big Tea]

Coincidence that Perez says he's signed already for 2019?

https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/30/mcl ... september/

But who did he sign with? Is a contract with the previous team still binding?

[M840TR]

Coincidence that Perez says he's signed already for 2019?

https://www.racefans.net/2018/08/30/mcl ... september/

But who did he sign with? Is a contract with the previous team still binding?

Most likely with Force India.

[alexx_88]

So Vandoorne doesn't come with any backing? I think it's really harsh if he's dropped from F1 entirely, a lot of drivers on the grid would've been further back when compared to Alonso, a lot of them were! Bottas and Kimi are consistently being beaten by Hamilton and Vettel, yet they'll most likely get another year in the top cars on the grid. Yet being beaten in a similar manner by Alonso, a driver who's on the same level as Hamilton and Vettel, isn't enough to keep you in one of the worst cars on the grid?! This is a serious case of a double standard going on here.

[bosyber]

Let's hope Vasseur manages to move Vandoorne to Sauber (though that will be next year at the earliest,I think).

[mwillems]

So Vandoorne doesn't come with any backing? I think it's really harsh if he's dropped from F1 entirely, a lot of drivers on the grid would've been further back when compared to Alonso, a lot of them were! Bottas and Kimi are consistently being beaten by Hamilton and Vettel, yet they'll most likely get another year in the top cars on the grid. Yet being beaten in a similar manner by Alonso, a driver who's on the same level as Hamilton and Vettel, isn't enough to keep you in one of the worst cars on the grid?! This is a serious case of a double standard going on here.

It's different requirements, not double standards. Red Bull have been far more ruthless in their time, as have Ferrari. You may well like the Vandoorne, but if the team don't, that's their prerogative. They don't pay these guys several hundreds of thousands or millions because they are nice. They need points.

They don't need him to walk over Alonso or be straight on his heels, but he has not shown the level of improvement that has been required to convince. It's not just that he's a bit behind. Even Kimi outdoes Vettel reasonably often enough. Vandoorne is almost never close to Alonso and he isn't closing the gap suggesting it won't improve.

[RonDennis]

Let's hope Vasseur manages to move Vandoorne to Sauber (though that will be next year at the earliest,I think).

Sauber already confirmed they won't be picking up Vandoorne. His only chances are Haas (highly unlikely) and Toro Rosso. In my opinion Vandoorne is a driver that can be real good when everything is managed perfectly, but when somethings goes wrong, it goes wrong really badly. He's probably a bit too nice.

[Glyn]

So Vandoorne doesn't come with any backing? I think it's really harsh if he's dropped from F1 entirely, a lot of drivers on the grid would've been further back when compared to Alonso, a lot of them were! Bottas and Kimi are consistently being beaten by Hamilton and Vettel, yet they'll most likely get another year in the top cars on the grid. Yet being beaten in a similar manner by Alonso, a driver who's on the same level as Hamilton and Vettel, isn't enough to keep you in one of the worst cars on the grid?! This is a serious case of a double standard going on here.

Vandoorne had his chance. An F1 driver is a special thing. If you don't cut it. Goodbye!

If you can't compete with the best, you don't belong in F1.

[alexx_88]

Vandoorne had his chance. An F1 driver is a special thing. If you don't cut it. Goodbye!

If you can't compete with the best, you don't belong in F1.

If Alonso is the goal post, then all bar a couple on the grid wouldn't cut it. What I was emphasizing was that it seems Mclaren are more picky about their drivers than the top teams.

Also, this year's car has been very bad and it's well known Alonso excels with inconsistent cars, his gap to Massa being the greatest in 2012, when he was fighting for the WDC and the Brazilian was nowhere.

[Ground Effect]

So Vandoorne doesn't come with any backing? I think it's really harsh if he's dropped from F1 entirely, a lot of drivers on the grid would've been further back when compared to Alonso, a lot of them were! Bottas and Kimi are consistently being beaten by Hamilton and Vettel, yet they'll most likely get another year in the top cars on the grid. Yet being beaten in a similar manner by Alonso, a driver who's on the same level as Hamilton and Vettel, isn't enough to keep you in one of the worst cars on the grid?! This is a serious case of a double standard going on here.

Vandoorne had his chance. An F1 driver is a special thing. If you don't cut it. Goodbye!

If you can't compete with the best, you don't belong in F1.

Grosjean and KMag didn't always look like they could compete... But they've recovered and found their footing

[Ground Effect]

I just realized that Mclaren could end up with Romain Gosjean. Even though I said he's found his footing, it's still a bit of a scary thought.

[Big Tea]

I just realized that Mclaren could end up with Romain Gosjean. Even though I said he's found his footing, it's still a bit of a scary thought.

He may not be that bad a fit when you think of it. There will be no telling him to cool it as the cost or replacement parts is too high, not bothered about the engine supplier in other teams, just run his own race and get good finished(this latter may be a problem some times)

[Vasconia]

I would be happy if Ocon joins Mclaren because he and Carlos would be a strong and ambitious duo. I only hope Mclaren will do things better than now, because their mid/second half of the season is being atrocious.