Neno wrote: ↑11 Feb 2020, 06:55
It's no suprise there is no excitement. I mean Renault showed nothing last year they are capable building something great. Last year car was such disaster in terms of development, ideas and it was only saved by Ricciardo's talent, because I otherwise dont believe they would end up even 5th. Likely 6th behind Toro Rosso. It was such terrible car that they sacked technical director just before they started ramping development of this one.
While firing Chester was no brainer move longterm because I wouldnt give him to design my dog's house this put 2020 car into danger. With both 2021 coming on doors, firing TD and now basically no lead name on papers responsible for 2020 car development which btw will be very short one due again 2021. All of this doesnt bold well.
RS20 will be just transitional car because it's simply such year in F1. Which makes it even worse given how much RS19 was crap. That car basically destroyed 2 years of supposed development work. RS20 was supposed to be just improved RS19 while looking at 2021. And that would be ok if RS19 was decent car. But it wasnt.
I don't think this year is transitional- as the rules have stayed the same so most teams should have been allowed to continue correlating the data they'd already gained. In theory the teams should be carrying on from where they left off last year- Yes there will be one eye on 2020- but some of the teams that didn't do so well last year e.g. Renault, Haas, RP.. they will be trying to 'correct' some of the issues they had which knocked them back- these teams have less 'credit in the bank' in terms of their performance from last year.. so 2 bad years is not an option. Certainly Haas and Renault will be keen to improve, Merc cant afford to slip back to Ferrari because that would give the Daimler board something to think about. I think Mclaren are safe, they have investment, an Indy programme, they can maybe afford to 'coast' a little this year after their 4th last year.. and look to 2020 with a new engine partner.. Redbull will push hard to get more wins and get Max the title before he turns 14 years old (joking) LeClerc will want to show up Seb even more and Bottas is driving his last year for Merc.. probably.. Anyway back to Renault, the chassis needs to correct the flaws of last year and justify the investment in the new facilities at Enstone. Its going to be a tough year for Renault if they dont show 'progress'.. If they deliver real gains- they might tempt Ricc to Stay on another year? especially if all the other big teams are locked in to their lead drivers.. going into 2020 cost-cap with 1 confirmed driver and another dire year wouldn't be good..
“I don't believe in luck, luck is preparation and taking your opportunity” Ross Brawn
