alexx_88 wrote: ↑13 Jul 2020, 12:36
Having seen both Seb and Max throw their toys out of the pram a few times, I think Max + Vettel would be a nuclear partnership. Would make Lewis + Alonso seem like a church gathering. There are other equally fast drivers on the grid who could maybe do better. But I think their best chance is to give Alex a bit more time to find his feet.
I think people are missing the bigger picture here to be honest.
Concider the fact that Max is not happy with RedBull's performance, and that despite now having a Honda engine to his disposal, the car is still 'miles' behind Mercedes. There WAS a moment of hope about two seasons ago, when RB crawled up to Mercedes, and wins were possible. That goes for last season too, but it slowly started to get away again and now they're off again, and Mercedes' pace of Styria showed that they're just too far behind, despite arguably RB having thrown a lot into this season's car.
Max will not become the youngest driver champion, and whether he cares about it or not, it does influence him.
The biggest issue here is that they're simply once again not able to hand Max a WDC capable car, and it's gonna get old at some point, and he's gonna look elsewhere. Ferrari at the moment is closed, and if we look at their current shape, it's good he didn't sign with them even if he could.
These elements together mean that if RedBull is not going to be able to hand Max a WDC car, well,
he's gonna go. And he will have his sights on Mercedes. It very much also remains to be seen whether 2022 will grant him a WDC car with RedBull. Max is not a patient driver so he's gonna be impatient soon and as said, undoubtedly, it's in his mind to leave.
And this is where it becomes tricky
for Redbull. If they want to achieve success, whether that even is a win for that matter, they're gonna need a 'star' driver. Kvyat isn't. Gasly isn't. Hartley wasn't. No driver in their driver programme is. And let's face it.
Alexander Albon isn't either..
Which means that if Max would be gone, they're out of talent, and then no matter what they achieve with the car, it goes to waste in subpar drivers.
They already lost Daniel, which was a 'star' driver. but he isn't coming back. Especially if they can't get Max a WDC car, why would Daniel concider it? So they're running out of options.
And here now, we have an option with Vettel. because no matter how you put it,
HE IS a 'star driver'.
At the very best Albon MIGHT be able to perform close to Vettel on the 'best of days'. NO driver in RedBull's portfolio is even remotely close after Albon. Albon won't be able to 'lead' the team either.
And this is why Vettel would be very much worth concidering. He has history with them. He is capable. And if ultimately they won't manage a WDC car (but still a winning car), then i really don't think Vettel will be very 'dissapointed', where Max
definately will be.
A short recap thus:
The way it is now, RB is not able to improve
enough. Verstappen is and will not be satisfied with that, so sooner or later he is going to leave. Redbull
needs a 'top/star' driver as they have
none of their drivers that can do what they require except for Max. Vettel is available. Vettel will stay. Vettel will keep RedBull where they are now.
I think the only thing that we're waiting on right now is what Mercedes is going to do: keep Bottas, or replace him?
And if they will replace him, will they replace him with Verstappen, or will they replace him with Vettel?
Bottas stays : Seb to RedBull.
Bottas out : Max to Mercedes, then Seb to RedBull.
Bottas out : Seb to Mercedes, then Max can only stay, and will, ironically, never become WDC.
I'm pretty sure Max is slamming his head against the wall repetively that he didn't sign with Mercedes and stay out of F1 a year longer but opted for a ToroRosso race seat instead. It was good for the short term, but it's starting to look destructive for the long term.
The biggest question thus remains: IF they (want to) replace Bottas, which would be best? 4 time
GERMAN WDC Vettel aboard alongside 6 or perhaps 7-time WDC Hamilton, carrying 13 titles together and would definately be the strongest team out there. Is Verstappen faster than Vettel? I'm inclined to think so, and i'm inclined to think he could give Lewis a bigger run for his money than Seb would,
BUT would Mercedes actually want that?
end conclusion:
Vettel will be confirmed
before the season is over at either Mercedes, or RedBull.