2021 Red Bull Racing F1 Team

[adrianjordan]

Sign Hamilton. Let's truly see who's better!!

[RZS10]

Struggling in DTM (now basically GT3) isn't indicative of his quality, there's only a select few drivers who can excel in various race cars/classes and some who are definitely among the best a sport has ever seen (Loeb in WRC) can still struggle elsewhere (WTCC) - even when DTM had it's distinct cars, there were other decent to (very) good F1 drivers who did not do all too well there.

[billamend]

And tbh I think BOT would be just as far behind so what would they gain? Make HAM uncomfortable with a new team mate?

For all we know, BOT is a fantastic n2. Would he adapt to the RB17? Who knows.

But I would bring BOT for another reason: knowledge of the inner workings of the competition. Reportedly, one of the reasons RB brought Perez in was for his knowledge of tires degradation and the Mercedes PU.

[TNTHead]

Don't know what to make of last qualifying: is it that Merc improved over last changes (their updates, reinforced tyres), or is it down to engine power and higher track temperatures that RB is a bit behind?
I expect a 2nd place for VER at best, but who knows. May be a S-M-M strategy will be more beneficial than M-H or M-M-S as Merc opts for.

Nice to see Perez near VER, hopefully he will help strategy wise.

[politburo]

Struggling in DTM (now basically GT3) isn't indicative of his quality, there's only a select few drivers who can excel in various race cars/classes and some who are definitely among the best a sport has ever seen (Loeb in WRC) can still struggle elsewhere (WTCC) - even when DTM had it's distinct cars, there were other decent to (very) good F1 drivers who did not do all too well there.

His problem isn't just his performance in DTM GT3-spec cars, it is the other up and coming RBJT drivers and how Dr. Marko will eventually compare them to Albon. Vips could win the F2 championship and it will be undeniable, Tsunoda could turn it around.

[godlameroso]

Second row start, it's fine, Perez being close enough, Red Bull can still win it tomorrow. Starting on the softs puts them on a two stopper, a good start will be key. Whoever is ahead in turn 4 will determine the race strategy. Mercedes have the advantage if they lead the first stint because if Red Bull has to pit sooner, Mercedes can just use Bottas to back them up into traffic, so RBR can't undercut and come out in clear air.

[etusch]

Lewis Hamilton
Valtteri Bottas
Max Verstappen
Sergio Perez
Pierre Gasly

I hope Verstappen overtake one of them at start. If Bottas overtake ham and vers overtake ham too that would be perfect scenario for me. Then there are two guys from basically same team Their race pace is important too.

[TNTHead]

As a side note: I really think RIC will come to regret he left the RB family (or is already regretting it). At Renault it wasn't a glowing ride, and now at McLaren....I feel sorry for him but also for RB, I think he would've been much closer to VER than the last 3 teammates in the second seat of RB. It's all hindsight, I know.

[Jolle]

As a side note: I really think RIC will come to regret he left the RB family (or is already regretting it). At Renault it wasn't a glowing ride, and now at McLaren....I feel sorry for him but also for RB, I think he would've been much closer to VER than the last 3 teammates in the second seat of RB. It's all hindsight, I know.

I got the step to Renault. I didn’t get the leap to McLaren. Even if McLaren is faster then the Renault, you’re leaving a works team. If you want to be WC one day, you need a works team. Normally drivers (outside a junior program) don’t level up from a privateer to a works team anymore, certainly not as their first driver. Sainz is doing something special!

[shultz]

...or is it down to engine power and higher track temperatures that RB is a bit behind?

Why is engine power an issue? Were they running with reduced power?

[Marti_EF3]

That reminds me 2018 season, and for now on the Merc will be faster everywhere... Shame on loosing all points on Silverstone

[Unf]

Second car (I mean - Perez) is crucial. And so far he has very poor performance. Without him, Mercedes have so many options to outrace Max by good strategy and wingman's job.

[Sieper]

That reminds me 2018 season, and for now on the Merc will be faster everywhere... Shame on loosing all points on Silverstone

I don’t think so, Mercedes has been very good here for quite some time. Red Bull on and off and it didn’t seem a perfect weekend (set up). Max’ first lap in Q3 wasn’t good enough for P2 and the way things played out he didn’t get a second Hot lap anymore. Mercedes has brought an update at Silverstone, that will have helped. I hope RB can still be there are thereabouts in races to come. Biggest thread is Merc putting Max in the wall. Tomorrow will be an ideal chance for that. And when that happens the pressure on Max will have 4 weeks to reach boilingpoint. Press and fans will make sure of that. So yeah, I totally fear tomorrow. And then the talks after that.but, it could be a great race. In any case, like it or not (I don’t, I hate it) with these shenanigans we are at least on the edge of our seat.

[TNTHead]

...or is it down to engine power and higher track temperatures that RB is a bit behind?

Why is engine power an issue? Were they running with reduced power?

I don't know, but it could be because of heat, and/or the mercs are still a bit ahead in terms of power (or chose to run a higher mode than honda this weekend)

[TNTHead]

That reminds me 2018 season, and for now on the Merc will be faster everywhere... Shame on loosing all points on Silverstone

I don’t think so, Mercedes has been very good here for quite some time. Red Bull on and off and it didn’t seem a perfect weekend (set up). Max’ first lap in Q3 wasn’t good enough for P2 and the way things played out he didn’t get a second Hot lap anymore. Mercedes has brought an update at Silverstone, that will have helped. I hope RB can still be there are thereabouts in races to come. Biggest thread is Merc putting Max in the wall. Tomorrow will be an ideal chance for that. And when that happens the pressure on Max will have 4 weeks to reach boilingpoint. Press and fans will make sure of that. <b>So yeah, I totally fear tomorrow. </b>And then the talks after that.but, it could be a great race. In any case, like it or not (I don’t, I hate it) with these shenanigans we are at least on the edge of our seat.

Max just needs to keep his cool and not be tempted to take too much risk in first lap. Although if RB already chose for the aggrassive strategy by putting him on softs we may see fireworks again in lap 1. We'll see. It is also a period of the season where valuable lessons can be learned by VER/RB for the future, so short term may be tough, but in the end it might be a blessing in disguise.