A Friend Remembered A Tribute to Mike Bell 2021 Calendar

broadrun96 · 15 Jul 2020, 02:18 (Ref:3988457)

That's definitely a consideration if he's freed up and available. Could see Kyvat released again and Albon demoted.

S griffin · 15 Jul 2020, 09:39 (Ref:3988483)

The question is, would Red Bull take a driver they are not connected to? That for me is the stumbling block to Checo going there

**BertMk2** · 15 Jul 2020, 10:03 (Ref:3988488)

Also is Vettel an upgrade on Perez? On current form it's highly debatable.

If you want to improve the Racing Point driver lineup then Perez is not the driver you need to replace (rather obviously).

**Born Racer** · 15 Jul 2020, 10:04 (Ref:3988489)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

The question is, would Red Bull take a driver they are not connected to? That for me is the stumbling block to Checo going there

A good point, but they should be looking outside their stable. They've done it before with Webber.

S griffin · 15 Jul 2020, 11:14 (Ref:3988501)

Problem is when Webber joined back in 07, they still had Coulthard. I think the last driver they signed for RBR/STR who was not part of the Red Bull stable was Bourdais back in 08

Razor · 15 Jul 2020, 11:45 (Ref:3988508)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

Problem is when Webber joined back in 07, they still had Coulthard. I think the last driver they signed for RBR/STR who was not part of the Red Bull stable was Bourdais back in 08

And let's not forget that Webber had a connection of sorts with the team when he drove for their predecessor Jaguar.

chillibowl · 15 Jul 2020, 15:42 (Ref:3988547)

Perez just signed a 3 year extension which runs to 2022 which i would guess comes with him bringing a pretty hefty sponsorship package so that may be difficult to untangle from (not impossible of course but probably costly).

seems like an odd move from the the generally level headed Szafnauer although i suspect the move has more to do with his billionaire boss...which fair enough i suppose as it is his money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Also is Vettel an upgrade on Perez? On current form it's highly debatable.

imo he would be a downgrade and for me questionable whether or not SV could now function on a smaller team....oddly enough though that makes me more curious to see how he would do in this situation.

just a shame it has to come at the expense of a seat for Perez who it must be said has been great for this team.

but why not Haas as a possible destination for Perez? surely Haas will need at least one new driver next year. love the effort Grosjean puts in but surely he makes too many mistakes to keep his race seat.

S griffin · 15 Jul 2020, 16:05 (Ref:3988554)

If Perez ends up at Haas, he would really need to gel with Gunther, otherwise it would be quite temperamental me thinks

Richard Casto · 15 Jul 2020, 16:26 (Ref:3988561)

Quote:

Originally Posted by S griffin

If Perez ends up at Haas, he would really need to gel with Gunther, otherwise it would be quite temperamental me thinks

First, it would be a big step down. But that sometimes happens if you want to stay in the sport.

Also, I think moving to Haas is risky. Frankly, if Haas has a bad year this year, I can see them pulling the plug. I think delaying the new regulations by a year (pushing from 2021 to 2022) was a bad idea. It may lock teams like Haas into potentially two years of bad performance with the promise of things "maybe" being better in 2022.

Richard

chillibowl · 15 Jul 2020, 17:03 (Ref:3988565)

Sure but they still get to move forward without having to design a new chassis for 2021 so money saved there. Plus Perez money could help for the changes which will be allowed.

Of course you are correct in that it is a step down and only potentially there if he wanted to stay in the sport.

**chunterer** · 15 Jul 2020, 17:57 (Ref:3988574)

Otmar said on Saturday that there were going to be no driver changes?
If I were a team boss right now i'd think long and hard about the benefits of signing Vettel.
The only ones I can think of is experience and PR value?
Based on his inconsistent form I don't think he would offer anymore than Checo.
If Stroll is serious about the teams ambitions he might be better off replacing his son.

broadrun96 · 15 Jul 2020, 18:41 (Ref:3988581)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunterer

Otmar said on Saturday that there were going to be no driver changes?

If I were a team boss right now i'd think long and hard about the benefits of signing Vettel.

The only ones I can think of is experience and PR value?

Based on his inconsistent form I don't think he would offer anymore than Checo.

If Stroll is serious about the teams ambitions he might be better off replacing his son.

I can't imagine Vettel being better in a new car, new philosophy over a guy who's been in and developed the car. Oh and brings a decent bit of cash.

I think you could see Daddy cut Jr out and get him a sportscar team if he really wants to keep racing. Stroll Sr is a business man and has a group to answer to, it's not just his team. He's just the frontman for an investment group.

Skam85 · 16 Jul 2020, 00:54 (Ref:3988615)

The fact of the matter is that the last time Red Bull won the WCC was with a non-Red Bull affiliated driver.

Yes, it was mostly due to Vettel, but Webber was far superior as a supporting act to any of the other ones. Apart from maybe Ricciardo, but he was with the team when they weren't title contenders.

**BertMk2** · 16 Jul 2020, 10:29 (Ref:3988674)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I think you could see Daddy cut Jr out and get him a sportscar team if he really wants to keep racing.

Like Aston Martin?

seanyb505 · 16 Jul 2020, 16:02 (Ref:3988745)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

...

I think you could see Daddy cut Jr out and get him a sportscar team if he really wants to keep racing. Stroll Sr is a business man and has a group to answer to, it's not just his team. He's just the frontman for an investment group.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Like Aston Martin?

Man I'd really love to see this if only to add to the sportscar landscape. And I think Perez and Vettel would be the stronger pairing for the team going forward. Though it's now being reported that Perez is being approached by other teams and other categories. Wonder if he's off to Haas or Formula E?