F1 2022 Discussion Thread

[GrandSlamFinale]

After many weeks and months of waiting, we finally have an F1 discussion thread on MN!

Anyone who wants to join is welcome - regardless of how long you've been watching the sport or who you support. My only request is that we keep it respectful even when criticising our favourite driver's rivals.

We're in Barcelona this weekend for round 6 of what has been a thriller of a championship so far. I'm really excited to see how the race unfolds today, if overtaking will prove as difficult as it historically has here, if the Mercs have done a step forward in race pace, how RB and Ferrari will play around with strategy and tyres.

Glad to see Hulk back, whilst I feel sorry for Mick, he has not shown the natural gift his father had. George was able to out drive the Williams and impressed everyone, that is what the really good drivers can do.

What's surprising me about the whole Verstappen and Perez issue is why this is what's affected his popularity the most. Not when he attacked Occon after a race? Not when he failed to call out Piquet Sr for racism (he did eventually half heartedly)?

This issue with Perez seems mild in comparison, perhaps that says a lot as to how popular Perez is maybe.

Anyhoo last race for Vettel, I really hope it's a good one for him without mechanical failures and a DNF.

Agree wholeheartedly with all of this.

I think the reason he didn't call out Piquet Sr is because he is the father of his girlfriend. No one wants to be seen to be calling out a potential Father in Law, particularly when they are both as high profile as each other (or at least one of them was high profile, the other still is) and also the potential fall out with the old girlfriend...that wouldn't go down well either.

@Sulusu I think part of it is that it is seen to be really unsporting when a) Max has already won the world championship b) Perez has helped him out e.g. AD c) Perez is the underdog who has had many hard battles and is well liked.

Ocon incident - Max was still seen as young and hot headed, and Ocon was unlapping himself. Lewis whilst getting his words wrong actually gave Max good advice - you had more to lose than he did. Wise words, after all had Max opened the steering in Silverstone he would have 18 points rather than 0 and there would have been no AD controversy. Plus Max has said he deliberately didn’t avoid the crash in Brazil, that is different to the Ocon situation, and again considered unsporting.

Piquet language - the whole RB team were very muted about calling out the racism, as they were after Silverstone 2021. There seems to be a really unpleasant dislike of Mercedes and Lewis by RB, more than is normal in sporting rivalries. As @LookItsMeAgain says Max is dating Kelly.

For me the thing that I can never forget about Max is not the Ocon or Picquet thing.
The Ocon incident showed a real lack of sportsmanship. Why would you fight a car on a faster strategy that was only trying to unlap itself? It didn’t surprise or shock me though.

I was truly disgusted by the incident where he called someone (I think maybe Stroll) “retard” and “mongol” on the radio. Then when he was told later that people had found it offensive just said “not my problem”. It would not have been tolerated from another driver and I was really shocked that Horner and Red Bill backed him up and said it was just heat of the moment stuff. I could not believe that he wasn’t made to apologise. After that I can’t believe anyone is surprised about him lining up behind Picquet. He’s always had right wing, edgelord tendencies:

So it's looking likely that Daniel Ricciardo is going back to Red Bull as a reserve driver. Interesting choice. Maybe he's hoping for the tensions to rise between Max and Checo so he will get a seat for 2024 when Checo's contract expires.

I thought Perez signed a 2 year contract, so until the end of 2024. I can’t see DR waiting until 2025 for a drive.

I would have liked DR to go to Mercedes’ and taken a seat at Williams but he is very clear he wants a 12 month break. However, I can see the role at RB is a good fit. He is a good PR asset as he has really built a brand that people like, helped by DtS. It will put pressure on Perez to toe the line, as even if it is a 2 year contract there will be a get out clause. DR also knows the RB ways of working and seems to maintain relationships with former teams and he does seem to genuinely get on with Max.

For DR there is the opportunity of longevity by being a brand ambassador, DC is still doing show runs and PR as a brand ambassador. He knows he can drive the Red Bull, although there is a suggestion the tyre compounds are a factor in his struggles. He has said there are a lot of perks with RB’s global investment in a wide range of sports. It also gives him and his management all of 2023 to lobby for a drive, but where as most attractive seats are signed up long term or with much younger drivers.

Yes he would have to wait til 2025@Princessglittery my fat fingers got in the way😅. As Ricciardo knows teams are always able to pay drivers to leave their contracts early. I'm sure he will do a good job at Red bull he finds PR work easier than some.

Don’t worry we all get finger trouble on the keys.

RB have shown themselves to be ruthless in getting rid of drivers e.g. Pierre Gasly. Mercedes seem to be much kinder e.g. Toto waiting/helping Vallteri getting the Alfa drive before giving Russell the seat. So I can see DR in a RB in 2024 if Checo doesn’t toe the line.

I also think DR could end up driving for McLaren in other series as Zac seems to have widened the racing platforms. Bathurst is one I get the feeling DR and Zac would both like to do.

Just seen Christian Horner saying Helmet Marko leaked the info as DR hasn’t yet signed the contract. They really are unprofessional.

I'd love to see Seb have a good race tomorrow so he can go out on a high.

It's a shame things didn't work out for Mick but he clearly doesn't have the skills for F1.

I kind of feel like Danny Ric has had his shot and it's his opportunity has passed.

I said to DH, that I might put a little bet on at the start of next season for George Russell to win the WDC! He has really done well this season.

This.

DR hasn't even signed a contract if we're to believe what Whinger Spice has said. FFS. They really are a law unto themselves. Rules, even rules of contract are just not to be followed in that team it appears.

They need to get rid of Marko, once and for all. He needs to be told to either resign or retire. As long as he's got his mits on the team, I actually think it's him that is causing the team to be so toxic.

Lauda for all his faults would never have done anything like this.

I agree Marko is a liability and comes over as very domineering.

I think after the crap year Ferrari have had with all the fuck ups, it would be nice for Charles to finish 2nd in the drivers championship.

Obviously from username, Checo is my number one 😅 but honestly, either way for 2nd place for me.

Hope Seb and Danny have a great race and hopefully no DNFs!

Fairly boring race overall, nice to see Seb and Daniel racing each other on the final lap though!

I'm glad Charles finished second in the championship.

Onward to 2023 and here's hoping Ferrari and Mercedes improve to make it more competitive.

Going to miss Seb, but I hope he enjoys retirement and time with his family he seems so ready for it.

can't wait for march though

@Sulusu Mercedes proved they have what it takes again when perez passed Hamilton, for Hamilton to speed past with DRS. I'm hoping for more good things for George!

Seb deserves retirement! Will miss him too

I know Checo is signed on for another year with RB but after Max showing his true colours do you think he'll seek something else? Would he be allowed to? I've gone right off RB and Max, especially after Abu Dhabi last year. Love Checo though.

Exact same views as me!

I don't think he will leave early though, he will wait for his contract to expire to move I think, but I think it will be a retirement if anything..

Can't believe the meal all the drivers went on for Seb's retirement cost £140,000. It was paid for by Lewis.

I know he can afford it but that was nice of him. Not sure how it cost that much especially as there was no alcohol. What on earth did they eat?

@ChecoPerez just watching the highlights now. I'm hating how they are not just outright asking Max about denying team orders. They just keep mentioning 'what happened in Brazil' and Max is obviously giving a stock PR answer, I'm a strong person blah blah. Is no one allowed to upset Max?!

Yep! It's bloody frustrating and what's even more annoying is CH just skirts past it too! Nothing can upset precious max! Went right off him!

There was alcohol. There was a number of bottles of champagne (a 2009 vintage if the restaurant receipt is anything to go by) and someone was drinking virgin mojitos too

There was 5 bottles of Petrus and 2 bottles of Petrus 2009 (Louis XIII) then there was the Open Alc Bev according to the receipt that is on Twitter if you go to @alexgomezbmxx there