I'm not too sad about that. I didn't wanna have to cheer for RedBull (the team) not a fan of Dr Marko or Horner, what they did to Webber, Gasly, Bourdais (@ toro rosso), etc . Also Porsche belongs in endurance (not rebadging an existing honda/Redbull engine) and with an F1 budget they'd have to charge even more for their overpriced and too-long-geared modern cars.. Factoring today's ridiculous dealer fees, buying a new 911 is like buying a Ferrari - you can't get allocations of the nice ones - and nowhere near MSRP - unless you bought several others or a $$$$ 918 or whatever..

Ok so back to F1, the season is basically over, Max won, good for him that is his first Real WC with absolutely no asterisk attached. He thoroughly deserved it and there is not denying that this year, even the british press will have to accept it.
Also I wish Binotto would spend less time trimming his hair like a mushroom cloud and instead get the team in fighting shape. Pathetic.

Driver of the year for me? Albon ! (another Marko casualty)

Quote of the year? Fred Vasseur from Alfa : “There’s no such thing as luck or bad luck with DNFs. Sometimes it was technical, sometimes the engine, sometimes Latifi,” he said during the team principals’ press conference at the Dutch Grand Prix.

I kinda agree, but a puncture is a real wildcard. Lewis is very lucky, but anyone has to admit he is very talented. He had the best car by a wide margin for 8 years, no doubt. BUT, he almost never crashes out during practice or qualifying. How many times did his teammate Botas slide off track and into a wall all by himself in the same car.

So yea, Hamilton is supremely lucky, but he makes a lot of that luck himself.

Verstappen was nicknamed Crashtappen in the early days of his career. He still makes mistakes all on his own. He just pushes to the bleeding edge and is the best driver on track now, or at least the fastest. How many times has a teammate out qualified him? Not often, and usually when his car is not working right or there was traffic in the way and he could not press to the limit as usual.

More news here...

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/why-porsches-red-bull-f1-plans-appear-dead-in-the-water/10364603/

RBPT had their 1st engine running on the dyno before the summer break and are working flat out and full steam ahead for 2026

Porsche need RB more than RB need Porsche so I'm not surprised that RB have had/having 2nd thoughts

As for the comment about lack of agility slowing down decisions when a large, motor manufacturer manages a F1 team is very true

Not sure what Porsche's next move will be, maybe they re-badge the Audi engine and partner with McLaren of maybe they buy out Williams or maybe don't do F1 at all :confused:

For first quote: but you gotta like Ginger Spice...

Second quote: fixed it for you. If anyone doesn't know, turn to the urban dictionary.

If the rumors are true it sounds like BOTH seats at Alpha Tauri could be available next year . Supposedly Alpine has agreed to buy out the last year of Gasly's contract and they are not extending Tsunoda .

Alpha Tauri has been very vocal they want Colton Herta but there is the super license issue to be resolved . It will be interesting to see how much $$$ does it take for that issue to be solved .

Who gets the second seat ? Danny Ric ? Shumi Jr ? An F2 hot shoe ? Time will tell if any of these rumors are true .

I agree that they can get the the license situation figured out. Whoever makes the rules can change the rules.

Paul I agree and I can see both sides of the argument . On one side Colton is " close " to having enough points . I think he's 8 points shy . The argument could be his experience and results in Indycar should count .

On the flip side F1 teams spend a considerable amount of $$$ supporting drivers in their academies in F2 and F3 . It may not be fair to bypass their feeder series.

But I think the Oscar Piastri contract negotiations and the end results may open the door for exceptions . Any team whether it be a race team or a stick and ball team wants the best players/coaches/support staff and facilities they can afford .

Do I want to see Colton in F1 ? Yes I do . But it should be based on merit of which he has shown plenty. But I also would like to see a truly American team on the grid and there is apparent push back on that from the F1 community .

Porsche should approach Haas, they need Porsche’s expertise and Gene has been saying he wants out since he entered.

This weekend
 

^^^^^

I was wondering what the deal was on this weekend's Ferrari. They have been using the yellow color all over social media this week.

That's pretty tasty.

I hope the addition of yellow in the paint scheme doesn't throw of their strategists in the pits 😜

Ironic isn’t it? Yellow Peril Ferrari.

I’m happy for Colton. We saw his win at COTA a few years ago and it was pretty dominant. He may not have the consistency we’d all like to see but nobody in Indy is too dominant right now.

Flagging this weekend for IndyCar. Maybe try to shake his hand. Hope he fairs better than the Andretti’s. Be more like Dan Gurney

Dan Gurney for the win. And engineering.

When you flag, are you pit adjacent? When do you have time away from your station (besides lunch breaks)?

I wonder how many more super license points Herta would have had he been in CGR or Penske?

Ham at the back
 

Ham starting at the back with a new engine, perhaps some good smart tire strategy
could get him to the front. At least he should get through the first chicane without incident.

Don't bet on it. He will be back there with the many other "also ran" drivers and he usually gains several positions.