Is it better or worse for Hadjar to replace Yuki in the Red Bull this season?or does Red Bull go back to Lawson?

Yuki supposedly gives excellent technical feedback to his engineer . So he knows what is going on . What is scary is Yuki told his engineer he thought he put down a good lap . And he's last ??? Big disconnect somewhere . Yuki is consistently being out qualified by Hadjar , that is not good for Yuki .

In theory the Red Bull car is superior to the Racing Bull . So Yuki should be in the top 5-6 in qualifying and race results . He's not even close . Is the pressure so great in the # 2 seat at RB that guys can't handle it ? Is the car so tailored to Max's driving style no one else can drive it ? I find it hard to believe Max is the only driver in F1 that can drive the RB fast .

Lawson hasn't done great since his return to Racing Bulls as Hadjar out qualifies him most of the time and race results heavily favor Hadjar . So I don't see Lawson moving back up to RB . As good as Hadjar is I don't think he's ready for the # 2 seat at the mother ship . Maybe after this season ends but no sooner . Yuki has to get better .

Maybe Max is just that dang good? It be interesting to see him in the Merc or Mac!

Lance is out of Spain race, bothered by old wrist injury so only 19 cars for tomorrow.

Or so I read just now.

Please no.... let's not ruin Hadjar like the RB promotion has ruined the lives of so many other drivers... Put effing Perez back in ;-)

Yes, Max is that good.

I was surprised when Charles was out of the car before the end of qualifying. I'm guessing either something with the car or they needed the tires for the race.

In the interview he confirmed it was to save the tires.
Lewis just didn't have the pace.

Lance Stroll has pulled out of today's race due to hand/wrist injury .

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/stroll-pulls-out-of-spanish-gp-due-to-hand-injury/10728546/

Aston has no back-up driver?

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-aston-martin-cant-replace-stroll-for-the-f1-spanish-gp/10728635/

I really enjoy the comments from Nico Rosberg.

Max ver Crashing is back

Agree. I think he's the best commentator. Always very insightful. I'm a fan of Jensen Button, too.

That no replacement rule: I understand, but a bit silly. You want a full field, right? Reserve drivers are usually decent, real race car drivers. It's not like the EBUG in the NHL. I suppose the question is: do you qualify the driver? Or do you qualify the car? Why not just insert the reserve driver and make him start P20 or in pit lane?

Super-baby. Even my 11-year-old was commenting on that. There has to be a stronger penalty than jus a 10-second deduction.

In the interview he confirmed it was to save tires. That got him to 4th. The safety car was a gift.
Lewis just didn't have the pace.

Wow just wow, strategic race, what happened to Williams? Good job for Hulk.

Max back to being super baby, and should have been blacked flagged!
Whenever he knows he can’t win, it’s the tires, brakes, suspension or everyone is driving like an idiot, such a poor sport, not to mention dangerous

I am a fan of Max but that move on George was amateur at best and just stupid . Another great run by Piastri . Williams and Haas were far off the pace . Yuki did nothing . More points by Hadjar . Colapinto a dud . Hamilton not impressive for the $$$ he is making . Great run by Hulk , I doubt many fans missed Lance not starting .

How did Zak get to the Detroit Indy car race today, was he not at the F1 race in Spain.
??????

I got a big laugh last weekend in Monaco when the Sky announcers named the runoff on the rundown to Lowes hairpin, Strasse Rosberg. Then they realized he was going to be with them this weekend.

One the Max and George (and other issues that require stewards): A. the team got it wrong telling him to give place back. B. The stewards take way too long to make decisions but somehow they were able to get this one fairly quickly. George was way too ambitious and caused the initial collision and when I first saw the contact live on the 'let him thru' pass, I thought it was George's fault. But on replay it was clear. Not excusing Max's conduct, but the team should have let it play out.

Schumacher got an entire championship wiped out for a less obvious incident.

10 seconds is not enough. If it was anyone but Max it would be different.

VER is simultaneously talented but bereft of morals. Recognizing racing is a dangerous potentially contact sport there need to be not only the written words/rules but the unspoken moral behaviors that coincide. I have no doubt VER is talented maybe the most talented, but his on track antics detract from his skill. Every F1 world champion has made questionable decisions in a race car; Prost and Senna come to mind. But VER is at a different level of hubris. It is impossible to support someone talented or not who acts like him. From now on for me, he is Baby Driver

(and for those of you who have been following F1 for long time, it is clear his daddy is his influence)

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Lando about Max's move in the cool down room: "I've done this before... in Mario Kart"

Agreed. I heard last night, that Max was also assigned 3 penalty points against his SuperLicense. That puts him one point away from a suspension. He will have to behave for the next race of two until some points are scheduled to fall off.

I would have thought a Black flag was the appropriate penalty....or at least a stop and hold for 60 seconds (ala WEC). Make him sit in the pit in front of everyone for a minute.....good ole public shaming!

George got a drive-through penalty in Monaco for cutting a corner. Ten seconds for an intentional collision by Max shows the bias.

Genius
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Y/N. I get what you're saying, but I think they had to make an example of George there or else, if all you get is 10sec for cutting a corner, that is officially the new way of passing at Monaco. Cut, get 10 sec ahead, pay at next pit stop, keep the spot, no foul... They HAD to nip that in the bud. I thought George could have made a better effort of selling it, "I almost crashed in to him, he brakes early" a little smoke, then maybe????? ;-) Nah they were always gonna nix that.

Apparently the italian press is going berserk on Fred Vasseur and Ferrari, claiming he's on the way out, big changes, blah blah... That was followed immediately in Canada by the drivers saying they are here because of Fred (in HAM's case) and totally trust Fred (LEC)... Ferrari itself denied, which means...nothing at all ;-)

Objectively, if not for McLaren pulling a rabbit out of a hat last year and continuing on (one day I hope we found out how they went last to first in one season, must be a cool legal cheat they found), Ferrari has done a decent job as they are ahead of Redbull and Mercedes ! Typical Ferrari if true, you finally have a good calming influence, proven good team manger, go ahead and fire him before the big 2026 change - that would be really stupid but par for the course in Italy.

If he goes I bet Leclerc bails at the end of his contract. (I think Binotto was good too)

PS: Leclerc just wrecked in FP1 - took out the front/R left wheel clipping a barrier (it's Fred's fault!!!) - enough damage to survival cell he cannot take part in FP2

Lance has to be really happy his dad owns the team. Another whoops from Lance in FP 2

I'm going to have to be contrarian and state Lance might be my favorite driver. He's not the worst guy on the grid. Certainly there are questions about whether or not he'd be in F1 were it not for his father. Nevertheless, he's living the dream (though sometimes I wonder if it's his dream). Any of us who have been on a track before (and that's most of us here on PP) have fantasized about being a pro racer, if even just fleetingly. But here's a guy who actually has some talent and the means to go racing at the pointiest end of the racing world.

* These musings were inspired by my 11-year-old who asked me who my 3 F1 favorite drivers are (both current and all-time). I threw in Lance's name, and he (my son) got upset at me for not being serious.

Wow what a qualifying session ! Max put down a wicked lap and then George topped it ! George and Max on the front row , could be fireworks tomorrow.

Max has to be careful at the start or another penalty point is suspension for a race. Should be interesting.

I really wonder if Max will alter his driving style . Yeah we all know he's one point away from a one race ban . He might look at a ban as a way to spend time with his daughter . Obviously Red Bull want him in the car . Should be interesting.

And this is the rub, innit? I think a lot of people would get behind Lance in spite of the way he got and keeps his ride if he would just act like he's having fun. I know I liked to laugh along with James Hunt when he was driving for Hesketh.

Instead, he seems to be churlish and childish and going through the motions.

Well done to today's winner

Hoping it could turn into a 4 way fight for the drivers title :cool:

What a stupid move by Lando ! Yeah he owned it but he hurt his team and his own chances by throwing away solid points .

Lando just doesn't have what it takes it seems.

Great results for Merc and Antonelli!

Lando needs a new coach for sure.

Wow, RB went after Russell post race complaining to the stewards of unsportsmanlike conduct under the safety car for braking and complaining Max had passed him. LOL... They must be terrified Max gets a penalty point...
Mercedes just retorted you need to brake to keep your brakes warm and occasionally not hit the safety car, and nothing happened... Love the pettiness between RB and...well everyone...

One DNF and the championship can completely turn around, decent season !