Formula One: Thoughts on the Season So Far

[Charmed Life Picks]

Hi, Everyone. I guess the big news is Hamilton moving from Mercedes to Ferrari next year. Right now, that looks like a good move. Mercedes still hasn't sorted out the new regulation changes from three years ago. They are arguably behind Red Bull, Ferrari AND McLaren so far this season.

Red Bear certainly appears to have the fastest car, and Max is arguably the best driver in the paddock.

Please feel to disagree and/or add any thoughts of your own.

scott memmer

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by Charmed Life Picks

Hi, Everyone. I guess the big news is Hamilton moving from Mercedes to Ferrari next year. Right now, that looks like a good move. Mercedes still hasn't sorted out the new regulation changes from three years ago. They are arguably behind Red Bull, Ferrari AND McLaren so far this season.

Red Bear certainly appears to have the fastest car, and Max is arguably the best driver in the paddock.

Please feel to disagree and/or add any thoughts of your own.

scott memmer

Hi Scott,

I very rarely see an F1 race now, the last race I attended was F1's oddball Indianapolis race with only 7 drivers starting because of the tire supplier switch.

My wife was a rabid follower until they dumped the Indianapolis race. She switched to IRL and loves watching, commenting that watching an F1 race that usually finishes exactly like the starting grid order is a bit yawn inducing.

I'm curious how others feel about the politics of F1, though. It looks like some of the problems have subsided with the turnover of management.

[6L6]

Boring. Max winning almost every race is totally predictable.

[AX17609]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Boring. Max winning almost every race is totally predictable.

I agree with 6L6. I used to enjoy watching the races. I no longer do.

[redi]

Originally Posted by AX17609

I agree with 6L6. I used to enjoy watching the races. I no longer do.

Sadly this is where I was up to last season. This season I am still recording but will watch the GP in 10 minutes or less.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Boring. Max winning almost every race is totally predictable.

Originally Posted by AX17609

I agree with 6L6. I used to enjoy watching the races. I no longer do.

Originally Posted by redi

Sadly this is where I was up to last season. This season I am still recording but will watch the GP in 10 minutes or less.

Just ignore Max. Then the races are quite good.

[Charmed Life Picks]

I was reflecting after the results of today's race in Miami that Mercedes has really bit the dust. They never sorted out the car after the regs last changed three years ago. They are now a distant fourth in the constructor's standings.

They have two excellent drivers, but you can see during the course of a race that those cars just cannot hang with Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.

Red Bull has clearly dialed in the fastest car, but I really find Verstappen a boring guy.

My Take,
Scott

[Jeff Scott]

Who's this Verstappen guy? Is he the one in front making sure the track is clear for the real racers?

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

Who's this Verstappen guy? Is he the one in front making sure the track is clear for the real racers?

Now, Jeff, that's even snarkier that I am. We must stop meeting like this.

sm

[Silly Moustache]

Hi, I've been watching F1 for many years now, and it is quite common that one or two teams and one or two drivers take the wins.

Red Bull Has the best car, presently, and they have Max.

My idea of a great season is two or three or four teams closely matched.

Mercedes will catch up but, I suspect not until after the mid season.

Maclaren have two hungry young drivers and good cars.

Sainz (Ferrari) lost his temper, and effectively took out Piastri. There's a grudge match brewing there. Piastri has a score to settle.

Red Bull has a problem, with Newey and Horner on the way out, and Max's Dad making troupbe (he is trouble, always has been).

What spoils it for me is all the circus razzamatazz. Spoils it for me.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Hi, I've been watching F1 for many years now, and it is quite common that one or two teams and one or two drivers take the wins.

Red Bull Has the best car, presently, and they have Max.

My idea of a great season is two or three or four teams closely matched.

Mercedes will catch up but, I suspect not until after the mid season.

Maclaren have two hungry young drivers and good cars.

Sainz (Ferrari) lost his temper, and effectively took out Piastri. There's a grudge match brewing there. Piastri has a score to settle.

Red Bull has a problem, with Newey and Horner on the way out, and Max's Dad making troupbe (he is trouble, always has been).

What spoils it for me is all the circus razzamatazz. Spoils it for me.

Andy, thanks for your post, and nice to hear from you. With you being in the UK, where a lot of the teams are either based and/or do a lot of testing at places like Silverstone, you always bring interesting insights.

You're right about teams being up and down. Back in the Ron Dennis days, with both Prost and Senna driving, McLaren has a pretty good run.

It will be interesing with Lewis going to Ferrari next year. I can't see anyone toppling Max and Red Bear for the foreseeable future, but we have to remember that we have new regs coming in, I think, 2026. The last reg change several years back was really a death blow to Mercedes. They've never gotten the car right since then.

I've heard (but haven't read much) the new regs coming are really extreme, although I'm not sure what that means.

Thanks again. Take Care,
Scott

[Silly Moustache]

Scott, Max and Checko drive for Red BULL .... originally an Austrian "energy" fizzy drink of some sort.

I doubt that Red Bear picks have the finance to run an F1 team.

[schmalex]

I have been pleasantly surprised so far this season by the modest amount of non-Red Bull victories we have witnessed. I am still just shocked about how non-competitive Mercedes continues to be. Thank god Ferrari and McLaren can still keep things interesting.

I just hope that Red Bull doesn't completely fall apart next season amidst all of the drama.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by schmalex

I have been pleasantly surprised so far this season by the modest amount of non-Red Bull victories we have witnessed. I am still just shocked about how non-competitive Mercedes continues to be. Thank god Ferrari and McLaren can still keep things interesting.

I just hope that Red Bull doesn't completely fall apart next season amidst all of the drama.

I suspect that at Red Bull, there are a few too many "irons in the fire" esp. with Max's Dad. Adrian N definitely leaving, (killing the golden goose?) and Christian Horner under pressure to resign, well, if both left, how would the new principals keep the successful run going?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I suspect that at Red Bull, there are a few too many "irons in the fire" esp. with Max's Dad. Adrian N definitely leaving, (killing the golden goose?) and Christian Horner under pressure to resign, well, if both left, how would the new principals keep the successful run going?

Jos Verstappen will find a way (or not).