#rb talk

[charles-leclerc-official]

I know you're a Ferrari blog but I've been thinking about RB and how they fucked themselves over with toro rosso/alphatauri/whatever the hell is their name now for ages now! I've got loads of thoughts! They've historically mismanaged the fuck out of that team and drivers but 2023 and this season it feels glaringly obvious. Nyck being out of a seat so early into last season was a bit sketchy, but if they really felt it wasn't working out, it was their prerogative to find another driver to put in that seat. Choosing Danny Ric to fill that seat was not a smart move, personally, because the whole objective of a junior/sister team is to develop younger drivers. They should've put Liam in that seat last year, and the repercussions of that wrong choice will haunt the team for years to come. (They're already haunted by it) Danny, sad as it is, no way he's getting a seat in a top team ever again. Checo is doing his best, but his best is not enough if RB wants to compete against Ferrari lineups, both this year and next. RB won't even consider Yuki (criminal, given how well he's doing) because he's a Honda pick. They're also fucked because other potential drivers were either a) booted from Toro Rosso/alphatauri or b) historically haven't gone along with Max. In short, a masterclass on how to win in the short term and lose long-term! (I still believe they should've signed up Hulk because he's doing well + he's friendly with Max). Sorry for the ramble and feel free to add your thoughts!

First, this may be a Ferrari blog, but it is also just an F1 blog, I am interested in talking about any driver and any team that are doing interesting things in the sport. Now I am not as informed of the in depth goings of teams that aren't Ferrari(like I know the general things going on at Sauber, but I am not a wealth of knowledge about all the car issues and personnel over there), but I know the top teams very well.

My very long way of saying any F1 questions about any team are encouraged around here <3

Now on to your question. I have been having very similar thoughts. I think Red Bull are about to fumble two of their talented young drivers in Yuki and Liam because of their unwillingness to actually use that team and have faith in their younger drivers. Yuki isn't going to just be in VCARB his entire career, and Liam is not going to keep buying that if he waits long enough he'll get a seat. Other teams are going to swoop in and steal them eventually.

And no shade to Danny, he's certainly a skilled driver. However yes, his placement in the junior team is odd. I get they want him around for marketing etc, but he could just be a brand ambassador right? He'd be great in that role.

If Danny were pulling the performance that Yuki has been this year Red Bull would have almost assuredly signed him. Which is insane to me that they have Yuki and refuse to use the talent they have been building up for years. They are going to lose him if it's made clear he has no shot at the top team.

Red Bull have had seat issues for years. They also seem to be very quick to discard drivers, we saw this when they were on the hunt for a new teammate for Max. I do think Checo is a good compliment to Max in many ways. I think one reason they want to keep Checo is that he is a known quantity and he gets along well with Max, 2024 is already more competitive than expected, and 2025 will be more so, especially with the new Ferrari lineup. The constructor's is going to be a battle for sure. They don't want to risk someone new in that seat during a year like that. But honestly I think Yuki would be able to do it.

I will say that Checo is a better driver than a lot of people give him credit for. Max makes those Red Bulls look easy to drive. But they are really challenging, sensitive and Checo has been able to drive those cars and get good results. I don't think a good half of the grid would be able to drive that car to the same results as Checo. Yes his results have been mixed, and probably are not going to be enough for the constructors unless they get that car figured out. But I just wanted to note that because he is better than most people give him credit for, is he perfect? No. But, his skill in wrestling that rocketship often is invisible.

If I were Mercedes I'd be stealing Yuki in a heartbeat. And Liam will likely go to any team that offers him a seat, he wants to be in a car, he doesn't want to waste years on a maybe.

I hadn't considered a Max - Hulk lineup, but that is pretty solid now that you mentioned it. I'd personally be going Yuki-Max, but I can see that Hulk-Max would be good as well. Very interesting.

And where does this leave them. As you said they are fumbling both their young talents and they don't seem to care. But in a few more years when they need those young drivers they won't have them, and then what?

I think that Max being such a strong winning bullet for so many years now has made them hesitant to change things. But things are changing around them, and one driver cannot carry a team forever.

[llimus]

Prints and products now also on Redbubble!

Hey, guys! You already know about my Society6 online store, but I recently just expanded into Redbubble, too! Both stores will be regularly updated.

[infireandblood]

Work tomorrow but also BFF is coming!!! I'm so excite Tucked in bed with a kitty on my shoulder :3 Thinking about unnamed project game thing. Currently going tagged as Royal blood verse but that'll change. It's going to have vampire the masquerade influences I think :3 I like the idea of clans but done less as all vamps and more you join as per who you are. Hogwarts house style :3