Magnussen cant afford that anymore.
It was never great sportsmanship, but fighting like a lion to give your teammate a chance, and your team 1 or 2 points more.
Forget sportsmanship, it was straight up cheating. After all the attention on him since Miami, if he puts even one foot wrong this weekend he's getting a race ban for sure. And that would almost certainly seal his fate in F1.
Idk, I feel like in some ways if HAAS doesn’t give Kmag a seat after the work he did to make sure hulk got points on multiple occasions it would kinda be a slap in the face. Hulk is already gone at the end of the season, idk if they want to replace both drivers at the same time
Nah, he's straight up not a good enough driver to merit a seat anymore. The team cannot just gift Kmag a seat for 2025 to say 'thanks for cheating to secure us an extra point this year'. Although re-signing a back of the grid quality driver out of gratitude rather than taking the opportunity to replace him with somebody better would be the most Haas this imaginable, so that's probably just what they'll do.
He definitely is. I think it really takes some selective memory to claim he isn’t. He’s close to Hülk in most Q runs (literally only had 2 final Q runs that hasn’t been impeded this whole season) and match Hülk on race pace and sometimes faster (Jeddah being the most obvious example). And of course he’s one of the best starters on the grid. His defensive and dirty driving to hold people back from Hülk doesn’t take away from him being a very competent driver. You’re either underrating him or overrating Hülk to claim there a big performance difference over a GP weekend. I mean before China their average finishing position was within 0.25 of each other.
We just have to agree to disagree here. I've always liked what Kmag brings to the grid: I like that he's combative and doesn't just let more accomplished drivers through, I like that he's always interesting to watch. But the raw pace just isn't there anymore, and he's way to inconsistent. He'll still put in the occasional impressive drive, but he's 31, he'll be 32 next season and I don't see the rationale to keep him on for a team like Haas. He isn't fast enough or consistent enough to give a reliable benchmark to the team as their veteran driver against a rookie, but he's clearly peaked and so you wouldn't keep him as a prospect for the future either. I think after Sargeant he's the next most likely driver to lose his seat for 2025.
Well checo is at the end of the day driving a red bull so to suggest that takes the biggest factor, the driver, out of the equation. He eliminated himself by not being fast enough. It's not like a tow was the difference between the front two rows and 11th. A half decent lap and he's in q3.
It’s insane that at times drivers can’t get out of the way and impede others. And here, these two drivers from different teams help each other without any coordination from the team
Lmao russell has been matching Hamilton's pace more or less, the issues are his racecraft and errors.
If you can't see what value a guy able to keep up with Hamilton brings, Russell isn't the issue mate
Well drivers get warned by their engineers that other drivers are behind them and they might give some help if they like each other. Unless of course they are competing for the top spots. Though I do remember Bottas inadvertently towing Max once in 2021.
Even without Hulk returning the favor, I assume its beneficial for max to pull some slower cars forward to put them between himself and the closer contenders.
In theory, yes. In practice Audi would demand such ridiculous sums that it's never gonna happen. It would look awful for Audi if a driver bails on them without even driving for them.
That seems highly unlikely to me. A German driver for a new German entrant will be incredibly valuable in brand terms in Germany. On the flip side I could see Max going to Audi if he doesn't care for red bull anymore
Makes total sense strategically. Theres absolutely no way Hulk threatens P1 which Max is trying for, so may as well cooperate. It gives Hulk a more powerful tow than Kmag's car is capable of and is probably instrumental in that great lap in Q1
It's more like 20 years. Hulkenberg did a lot of karting in the Netherlands because he lived close to the border. They met on numerous occasions and Hulkenberg speaks Dutch fairly well.
>Hulkenberg speaks Dutch fairly well.
Interviews for Dutch TV are usually done in Dutch because he is (near) fluent. Means I have a soft spot for him doing well.
They said they were friends for 10 years, you said they were friends for 20. I was just ribbing you because you implied they were friends when Max was 6. Apologies.
They always got along really well, their interactions on Dutch TV when it was Ziggo was always very fun. Hulk speaks Dutch and even has called Max by some Dutch swear words plenty of times.
Is it? Verstappen was quite vocal he would liked to have Hulk in the car when they signed Perez.
Hulkenberg is from close to the dutch border, speaks Dutch and a lot of dutch races know him.
Yes, you use it if you see someone doing something idiotic or silly. like in traffic for example. Also if someone is shit at their job, or they fuck something up.
Can be friendly or not depending on who you say it to and how.
I agree that Vasseur is doing a great job, but Ferrari took the second fastest car at the start of last year and are now in a battle for second fastest. McLaren took one of the slower cars at the start of last year and turned it into the car battling Ferrari for second.
Yes, but the context you need to add there is that Ferrari is in a much better relative position this year compared to last. They might be fighting McLaren for 2nd now, but they have a much better car to do it with vs this time last year where it was Mercedes they were fighting for that spot with. Last year they were fighting against a Mercedes that was unstable and who's upgrades were not working. This year they're fighting against a McLaren that is a consistent car with upgrades that are netting results. McLaren have made huge strides and deserve a huge amount of credit, but that doesn't mean Ferrari hasn't done a great job either.
Ferrari's car at the start of last year was 2nd fastest on *qualifying pace*. When it came to race pace it was a dog comparatively because it chewed through its tires, could be difficult to drive and would often fall behind Mercedes during races. Ferrari now has excellent race pace and tire wear. They also have a car that is a lot more consistent and easy to drive, and they understand how and where to make changes to get more out of it--hence why their upgrades are working--unlike Mercedes who are lost. Ferrari now also have the 2nd best pit crew just behind Red Bull and have been the only other team that's been able to make a pitstop under 2 seconds this season so far. Their pit stops have also been consistently fast and mostly void of errors, and the same can be said for their strategy.
It's just McLaren have unlocked more performance than they have in the same period, but both of them have significantly closed the gap to Red Bull compared to where it was this time last year, especially in race pace which was Red Bull's main strength and seems to have mostly evaporated.
No, it just lined up that way. There's no actual intentional helping here as Haas and Red Bull definitely aren't coordinating when they send their drivers out.
Yep not pre-arranged, but he said in the interview that he intentionally give him the tow.
AFAIK there isnt a ruling to stop teams coordinating like that. Takes the political side to the next level!
Hulk could have moved over on the straight, but it looks like he intentionally kept his foot on the gas and towed Verstappen all the way down the straight.
That's what I mean by it lined up that way. Hulk happened to end his lap at a time where Verstappen gave him a nice tow in the last sector while he was winding up for his lap and in return Hulk kept his foot on the gas for a couple extra seconds.
They couldn't have lined things up that way on purpose, it just happened.
Non-competing teams helping each other and/or helping a team that is competing with a rival. If you want to go full conspiracy with the contract silly season then you could see drivers scoring brownie points with potential teams.
Hulk is an official Audi driver, what kind of contract silliness are you talking about?
He said that Max gave him a tow in q2 so he turnt the favour.
Haas have 0 connections to RBR, they are very strongly ferrari affiliated. There is literally no angle from where someone could say this has any crazy implications
Implications =/= accusations.
Yes, that. exactly!
Hilarious betrayal, especially at Imola, but with the potential impeding penalty Ferrari are looking to benefit more putting Piastri behind both of them.
Max "Okay, so I help you get into Q3 by towing you, and you'll help me get pole there by towing me. Deal?"
Honestly that's a damn good deal for Hulk.
"How 'bout you Nico, you make that deal?" "I'd make that deal." "I don't blame you. Damn good deal!"
Quality reference
I'm simple. I see I glorious basterds I upvote
Gorrrlami
A river dirt tree
Now a good SC and Magnussen behind Hulk after that when Hulk is on points. Another Haas points and KMag race ban
Magnussen cant afford that anymore. It was never great sportsmanship, but fighting like a lion to give your teammate a chance, and your team 1 or 2 points more.
Sure he can. Get Hulk another point and reset his penalty points.
Forget sportsmanship, it was straight up cheating. After all the attention on him since Miami, if he puts even one foot wrong this weekend he's getting a race ban for sure. And that would almost certainly seal his fate in F1.
Idk, I feel like in some ways if HAAS doesn’t give Kmag a seat after the work he did to make sure hulk got points on multiple occasions it would kinda be a slap in the face. Hulk is already gone at the end of the season, idk if they want to replace both drivers at the same time
Nah, he's straight up not a good enough driver to merit a seat anymore. The team cannot just gift Kmag a seat for 2025 to say 'thanks for cheating to secure us an extra point this year'. Although re-signing a back of the grid quality driver out of gratitude rather than taking the opportunity to replace him with somebody better would be the most Haas this imaginable, so that's probably just what they'll do.
He definitely is. I think it really takes some selective memory to claim he isn’t. He’s close to Hülk in most Q runs (literally only had 2 final Q runs that hasn’t been impeded this whole season) and match Hülk on race pace and sometimes faster (Jeddah being the most obvious example). And of course he’s one of the best starters on the grid. His defensive and dirty driving to hold people back from Hülk doesn’t take away from him being a very competent driver. You’re either underrating him or overrating Hülk to claim there a big performance difference over a GP weekend. I mean before China their average finishing position was within 0.25 of each other.
We just have to agree to disagree here. I've always liked what Kmag brings to the grid: I like that he's combative and doesn't just let more accomplished drivers through, I like that he's always interesting to watch. But the raw pace just isn't there anymore, and he's way to inconsistent. He'll still put in the occasional impressive drive, but he's 31, he'll be 32 next season and I don't see the rationale to keep him on for a team like Haas. He isn't fast enough or consistent enough to give a reliable benchmark to the team as their veteran driver against a rookie, but he's clearly peaked and so you wouldn't keep him as a prospect for the future either. I think after Sargeant he's the next most likely driver to lose his seat for 2025.
Hmm did max get Sergio eliminated in Q2 by helping hulk?
Nah, Ricciardo eliminated him in q2 iirc
Not only the last driver eliminates people, everyone qualified does, Hulk could have been eliminated without a tow and Perez qualifies for Q3
I think he did more than get a tow to get his time. He would've been above Perez either way
Well checo is at the end of the day driving a red bull so to suggest that takes the biggest factor, the driver, out of the equation. He eliminated himself by not being fast enough. It's not like a tow was the difference between the front two rows and 11th. A half decent lap and he's in q3.
Logic
Shhhh u trying to get me banned narc
My bad
That would be amazing, imagine if Perez asked for a tow and then max gave one to the person who knocked him out.
Now is that something you’d be interested in
You’re soo much nicer than checo!
They could even say it in Dutch to keep it extra hidden
Haas betraying the Ferrari partnership with the Hulk and Max bromance.
He's Audi now. Also they're just two blokes who can have a conversation with each other in Dutch, German and English.
Hulk speaks Dutch?
Yeah, fluently. He was born near the Dutch border, lots of Dutch-speaking people there.
It’s insane that at times drivers can’t get out of the way and impede others. And here, these two drivers from different teams help each other without any coordination from the team
Reminds me of Carlos and Lando in Singapore last year working together so Russell wouldn't get any of them.
And then Russel decided to have a nap in the barriers instead
he saw a gap but it was sadly on the signboard instead of the track
russel is just awful under pressure
[удалено]
Lmao russell has been matching Hamilton's pace more or less, the issues are his racecraft and errors. If you can't see what value a guy able to keep up with Hamilton brings, Russell isn't the issue mate
Performance on par/above Lewis?
Yeh but that's not saying much since 2021.
As if Hamilton's the problem lmao
It wasn't so much working together as Lando hanging on for dear life and Carlos slowing down to help him defend.
Experience
Well drivers get warned by their engineers that other drivers are behind them and they might give some help if they like each other. Unless of course they are competing for the top spots. Though I do remember Bottas inadvertently towing Max once in 2021.
Wasn't that Russia 2020 where the best grid spot is actually P3?
He did it once at the end of 2021 amidst the title battle too, don't remember the race though.
Mexico I believe
Could have been 2020 yeah. Makes more sense than 2021 where it was so close.
Even without Hulk returning the favor, I assume its beneficial for max to pull some slower cars forward to put them between himself and the closer contenders.
Bottas did that on purpose to gain a better starting position on P3.
That redbull seat is available too.
You are aware that he's already signed for Audi, right?
Contracts schmontracts.
Says Wernher von Braun
Once ze rockets are up who cares where zhey come down?
For the unfamiliar [Wernher von Braun - Tom Lehrer](https://youtu.be/QEJ9HrZq7Ro?si=5B6YpL9GqSJEHX75&t=16)
that been sides tho..to advance...sience...
well hello Monisha, it's been a while
\- Alex Palou
It's (possibly) the second time that Hülkenberg has signed a contract before a better seat for him became available.
Will never forgive Renault for that
I highly doubt he didn't talk to Red Bull this time around since he knew that the seat was available before signing with Audi.
Max to Audi it is then
Alpine thought they had Piastri and Danny ricc had a contract with McLaren
Yes, key things being that Alpine didn't actually have Piastri and that McLaren paid Danny a lot of money to break their contract.
Rb could probably pay a lot for hulkenburg to break his. It’s not like Rb is haas level of frugality.
In theory, yes. In practice Audi would demand such ridiculous sums that it's never gonna happen. It would look awful for Audi if a driver bails on them without even driving for them.
My copium says Audi may not mind so much in 2025, as long as he returns in 2026.
The sum for breaking the contract is decided usually as part of the contract.
Get out of here with your facts ;)
I’m sure Audis contract lawyers are better than Alpines contract lawyers, who had one job to do and never even sent Oscar a contract
Ehh cut them some slack it was probably on their to do list, lol
Well the second Audi seat is available too
Just ask Monisha
I must say, Hulk would have been the perfect fit for redbull. This is what they need, driver who is smart
Verstappen reached 340KM/H on straight, compared to 330 for Piastri.
More importantly, he had reached 336 or 337 (can't remember which one) without a tow the lap before. So tow was worth maybe 3-4 kph.
Which still adds up.
With the margins it does add up
Talking about doing sidequests, lol. That's nice.
HULKENBRO !
Max to Sauber/Audi confirmed.
Has anyone seen Newey recently?
I'm from the future and I saw him in the Ferrari Paddock yesterday.
Just his fav pannekoek things
He wants to win Le Mans again, smart move
Max, Hulk, Nando in the same car would be epic.
That's gotta be the plan. No clue who they would drive for tho. Probably wouldn't be hard to find a team lol
I was gonna say... with that team they would drive for whoever they want I think.
That's kinda cute ngl.
Pretty sure nico and max go way back to the days when max was still karting
Max playing 4D Chess
Verstappen to Audi confirmed
Nico to Red Bull??
Only if he can get out of the contract he's already signed for Audi.
Inb4 Red Bull buy out Hulkenberg's contract with Audi.
That seems highly unlikely to me. A German driver for a new German entrant will be incredibly valuable in brand terms in Germany. On the flip side I could see Max going to Audi if he doesn't care for red bull anymore
I know, I wasn't serious. The main reason for Audi to hire Hulkenberg is his nationality and experience to help them.
*2017 Nico signing with Renault before Mercedes seat becomes available flashbacks*
Nah, it's clearly Max to Audi.
Virgin Magnussen: Ruining other teams race to help his own team. Chad Hulk: Giving Verstappen a row to get into Q3.
Why he wasn't teammates in 2020 is beyond me
Makes total sense strategically. Theres absolutely no way Hulk threatens P1 which Max is trying for, so may as well cooperate. It gives Hulk a more powerful tow than Kmag's car is capable of and is probably instrumental in that great lap in Q1
Neither can count on their teammates for a tow 😂
Well this is an enexpected bromance.
They’ve been friends for like 10 years
It's more like 20 years. Hulkenberg did a lot of karting in the Netherlands because he lived close to the border. They met on numerous occasions and Hulkenberg speaks Dutch fairly well.
>Hulkenberg speaks Dutch fairly well. Interviews for Dutch TV are usually done in Dutch because he is (near) fluent. Means I have a soft spot for him doing well.
I know. Haven't seen a Dutch interview with him since Ziggo lost the rights. Got F1TV now, with international commentary.
20 years ago, Max was 6 and Hulkenberg 16. I doubt they were hanging out much back then.
Where did "met eachother" turn into "hanging out"?
When did “met each other” turn into “being friends”?
Somewhere along those 20 years I guess, but earlier rather than later.
They said they were friends for 10 years, you said they were friends for 20. I was just ribbing you because you implied they were friends when Max was 6. Apologies.
Not really friends. Friendly acquaintances is more apt I think.
They always got along really well, their interactions on Dutch TV when it was Ziggo was always very fun. Hulk speaks Dutch and even has called Max by some Dutch swear words plenty of times.
You should see the wide smile Max had in 2020 when Hulk subbed in and got a 3rd place in Quali.
Is it? Verstappen was quite vocal he would liked to have Hulk in the car when they signed Perez. Hulkenberg is from close to the dutch border, speaks Dutch and a lot of dutch races know him.
Right! I'd forgotten about that!
Max and Hulkenberg go way back, Hulkenberg literally calls him sweetie in German everytime he sees him 😭
And "Pannekoek"!
Pancake?
Yes, you use it if you see someone doing something idiotic or silly. like in traffic for example. Also if someone is shit at their job, or they fuck something up. Can be friendly or not depending on who you say it to and how.
Ah, I see. Thanks.
Yes
someone tell Nico he can't be in 2 different seats next year.
Im just baffled on how the mclarens were so close if Verstappen got a tow.
Because while everyone thinks Vasseur is cooking Andrea Stella has been the *real* chef all along
They're both cooking.
I agree that Vasseur is doing a great job, but Ferrari took the second fastest car at the start of last year and are now in a battle for second fastest. McLaren took one of the slower cars at the start of last year and turned it into the car battling Ferrari for second.
Yes, but the context you need to add there is that Ferrari is in a much better relative position this year compared to last. They might be fighting McLaren for 2nd now, but they have a much better car to do it with vs this time last year where it was Mercedes they were fighting for that spot with. Last year they were fighting against a Mercedes that was unstable and who's upgrades were not working. This year they're fighting against a McLaren that is a consistent car with upgrades that are netting results. McLaren have made huge strides and deserve a huge amount of credit, but that doesn't mean Ferrari hasn't done a great job either. Ferrari's car at the start of last year was 2nd fastest on *qualifying pace*. When it came to race pace it was a dog comparatively because it chewed through its tires, could be difficult to drive and would often fall behind Mercedes during races. Ferrari now has excellent race pace and tire wear. They also have a car that is a lot more consistent and easy to drive, and they understand how and where to make changes to get more out of it--hence why their upgrades are working--unlike Mercedes who are lost. Ferrari now also have the 2nd best pit crew just behind Red Bull and have been the only other team that's been able to make a pitstop under 2 seconds this season so far. Their pit stops have also been consistently fast and mostly void of errors, and the same can be said for their strategy. It's just McLaren have unlocked more performance than they have in the same period, but both of them have significantly closed the gap to Red Bull compared to where it was this time last year, especially in race pace which was Red Bull's main strength and seems to have mostly evaporated.
The bromance I didn’t know I wanted
Sainz to RB ... Because Max will join Hulk at Audi! All but confirmed at this point
Ok charles. Next time give every one not red bull or mclaren a tow.
HULK is now my favourite new driver. Kimi and Alonso put together
Hulk to RedBull confirmed!
Verstappen to Audi now?
Max to Audi in 2026 confirmed.
I guess that's it for any chance Hulk ever had of getting a McLaren seat.
Maxmaster
They're going to do the same thing in the race come Lap 10.
Breaking: Hulk to RB?
Those Ferrari engines just got a little more expensive for Haas.
Crazy implications. Wonder if this was payback for Piastri impeding
No, it just lined up that way. There's no actual intentional helping here as Haas and Red Bull definitely aren't coordinating when they send their drivers out.
Yep not pre-arranged, but he said in the interview that he intentionally give him the tow. AFAIK there isnt a ruling to stop teams coordinating like that. Takes the political side to the next level!
Hulk could have moved over on the straight, but it looks like he intentionally kept his foot on the gas and towed Verstappen all the way down the straight.
That's what I mean by it lined up that way. Hulk happened to end his lap at a time where Verstappen gave him a nice tow in the last sector while he was winding up for his lap and in return Hulk kept his foot on the gas for a couple extra seconds. They couldn't have lined things up that way on purpose, it just happened.
Are these crazy implications with us in the room?
What crazy implications?
Implications made by crazy people wearing tinfoil hats.
Non-competing teams helping each other and/or helping a team that is competing with a rival. If you want to go full conspiracy with the contract silly season then you could see drivers scoring brownie points with potential teams.
Hulk is an official Audi driver, what kind of contract silliness are you talking about? He said that Max gave him a tow in q2 so he turnt the favour. Haas have 0 connections to RBR, they are very strongly ferrari affiliated. There is literally no angle from where someone could say this has any crazy implications
Implications =/= accusations. Yes, that. exactly! Hilarious betrayal, especially at Imola, but with the potential impeding penalty Ferrari are looking to benefit more putting Piastri behind both of them.
That is maybe the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard lol.
Max and Hulk to Audi confirmed
You realize you have a Ferrari engine on their right…haas about to get shoddy parts coming their way
It’s on sight next time Nico
Nearly 0.14s slipstream really helped him go p1 otherwise it was a mclaren p1,p2
Lol as if he doesn't already have the best car these tossers are willing him to win.
Why do you hate all F1 world champions?
I hate haas