What do you think is running through Esteban Ocon's mind?
Posted: Sat May 11, 2019 10:51 pm
I guess the title says it all.
Maybe Renault as well if hulk continues to struggle?sandman1347 wrote:All joking aside, I hope Ocon has some kind of plan B. He is not likely to get that Mercedes drive for 2020 and no matter how hot of a prospect you are, no driver can afford to take 2 years on the sidelines this early in their career. I'd imagine Haas or perhaps Toro Rosso might be the best bet for him. Getting onboard the Ferrari or Red Bull programs on some level might be his best alternative to his current Mercedes gig. I don't get the sense that Alfa is a likely destination but Haas have really been hamstrung by their driver lineup lately and should see him as an inexpensive upgrade.
I can't see Renault dumping Hulk.Altair wrote:Maybe Renault as well if hulk continues to struggle?sandman1347 wrote:All joking aside, I hope Ocon has some kind of plan B. He is not likely to get that Mercedes drive for 2020 and no matter how hot of a prospect you are, no driver can afford to take 2 years on the sidelines this early in their career. I'd imagine Haas or perhaps Toro Rosso might be the best bet for him. Getting onboard the Ferrari or Red Bull programs on some level might be his best alternative to his current Mercedes gig. I don't get the sense that Alfa is a likely destination but Haas have really been hamstrung by their driver lineup lately and should see him as an inexpensive upgrade.
Haas should absolutely invest in better drivers as soon as possible. I honestly think they could be fighting RBR most weekends if they had equal drivers.mikeyg123 wrote:I think Haas or STR will be the only possible destinations. It's a real shame because for more than half the teams on the grid he would be a certain upgrade.
I think he'd be better to wait it out for the season as surely Merc will release him at the end of the season if (when) they re-sign Bottas. He could then get himself into a Haas seat. Surely that's preferable than driving for Williams at the moment.Mort Canard wrote:Esteban has to be wondering whether he would be better off if Williams pitched Kubica out of the seat and gave it to him.
It would be a ride but the only thing he could meaningfully do is measure himself against George Russell.
Yes, very likely. He can't go anywhere useful while contracted to Mercedes unless it's Valteri's seat. ...and that doesn't seem to be in the cards.JN23 wrote:I think he'd be better to wait it out for the season as surely Merc will release him at the end of the season if (when) they re-sign Bottas. He could then get himself into a Haas seat. Surely that's preferable than driving for Williams at the moment.Mort Canard wrote:Esteban has to be wondering whether he would be better off if Williams pitched Kubica out of the seat and gave it to him.
It would be a ride but the only thing he could meaningfully do is measure himself against George Russell.
As far as young talent; I think Toto Knows that Max is his guy for the future. The only caveat is that Max is a replacement for Hamilton; not Bottas. Whether it be 2021 or 2023; Max will eventually drive for Mercedes IMO.Mort Canard wrote:Yes, very likely. He can't go anywhere useful while contracted to Mercedes unless it's Valteri's seat. ...and that doesn't seem to be in the cards.JN23 wrote:I think he'd be better to wait it out for the season as surely Merc will release him at the end of the season if (when) they re-sign Bottas. He could then get himself into a Haas seat. Surely that's preferable than driving for Williams at the moment.Mort Canard wrote:Esteban has to be wondering whether he would be better off if Williams pitched Kubica out of the seat and gave it to him.
It would be a ride but the only thing he could meaningfully do is measure himself against George Russell.
Still Toto knows he needs some young talent on the way up.
And they have Russell as far as young talent goes within the Mercedes camp.sandman1347 wrote:As far as young talent; I think Toto Knows that Max is his guy for the future. The only caveat is that Max is a replacement for Hamilton; not Bottas. Whether it be 2021 or 2023; Max will eventually drive for Mercedes IMO.Mort Canard wrote:Yes, very likely. He can't go anywhere useful while contracted to Mercedes unless it's Valteri's seat. ...and that doesn't seem to be in the cards.JN23 wrote:I think he'd be better to wait it out for the season as surely Merc will release him at the end of the season if (when) they re-sign Bottas. He could then get himself into a Haas seat. Surely that's preferable than driving for Williams at the moment.Mort Canard wrote:Esteban has to be wondering whether he would be better off if Williams pitched Kubica out of the seat and gave it to him.
It would be a ride but the only thing he could meaningfully do is measure himself against George Russell.
Still Toto knows he needs some young talent on the way up.
They hired Verstappen. He was the last. They've never really been in a position like this before. Honestly, I think had it not been for Merc they would've brought in Ocon for this season.Lord Crc wrote:I forget stuff, does Toro Rosso have a track record for hiring non-Red Bull drivers? Based on the interviews with Marco I assumed they didn't, and as such TR would not be a viable option for drivers such as Ocon.