planetf1.com

Harpo wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:27 pm

Harpo wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:34 pm

Last week I said as soon as wednesday that Perez was going to win... May be I should start betting, but I would surely make more money opening a psychic business.
So you all can note : tomorrow, Checo Perez on the podium.

Looks like I'll have to start my psychic business under another alias...

OK then, here's a prediction.

Perez podiums in 2021: 8+

Invade wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 13, 2020 3:13 pm

Harpo wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 13, 2020 2:27 pm

Harpo wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:34 pm

Last week I said as soon as wednesday that Perez was going to win... May be I should start betting, but I would surely make more money opening a psychic business.
So you all can note : tomorrow, Checo Perez on the podium.

Looks like I'll have to start my psychic business under another alias...

OK then, here's a prediction.

Perez podiums in 2021: 8+

If he's on RB as expected, yup

A small interview with Will Buxton at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.



It's astounding he still has sweet words, appreciation & good wishes towards RP, Lawrence etc despite all that happened unceremoniously.

Am sure this move will send a shockwave through the F1 paddock. So damn happy for Checo!

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/arti ... PfVBd.html

Incredible! A great reward for a fabulous 2020 from Checo and also provides a great barometer for Verstappen's ability relative to the rest of the grid!

Really great news and very nice to see excellent performance rewarded.

Well deserved. I really do hope he holds his own

Now that Checo has joined RB which has been notoriously known only to favor Max orhave a car that 'just' suits Max's driving style, I wonder what has been mentioned in Checo's contract. Would he be given an equal statu based solely on his 10 year experience in F1?

I know any driver would happily accept as a no. 2 driver in the 2nd best team on the grid, including Perez but knowing Perez, hewould want to fight for the title too.

We all believe (mostly) Bottas is as good as Perez. A good car too makes a difference as it showcases the qualities of a driver (Russell in Sakhir). I may be biased but expect 2021 to have a 4 way battle which includes Perez. Question remains is Perez allowed to fight for the win or just be good enough to aid Verstappen to win?

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:59 am

We all believe (mostly) Bottas is as good as Perez. A good car too makes a difference as it showcases the qualities of a driver (Russell in Sakhir). I may be biased but expect 2021 to have a 4 way battle which includes Perez. Question remains is Perez allowed to fight for the win or just be good enough to aid Verstappen to win?

Personally, I believe that Red Bull is going to give Perez everything he needs, and just count on Max being organically enough better to not really be troubled.

Now, mind you, that's the same thing they did with Vettel and Ricciardo in 2014, and it didn't exactly work out the way they expected. But I actually believe that Gasly and Albon have under-performed all on their own the last two years, not because of Red Bull setting them up for failure.

Exediron wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 20, 2020 5:01 am

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:59 am

We all believe (mostly) Bottas is as good as Perez. A good car too makes a difference as it showcases the qualities of a driver (Russell in Sakhir). I may be biased but expect 2021 to have a 4 way battle which includes Perez. Question remains is Perez allowed to fight for the win or just be good enough to aid Verstappen to win?

Personally, I believe that Red Bull is going to give Perez everything he needs, and just count on Max being organically enough better to not really be troubled.

Now, mind you, that's the same thing they did with Vettel and Ricciardo in 2014, and it didn't exactly work out the way they expected. But I actually believe that Gasly and Albon have under-performed all on their own the last two years, not because of Red Bull setting them up for failure.

Just as Valtteri has been asked to sacrifice his strategy to aid Lewis on a few occasions, I will not be surprised if Checo is asked to help Max here and there. I think Max will need to get himself into contention to a point where assistance from Checo is useful though.

Finally, Checo in RB colors!


Source - Imgur


Source - Imgur


Source - Imgur


Source - Imgur

A lovely flashback into his maiden win at Sakhir last year!
https://f1tv.formula1.com/en/episode/in ... ctory-2021

A great insight into Checo's 2 day visit to the Milton Keynes HQ. He looks sharp in the dark Blue racing suit when undergoing seat fitting.

Another sponsor joins Perez (Kavak Mexico).


Source - Imgur

Checo's gorgeous helmet for '21 season:


Source - Imgur


Source - Imgur


Source - Imgur

One of Checo's fast laps in RB15.

Great insight video of his 2 days running in RB15. He's still so excited & thankful. Real excited to see his progress through '21.

A great segment on Checo.

https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2021/ ... P_rez.html

Well, I guess it's still relatively early, but how do you feel Checo is doing so far? As expected? Better? Worse? Too early to tell? Is the reality that actually he's doing fine, it's just that Verstappen really is *that* good?

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 12:22 pm

Well, I guess it's still relatively early, but how do you feel Checo is doing so far? As expected? Better? Worse? Too early to tell? Is the reality that actually he's doing fine, it's just that Verstappen really is *that* good?

I hoped he'd be doing better. But then again I am prepared to give him some time before a definite judgement. This is the same for Tsunoda and Mazepin... nope, just Tsunoda.

I think we should give him more time, but It certainly can be said that Bottas's start at Mercedes was a lot better. It also can be said that Mercedes were as mixed with Ferrari at the start of that year as they are with red bull now. Bottas underperformed in his 2nd race, but looked pretty matched to hamilton in his first and bahrian was pretty solid too. Then he managed to win against the Ferrari's in Russia.

I think he should really have finished in the top 4 every race. He can be excluded from the first race as bad luck didn't help, but he was already starting down in P11 down to his own performance which may actually not have made that much difference to falling right to the back like he did due to the problem. Imola was a different type of bad performance to Bottas, but it almost certainly will have resulted in a worse result. Then the latest result he didn't maximise either.

Bottas seemed pretty solid to begin with, but hasn't really improved at all. Perez has had a worse start in a top team, but he could improve. We just don't know yet.

Considering he's ditching his driving style/method & trying to adopt Max's in order to extract the most of the RB16B, he surely deserves more time. Inspite of being more experienced, he's ready to be flexible & take a route which the team or the engineers want him to instead of stamping his authority (which Gasly tried to do).

His FI/RP car is poles apart from the RB16B car & how can anyone expect him to adapt so well to reach Max's whereabouts. He will need time, considering there was just 1& 1/2 days worth of testing & even the practice sessions are just 1 hour long.

His race pace is already on par with the top 3 drivers in the WDC. He really needs to make the best out of qualy. It's not like he can't qualify well. Last year in Spain, he qualified 4th for example. It's just that with Max's style of driving, he needs to find the rhythm. Once he does, he will be real quick.

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 3:09 pm

Considering he's ditching his driving style/method & trying to adopt Max's in order to extract the most of the RB16B, he surely deserves more time. Inspite of being more experienced, he's ready to be flexible & take a route which the team or the engineers want him to instead of stamping his authority (which Gasly tried to do).

His FI/RP car is poles apart from the RB16B car & how can anyone expect him to adapt so well to reach Max's whereabouts. He will need time, considering there was just 1& 1/2 days worth of testing & even the practice sessions are just 1 hour long.

His race pace is already on par with the top 3 drivers in the WDC. He really needs to make the best out of qualy. It's not like he can't qualify well. Last year in Spain, he qualified 4th for example. It's just that with Max's style of driving, he needs to find the rhythm. Once he does, he will be real quick.

Thanks mate, I did not know that, about him having to adapt and change his driving style. I would have thought that a team would support the style that comes to the driver more comfortably and can perform better. I always thought that his quali was his weak spot, but maybe my memory fails me on this

I expected him to be closer with his experience. I think Verstappen is operating at a very, very high level though and has added consistency to his speed. So outside of Hamilton and maybe Leclerc who I would expect to be right there, I guess the question is how close can we reasonably expect the 2nd driver to be?

A source from within the paddock mentioned this on Twitter:

@redbullracing management have been impressed by @SChecoPerez’s performances since his arrival. The feedback he has given back to the team has been “fantastic” and they are confident that he will close the gap to Max Verstappen in the coming races.

Checo's start at the Spanish grand prix. He had said before the start of the race he'll be a bit more aggressive at the start to recover some places. He & Danny both got past Ocon & Sainz.

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 3:09 pm

Considering he's ditching his driving style/method & trying to adopt Max's in order to extract the most of the RB16B, he surely deserves more time.

I can't see it ending well but if Perez pulls it off, he'll get the contract he deserves for a couple of years I'd think.

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 4:12 pm

A source from within the paddock mentioned this on Twitter:

@redbullracing management have been impressed by @SChecoPerez’s performances since his arrival. The feedback he has given back to the team has been “fantastic” and they are confident that he will close the gap to Max Verstappen in the coming races.

praise, but "confident he will close the gap" also suggests he's not yet where they expect him to be.

It's fine margins at the moment. If he doesn't spin in Imola and doesn't get stuck behind Norris in Portugal people are talking about what a great job he's doing.

I think what's working on Perez's favour is that for now at least Tsunoda isn't looking like a threat.

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 7:08 am

Checo's start at the Spanish grand prix. He had said before the start of the race he'll be a bit more aggressive at the start to recover some places. He & Danny both got past Ocon & Sainz.

Nice aggressive start and good spatial awareness. I think he'll be a real menace as he gets more comfortable with the car and may end up taking over Bottas' default 3rd place on the podium soon.

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 12:22 pm

Well, I guess it's still relatively early, but how do you feel Checo is doing so far? As expected? Better? Worse? Too early to tell? Is the reality that actually he's doing fine, it's just that Verstappen really is *that* good?

In spots his done better than I thought he would this early in the season, overall maybe worse but I think we're still too early in trying to judge him.

I think the performances of all the drivers to new teams has shown that they need more than 3 days testing. Also imagine the basis of the Red bull is completely different to the racing point which he probably still adapting too

Considering he has chucked his style of driving a F1 car & willingly accepted Max's style is the best way to extract the best out of the RB16B, it's credible to his adaptation to change his style of driving altogether. The only issue is there isn't much track time as before to blend into that.

He's also being sensible in a couple of ways. If he wants he could be a bit more assertive in his driving but he's as of now being cautious. He rather get the car to the finish line to assist RB in the WCC fight. He's ready to drive his car in a way that's proven to be the fastest (Max's style). He's not making the same blunder as Gasly who wanted to make the engineers tune to he car to his style only.

We're expecting so much out of him in just his 4th race. Tracks are different with different tarmacs, weather conditions & layouts. The drivers with whom we're expecting him to race with are with their respective teams & cars for 4 years atleast (Ham, Bot & Ver). They'll be knowing every inch of their cars to extract the maximum. Once Perez adapts to his RB16B, I can bet Bottas' podiums are in jeopardy!

Rotax Max 125 wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 2:46 pm

I think the performances of all the drivers to new teams has shown that they need more than 3 days testing. Also imagine the basis of the Red bull is completely different to the racing point which he probably still adapting too

Sounds like a vicious circle, doesn't it? New drivers need testing to get to grips with the cars and avoid more accidents. Testing is limited to save money. But with the new budget cap, accidents penalise the teams moneywise, so having more experienced drivers would make sense. But testing is limited to save money... repeat

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 8:39 am

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 4:12 pm

A source from within the paddock mentioned this on Twitter:

@redbullracing management have been impressed by @SChecoPerez’s performances since his arrival. The feedback he has given back to the team has been “fantastic” and they are confident that he will close the gap to Max Verstappen in the coming races.

praise, but "confident he will close the gap" also suggests he's not yet where they expect him to be.

and now this from Horner

"Of course we desperately need him to be in that gap, so that Mercedes don't have the strategic options that they had today. But I'm convinced that that will come for Checo as he finds more confidence, and time in the car."

So not quite where they want him just yet. I think it's a classic case of the increased expectations when you get to the top. Everything is under scrutiny and you have to be strong in all areas and all the time, no off days or weak areas.

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Thu May 13, 2021 8:45 am

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 8:39 am

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 4:12 pm

A source from within the paddock mentioned this on Twitter:

@redbullracing management have been impressed by @SChecoPerez’s performances since his arrival. The feedback he has given back to the team has been “fantastic” and they are confident that he will close the gap to Max Verstappen in the coming races.

praise, but "confident he will close the gap" also suggests he's not yet where they expect him to be.

and now this from Horner

"Of course we desperately need him to be in that gap, so that Mercedes don't have the strategic options that they had today. But I'm convinced that that will come for Checo as he finds more confidence, and time in the car."

So not quite where they want him just yet. I think it's a classic case of the increased expectations when you get to the top. Everything is under scrutiny and you have to be strong in all areas and all the time, no off days or weak areas.

But Checo won't get flustered because he's aware of what he needs to do. He's taking his time to find the rhythm instead of trying to hurry things which would either result him in crashing out or spinning more than often.

Initially, he tried to adjust his driving style into the RB car but he realised it wasn't the best approach He going Max's way is a great sign of being adaptable & listening to the team & not vice versa.

Checo's overtake on Norris in Portugal.


The reason I put this is to show what a difference a track layout makes. In Spain, Checo couldn't overtake Ricciardo for many laps on end due to the higher downforce specification of the track. Hence, it's not completely right to blame Checo if he could't overtake Ricciardo sooner. I did notice RD cars were about 10km/h slower on the main straight which is why with DRS too it was hard. Only late braking helping get past Ricciardo at the end.

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Thu May 13, 2021 1:26 pm

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Thu May 13, 2021 8:45 am

DOLOMITE wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 8:39 am

UnlikeUday wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 4:12 pm

A source from within the paddock mentioned this on Twitter:

@redbullracing management have been impressed by @SChecoPerez’s performances since his arrival. The feedback he has given back to the team has been “fantastic” and they are confident that he will close the gap to Max Verstappen in the coming races.

praise, but "confident he will close the gap" also suggests he's not yet where they expect him to be.

and now this from Horner

"Of course we desperately need him to be in that gap, so that Mercedes don't have the strategic options that they had today. But I'm convinced that that will come for Checo as he finds more confidence, and time in the car."

So not quite where they want him just yet. I think it's a classic case of the increased expectations when you get to the top. Everything is under scrutiny and you have to be strong in all areas and all the time, no off days or weak areas.

But Checo won't get flustered because he's aware of what he needs to do. He's taking his time to find the rhythm instead of trying to hurry things which would either result him in crashing out or spinning more than often.

Initially, he tried to adjust his driving style into the RB car but he realised it wasn't the best approach He going Max's way is a great sign of being adaptable & listening to the team & not vice versa.

Well I guess we will see. It would be interesting to know what an acceptable level is from Red Bulls perspective. Presumably running 1 position behind Max and definitely without a Merc in between. That's a tall order given the level Max appears to be at these days.