Posts by neonfox65

stormybadger8 said:Clearly, they aren't "marketable" enough. They just don't pull in the crowds like Max and Ricci do...
And honestly, who cares? It’s not like Max and Ricci cost them any more than Sainz and Kvyat would have...

What part of this is nonsense?
Max was so wildly inconsistent last season he wouldn't have even won a title at Watkins Glen; Rosberg or Hamilton would've snatched it from him in an RB before he could blink 😳
And Ricci wasn't exactly crushing it either...

Do yourself a favor and actually look at the race results. We can talk trash all day, but by the end of the season, RB was sitting at 3rd or 4th in terms of raw pace, and they were never lower than 5th or 6th. Anything worse than that is a straight-up failure...

Ricci had four races where he finished way worse than 6th, and eight where he was way behind 4th...
Max had five times where he was worse than 6th plus three DNFs, plus another eight times where he was worse than 4th plus those three DNFs...
And I'm not even talking about random bad luck; the only races where both guys fell out of the top six were the European GP and Monza. After Monza, neither of them cracked the top four once...
So, maybe those two races were car issues, but the rest? That's definitely driver error...

Look, you don't win championships if you can't even bring the car home in decent shape for eight races out of the season. It's basic math.
Think about it—would Rosberg even be in the title conversation if he'd finished 3rd or worse eight times in a season? And imagine being Max, finishing 3rd or worse eight times *and* dealing with three DNFs. No shot. 🤦
"Best driver lineup" my ass. 🙂
Sure, they're flashy, they're young, they're the "next big things," and they probably have the biggest fanbases. Fine.
But realistically? With results like those, they're nowhere near the championship fight against actual top-tier drivers in equal cars, just like back in 2016.

Unless maybe Ricci and Max are actually better drivers🙂

What do you mean by playing it safe?
Max was so incredibly inconsistent last season that he wouldn't have even snagged the title at Monza—Rosberg or Hamilton probably would've taken it from him in an RB back then. 😳
And Ricciardo wasn't exactly miles ahead either...

😂

Just look at the race results. We can talk all we want about this or that, but RB was basically sitting at 3rd or 4th in terms of power by the end of the races—and at the very least, they were in the top 5 or 6 every single race this season. Anything worse than that is a genuine failure...

Well, Ricci finished 3rd and Max—who barely even got going in the RB—finished 5th.

And it's not even about those specific races where they fell out of range. In fact, they were both outside the top 6 only at the European GP, and by the time Monza rolled around, neither of them was even in the top 4...

But Monza is a high-speed track, and the engine was only 3rd for power. Same goes for the Azerbaijan GP.

So only those two races could potentially be blamed on the car, but the rest definitely isn't the car's fault...

What "rest"? I already told you where they finished overall—what are you even talking about? 🤔

Best driver lineup my ass🙂

You have access to satellite TV and didn't catch the Autosport show? They actually agreed there—that RB has the best lineup—and that was coming from expert comedian Tibi, not some troll like you. 👋

stormybadger8 said:Obviously, that carries massive weight because you'd expect Max, Ricci, Horner, or Newey to actually admit that Red Bull's lineup is weaker than...🙂🤣
Good luck finding any reason for someone at Red Bull to say something like that. Anything else would be incredibly weird, 🤦

Look, I'm not talking about the driver lineup🤦 🤦 🤦Gosh...

I'm talking about all the hints that RB might actually be competitive.

—and honestly, even just looking at the car itself, it was way better...

Some people argue that the Mercedes was the best because of that active suspension. But I don't care if the Red Bull chassis was superior—it didn't matter since they didn't have an engine that could actually keep up. Basically, Mercedes had the better package by a mile... there's no point trying to split the chassis and the engine into two separate things.

ultimately, any two drivers sitting in that thing would've looked like a dream lineup—like if you put Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo together, or Max Verstappen and Ricciardo in another seat...

🤦 Good grief, I can't believe what I'm reading. If that were true, why wouldn't they just call those top-tier guys to drive instead of who's currently in the Red Bull seats?🤦 What are you even talking about? It's unbelievable. Ricciardo built his reputation back in 2014 when he absolutely crushed a four-time champ in his own team, and Max is a literal prodigy...

while the others struggle to show anything because their car is so weak, any threat to the Mercedes is automatically treated like world-class driving—even though it's not impossible that the Red Bull was actually better than the Mercedes on certain tracks...

Which tracks? Where was the Red Bull actually better than the Mercedes? Ricciardo only pulled off a pole in Monaco. In Spain and Malaysia, they won just because the Mercedes cars dropped out. Seriously, saying stuff like that is just wild...

Even if they were in a dominant car, would any of them have actually become a champion?

Okay, now you're just sugarcoating things. How can you even write such nonsense without feeling bad about it?

And look, I’m not even a fan of Alonso, but in that junk McLaren, he looked way better than Max and Ricciardo combined... honestly, it was surprising he even had the grit to sit in that car, let alone drive it the way he did...

Well, Alonso himself said he considers Ricciardo the best driver in F1. Does that mean nothing to you?

stormybadger8 said:What's there even to say...
Look at Red Bull's driver lineup. Combined, they've got 25 podiums, 5 wins, 9 Fl's, and even a P1...
In what alternate universe could any other team pull together a better duo? Their stats are so insane, nobody else is even in the same zip code.😍

All I'll say is: You can't live off old glory forever, buddy.👋

northerncobra31 said:I'm not really a Red Bull fan, and I think Ricciardo gets too much credit, but you can't deny that he and Max are currently the best driver duo on the grid.

+10

mellowtiger83 said:Ricciardo is being remarkably bold with his chatter. I didn't expect such aimless blather from him; he’s heard the rumors, he knows the landscape, and yet here we are. As for his comments regarding the optimal driver lineup, I shall refrain from commenting entirely. There is an old saying for situations just like this: "the higher they fly, the harder they fall."

Now, I suppose our resident forum visionary will step up to declare exactly who will be going toe-to-toe with Hamilton. It will be nothing more than the Ferrari duo, perhaps with Max occasionally inserting himself into the fray, and that will be that.

I've heard from plenty of other sources that Red Bull has the best lineup too, so I don't see why you're so bothered by it👋

And it's not just coming from Rick—the whole Red Bull crew is hinting at it, from Max to Horner and Newey. They're all talking big, yet somehow you're the only one staying quiet.

Now our resident forum visionary is going to tell us exactly who’ll be fighting Hamilton—it’ll be nothing but the Ferrari duo, with Max occasionally jumping in, and that’s it.

🤣

Hey, just so you know, I'm keeping a file on everything you say😂

A little more

Even though Rosberg’s sudden exit opened up a seat in that dominant Mercedes car, Ricciardo feels he's exactly where he needs to be heading into the new F1 season—and he's convinced Red Bull can make life pretty difficult for the championship favorite, Lewis Hamilton.

“That Mercedes seat was tempting—really made me want to see what that car could do—but 2017 is a fresh start, and I’m hoping our car comes out on top!” the driver said.

“Bottas has a huge opportunity now, so we'll just have to see how he handles it. For me, there's no better place to be than right here at Red Bull.”

“I think we can give them a run for their money. If we make progress similar to last year, believe me, Hamilton is going to have a tough time.”

Ricciardo also gave a shout-out to the Red Bull lineup, claiming they've got the best roster in Formula 1.

“I think we do. Honestly, I couldn't care less who the second-best lineup is, haha,” Ricciardo joked.

“Last year was really encouraging for the whole crew—we were back in the hunt for wins, podiums, and pole positions. It felt like a massive step toward our goals.”

“And based on what I'm hearing about the new car... I’d take the risk and bet on us.”

Pure optimism! 👏😎 🙂

Daniel Ricciardo: We can fight for the title

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo says his squad is ready to go toe-to-toe with Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton for the Formula 1 championship this season.

After a rough 2015, Red Bull bounced back last year as the second-best team on the grid—just behind the champions, Mercedes. Plus, they were actually the only ones besides Mercedes to pull off wins last season (shoutout to Spain and Malaysia)...

"I think we can take them on, yeah. If we keep up the progress from last year, I don't think Hamilton is going to have an easy ride," Ricciardo said, according to Sky Sports.

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOO 👋🎉🙂

Just because someone pulls off the most overtakes doesn't make them the GOAT at passing—give me a link proving he's actually been named the best overtaker.

Alonso said it himself about Ricciardo: “In the overtaking manoeuvres probably he is the best out there."

I can already hear you typing, "Who even cares about Alonso?" 😂

Wait, hold on... how is Horner even able to say no?

When he’s under contract with Red Bull Racing... ☕

There's no way he can pull that off in a TR race, I'll bet anything on it. ☕

Check out this comedy routine 👋

Daniel Ricciardo finally weighs in on those Mercedes rumors

Can you please just stop posting this nonsense...🙂>

stormybadger8 said:When it comes to you, honestly, anyone trying to have a real conversation is just part of the joke. 😁

What exactly are you getting from that text, neonfox65? 🙂
Does that text actually say Red Bull can't get Ricci back into the seat, or that Ricci doesn't even have a say in anything?

Go ahead and read that text again. Then tell me: is Ricci just rambling because he's trying to run a glorified commercial for himself and Red Bull, or is he actually just being a massive jerk? 😍
Just look at Ricciardo’s own quotes. He basically said he’d jump ship to Ferrari in a heartbeat if they actually had a winning car. But since they don't? He thinks his best shot is staying with Red Bull. That's why he isn't heading to Maranello.
Nobody even knows who actually called him for the Ferrari seat, aside from the media circus and the occasional mouthy pundit over at Red Bull. As far as I can tell, absolutely no one from the Ferrari camp has ever even breathed a word about wanting Ricciardo on the team. 😉

So, if Ricci is actually such a hot commodity, why didn't he land a seat at Mercedes? That should have been their top priority. Instead, they didn't even mention him—it was all about Max. Makes you wonder.
And that’s probably exactly why the Mercedes isn't a winning car right now. 😍

If you actually use your brain for a second, it becomes pretty obvious that what Ricciardo wants or doesn't want doesn't matter one bit.
The real question isn't whether he wants out—it's whether he even *can* leave the organization. Honestly, he’s probably stuck. He likely signed some soul-crushing contract years ago that basically makes him property. At this point, it feels like he signed a deal with the devil just to get the job. 😍

Look, the deal with Red Bull is pretty obvious. It’s basically the same playbook. They bankroll these drivers from the time they're kids, then force them into these long-term contracts. Most likely, there are clauses buried in there that make it impossible to leave unless you pay back every single cent they invested in you—money you obviously don't have.
There are basically two ways this plays out:

The whole "cleaning house" thing feels a bit sketchy. I mean, look at the track record—not a single driver from Red Bull has ever actually landed a seat elsewhere after leaving them. That tells you everything you need to know.
There’s probably some fine print in here about clawback clauses if they jump ship to another team. Otherwise, guys like Vergne and Buemi would be finding themselves a paycheck somewhere else right now.
Plus, none of their junior academy drivers have actually landed a seat anywhere else—unless you count jumping straight into a seat at Mercedes (or some other team where Red Bull basically pulled the strings for them).
Look, there’s been plenty of talent in the F1 pipeline lately, but it’s not like they didn't get a shot—they just never got a seat because Red Bull Racing was already full when their time came.
I honestly wonder why nobody else seems interested in these kids besides the junior team...

Then you have those performance clauses—like the one Vettel used. It basically means you have to accept being treated like garbage by your own team in your final season just so they can use your exit to launch some new superstar on your dime...
It’s actually wild. Not a single driver from their academy has managed to break out of the Red Bull system into another top team, even though they've pumped dozens through it.

So, at this point, Ricciardo’s only way out of the junior squad is to either quit F1 entirely or wait for Max to absolutely tear him apart until he's no longer useful to them after they've groomed his replacement...
Red Bull can do whatever they want with him. The real question is whether they want to tank their own investment the way they did with Kvyat...
But ultimately, it all comes down to how things play out with little Sainz. Someone's going to get the short end of the stick here—either Ricciardo or Sainz—and we all know Red Bull's motto: "younger is always better."

neonfox65 said:And you, Tim, act like you aren't convinced Ferrari's going to take first, yet you put them right at the top of your predictions 🤣 You're such a joke 🤣

stormybadger8 said:Morning 🤣
Do you honestly think anyone here is taking you seriously? 👏

When it comes to a debate between Tim vs Dan, the only thing to take away is comedy, comedy, and more comedy...😁

Look, I’ll just come out and say it—I'm not trying to lie to anyone here... 👋

So, what exactly are you getting from that text, neonfox65?... 🙂

You won't really get what I'm saying until much later, Comedy Tibi... 😂

Does that text actually say Red Bull can't get Ricciardo back into the STR seat—and that he doesn't even have a say in any of this...?

Look, there’s really no point in arguing with you—time will tell anyway. Honestly, the worst-case scenario for Ricciardo is that he leaves Red Bull after a year and jumps to another squad... but it won't be AlphaTauri. I don't get why you can't see that a driver of his caliber has nothing left to prove at a mid-field team like that. Over these last few years, he's absolutely cemented himself as one of the elite drivers on the grid. He was basically the "best of the rest" in two of the last three seasons—he even outmaneuvered Vettel once and Max another time. Even Autosport named him the driver of the year, Alonso gave him massive props, and the guy is widely considered the king of overtakes...

So, if Ricc is actually such a hot commodity right now—and I mean *really* in demand—then he should’ve had a shot at joining Mercedes. That’s exactly the kind of move they’d be looking to make first... but he didn't go. They didn't even mention him, honestly—they were all about Max...
And I guess that’s basically why the Mercedes isn't winning races right now... 😍

From what I've read in the news, Ricciardo was in Munich, but Horner wouldn't budge.

the whole team cleaning house... though even that's debatable—none of the Red Bull drivers ever end up with another top-tier seat after they leave RB/STR, which tells you everything you need to know.

Vettel? Don't make me laugh.

that performance clause Vettel used—which really just means you have to accept the fact that the team basically tossed you aside in your final season just to manufacture a new superstar at your expense...

How many times do I have to tell you? Vettel ADMITTED himself he was outclassed by Ricciardo that year, and the team wasn't playing favorites. But clearly, you just can't handle the idea of someone actually beating stormybadger8.

Seriously, stop writing these novels—you're just typing endless nonsense and repeating yourself. Comedy Tibi.

mellowtiger83 said:neonfox65, let me make this brief and blunt: F1 contracts are worth nothing. Absolutely nothing. I won't bother listing a million historical precedents. Ricciardo's seat at Red Bull is anything but secure. If Max performs better, I suspect Ricciardo will find himself shown the door. Sainz is already standing by.

As for Ferrari, I am certain they will be the only ones truly contending with Mercedes. They'll have a top-tier chassis because that genius finally has full authority there, and having someone like Roy Byrne involved certainly helps. When you factor in those massive engine specs, the outcome is obvious. To your disappointment, you'll likely be watching a showdown between Hamilton and Vettel; Kimi or Ricciardo will just be supporting characters.

Frame this post or just commit it to memory.

And please, stop repeating that tired "Comedy for Tibia" line. We get it.

There is zero chance Ricciardo moves to Toro Rosso. If that English article didn't make it clear enough for you, then honestly... 🤦 You wanna bet on that?😁

As for Ferrari, I’m certain they’ll be the only ones actually challenging Mercedes. They're going to have a top-tier chassis because that genius finally has full control there—plus, having someone like Roy Byrne involved helps too. When you factor in those massive engine numbers, it's all pretty obvious. Sadly for you, it'll just be Hamilton vs. Vettel... Ricciardo will probably just be a side character.

Man, we already placed our bets on RB vs. Ferrari, no need to repeat yourself.😉

And seriously, stop using that tired "Comedy Tibi" line. We get it!

Tibi earned that nickname himself, though... he even said it.

Regarding the new car—codenamed 668—Marchionne spills the details:

“Things seem to be moving in the right direction. The data says the engine is solid. But I’m not getting ahead of myself just yet. We’ll see how it actually holds up once it hits the track. That said, the guys are putting in an incredible amount of work.”

As for the chassis... yeah, let's not even go there. Probably another massive headache waiting to happen.

stormybadger8 said:Do you even get what I'm saying here...
Rick signed with Red Bull, not RBR—he signed with Red Bull just like everyone else.
And Red Bull can easily park them in Toro Rosso without breaking any contracts, because they're still in F1 and they still have a seat in a Red Bull car.😉

The craziest part is that Toro Rosso is basically Red Bull, so there isn't even a difference in the team names.😁>

🤦

Comedy Tibi, I've laid it all out for you—I'm not going to keep repeating myself. And since you're so dead certain Ric is moving to TR, you and I just made a bet over a virtual beer... except you can't use avatars or signatures here. 🙂

Rick isn't joking around. He extended his deal with Red Bull last year—there's just no way they'd let them move him over to Toro Rosso... no way.

Daniel Ricciardo signs new Red Bull despite Ferrari interest

Daniel Ricciardo has shut down all the rumors about him moving to Ferrari, choosing instead to stay with Red Bull until the end of 2018.

Ferrari is currently debating whether to replace Kimi Raikkonen after he spent a year and a half being outperformed by his teammate, Sebastian Vettel.

The 26-year-old Ricciardo was reportedly one of their top targets, but he chose to stick with Red Bull, especially since the team wasn't about to let the talented Australian from his contract.

With new chassis regulations coming next season and the legendary Adrian Newey at the helm, Ricciardo is banking on Red Bull being able to fight Mercedes for the World Championship.

“The only reason I would look elsewhere would be to fight for a World Title,” Ricciardo noted. “Otherwise, jumping ship just doesn't appeal to me. All that talk about the red cars making headlines was something I didn't see coming.

“I’m locked in with Red Bull for a few years past this one. It's settled. At Red Bull we're closing the gap to title contenders, and that's exactly what we're aiming for next year.

“I was totally upfront when asked about Ferrari—I told them there was nothing there. I think I'm one of the younger guys performing pretty well right now. I can say with total confidence that I'll be here next year.”

Ferrari is starting to run low on options to replace Raikkonen—who is the veteran of the grid at 36—for next season. Sergio Perez has looked good but is tied to Force India, and Valtteri Bottas, who was linked to leaving Williams last year, hasn't really found his rhythm lately.

Ricciardo won three races in 2014, though he's seemed pretty frustrated at times this season. After missing out on victory in Monaco duo because of a bad pit stop, he actually called out the team for "screwing him" two races in a row—he's clearly itching to get back in the hunt for the championship.

But since Ferrari still not making the most of their vast resources, Ricciardo decided Red Bull offered him the best chance for the next couple of years. The Scuderia last won the constructors' championship in 2008, while Red Bull won four straight titles from 2010 to 2013.

Christian Horner, the boss at Red Bull, said he never doubted for a second that Ricciardo would stay put alongside 18-year-old Max Verstappen.

“We follow those rumors with interest,” Horner said. “I suppose if you’re Ferrari, you’ve got a bit of a problem. Our drivers just aren't on the market.

Does it really look like they're moving Rick to Toro Rosso? don't watch Comedy Tibi.

How would you even know what kind of contract Kvyat had? Rosberg left on his own terms...

And you're back at it again, typing out what you think Comedy Tibi would want—look, I already told you everything, I'm not going to keep repeating myself.

stormybadger8 said:They’ll probably dump Rick just like they did Kvyat if Max starts bullying him right from the start of the season...
If he starts getting eaten alive by Max from day one through mid-season, they’ll toss him back to Toro Rosso just like they did with Kvyat last year...
Kick Kvyat out, put Sainz in Red Bull, and stick Gasly in Toro Rosso alongside Rick...

Damn, Rick has lost to his teammates way too many times. His only real career highlight was 2014, but honestly, people are already starting to forget that...
And you can't live on past glory in F1, especially when you aren't delivering any actual results lately...

Rick lost to Vergne, then later to Kvyat at Red Bull...
He’s even looked pretty bad compared to rookie Max lately. If Max starts consistently running him ragged—especially with this massive mess on the team radio—they might just decide to cut him loose...
It’s not because he’s a criminal or anything; it’s just because they want to keep both Max and Sainz. They simply don't have enough seats to go around.

I know that sounds crazy, but just look at where Buemi and Vergne ended up...

To my absolute disappointment, Kvyat is almost certainly finished. He’d practically need to perform a miracle to stay in Toro Rosso...

As for Sainz, by mid-season he’ll either have a Red Bull contract or he’ll be leaving Toro Rosso for Ferrari or Mercedes. Red Bull will have to figure something out to keep him, because there's no way they're going to sacrifice Max to do it.

Wait, wait, wait... do you actually know what Rick has written in his contract? You don't. What we *do* know is that Rick is locked in with Red Bull for two years... ☕ I really don't want to see Rick head back to Toro Rosso ever again—he can only go one way now, up... If Red Bull doesn't snap him up in two years, there'll be plenty of other teams waiting.

If he starts playing favorites with Max right from the jump, they’ll probably kick him back to Red Bull mid-season just like what happened with Kvyat last year...

Not again with the Comedy Tibi stuff. That’s just wishful thinking on your part... 🙂

Kvyat heads out, Sainz joins Red Bull, and Gasly goes to Toro Rosso alongside Rick...

Honestly, get Rick out of F1—he doesn't belong there... just an average driver, really. He got absolutely schooled by Vettel 2014 and Max last year... 😎

Man, Rick has lost to his teammates way too many times by now—and honestly, those three wins back in 2014 are pretty much his only real claim to fame... though people seem to be starting to forget that already...

So, Max beat him last year—wow... but where does it actually say that?🙂

It’s not even about anyone getting fired—it's just that they want to keep both Max and Carlos Sainz... they're simply one seat short.

Well, that could happen after those two years. Why are you getting so worked up? It’s like you can still feel the sting from that 2014 loss in your own back... just like Rick.🙂

I know this sounds totally silly and maybe even a little ridiculous, but seriously—just ask yourself where Sebastien Buemi and Pierre Vergne ended up...

They aren't even in Rick's league... ☕

Kvyat is almost certainly going to be cut—which is a huge bummer for me personally. Honestly, they should just give him a literal handout at this point... it’s a miracle he’s even staying with Toro Rosso...

What’s actually happening at Toro Rosso that makes them unappealing for a second team?

Carlos Sainz will either land an RB contract by mid-season or he'll jump ship from STR to Ferrari or Mercedes—and then Red Bull would actually have to step up if they want to keep him. They definitely aren't going to prioritize sorting out Max...

Okay, Comedy Tibi, if they're looking to move on, why on earth did they extend Rick's contract for two years in the first place?

Once Rick's contract runs out, then maybe I'll consider looking elsewhere—for now, they want him behind the wheel for another two years, so there's really nothing to be done about it... Comedy Tibi.

It’s not even like they let Sebastian Vettel go—he actually wanted out himself. Don't watch Comedy Tibi...

How is he supposed to just walk away and jump over to Mack when he's under contract? Don't watch Comedy Tibi...

As for Ferrari... I'm really not holding my breath...

Don't watch Comedy Tibi. Aside from putting them in first place, you’re basically just sitting there waiting for the FIA to ban the Mercedes and Red Bull suspension just so Ferrari can climb to the top... which is exactly what you wrote. Now you're just lying and digging yourself into an even deeper hole. Comedy Tibi.

Look, you're just writing comedy here—and without even trying to argue with me about how Red Bull would penalize Rick... 🤦 Seriously, Red Bull wants Rick driving for them for another two years, so what kind of penalty on earth are you talking about? 🤦 And even if a penalty actually happened, Rick would just tear up his contract and jump ship to another team immediately.

And just so we're clear, we weren't even arguing—you're the one who jumped in with that "Nancy is..." nonsense. You're hoping for the same thing (that Ferrari will take first place), but you basically tripped over your own feet, and now you're just digging an even deeper hole trying to backpedal. 👋

And you, Tim, act like you aren't convinced Ferrari's going to take first, yet you put them right at the top of your predictions 🤣 You're such a joke 🤣