3
The big talking point heading into the Spanish grand prix will be Red Bull's shock jump on the 2017 'silly season'. The energy drink marque has pulled Max Verstappen out of contention for a switch to Ferrari or Mercedes by immediately promoting him from Toro Rosso on a long-term deal with Red Bull Racing.
"Red Bull had to do something, because this is already a lost season for them," said former F1 driver Christijan Albers, according to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "They are not going to win races this year so they are putting Max in the team already so that he can integrate properly," he added.
The result of that unexpected move by Red Bull is that fascinating battles not only at Red Bull but also Toro Rosso have been lit up for the remainder of 2016. "Kvyat for example will want to prove Red Bull wrong by beating his new teammate Carlos Sainz," said Jan Lammers, another Dutch former F1 driver.
But yet another former Dutch driver, Giedo van der Garde, warns that Verstappen is facing a tough challenge in his on-form new teammate Daniel Ricciardo. "For a driver it is not easy to change team mid-season," he said, "although I do think there are quite a few similarities between the Red Bull and Toro Rosso cars.
"On the other hand, there are major differences in electronics, for example the functions of the steering wheel. And Max will suddenly have to work with a different engineer. Of course there are a few risks with this move but it should not be too difficult for him," van der Garde added. "If you get a chance like this, you just have to grab it. Especially if you have as much talent as Max Verstappen. Yes, I think podiums this year are very possible." (GMM)
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
M. Verstappen
C. Sainz jr
C. Leclerc
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
724,146 comments on Red Bull Racing
965 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
601,380 comments on Mercedes 56 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Replies (3)
Login to replyVet5
Posts: 225
Ofcourse its possible, he is in a far better car, but only unless its going to be a P2 & P3, Ricciardo will always have the upper hand
khasmir
Posts: 893
Let's start with scoring some points and not making the same mistakes like Kvyat ;)
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
All aboard the hype train, this one is going straight down into the ditch.