Straykiwi wroteto his next door neighbour, with whom he already has a personal relationship:
If the 2026 RBR car sucks he has so many out clauses in his contract he can easily walk away.
If he became available there would be a bidding war so there would definitely be somewhere for him to go.
Straykiwi wroteWho knows , it can be part of MAX's plan like let's see what is coming in 2026.Respectfully I disagree. I think it is a clever move for Max because his team have negotiated him into the perfect wait and see position.
If Ford and RBR nail the spec and produce the fastest car (I'm reasonably confident this is unlikely but you never know) then he stays where he is.
If the 2026 RBR car sucks he has so many out clauses in his contract he can easily walk away.
If he became available there would be a bidding war so there would definitely be somewhere for him to go. If not, he has indicated he is happy racing in other motorsport disciplines so it would be F1's loss.
So a bit of short term pain for long term gain, he is, for want of a better pun, in the driving seat.
G30M wroteOnly a fool would believe that .It's not difficult to understand that they had negotiations in Sardinia in the candlelight..to his next door neighbour, with whom he already has a personal relationship:
Max: If my boat is next to Toto's then my boat is next to Toto's. You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don't have a working relationship with someone.
///M Power-Belgium wroteThe papayas will have that beast of a PU also.Who knows , it can be part of MAX's plan like let's see what is coming in 2026.
One thing is for sure , the 2026 Mercedes PU will be a beast . And of course there's more in 2026 , like the active aero (active front and rear wing) the huge battery and the override mode .
The override mode will only be available to the car behind when within a certain distance of the car ahead, and it will provide a full boost in electrical energy, effectively replacing the DRS function.
This means the cars entire active design package has to be fast and very effective.
DRS Replacement:
The current DRS (Drag Reduction System) is being replaced by the Override Mode in 2026.
MGU-K Override:
The key mechanism is the MGU-K Override, which allows a following car to use more electrical power from the MGU-K than the leading car.
Energy Difference:
When the leading car accelerates past 290 kph, its electrical power deployment from the MGU-K decreases, eventually reaching zero at 355 kph. However, a driver in Override Mode can continue using the full 350kW up to 337 kph.
Additional Energy:
The following car can also recuperate an additional 0.5MJ of energy per lap compared to the leading car.
Strategic Overtaking:
The extra electrical power will provide the following car with a boost to potentially close the gap and execute an overtake.
Active Aerodynamics:
The 2026 regulations also introduce active aerodynamics, with both front and rear wings becoming mobile, further aiding overtaking.
Staying Close:
Maintaining proximity to the car ahead will be crucial [...]
Rono63 wroteYeah . I know , and I'm pretty sure Rob Marshall will nail it . Again (!)The papayas will have that beast of a PU also.
We will see if they are up to the challenge of designing a car with the new specs.
atopa2002 wroteThis video just puts a smile on your face. Max is just such a genuinely cool dude based on everything I have seen and know about him. And you have to love Harris as he's still one of the best guys in the auto journalism world.
enjoy
///M Power-Belgium wroteI have a feeling RB has more of a chance to nail it than people thing. The best MB had from their turbo hybrid motor, the best honda has with one of the best turbo hybrid motors, and now Ford who has plenty of racing pedigree along with winning Pike's Peak with an EV. It could very well be the perfect storm they need. Ultimately, no one knows...but I do think people are underestimating them.Yeah . I know , and I'm pretty sure Rob Marshall will nail it . Again (!)
2026
- Mercedes vs McLaren (a big fight and very fast)
- Aston with the Honda PU and A.Newey (very doubtful)
- Ferrari is still Italian in 2026 (#FerrariThings and very doubtful)
- Red Bull has for the first time a newly developed Ford PU and still the 2 French idiots on board (fail)
- Racing Bulls (fail-same mess as Red Bull)
- Williams (a mix of fail and midfield)
- Haas (fail)
- Alpine (fail)
- Audi-Revolut is a newcomer (big fail)
- Cadillac is a newcomer (big fail)
Straykiwi wroteI agree with you. Right now, RB has one of the better cars in F1 - granted anyone else driving it would rarely be seen on race day with it, but it's good enough that Max can beat out faster cars with it.Respectfully I disagree. I think it is a clever move for Max because his team have negotiated him into the perfect wait and see position.
If Ford and RBR nail the spec and produce the fastest car (I'm reasonably confident this is unlikely but you never know) then he stays where he is.
If the 2026 RBR car sucks he has so many out clauses in his contract he can easily walk away.
If he became available there would be a bidding war so there would definitely be somewhere for him to go. If not, he has indicated he is happy racing in other motorsport disciplines so it would be F1's loss.
So a bit of short term pain for long term gain, he is, for want of a better pun, in the driving seat.
HeelToeShift wroteThis. I've always said leaving would be too much of an upheaval for him in a strange team he doesn't know and the special relationship with Marko and now new TP Mekies seals it.I agree with you. Right now, RB has one of the better cars in F1 - granted anyone else driving it would rarely be seen on race day with it, but it's good enough that Max can beat out faster cars with it.
As in my previous post, I think RB with the combo of MB engineers, Honda engineers, and Ford could be one hell of a haymaker.
His risk with signing with any other team is he will be stuck there for probably 2 or 3 years. Staying at RB, he obviously has insider knowledge of the engine, and could work out incredibly for him. If not, Max can opt out and ANY TEAM WILL DROP ANY DRIVER FOR HIM. It is literally the least risky plan with the most upside.
///M Power-Belgium wroteIt's RBPT/Ford with more positivity vs Merc who are all winks and head nods, riiight.Yeah . I know , and I'm pretty sure Rob Marshall will nail it . Again (!)
2026
- Mercedes vs McLaren (a big fight and very fast)
- Aston with the Honda PU and A.Newey (very doubtful)
- Ferrari is still Italian in 2026 (#FerrariThings and very doubtful)
- Red Bull has for the first time a newly developed Ford PU and still the 2 French idiots on board (fail)
- Racing Bulls (fail-same mess as Red Bull)
- Williams (a mix of fail and midfield)
- Haas (fail)
- Alpine (fail)
- Audi-Revolut is a newcomer (big fail)
- Cadillac is a newcomer (big fail)
G30M wroteToto looks like he has a hairpiece on top.to his next door neighbour, with whom he already has a personal relationship:
Max: If my boat is next to Toto's then my boat is next to Toto's. You can have a personal relationship with someone even if you don't have a working relationship with someone.
HeelToeShift wroteHopefully and that's what I really wish , as a '1000% MAX and Red Bull fanI have a feeling RB has more of a chance to nail it than people thing. The best MB had from their turbo hybrid motor, the best honda has with one of the best turbo hybrid motors, and now Ford who has plenty of racing pedigree along with winning Pike's Peak with an EV. It could very well be the perfect storm they need. Ultimately, no one knows...but I do think people are underestimating them.
M5Rick wroteYeah , looks like . Ferrari Fred needs a big one , as big as a carpet .Toto looks like he has a hairpiece on top.
///M Power-Belgium wroteRussell is such a girl
Killed by Death wroteYeah as we know RUS is a #DramaQueen.Russell is such a girl
M5Rick wroteFP1It's RBPT/Ford with more positivity vs Merc who are all winks and head nods, riiight.
GOMAX with my team RBR
///M Power-Belgium wroteIt's ''only'' FP1,, the 21 will be dialled in more for the other Fp's and lets hope its not Fk'sFP1
The French idiot and his special Hungarian RB21 upgrades are a joke (again)!
MAX (P9) is 1 sec. down and YUKI at 1.4 sec. (P17)
McLaren just nails it (as usual) from the very first FP laps ...
MoeTE87 wrote"It's looking good Apone... but hold on a second...''Looks like FP2 is over and Max is 14!! Holy smokes...that is a joke!
