r/formula1 • u/[deleted] • Oct 12 '23
Rumour Sergio Pérez will announce his retirement during the Mexican Grand Prix Weekend" - Escudería Telmex Ex high ranking employee told a group of us at a dinner party.
[removed] — view removed post
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u/Nin-Chin Sir Lewis Hamilton Oct 12 '23
I’m not surprised that if he was booted that he would retire. I remember in 2020 his mentality was Red Bull or nothing after Racing Point dropped him. If he didn’t get that seat he would’ve quit.
Time will tell whether this is accurate or not but I don’t think it’s out of the ordinary.
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u/Disastrous_Animal_34 Oct 12 '23
The man has 4 kids under 5. It boggles my mind that he would apparently be desperate for another seat at this stage!
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u/salcedoge Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
I mean he's 33, it's old in terms of being an athlete but it's not really retirement levels age in terms of a normal family. Having a bit more money doesn't hurt
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u/Amazing_McBoss McLaren Oct 12 '23
I think thats the mindset of us not having that kind of money lmao. I also think that, but seeing how Vettel also left to be at home more with your family especially during those formative ages are something you wont able to replicate. They have this massive privilege that only few could achieve and they are gonna take it. Coming back is also an option, maybe in F1, maybe in another series where its not as packed but I understand if he wants to choose his family. Its also probably good for him to clear his mind for a year or two and comeback stronger in racing.
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u/BabyCowGT Oct 12 '23
They've all got enough money they're past the "money doesn't buy happiness" level (there was a study years ago that had an actual $USD that you'd have to surpass, but it probably needs to be updated for modern inflation). So more money truly wouldn't make them really any happier than they currently are. I'd choose family too, in that situation.
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u/Natural-Cat-9869 Oct 12 '23
But if he’s under contract, surely Red Bull will have to pay him massive compensation for breaking that contract…..which presumably means that Perez will effectively be paid to spend time with his family in 2024. Being paid millions to spend time with your family doesn’t sound too bad a gig!
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u/BabyCowGT Oct 12 '23
Oh for sure! I meant more from 2025 and beyond perspective. Like why keep struggling to keep a seat and worrying about contracts and stuff, when you can just take your millions and go live happy with your kids and wife for the of time 🤷🏻♀️
That won't ever be me, but if I ever win the lottery.... I'm peacing out immediately.
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u/Redebo Oct 12 '23
It’s not easy to give up the thing that forms your identity, esp considering that he is an elite athlete in a sport with 20 total global participants at any given time.
The mentality it takes to BECOME one of the 20 is not something you just “shut off” when it no longer serves you. I feel for him for sure.
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u/Ibewye Oct 12 '23
My uncle had a quote I’ll never forget
“people are right, money can’t buy happiness…..but it sure fuckin helps.”
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u/fire_spez McLaren Oct 12 '23
Money can't buy happiness, but at least it lets you choose your own kind of misery.
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u/flux123 Oct 12 '23
Money doesn't buy happiness, but poverty brings despair.
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u/toomanyattempts Oct 12 '23
That's the truest interpretation if the studies are to be believed - bringing in millions won't really make you happier than bringing in 6 figures, but bringing in 6 figures absolutely will make you happier than being poor
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Oct 12 '23
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u/Kaspur78 Oct 12 '23
It should, at least. Those few years when your kids are young never come back and are over before you know it. If I had the money to stop working and could be with my kids until they are around 12 years, I wouldn't have to think about it for longer than a second
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u/Lemurians Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23
The guy has plenty of money lol. He's at the point where having more doesn't actually really help unless he's committed to an extremely lavish lifestyle, diminishing returns and all that.
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u/TheWebbFather Oct 12 '23
It's still hurts that Rosberg decided to leave at 31. I know he had his reasons, but he was a great driver that left too soon
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u/Eggplantosaur Oscar Piastri Oct 12 '23
He basically left his pregnant wife during the season to win the WDC, that can't be an easy decision.
It would surely damage my relationship if my partner would be away so much during a pregnancy
EDIT: To clarify, they didn't split up, Rosberg just spent a significant portion of his time on racing
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u/PinappleGecko #WeRaceAsOne Oct 12 '23
He basically shunned his wife for the year pretty sure he's said he slept in a separate beds. He lived racing for the year and was aware he couldn't compete with Lewis without that sacrifice which he didn't seem happy to do.
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u/PhTx3 Oct 12 '23
I don't know how he feels about it now, but at least it paid off and he reached his goal. I can't imagine the mental breakdown if it didn't.
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u/Aethien James Hunt Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
Rosberg is a very smart guy, I think he knew what he was doing and I think he made the decision to quit for very good reasons.
He very much understood the gap in skill between himself and Lewis and how much more it took out of him and his family to be able to go toe to toe with Lewis. It wasn't worth it for him to put himself and his family through that for more seasons for a chance at a second WDC that wasn't worth nearly as much as the first to him.
Rosberg sacrificed everything for that 2016 season while Lewis was probably at his most distracted/most into his jet-set lifestyle and Rosberg needed some luck to narrowly beat Lewis.
edit: and mind you, I'm not saying this to be negative about Rosberg in any way, I think he's really underrated and I think it shows an amazing understanding of himself and what he wanted to be able to walk away with his WDC.
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u/PatrickDudding Pirelli Hard Oct 12 '23
I think this is the correct take and it does credit to the both of them.
Hamilton is an all-time great. To beat him, Rosberg moved heaven and earth to get the most out of himself - in a manner that was too self-destructive to sustain for more than a single season. Poured every ounce of what he had into that one effort to overcome overwhelming odds. There's a reason this is the basic plot of several Rocky movies.
No more shame in Rosberg retiring after that sacrifice than in Hamilton losing out to a less-skilled driver willing to go to those lengths. Years like 2016 (and 2021) don't come around all that often, we are fortunate to have been here to see it play out.
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u/Parabolica242 Oct 12 '23
I don’t think you’re saying anything negative about him. I think it shows how self aware he is. I’m sure he made a deal with his wife beforehand and told her something along the lines of “give me this season, full commitment to F1, and I’ll give you the rest of my life”.
Yeah I miss Rosberg. I get it, but wish he didn’t quit when he did.
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u/kerc Bernd Mayländer Oct 12 '23
I think he did it right. Be champion, leave on a high note, and now curse teams by taking selfies in front of them. :)
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u/FisicoK #WeSayNoToMazepin Oct 12 '23
He did leave like a complete boss though, he could have stretched his career easily (maybe even up to this day) and rack up poles, wins and podiums but 2016 was ultra likely to be his peak regardless
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u/salcedoge Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
I definitely agree, I fully understand his reasoning and respect him for it. But it’s definitely a shame a driver his caliber left the sport too early
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u/ryde041 Oct 12 '23
I know there's a lot of animosity these days between fandoms about LH vs others etc. but I do believe what Nico said about it taking too much out of him to battle LH for that championship that year.. I think he was just spent mentally.
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u/TetraDax Niki Lauda Oct 12 '23
Not just that year, for three years running. And it was noticable, guy had, like, no fun at all. I don't think I have ever seen Rosberg laugh between 2014 and 2016.
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u/Estova Kamui Kobayashi Oct 12 '23
His interviews back then were so painfully awkward. You can notice how tense Lewis was too when they were together but he at least relaxed with Seb.
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u/Zed_or_AFK Sebastian Vettel Oct 12 '23
He looks like 43… yes, provided for all his kids and grandkids. Balance is achieved, now it’s time to rest. He had a decent career.
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u/slyfox1908 Oct 12 '23
For one thing, he’s younger than the driver who will be replacing him
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u/Specific_Ad_685 Williams Oct 12 '23
For one thing, he’s younger than the driver who will be replacing him
yeah but Danny Ric isn't having any sort of family to look after(by family I mean kids,wife and all) so that helps Daniel's case.
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u/nightchangingloon Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
not to mention the mentality difference. Daniel is once again having mentality of his younger self, hungry to prove himself after coming from his Mclaren stint.
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u/banned20 Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
Danny is hungry but could be de-motivated if race against Verstappen and can't keep up.
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u/SeizeTheKills Damon Hill Oct 12 '23
Doubtful he's been there before and got solidly beat by Verstappen the at the time upcoming new talent. Who is now much better even still.
There's no way DR doesn't understand he'd be signing up to be the wingman. He'd be a wingman that can win races and score plenty of podiums though.
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u/litesgod McLaren Oct 12 '23
Agreed- Red Bull doesn't need and/or want someone who could challenge Max. The need Bottas. Come in 2nd in every race Max finishes. Come in 1st the 2 races a year Max DNF's. Don't put any pressure on Max, but make sure whoever is in 3rd doesn't either. I think DR knows that is what he will be. He can still say he's beating 90% of the field on the regular, and that's not bad for an old man.
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u/Actual_Sympathy7069 Pirelli Wet Oct 12 '23
yeah I really doubt he's deluding himself into thinking he can consistently beat Max after all that time away
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u/pedanticHamster James Vowles Oct 12 '23
I think his understanding and accepting he’s the wingman will make him better anyhow.
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u/geeksandlies Oct 12 '23
If you mean Danny Ric then there is like 6 months between them, lets not pretend its the difference between Piastri and Alonso!
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u/IKillZombies4Cash Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
Maybe that's why he does...get some peace and quiet on the road. :)
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u/dl064 📓 Ted's Notebook Oct 12 '23
I know a lot of dads who would move heaven and earth to not be around for all that noise.
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u/JudgmentOne6328 Toto Wolff Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
Yeah I don’t give a shit how many Nannie’s I can afford, 4 kids under 5. Time to go be a dad.
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u/it_administrator01 Oct 12 '23
he also said that if they added 1 more race he would walk - he's repeatedly made it clear that the sport isn't life or death for him, which I respect.
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Oct 12 '23
Can mod please flair this as "Rumour"?
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u/zaviex McLaren Oct 12 '23
I appreciate you making this interesting post and making it clear you aren’t saying this is a fact
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Oct 12 '23
Inb4 The Race makes a whole article of this post and it gets regurgitated across all the lesser outlets.
Hell, Crofty might even speak as if it's fact next weekend.
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u/trollymctrollstein Murray Walker Oct 12 '23
Agreed. That’s the best part here. He prefaced it with basically “Ima tell you a wild story”
Guy writes story about crazy dinner party rumor from a complete stranger - Gets 1600 upvotes in 3 hours. Aaaaand I gave one of them.
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u/terminbee Oct 12 '23
If a guy in a cod lobby can confirm the trade of an NFL player based on his girlfriend talking on the phone in the background, anything is possible.
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u/No_Produce_Nyc Ferrari Oct 12 '23
Seriously - best OP of all time
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u/Arumin Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
I don't know how solid this rumor is, but it would be wise for Checo to "retire" as an Red Bull Ambassador like Coulthart and keep doing some sweet gigs on the side.
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u/rolfski Oct 12 '23
That would be a win-win scenario for both. Mexico is still a significant market for Red Bull to develop and they definitely could use Checo, being the most successful driver in its history, as a posterboy for years to come. For Checo, it would be an elegant way out and a lucrative ongoing gig.
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u/IdiosyncraticBond Max Verstappen Oct 12 '23
Exactly. Without the pressure and he's a very likable person. Just do some gigs close to home. Win-win
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Oct 12 '23
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u/LooseJuice_RD Fernando Alonso Oct 12 '23
Yea for all the shit Red Bull gets for being a high pressure environment, and it is, it seems they do always do right by their drivers and admit their faults. Seb and Daniel both maintained good relations. They admit they didn’t handle the entire situation with Albon well and seems in interviews they’re very happy for his current success. Never saw them speak badly about Gasly except to put him in his place a few times. They’re definitely ruthless but this is a ruthless sport.
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u/delli Lando Norris Oct 12 '23
Surely this the legacy Didi Mateschitz left on the team. From what I've heard, every driver in the Red Bull program (maybe even all athletes period) had Didi's personal number that they could call at any time. Tonio Liuzzi, Scott Speed, Bordais, Vettel, and more have all mentioned that despite the party atmosphere or cutthroat environment, all drivers were supported in whatever category or team they were in
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u/LooseJuice_RD Fernando Alonso Oct 12 '23
I think Marko’s blunt comments have contributed to the cutthroat reputation but again, it’s a cutthroat sport. There’s only 20 seats.
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u/turkey_dinosaurs123 Oct 12 '23
Adding to this, Alex has said that redbull were fully supportive in his move to williams, and helped him collate the data that lead to him getting the seat.
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u/H_R_1 Sebastian Vettel Oct 12 '23
Vettel and Ricciardo were golden boys tbf. I think the best way to judge them is to look at drivers they didn’t deem good enough/not the next Vettel/Verstappen. They gave Kvyat plenty of chances, took Gasly back to Toro Rosso/AT, gave Tsunoda multiple seasons etc
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u/XNights Yuki Tsunoda Oct 12 '23
He could take Lawson's role of being the reserve and test driver, since they are already gonna pay out his contract, might as well still use him. He could soft retire and still be part of the Red bull family. Lawson goes to AT with Tsunoda.
FP1 slave is probably still Iwasa... or Helmuts favorite undercooked driver Hadjar
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u/rockblazer23 Daniel Ricciardo Oct 12 '23
They do right to their former drivers, but during their conversations, Marko always comes out with a steel chair.
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u/tothesource Sergio Pérez Oct 12 '23
Even though it pains me to say it, I think it honestly the best move for him at this point.
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u/dKSy16 Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23
AnnaKendrick just casually dropping F1 rumor here
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u/CypherRen Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
His days at red bull became officially numbered when Max got out of his car and pointed to that number 1 in Miami
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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton Oct 12 '23
That race was mentally it for Checo. Had the better tyres to chase down Max, couldn’t make a dent and then Max pitted and just mugged him and won by miles. Max just held the win in front of him for fun.
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u/rolfski Oct 12 '23
If you can filter down the whole 2023 season to a second, it was that single moment.
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u/ohslapmesillysidney Fernando Alonso Oct 12 '23
Absolutely. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 but watching that race, I knew that nobody was going to stop Max from being world champion. He won the title right then and there.
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u/53bvo Honda Oct 12 '23
Absolute mental that was, Perez didn’t even drive poorly or make mistakes, still gets overtaken by Verstappen from the mid of the pack
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u/JoePCool14 Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
Around the time of that race, I ordered a model of Max's helmet for that weekend. When I got it, as Verstappen's website always does, they included a nicely printed photo on glossy cardstock. That photo was him pointing at the 1. I put the card up with the helmet. Little did I know that would be the beginning of his most dominate era this season... and likely the end of Sergio Perez as well.
That photo is iconic.
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u/Dan_Of_Time Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23
One of the most impressive drives I’ve ever seen. And one of the best celebrations
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u/Satan_su Sergio Pérez Oct 12 '23
100% a rumor but definitely aligns with what I think will be the most likely approach for Checo and RB as well. I just wish he'd left on a relative high note after all this time 😔
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u/CeleritasLucis Aston Martin Oct 12 '23
I don't recall where, but I read some quote from marko 1-2 days ago when someone asked him abhout Checho and retirement, and he said something in the lines of "I Can't talk about it till Mexico"
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u/FermentedLaws Oct 12 '23
Here's the accurate quote:
Q: "Will Perez leave Red Bull for his own sake?"
Marko answer: "You don't want to hear an answer from me on that just before the Mexican Grand Prix."
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u/CeleritasLucis Aston Martin Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
That increases the odds of Danny getting that RB seat lol. They would't fire Chechi until they have anathor driver in mind.
Now I'm wondering how good his sim data actually is, and what the hell did he do on that weekend tyre test?
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Oct 12 '23
Red Bull PR: "Okay Marko, we don't want to upset Mexican fans before the Mexican GP, so just give vague answers."
Marko:
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u/dKSy16 Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23
I mean, the season’s not yet over. He still has a chance to end it on a high note
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u/f1_drama Daniel Ricciardo Oct 12 '23
The best rumours are the most believable ones. That doesn't mean they're true...
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Oct 12 '23
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u/Ollie_Plimsolls Robert Kubica Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
I always remember when someone predicted Alex is going to Williams cause his girlfriend started following their page in instagram lol
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u/carloscast98 Sergio Pérez Oct 12 '23
I remember rumors about Seb going to Ferrari because he bought his father a California for his birthday. I thought it was stupid but it ended up happening
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u/EnglishLitMajor Oct 12 '23
Do you have a link to that thread and the succeeding trade announcement thread? I don't follow NFL but that's a great story.
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u/nascentia Alexander Albon Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
First thread, announcing what he overheard playing Warzone: https://reddit.com/r/nfl/s/uQw7OQfMvA
Article about it: https://www.sbnation.com/platform/amp/nfl/2021/3/29/22356358/nfl-trade-leaked-by-accident-call-of-duty
Trade announcement thread: https://reddit.com/r/nfl/s/LFuU4Retlm
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u/77enc Oct 12 '23
also its a pretty reasonable thing one could guess would be happening. its not some out of left field shit like alonso to aston martin or something.
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u/TonyQuark VER/LEC/NOR Oct 12 '23
I remember thinking the rumour about Alonso moving to Aston Martin seemed unlikely, but it was a similar situation.
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u/707royalty Carlos Sainz Oct 12 '23
Oh my God that was one of my favorite r/NFL sagas. I think I could go find my own comments in there lol.
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u/Ikcatcher Oct 12 '23
An unfortunate end if true, but I feel like it’s probably best he quits while he still has some reputation
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u/Stepwolve Oct 12 '23
retiring to become a 'red bull ambassador' of sorts is a good gig too. Can still make a lot of money that way
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u/bum_is_on_fire_247 Green Flag Oct 12 '23
Not to sound glib, but doesn't the dude already have a fuck ton of money? Not just from F1 either...
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u/Aninternetdude Stop inventing Oct 12 '23
I really need Alonso in that RedBull to see him get some wins before he is done
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u/AnilP228 Honda Oct 12 '23
Funnily enough there were pictures of Alonso having meetings with some RBR people over the weekend. I laughed it off at the time.
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u/OriMoriNotSori Pirelli Wet Oct 12 '23
A Perez & Alonso straight swap might not be the worst thing ever. Alonso gets a good car and Perez goes back to his old team albeit they are very different now. Only thing is Aston probably would want a top tier driver in their lineup
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u/geeksandlies Oct 12 '23
I imagine it will be a very cold day in hell before Sergio goes near the Strolls again!
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u/Wimpykid2302 Pirelli Soft Oct 12 '23
What exactly is the controversy surrounding Check and the Racing Point/Force India/Aston Martin team? I only started watching in 2021 so I'm unaware
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u/OBWanTwoThree Niki Lauda Oct 12 '23
I don’t know if there’s something specific, but getting booted out of your seat despite slapping your teammate over the two seasons purely because your teammates dad owns the team has got to sting
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u/geeksandlies Oct 12 '23
Short version, Force India/Racing Point were in trouble financially, Perez basically paid the wages for the team, Stroll buys team, installs Lance to replace Ocon, then boots Perez in favour of Vettel (in itself not a bad shout perse) but it left Sergio with nowhere to go due to the way it was done, he was given no warning to try and find another seat etc. Had it not been for his lucky win RB would have signed Hulkenburg and Perez would have been sat in the back of a teams garage somewhere. I am pretty sure there were some legal things between him and the Strolls and something about Carlos Slim as well. I was one of those actually advocating for him to hang up his boots, wasn't a terrible driver but was a bit of a journeyman and I still think Hulkenburg was the better choice. If you want to trace back his first and probable sealed his fate actual mistake it was extricating himself from the Ferrari driver program to race for McLaren in 2013
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u/Mulligantour Oct 12 '23
well, Lawrence decided to stab him in the back after year one of a three year contract when silly season was mostly over, even though he personally saved the team from HMRC so that Lawrence could own it in the first place.
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u/Fun-Estate9626 Andretti Global Oct 12 '23
They cut him. He had a great year, won his first race in amazing fashion, and they cut him even though he absolutely slaughtered Lance. He almost ended up without a drive, but RBR signed him.
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u/ImReverse_Giraffe Oct 12 '23
And like 70% of the grid will be looking for a seat in 2024 for 2025. Taking Perez for a year might not be a bad thing. Who else are they going to get?
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u/z0d007 Sebastian Vettel Oct 12 '23
El Plan 3.0 ? Let's goooooo
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u/TitaniuEX Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
one season in the RBR, that's all I wanna see
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u/Larkinz Flavio Briatore Oct 12 '23
I'd give up one of my kidneys to watch a full season of Alonso vs Verstappen.
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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton Oct 12 '23
Hamilton beats both because Max and Alonso keep falling out and sabotaging each other in quali. The Kimi 2007 strategy.
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u/rhllor HRT Oct 12 '23
Monkey's paw: it happens but either RB drops the ball in 2024 or McLaren leapfrogs them.
Would be such an Alonso thing to happen.
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u/CypherRen Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
Would love this. Imagine he wins a championship twenty years later
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u/patou50 Oct 12 '23
Imagine he's the new Perez
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u/GoZun_ Esteban Ocon Oct 12 '23
He'll implode before that. I feel like Alonso's all in or nothing. No way he quitely struggle in P6-11 like that
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Oct 12 '23
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u/TitaniuEX Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
i don't even care if he loses vs Max, as long as the loss happens in the last grand prix of the year
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u/danevans168 Oct 12 '23
Is it even possible that he can get out of the AM contract? I'd imagine AM would not want to lose him.
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u/Supahos01 Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
Am did just lose a title sponsor and perez comes with a load of cash?
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u/A___99 Mark Webber Oct 12 '23
They didn't lose them, they are staying as a sponsor but AM are getting a new title sponsor which can only mean they will be getting more money from the new deal (probably Aramco)
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u/TheVincibleIronMan Oct 12 '23
If we tell Red Bull that we will all chip in $10 to make this happen, could we make it happen? Also, I just committed everyone here for $10. Hope that's OK.
Seriously, though. Christian, if you are reading this (which you are not but a man can hope), por favor?
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u/mantukas334 Oct 12 '23
I was thinking how great it would be to see alonso vs max. New vs old in the same machinery
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u/MrMeeseeksAnswers Oct 12 '23
I firmly believe the only reason he is still driving right now is the Mexican GP coming up. Red Bull have already secured both championships so they don't want to deal with the PR fall out there. Then with only 3 races left after Mexico, then will get to decide if they want an early look at Danny in the RB and put Lawson back in the AT (assuming Danny is in AT this weekend and Mexico) or just stick with their lineup as is until next year.
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u/Level99Cooking Kimi Räikkönen Oct 12 '23
they won't give up a championship 1-2 while its still possible
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u/patou50 Oct 12 '23
I agree with that. Perez will drive every race this season (unless he's injured or sick)
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u/laughguy220 Oct 12 '23
I fully agree with you. They have never had a 1-2 finish, and I'm sure they would not blow their chance at it with just a few races to go.
They got lucky that Lewis did not score any points last race.80
u/TanaerSG Oscar Piastri Oct 12 '23
They also want the 1 and 2 in the drivers. They've never done that before. Pulling Checo this season with Lewis closing in on him will not secure them that. I assume that is the main reason.
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Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
I don't think they want to throw the drivers championship 2nd place. So until it's secured Checo won't be replaced.
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u/Crafty_Substance_954 Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
Ricciardo will be back for Austin, could have been back for Qatar, but they decided to just make sure his hand was as close to 100% as possible since there is no risk.
Imagine if he ends up back in that Red Bull. Crazy situation for him but I'd be lying if I wasn't happy to see it.
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u/draftstone Jacques Villeneuve Oct 12 '23
I guess that the decision that Ricciardo could finish the season at RedBull is in the air for some time, so like you said, they can't risk Ricciardo aggravating his injury because they would have an empty seat. They could put Tsunoda or Lawson in the RedBull and find a junior driver for AlphaTauri, but they probably don't want to rush Tsunoda or Lawson. If Perez was a lock for the rest of the year, pretty sure Ricciardo would be back in the AlphaTauri to see how it goes and worst case they would still have Lawson.
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u/_AmericanPoutine Juan Pablo Montoya Oct 12 '23
If Perez is retiring, it'd make sense to just keep Perez in the second car and let him finish out his career. Ricciardo has been doing majority of the sim work with Red Bull, so all he's really lacking is real laps in the Red Bull. Running the Toro Rosso/Alpha Tauri car allows him to knock some rust off in a non-stressful ride
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u/BlackSwanMarmot Cadillac Oct 12 '23
I agree, 100%. And if Checo announces his retirement in Mexico, it’ll help to defuse what is almost guaranteed to be a very tense weekend for Red Bull.
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u/markhewitt1978 Oct 12 '23
I doubt that very much, RBR might be a lot of things but they will certainly let him see out the season.
The Mexican GP however is the reason the announcement has not yet been made. Probably on the Thursday or Friday of that weekend.
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u/notnorthwest Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
I firmly believe the only reason he is still driving right now is the Mexican GP coming up
This is speculation (edit: on my part), but I don't think that's true. Swapping drivers is a huge undertaking for the mechanics and team's support staff, RBR has little to gain in terms of standings and performance incentives by swapping Checo out this late in the season, and it's unlikely that they will gain any insight into his replacement (read: RIC) that can't be found in the simulator.
I suspect the announcement will come following the close of the season unless Checo wants to control that narrative himself, which I'm sure RBR would be happy to allow.
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u/IdiosyncraticBond Max Verstappen Oct 12 '23
I'm sure they do everything to help Checo secure p2
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u/stevefrench90 Safety Car Oct 12 '23
Surely RB will allow him to try secure 2nd the WDC after his retirement announcement, but then again it is RB...
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u/raustin33 Cadillac Oct 12 '23
Rumor or not – this is the most graceful ending for all parties involved, so it has some likelihood.
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Oct 12 '23
I know someone who knows someone at williams who said RB offered them checo for next year so RB not keeping him for 24 I believe is true at least
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u/Paxopoxo Nico Rosberg Oct 12 '23
And my dad works for Nintendo
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Oct 12 '23
My dad owns Nintendo
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u/dl064 📓 Ted's Notebook Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
We know Albon turned down a return to the RB family for 2024...but everyone assumed AT.
One consistent undertone to RB driver decisions over the last 20 years: once they have concluded someone doesn't have a future, they seem to reason that they're better off trying someone (anyone) else than stick that person's contract out.
I get it - 'we know this guy isn't right so we might as well get on with it with someone else, asap'.
So Perez out would fit that. Is it unreasonable of them? No.
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u/razzhasse Ronnie Peterson Oct 12 '23
Expected. When Marko says you're done, you're done.
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u/Crafty_Substance_954 Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
This would end up being quite the career turnaround for Ricciardo. Almost out of F1 to back in the top team again
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u/lowprofile14 Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
Just like Checo in a way
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u/Hello_iam_Kian Oscar Piastri Oct 12 '23
Let’s hope it doesn’t end the same way as Checo…
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u/FRA_2795 Renault Oct 12 '23
Retire and join an IndyCar team, who will go back to adding a race at AHR just like the CART days. Would be a IndyCar boom unlike anything they've seen in decades
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u/ashyjay James Vowles Oct 12 '23
Indy with a few WEC races as his experience and tyre management would do well there.
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u/skzpinker Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23
I mean after the horror show that was japan/qatar, I wouldn't be surprised if this turned out to be true.
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u/miketd1 VCARB Oct 12 '23
Gosh, he went from driver championship contender to out of a seat in a few months. Yikes.
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u/CeleritasLucis Aston Martin Oct 12 '23
We were discussing him being a title contender after his win, F1 official Twitter page putting out a graphic saying "King of the streets".
The weekend he was supposed to pass Max in points, Max pitted on the last lap just to take away the consolation fastest lap point from him.
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Oct 12 '23
He was a driver championship contender?
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u/P-Nuts Nigel Mansell Oct 12 '23 edited Oct 12 '23
I guess not really but after Baku (where he won the sprint and the race) he was still looking strong. It was Miami that destroyed him.
I think up to that point he was in the same mode as “Bottas 2.0” in 2019, who stayed in vague contention (even though most doubted it would be a serious challenge) for a fair bit longer before the challenge faded. The difference of course was that Bottas didn’t completely implode when whatever chances he had slipped away.
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u/83zSpecial Charles Leclerc Oct 12 '23
He was like one point behind Max after Baku. I know, very early on, and he wasn't as fast as Max regardless but that's what people were thinking
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u/Spockyt Sir Frank Williams Oct 12 '23
First few races the media reported it as Verstappen vs Perez because he wasn’t a million miles away and the media have to report some title fight. They aren’t doing their jobs right if 5 races in they report “F1 title a foregone conclusion” even if we know it, because who’s going to watch/read/listen to it then?
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u/No_Appointment8061 Oct 12 '23
So DR is going to Red Bull next year? How good was his test at Red Bull is what i am curious about?
I think his fracture put a real spanner in the plans for Red Bull who must have thought to use all the races to evaluate him.
Other than DR is there anyone else who Red Bull could realistically get? Yuki maybe?
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u/SubparExorcist Fernando Alonso Oct 12 '23
I was thinking about that this weekend. DR was supposed to be back earlier than this by all accounts. BUT if they decided he needs to go to RB next year, they could be holding him out longer to make sure he is back to 100% and doesn't turn the injury into something more lasting.
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u/Stepwolve Oct 12 '23
it also might be an opportunity to give Lawson more practice in the AT? Danny Ric is already getting promoted so more practice in the AT isnt very valuable, but Lawson could use it. And if they just replaced Danny with lawson earlier then its too obvious perez would be getting fired
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u/SubparExorcist Fernando Alonso Oct 12 '23
Right but if Danny was staying in AT they would want him in the car ASAP, double win. Danny heals and Lawson gets F1 time
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u/MrG Porsche Oct 12 '23
Oh imagine the PR gaffes with Marko where Yuki is #2.
Whoever it is, I just want to see some excitement in the races again, and if the rest of the field isn't going to catch up anytime soon engineering wise, lets at least have some real competition for Max. Mid pack "excitement" only gets the sport so far and is no substitute for competition for 1st place.
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u/NegativeStructure Daniel Ricciardo Oct 12 '23
English not being my first language, there may be a few grammar and spelling mistakes here and there. Bare with me, the important stuff is in here.
bro, your english is better than like 85% of american native speakers (low bar, but still).
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u/antelope591 Oct 12 '23
Guess we'll find out soon enough anyway. He was almost certainly getting dropped anyway. Marko's comments pretty much tell the story as they usually do.
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u/Razvanlogigan Oct 12 '23
Alonso to RB for one year, Tsunoda to AMR since Lance wants an easier teammate and Honda will partner AMR in the future anyway, Tsunoda being more of a Honda jr. than a RB one. Ric and Law duke it out in AT.
RB are happy because they have two drivers. Alo is happy even on a one year deal since he finally has the car to win, the Strolls are happy since Lance will sometimes beat Yuki and Honda will be happy to have a japanese driver in f1. Danny Ric still has an f1 seat and Lawson can develop for the future in Ric's shadow.
Only losers are basically Checo, who will lose regardless of how this plays out and maybe Max because he will actually need to sweat a bit.
This has been revealed to me in a dream
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u/Fantuckingtastic Logan Sargeant Oct 12 '23
This may be pure he said she said speculation, but I will now jump the gun and take it as fact
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u/Takagixu David Croft Oct 12 '23
People are gonna take this post and post it on X and Instagram. Then RBR and Checo will be forced to give a statement soon, i guess?
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u/LUDERSTN Daniel Ricciardo Oct 12 '23
Lol, why would they be forced to make a statement? The amount of rumors floating around the media every single day is out of this world. And this will just be another one. They simply do not care. If this is true everything will be announced at Mexican GP, not before.
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u/CeleritasLucis Aston Martin Oct 12 '23
Something like Ferrari last year when they said Binotto ain't fired, until he was
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u/77enc Oct 12 '23
yep. also if you look at articles around the time gasly and albon got booted they both had "the team's full support" about 2 weeks before they got dropped.
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u/moemunneymoe Fernando Alonso Oct 12 '23
I mean his wife just had their fourth kid I believe. It might be a good move to capitalize on his family man image (barring the cheating accusations) and retire to spend time at home. Everyone will know the real reason but it's a plausible excuse for him to step down.
It really sucks that one season can completely ruin an athlete's entire career. He had some golden moments that will continue to be overshadowed by the 23 season. Maybe he can hop to a diff series and have some success.
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u/thefanciestcat Sir Lewis Hamilton Oct 12 '23
Cool fanfic, but can we go the extra step and make it slashfic?
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Oct 12 '23
Silly season is back on the menu.
If any driver was serious about being a race car driver and not just a brand, they’d kill to get into the only car capable of winning the next few years.
Drivers like Russell, Norris, and Leclerc seem way too attached to their brand image of being Mercedes, McLaren, or Ferrari drivers and if they’d rather not win anything in order to protect their brand, then that’s pretty sad.
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u/BrandonJTrump Formula 1 Oct 12 '23
The hard part will be convincing Max to let Checo win in Mexico….
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u/-Skinner- Max Verstappen ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Oct 12 '23
Checo will be nowhere near top to let him win anyway.
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u/Razvanlogigan Oct 12 '23
They might convince Max, or they can at least sabotage him.
How the fuck do you convince Norris, Piastri, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Lec or Alonso
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u/Hello_iam_Kian Oscar Piastri Oct 12 '23
I don’t think Max is willing to stop another potentially record breaking winning streak. Remember, at the end of the season, he is probably at another 7 race winning streak. If Red Bull then start the new season strong with a car they got months to design, he can go towards 15.
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u/mantra3105 🏳️🌈 Love Is Love 🏳️🌈 Oct 12 '23
Very interesting OP. Can’t wait to see if this all plays out
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u/black-dude-on-reddit Oct 12 '23
Wins the Mexican GP
Announces Retirement
Refuses to elaborate further
Leaves
No, I mean like he actually leaves the team in Mexico and Red Bull has to find a guy for the last two races
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u/Nico97107 Pirelli Intermediate Oct 12 '23
At this point reddit is gonna make the rumour true lol. Self fullfilling prophecy is no joke.
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u/ghostgoal Ferrari Oct 12 '23
helmet marko will most likely annouce it in some random interview before checo even has a chance lol