In the old days they didn't have much issue with rookie pairings in the junior team, heck Sainz and Verstappen was a rookie pairing back in 2015.
They had no issue with a rookie pairing, but did retain Max, who was obviously hauled as the next big thing, for 1.5 years before promoting him (and even then via an - uncommon - mid-season swap). They took the time for him to develop before moving up. They did not do so for Albon (due to lack of alternatives perhaps) and it did not turn out great. But here they do have the alternative. Nobody would be surprised if the more experienced VCARB driver would be promoted first. Noone would be surprised if RB choses not to promote a driver that has far less than a full season of mileage. There is the alternative with multiple seasons under his belt, and there is the option to still promote Lawson after 1.5 year if Yuki does not deliver in 2025, while giving Liam the chance to hone his skills outside of the full spotlight. It should not be insulting to Lawson to promote Yuki over him either, considering all this. So really, in my view there seems to be very, very little reason to give Lawson priority.Sevach wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 2:03 pmIn the old days they didn't have much issue with rookie pairings in the junior team, heck Sainz and Verstappen was a rookie pairing back in 2015.
I also don't think it would be huge problem because Lawson despite not doing a full season has already shown himself to be at least adequate, so he could play the yardstick role.
If Hadjar were to beat him, it would be pretty impressive, imo about the same level of achievement that if he manages to beat Yuki next year.
I really dont think it matters that much. I dont think either of these guys are all that good. And I think Tsunoda has become a bit bizarrely rated for some reason. Gasly was clearly better than him in both their seasons together, and after that, who has Tsunoda beaten?
It's a philosophy of course. McLaren has 'promoted' people after 0 GPs. But was not always kind to them (e.g. dropping Magnussen after what was perhaps more of a car problem than a driver problem)
,Seanspeed wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 3:09 pmI really dont think it matters that much. I dont think either of these guys are all that good.
And I think Tsunoda has become a bit bizarrely rated for some reason.
Gasly was clearly better than him in both their seasons together,and after that, who has Tsunoda beaten?
Even the alex albon got 12 races before stepping up. Now he runs a school.
One day Max will be given a P2 driver that is actually skilled. I cant understand why almost every other team has two talented drivers but for Max they tend to be afraid to hurt his feelings and so give him weak teammates. Maybe its in his contract?
You can name Carlos as the (strong) driver you want to see next to Max. I don't see the results being any different to Sergio, Alex or Pierre.zeroday wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2024 5:38 pmOne day Max will be given a P2 driver that is actually skilled. I cant understand why almost every other team has two talented drivers but for Max they tend to be afraid to hurt his feelings and so give him weak teammates. Maybe its in his contract?
I won't be surprised Lawson ends up as Perez 2.0 not because Max will wreck him, but because i find he isn't special and at times comes off as just naturally weak.
The most commonsense decision for that seat would have been Valteri Bottas -- impeccably skilled and will happily play P2. Sure he will challenge Max for wins but Bottas is a guarantee to haul in the all-important points for the team, which is all they care about, Max feelings be damned. Bad management going with Lawson tbh.
2025 has a lot of new unique variables all down the grid. Should be a very interesting season.
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.The most commonsense decision for that seat would have been Valteri Bottas -- impeccably skilled and will happily play P2.
Sure he will challenge Max for wins but Bottas is a guarantee to haul in the all-important points
for the team, which is all they care about, Max feelings be damned. Bad management going with Lawson tbh.