The pre race grid walk happens basically every time like that. Been a lot of awkward exchanges over time.
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Race was a whole lot better than I was expecting.
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The Sargeant news means we have the same grid starting next year as the one that finished this year, I think that might be the first time that’s ever happened.
They may as well save a few quid and use the same opening titles again.
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I’m pretty sure they mentioned in commentary it would be the first time yeah. I was surprised that was the case at first, until I realised that that didn’t just mean no rookies and the same 20 drivers, but not even any team swaps either. Hopefully we get another year of Russell’s T-pose in the opening titles 
I didn’t expect Sargeant to be retained but I have a lot of respect for James Vowels and think he’s an excellent team principal so it’s nice to see him being given some faith, and I’m glad there are teams with a more welcoming environment and less cut-throat attitude than… some teams 
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I was impressed this season with everyone, except Ricciardo and… Hamilton & Bottas. Which is bizarre given their history!
I’ve 100% respect for Lewis (want him to show Max how it’s done) but that car was not for him.
And Valtteri had nothing but bad luck on his side. Hopefully, both have a better year in 2024
Not sure about Daniel though. Great guy but looks to be struggling somewhat.
I think Hamilton did very well in that car, especially considering it was close for 2nd with Perez for far too long given the masterpiece Perez had under him. I don’t think Hamilton could have gotten much more out of the season really.
Definitely want to see Lawson in for 2025. I’d kinda prefer him for 2024 over Ricciardo if I’m being honest.
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Agree with the Ricciardo comments. He’s a great guy, but what’s the point of the Red Bull Driver Program if they’re just going to go back to the same driver who is past their best?
I said this at the time too, but McLaren binning him for Oscar was 100% the right thing to do.
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Red Bull didn’t bin Danny. Danny left Red Bull because he felt the team were unfairly favouring Verstappen, and that he’d need to look elsewhere to be a winner.
Where we’re at now is Danny knows now he can’t win/isn’t wanted elsewhere, while Red Bull apparently still rate his ability to drive their car.
That he ended up sitting out a bunch of this season because of injury is what I think has thrown things out of whack. I think if he’d been able to race every race he missed, Red Bull would’ve been able to decide now if he should replace Perez or not. Instead, as they can’t draw a conclusion, they’re carrying him over to next season until such a point as they can.
If Danny finishes 2024 with AT I’ll be shocked; fully expect RB to either give him Perez’s seat at some point, or drop him for a different attempt to find a Perez challenger.
I don’t think anybody here has said otherwise.
Perez was already a knife into the back of the Red Bull Driver Program. DR going back to RB would be another mistake. Perez isn’t a bad driver, the smart thing would have been to keep him until Lawson was ready to move over, but Ricciardo being in the AT seat makes this difficult.
Apologies if it didn’t come across clearly, I was trying to say that I don’t think Red Bull consider Danny as being past his best yet. That they (for now) think he still has his old skills and abilities, and that their car can unlock it for him again.
And I agree with you in one respect, Lawson is the driver I feel really sorry for. He did well when he had the chance and it’s not his fault there are two roadblocks ahead of him.
In some ways while it’s good for individuals to be able to extend their careers, it seems something of a bad thing for the sport as a whole (and why the teams that make up the grid should quit griping about loss of money and let some more teams join).