to me, nico hulkenberg to kick sauber is an end of an era.

nico in haas gave us the adorable rivals to teammates storyline that netflix tried to create with kevin magnussen, two unproblematic blond hunks who care about their kids and not much else, and two absolute teammates who messed with the kids and the entire midfield to make a single point and are currently doing better than three whole teams - it’s the end of an era.

ok, dilfs, we get it. you like the canadian twink.

And then you wake up with news like that

Two latest news in F1 happening today....

Hulkenberg is set to leave Haas in the end of 2024 season and will join Kick Sauber team for next year.

P.S.: It was also confirmed by Audi Sport in their Instagram account that he will join forces with the said team in 2026.

Another silly season, eh?

📷: f1 (via Instagram)

Today’s Thought: Danny Ric’s Pronunciation of Nico ULLKINBERG

I’m living for silly season

Since there is no race this Sunday, I made a thing

Every team has a first and second driver. It is just that not every driver fulfills the role in the same way.

At Aston Martin we know Fernando is driver one. He is the more experienced driver, and right from the mouth of Lawrence Stroll himself, was brought in to make Lance a better driver so he could one day be the first driver. He does media, he's funny, and he also clearly has a mentor/mentee relationship with Lance.

I call this the mentor/mentee set up

At Mercedes, we know that Lewis is Driver one. Based on titles certainly, age almost definitely, and also because he is Lewis Hamilton. Until February, and even after, when you think Mercedes, you think Lewis. He is their better driver. He won six championships with them. He's stayed longer than most drivers stay on the whole grid. It is his through blood, sweat, and tears. George is the prince, he's set to inherit, potentially (BTW TORGER, I would like a word), and has a lot to live up to. Comparisons are hard, especially when the first driver is Lewis. I think that it's a forced proximity set-up, but they are friendly. Mostly off the track because on track they do not have their greatest moments.

I call this the King/Heir Apparent set up

At Red Bull, we know that Max is Driver one. Aside from the championships, he is just too fast. Every time one of the other drivers who drove alongside him was brought up to Horner or Helmut (YIKES to both), they would compare where they raced to Max. It is unattainable, and isolating. Until Checo. Checo didn't think he was going to be able to drive after BWT. He didn't have a contract, he was a middle of the pack driver, Mexico's son, and his story was supposed to end there. The Red Bull contract was a dream, but for all of the weird behavior some of y'all have with him (again, he's had his problems but the racism and idiot syndrome some apply to him is also NOT OK) he's not an idiot. He knows he's on a limited contract, he knows he's no spring chicken. Hearing him talk about next year, he knows he's very likely out of a contract. But he doesn't let any of this impact his relationship with Max. They are teammates, Checo will do what is best for the team. Max's whole world is predominantly driving. Checo has more of a balance, and in some ways, allows Max to be young.

I call this the Sibling set up.

At Ferrari, Charles LeClerc is Driver one. He is il Predestinato, the second coming, Monaco's prince. He can do no wrong. Carlos Sainz is the second driver. In spite of the fact that he got dropped from the team, in spite of the fact that he has won them two races, he is the one that is being pushed out. But he and Charles are friends, and teammates. They've driven together for several years now. Ultimately, while Carlos has done most of the heavy lifting on his side of the garage in terms of strategy and driving, he is also the one who knows when to walk away from the fight, when to stop letting yourself get hurt by the team that should be defending you. For Charles, Ferrari is a promise to Jules, to his father, to himself. He cannot walk away. In some way, Carlos can. That's why he makes the good second driver. The second in command is the one that sees the whole picture, including the first in command, because they never look at themselves.

I call this the friends/us against the world set up.

At Mclaren, driver one is Lando Norris. An indefinite contract, the sponsors, the adoration, Lando is the golden child. But Oscar is too, sort of. They're both young, both incredibly talented. But they're young. They're doing this together. McLaren went from disaster to top of the pack last season, and they're both on this ride together. I think McLaren is going to do whatever it takes to get Lando his win, but then I think they'll split 50/50. What will happen then, I don't know.

I call this the to soon to tell set up

At Williams, Alex Albon is so clearly driver one. Last year, he scored the majority of the points, they signed him for an extended contract, and they're desperate to keep him for 2026, when the car is supposedly going to be insane. Logan is the second driver. Alex wants to be the mentor, and to some degree he is. But Logan's narrative from last season to this season has shifted dramatically. Less and less people want to see him gone, they like the American. Williams renewed him. Whether because of sponsorship or genuine interest in his improvement, I don't know. But, in the last two races, they have managed to tank Alex's reputation, and boost Logan's. You don't publicly destroy your second driver's confidence, and career potential so publicly and walk away clean. We've seen it with Red Bull and Pierre, and Alex. Both times, those two drivers walked away with insane support. Logan is now receiving the same, but I wonder if it is going to make a difference. I think that Logan talking about what is best for the team is what is keeping him going, but if you watched the newest Team Torque, you can see fatigue and some tension between him and Alex. I don't know if it is jet lag, or work, or stress, or damage to the relationship. But this is a driver relationship on a razor wire.

I call this the Icarus set up

At Alpine, it is Pierre. He gets away with murder, at least by the team. Esteban has certainly mellowed a little, but he calls Pierre out still. However, they are both miserable with the car this year, so I think they are probably commiserating. The fact they can work together after years of rivalry and blatant hurt between the two is interesting. I think that both of these men have racing above all on their heart, and they will do whatever it takes to stay there. So for now, they suffer in the car, and they are colleagues.

I call this the "there's no other choice" set up (aka forced proximity)l

At Visa CashApp, there's currently a power struggle. Daniel is Daniel. He's been second driver for a few years, he's been third driver. He's got the popularity, though it is waning, and more importantly, he's got Christian Horner's support. That, plus the fact that the team talks about Daniel's presence being about helping them improve, makes him sound like first driver. Except, Yuki has been First driver for years. He's the one who stayed through the revolving door of drivers. This is his team. Honda pays the majority of his salary. So when you bring someone in, someone who doesn't even want the seat as much as he wants the Red Bull seat, the seat that should be yours, you're not going to go down without a fight. It creates this weird tension, but then Daniel is like "I know how lucky I am to be here, I'm focused on driving here," and is already being threatened with losing the seat like Nyck was, and Yuki realizes he might never get the Red Bull seat. So you have these two guys who are fighting for the same thing, that doesn't want them.

I call this the Alone Together set up

At Sauber, it is Valtteri. He has won gps, he's former Mercedes, who used to come second usually only to Lewis. He's funny, older, a weirdo that people love and feel they know. Zhou is younger, he's dealing with the pressure of being China's only son, and the higher expectations of him. Valtteri helps keep him young and focused. He's been through the wringer, and he's teaching Zhou that it is not going to be what breaks you.

Also Mentor/Mentee except the mentors are nuts in a different way

I don't know what the hell is going on at Haas.

austria 2019 you will always be famous

part 1 part 3

Hand fans for the Shanghai GP - F1中国扇 [via F1 Weibo]

[In WCC standing order]

i cry over the haas boys constantly, cry about lance stroll, cried about logan, cried about the carlando podium, cry about daniel being outshined by yuki, cry about liam lawson not getting a seat even when he was outperforming yuki, cry about lewis and nico, cry about lew to ferrari, cry about every mention of jules, like im such a crier

-this was my rant to my friend about a tiktok i saw saying they cried over the drivers a lot, and just yeah. of course i cry over the drivers all the time. i cry over everything.

AS WELL!! I watched the Melbourne grand prix last night, it’s the first race I’ve ever watched and honestly? I’m so happy my first race was a non redbull win! It was so so cool, and the ferrari team all singing the italian anthem together at the end? like driving me insane this sport is so gorgeous guys. i just love it so much. also go aston martin, really sucks about the fernando penalty but did kinda look like he was breaking early. george russell crash 😭 the panic in his voice over the radio calling for a red flag? so so heartbreaking, i was so scared for him. i’m really proud of haas for getting two cars in the points, slay for yuki for getting points, shame for williams after all they’re shit about taking logan out of the car just to not get points, and then more horrid pit stops for stake/kick/sauber whatever they’re called! and alpine, driving their tractors.

with the new STAKE SUITS looking like that do you think we'll get to see Käärijä in the paddock?

he’s already there brother

I love it

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ꜰᴏʀᴍᴜʟᴀ 1 ʟᴏᴄᴋꜱᴄʀᴇᴇɴꜱ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

˗ˏˋ ꒰ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴏʀ ʀᴇʙʟᴏɢ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

Zhou Guanyu as The High Priestess Tarot:

High Priestess is a card of mystery, stillness and passivity. This card suggests that it is time to retreat and reflect upon the situation and trust your inner instincts to guide you through it. Things around you are not what they appear to be right now.

(Shoutout to @shitapril for helping me with this 🤭. Hoping this card brings good luck to Zhou at his home race!!)