Danny Ric confirmed at Renault in 2019!

[Everso Biggyballies]

Bottom post of the previous page:

I reckon Gasly could be a dark horse for the RBR seat alongside Max. Honda apparently like him, and his experience with the Honda may be useful. I dont believe for a second Alonso will get the gig .

I dont think Sainz will get the seat. either... Max and he were not exactly buddies at STR and Marko was pretty keen to offload Carlos to Renault. I think that Sainz will end up at McLaren, as I dont think he would go back to STR. Not with Gasly and Max having jumped him in the senior team promotion stakes.

So my money is on Sainz to McLaren and Lando will become the pawn in the James Key easy transfer to McLaren. STR are short of options really. Their favoured junior, Ticktum wont even get near a Superlicence next year because of his ban having in effect taken two half seasons and buggered two years championships. He has zweo chance of getting the required points.This year will be his first full year. Plus the blot in the FIA eyes for the reasons behind his ban wont find them keen to throw him any lifelines. His ban IIRC was for a more sinister offence than the recent Ferruci scandal.... IIRC Ticktum had a monster road rage when he passed about half the field under an SC to catch up and run into another car deliberately.

All total theory and guess on my part and probably more a silly season rant, but you never know.

I do have a gut feeling that Danny will do better at Renault than Max will at RBR. In fact I think Renault will jump RBR is the ratings and that RBR are going to struggle with their attitude and Honda.

It will be an interesting couple of weeks with Ocon, Perez and Stroll all in the mix as well as Vandoorne Sainz and Fernando, not to mention CLAP and Kimi. There are going to be a lot of phone calls happening around the traps for sure.

[John]

I do have a gut feeling that Danny will do better at Renault than Max will at RBR. In fact I think Renault will jump RBR is the ratings and that RBR are going to struggle with their attitude and Honda.

Alternatively, the Big Three will be reduced to a Big Two, followed by a closely match mid-field which Renault and RBR will probably spearhead.

Yikes.

[PTRACER]

I do have a gut feeling that Danny will do better at Renault than Max will at RBR. In fact I think Renault will jump RBR is the ratings and that RBR are going to struggle with their attitude and Honda.

Alternatively, the Big Three will be reduced to a Big Two, followed by a closely match mid-field which Renault and RBR will probably spearhead.

Yikes.

[MonteCristo]

Fingers crossed, but a big gamble. They haven't really gone forward this year. At least he'll get some good money.

[John]

Fingers crossed, but a big gamble. They haven't really gone forward this year. At least he'll get some good money.

Sure they have. They started the season without Palmer.

Surely that's progress.

[theracer120]

Alternatively, the Big Three will be reduced to a Big Two, followed by a closely match mid-field which Renault and RBR will probably spearhead.

Yikes.

Although they've been able to win races since 2013 I don't think they've ever quite been on the same level as Mercedes or Ferrari anyway. Definitely in the last couple of years they've been the lesser of that trio when it comes to results even though I'd argue they've had the fastest driver combo of the "big three" teams, so although it does look like a backwards step for Dan I think it's a risk worth taking.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Alternatively, the Big Three will be reduced to a Big Two, followed by a closely match mid-field which Renault and RBR will probably spearhead.

Yikes.

Although they've been able to win races since 2013 I don't think they've ever quite been on the same level as Mercedes or Ferrari anyway. Definitely in the last couple of years they've been the lesser of that trio when it comes to results even though I'd argue they've had the fastest driver combo of the "big three" teams, so although it does look like a backwards step for Dan I think it's a risk worth taking.

I hope it is a good move for Danny.... it would be nice to think it would turn out like Hamilton to Merc when we all thought that an odd move. Hoping Danny knows something we dont. I can see he needed a change of environment though, and Horner would be a prick to have to sit and support all the shit he comes up with.

[theracer120]

Another comment I'll make is that it's only a two year deal... maybe he's just taking a chance now with the hope of getting into Ferrari or Merc for 2021. That could backfire naturally but it could turn out well for him.

[MonteCristo]

Fingers crossed, but a big gamble. They haven't really gone forward this year. At least he'll get some good money.

Sure they have. They started the season without Palmer.

Surely that's progress.

[Antonov]

Fingers crossed, but a big gamble. They haven't really gone forward this year. At least he'll get some good money.

Sure they have. They started the season without Palmer.

Surely that's progress.

Those are the sort of comments which make me physically sick!
Palmer was a fantastic and consistent driver with a strong reputation.
Hulkenberg was more than pleased to copy his hard-worked-for setups.

In other news, but unsure if 'official' - Verstappen has vetoed Sainz joining Red Bull. So surely that is Carlos heading to McLaren, and goodbye Stoffel?

[Everso Biggyballies]

Danny is his Team Australia A1GP days.
Actually I think he only tested for the team and never raced for them.
(The pic id says it was 2011 but I dont think A1GP existed then)

[MonteCristo]

2007?

[Everso Biggyballies]

He did not really get any recognition until he went from FRenault and then UK F3 in 2009. I would have thought maybe 2009. Im just guessing though.
2009 was the year he won the UK F3 title and started to get noticed. (First Aussie to win UKF3 since David Brabham in 1989 .... although Larry Perkins won the Euro F3 title in 1975)

[theracer120]

2008/9 was the last season of A1GP, however they were going to have a 2009/10 season and the Gold Coast Indy was going to become an A1GP event so I wonder if maybe Dan was going to have an A1GP drive or if it was just a promo for that event.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Not sure tbh. John Martin was I think pretty much the driver for the last couple of seasons of A1GP. Davo had gone to V8s, Power and Riscoe to Indycar, Christian Jones disappeared up his own arsehole and I cant think of any others in the A1GP circle. Maybe Danny was seen as the next thing in Aus

[Everso Biggyballies]

Back to Danny's replacement apparently Red Bull's option on Sainz expires end September, so if they have not confirmed him by then he is free to walk.