Why Daniel Ricciardo was the "Obvious Choice" for Ferrari
0:00 - Carlos Sainz’ Future at Ferrari Will Be “Pretty Tough”
1:18 - Fast Feed
Speculation behind the reason why Ferrari chose Carlos Sainz over Daniel Ricciardo to replace Sebastian Vettel has been rife. While most seem to be happy for Sainz as he finally gets his opportunity at a big team, many feel that he has to tread very carefully at a team like Ferrari
I'm your host Dillon Shelley and first up on Formula World:
Carlos Sainz’ Future at Ferrari Will Be “Pretty Tough”
Former F1 driver Mark Webber began by revealing how Ferrari’s decision to sign Sainz instead of Ricciardo took him by surprise
“I was actually surprised. Daniel was the obvious answer on all of our lips to go into that role in terms of his credibility, race wins and being out of contract. There was a chance I thought that might happen”
Another former driver David Coulthard chimed and suggested that Ricciardo seemed like the more obvious choice
“I agree with Mark. Daniel was the more obvious choice for Ferrari in that he has got those race victories and is of Italian descent. I just think Daniel is more elbows out than Carlos.”
Webber summed up everything by explaining Sainz’ strong points while cautioning him to be aware of what he is getting himself into
“Carlos is very statesmanlike and professional. I think he fits the brand well and I’m cool with that but I feel like he is going to go into a very hot kitchen. Driving there in the future is going to be a pretty tough gig for him and Charles, obviously, is world class. So yeah… bit surprised but Formula 1 is full of those”
Fast Feed
Former F1 driver turned commentator Martin Brundle feels that “it will be a short farewell season for Vettel and Ferrari” as “That relationship has now become very uncomfortable and even looks like a divorce”
Another former driver Ralf Schumacher thinks that Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton “is dealing with a lot of side issues at the moment. He's done less of that in the past. It's obviously a distraction” and “He clearly underestimated his teammate”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen feels that he is a “passionate person and sometimes a little too ambitious” and thinks that he needs “to get that under control”
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel feels that the double header at Austria “means a chance to do better than last Sunday” and reiterated that it is one of his “favourite circuits of the year”
His team principal Mattia Binotto has admitted that bringing updates to the second race at Austria is “a race against the clock”
Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer feels that “Hamilton’s pace must be a concern for Bottas” “because whilst” Bottas “was typically composed under pressure, he didn’t necessarily show the pace needed to win”
“As for Hamilton, he now carries a 13-point deficit to his team mate. If he doesn’t win next weekend” “then that gap could go” up, added Palmer. Which he feels “will start to have shades of 2016”
He further thinks that “With the second Safety Car, they potentially shouldn’t have won the race, had it not been for Lewis Hamilton spinning Albon off”
Alfa Romeo’s test driver Robert Kubica will drive for the team during this week’s practice sessions and is “looking forward to returning to action”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner thinks that there will be “enough opportunities to fight Mercedes. Certainly as the season progresses”
Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko thinks that “The kerbs were the problem, especially in turn six and seven” at the Red Bull Ring as “The cars were extremely shaken up”
If you were Ferrari, would you have signed Sainz or Ricciardo?