thoughtfullysillylady

[thoughtfullysillylady]

they made lewis reflect on the 2014 season and winning his 2nd title 10 years ago

[thoughtfullysillylady]

So I was watching this C2 video and like from a PR perspective both Seb and Charles and Carlos and Charles were like lowkey flirty with each other, and people ate that up rightfully.

However how do you think it'll go for Lewis and Charles. Lewis (as much as he's supportive he's never been comfortable with other men like that) and so there won't be any energy for Charles to respond to. Coz even with George and Lewis' videos, George is always carrying the majority of the conversations.

Just really curious what journey next year takes us on

[thoughtfullysillylady]

The funniest thing is we know Mercedes will make some awful changes that might get lewis either out in Q2 or like p6/p7 in in Q3.

(I'll cry if that happens obviously)

[thoughtfullysillylady]

Because this applies today too

There is this one 63 fan on twitter that just moves wrong. Gives really bad vibes and is constantly in quotes and comments of team LH

[thoughtfullysillylady]

[thoughtfullysillylady]

Also I just remembered this one interview with Daniel where he says he'll have Max and Lewis together in a team coz we both know how splendidly they get along. He said that sarcastically obviously.

So like I don't understand is there some intense behind the scene beef? Or is it just funny to talk about them coz of the '21 rivalry.

I desperately need to know what George knows about Max and Lewis.

[thoughtfullysillylady]

It's so funny that the reason Kelly piquet is trending is because Franco Colapinto was seen with an older woman 😭😭😂😂😂

[thoughtfullysillylady]

I genuinely don't think Ferrari will let Lewis' first appearance with Ferrari at the car launch, doesn't make sense to me from a PR pov.

But like the question is what they might do? Like even thinking about the possibilities makes me so excited !!!!

[thoughtfullysillylady]

I desperately need to know what George knows about Max and Lewis.

[thoughtfullysillylady]

lewis and valentino ride swap

[thoughtfullysillylady]

There is this one 63 fan on twitter that just moves wrong. Gives really bad vibes and is constantly in quotes and comments of team LH

[thoughtfullysillylady]

I think the crux of the matter is he didn't NEED to say anything. He didn't need to say that's why we offered Lewis a 1+1, or about decline (shelf life) or why didn't Lewis wait to see if we were competitive. Mind you, nothing has actually come from Lewis, he has said that he still loves the team but wanted to close his chapter well. ( I am not even getting into the conversation of not being offered the ambassadorial role just because I've not seen any actual news source, but also hard to not believe). There have been many comments over this entire year that have just been on this side of being backhanded. Especially because this driver is still driving for him, and has also won all constructors with him.

He could have just said, we wish him well and some other flowery nonsense and leave it at that. I remember last year George had said that if Lewis leaves it'll show he doesn't have confidence in Mercedes. What Toto is saying implies that HE doesn't have confidence in Lewis, which is surprising considering Lewis was literally P3 in the Driver's championship last year.

Toto has invited ridicule and contempt onto himself. Like you said, if there was no love left in the relationship, he didn't have to air it out into the world. He could have kept it behind closed doors, made an amicable post and left it at that. He could have said some generic sentences about their legacy, the work they've done, etc. Fred has not said one backhanded comment about Sainz, he could have taken inspiration for him.

And about Lewis himself, I think this is him actually standing up for himself by leaving the team. He understood the hint that Toto gave (the 1+1) and decided to leave. Even James Allison on record has said they knew what might happen if they gave Lewis a 1+1. So it wasn't just a Lewis' decision imo like you said, Merc knew what might come.

I don't really get why so many people here are getting so worked up about what Toto said in that paragraph because like, is he wrong?

There is a time for every athlete when they are past their peak in performance, doesn't mean they are bottom of barrel all of the sudden, but also not top of the game anymore. Calling it "shelf life" may be a bit poor wording but ultimatly not wrong. Now, has that time come for Lewis jet? I don't know. But really considering his age, a switch in the driver line-up would have happen in the next few years anyway in my opinion.

Every professional sports team has a junior programm in the end for the very purpose of developing new talents that are supposed to replace the old and established on day. And as a team principal or coach or whatever you call it, you have to oversee that and plan ahead for the future and one day just have to make that decision to switch it up. Now, Lewis took that decision into his own hands (whatever reason he might have for that) and i understand why Toto would be at least a bit relieved that Lewis made that step himself, considering this situation of Lewis and Merc separating would have happend sooner or later anyway. It's like when you're in a relationship with someone and you're not actually unhappy but also both know that there is no long term future ahead for you together anymore. Neither of you wants to hurt the other person but one of you has to make the step forwars and say "i like you, but this isn't working anymore" and i would be so relieved if i don't have to be that person because after so many years together that is a difficult and awkward talk to have even if you are a professional.

Could the whole thing be worded a bit better? (and the whole situation since the start of the year) Definitely yes. But really it's like i said in the beginning, i don't get why people here act like Toto said something unbelievably wrong or terrible because ultimatly thats not really the case.

There is no big evil conspiracy against Lewis to bully him out of the team (way to much money and publicity in this sport nowadays to just purposely fuck over your driver that won multiple WDC with you). The car is just not competitive, (most likely developement mistakes very early on that they can't propery resolve without something else poppig up) and probably won't be next year and Lewis is rightfully frustrated about it and just wants to make the most out of the last part of his career (plus the chance to drive for ferrari) and thats what led to this situation, just business and career decisions in the end.

On a last note, i think it's a bit disrespectful and infantilising that people believe someone like LH would just put his head down and keep his mouth shut when there really were ill intentions of the team against him. He is a grown man that is capable of standing up for himself and has the self-confidence and greatness to do so.

[thoughtfullysillylady]

I am just really happy that this is going to reflect so badly on him. I hope mercedes drops down further honestly.

And there we have it. Toto himself confirming they wanted to retire Lewis on their own terms.

I feel like I shoud be mad but its been such a long time coming knowing this, and with this whole season and everything going on since Spa, I'm just numb to Toto finally saying out loud what it has been hinted at.

Also the news did leak from the Sainz camp, as its been hinted at.

[thoughtfullysillylady]

Can someone fill me in on Gabriel bortoleto? I don't want to invest time if he's controversial

[thoughtfullysillylady]

Dude honestly I am so pissed at mercedes and so sad for lewis, he's never sounded as if he's given up the way he's doing now. I wasn't expecting mercedes to play such level of games with him atleast. Like I'll genuinely wish ill on that team next year. It essentially feels like they've broken him.

And also, the car? It looks so dangerous to drive, only lewis' skills was keeping it on the road. How can there be so much difference in those two cars. Mind games aside do you want to break him physically too?

[thoughtfullysillylady]

I don't know what tone to believe

[thoughtfullysillylady]

Actually they have a rb near Norris, hope they don't ask the rb to just crash into norris