Maybe we will get some inside on the long debate about the driver or the car when it comes to Lewis. I am a firm believer in Lewis and believes he is critical to the Mercedes performance. Russell is a good driver but i do not believe he will be able to get the max out of the car the way Lewis does each week.
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2020 Formula 1 Season Thread
- Thread starter pachyderm
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I don't expect much from Russell, mainly because of his lack of time to adapt to the car.
As to Lewis, you don't win WDCs without having one of, if not the, best car and team. But there are two drivers in said team and Lewis definitely has the measure of Bottas, did have it with Nico and arguably would have had it with Alonso if they had spent a few more years as teammates. So the man clearly has the talent and is, IMO, legitimately the best driver of the 2010s.
As to Lewis, you don't win WDCs without having one of, if not the, best car and team. But there are two drivers in said team and Lewis definitely has the measure of Bottas, did have it with Nico and arguably would have had it with Alonso if they had spent a few more years as teammates. So the man clearly has the talent and is, IMO, legitimately the best driver of the 2010s.
Agreed.
If Russell qualifies within 4 or 5 places of Bottas he's had a darn good weekend. He is known for getting the best out of the Williams, but driving the Mercedes will be at another level. I predict a good qualifying but a less good race day.
These last two races are as close to a 'anything goes' as it can get. Bottas needs to keep ahead of Verstappen in the championship, he won't want to lose face by Russell beating him (and will Mercedes instruct Russell to ensure Bottas gets max points?). RedBull will be keen to prove a point before the end of season. Then there is the constructors battle going on for 3rd and 4th to sort out.
It's a shame Lewis is ill of course, plus it rules him out from having the opportunity to get 100 wins, but that milestone will come. Aside from that, it's added a bit more spice than I think anyone was expecting.
I wonder if Russell will get two chances? Lewis needs a negative test pretty early next week to be allowed to race...
I see a lot of very casual F1 watchers suggesting if Russell wins the race this weekend it will somehow prove that Lewis Hamilton isn't a worthy champion but at the same time the expectation is Russell will adapt instantly. I agree, one race is too little time for a driver to show their potential in a car they are not used to. I'd like to see him do the best he can and with a decent finish but my expectations are realistic. If he does take like a duck to water then like everyone I will be highly impressed.
Clearly some sort of collective insanity. I think Russell is a great drive. But I do not give him much chance of winning even if Bottas crashes! Yet a lot of betting sites have him at the same odds as Verstappen!
How on earth is Russell ahead of Bottas?
Yes, only practice, but. Nicely done Russell!
And, how is Russell going to feel, having to go back to a 's l o w' Williams car? LOL
Roll on Sunday...
Yes, only practice, but. Nicely done Russell!
And, how is Russell going to feel, having to go back to a 's l o w' Williams car? LOL
Roll on Sunday...
Agreed. I really don't subscribe to 'this proves it's all in the car'. Winning once is a lot easier than winning consistently over many, many seasons.
If it was all in the car, what about Bottas?
Whatever the result on race day, it is certainly a more interesting weekend than it would have been.
Also let’s be honest this weekends track is hardly typical is it. But I’d love to see Russell on a podium and in the Mercedes permanently once Lewis retires.
Can’t see that. Think they’d rather keep Bottas as a number two rather than a challenger to Lewis. But who knows?
Russell continues to impress in practice. What's most impressive to me is how quickly he's adapted to the Mercedes chassis.
But there is a huge difference between putting in a fast lap in practice and qualifying, and making through sixty or seventy race laps with 19 other cars also racing flat out. That's where Lewis Hamilton has really shone where Bottas (and Verstappen) have sometimes fallen short.
I really hope Russell can get on the front row and show what he can do in the race. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
But there is a huge difference between putting in a fast lap in practice and qualifying, and making through sixty or seventy race laps with 19 other cars also racing flat out. That's where Lewis Hamilton has really shone where Bottas (and Verstappen) have sometimes fallen short.
I really hope Russell can get on the front row and show what he can do in the race. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Russell was showing higher deg (and therefore slower laps) in the longer runs. He should qualify well but may well drop away in the race
It’s Lewis and Bottas next season. I was thinking 1 season with Lewis and Russell with Russell learning from Lewis. Lewis then retires and Russell is then team lead with a good number 2 being drafted in
Maybe. I guess this weekend will give Toto something to think about for sure. Or he could just use it to lowball Lewis for his new contract!
Just learned that David Schumacher in F3 is Ralf's son. Also another Fittipaldi, Enzo Fittipaldi, is in F3 as well?
And there is an Alesi in F2 as well as another Piquet kid...?
Cool.
And there is an Alesi in F2 as well as another Piquet kid...?
Cool.
Have to say I like this circuit configuration - pretty much all straights so the cars can literally fly.
Valteri over George at the end with Max and Charles in 3rd and 4th, but such a tight grouping so the race should be interesting.
I think Russell performed really well. Within touch of Bottas. Compare and contrast with Albon!
Toto Wolf and Mercedes must be quietly pleased with their decision, so far, with Russell. Also, credit has to be given to Mercedes the team for managing their tire strategy throughout the qualifying evolutions.
Big pressure on Russell tomorrow to see how well he can manage the tires and the overall strategy. It's certainly not "make or break" for George. But its a huge opportunity for him. Kudos also to Ferrari and Charles LeClerc for a fantastic run that put the Ferrari up into the top part of the grid.
I'm sorry not to see Hamilton out there. But I'm thrilled that George Russell has this opportunity to show us a glimpse of the future of F1. Looking forward to the race.
Big pressure on Russell tomorrow to see how well he can manage the tires and the overall strategy. It's certainly not "make or break" for George. But its a huge opportunity for him. Kudos also to Ferrari and Charles LeClerc for a fantastic run that put the Ferrari up into the top part of the grid.
I'm sorry not to see Hamilton out there. But I'm thrilled that George Russell has this opportunity to show us a glimpse of the future of F1. Looking forward to the race.
The only pressure on Russell will be coming from himself. Assuming no big mistakes, a first ever points finish looks certain and the a real possibility of a podium. He comes across as very down to earth, likeable and keen to learn. Fantastic job in a car he's never driven and fitted out for another driver.
Given how Max can be attitude wise, I wonder what he makes of his team mate underperforming every week.
Given how Max can be attitude wise, I wonder what he makes of his team mate underperforming every week.