Raleigh wrote: ↑15 Apr 2019, 10:12
Vasconia wrote: ↑15 Apr 2019, 10:02
Big Tea wrote: ↑14 Apr 2019, 20:26
There probably comes a point when a driver realises no matter how much he puts into it, he is never going to catch the car infront and only puts in enough to keep the car behind there
During this race I saw how the gap between both was increased and reduced quite strangedly. I mean, there was a moment where Robert was 30 seconds behind, then like 3-4 laps before the end he was only 3 seconds behind and suddenly the gap was increased till almost 14-15 seconds. Why?
Russell boxed for new tires on lap 50.
Actually, at some point Williams switched into test session mode. They kept Robert like 12s in pits, adjusting stuff to check different aero settings

On Roberts first stint Williams also checked how long can You drive Mediums on the very worst car on the grid. Apparently they've had enough once Robert hit 1:48 barrier, but at least got longest stint on Mediums award

They had nothing to gain or lose, as there's not much chance they won't finish last. They can't even race each other currently.
little rant mode on, as I need to get it out from the system, sorry!
That's most puzzling for me. I get it they couldn't make it in time for first race. We're after third race now and they still couldn't provide new floor for Robert? Even though it's broken and not even made properly with huge stiffness discrepancy to begin with?
I'm Roberts fan and have also always been fond of Williams, but I think I'm capable of fair judgment. Pointing out some of Williams weird actions may sound like fanboism, but damn it's annoying when Williams put "Your driver" in a situation, where matching his teammate on score board would mean demolishing him actually and You know that armchair critics and most media will judge him as unfit and slow because who cares about full context. I can understand why Williams chose to give scraps to Robert instead of George - it's quite obvious as it ticks all the boxes. Robert is a veteran, who has driven competitively most kind of cars, so if he can't handle it, it can't be handled. He also has his "limitations", which conveniently provides an excuse and benefit of doubt. For many it's obvious that driving a rushed for preseason testing, badly manufactured, damaged multiple times, dog of a car with about 6k kilometers on it is not as much of a thing as "it must be the arm" or "he got slow after those years out of F1" (as if he haven't been driving at all in those years). There's also less to lose, as George being British, Mercedes protegee, acknowledged as talented young prospect is more risky as You could piss off a lot more people You care not piss off, than with Robert.
It all sucks.