2020 Sakhir Grand Prix - Sakhir, Dec 04 - 06

[Phil]

So,

What does it say about Hamilton if George sits in his car, and absolutely crushes Bottas? I mean, what if George is up by 3-5 tenths in Q3? Does it prove that it really is THE CAR, and not the driver?

If George finishes ahead of Valteri, he may push Bottas directly into retirement. Can you IMAGINE the never-ending questions from fans and media of "George is faster than you, when do you expect to be replaced by him?" Ugh! Straight to retirement...

It’s just one race, possibly two. To be honest, i dont think this particular track layout will be the best one to draw conclusions, but it sure will be interesting. If Russel beats Bottas, i think it will be pulled way out of proportion. If Bottas beats Russel, things will quiet down and not many conclusions will be drawn. Quite francly, i think it’s going to be a tough race for Bottas. Kind of no win situation for him.

Abu Dhabi could be interesting though, if it happens.

[Big Tea]

So,

What does it say about Hamilton if George sits in his car, and absolutely crushes Bottas? I mean, what if George is up by 3-5 tenths in Q3? Does it prove that it really is THE CAR, and not the driver?

If George finishes ahead of Valteri, he may push Bottas directly into retirement. Can you IMAGINE the never-ending questions from fans and media of "George is faster than you, when do you expect to be replaced by him?" Ugh! Straight to retirement...

It’s just one race, possibly two. To be honest, i dont think this particular track layout will be the best one to draw conclusions, but it sure will be interesting. If Russel beats Bottas, i think it will be pulled way out of proportion. If Bottas beats Russel, things will quiet down and not many conclusions will be drawn. Quite francly, i think it’s going to be a tough race for Bottas. Kind of no win situation for him.

Abu Dhabi could be interesting though, if it happens.

I suspect that if we do see that, it will be Hamilton v Russel at merc and Bottas at Williams next year

[Morteza]

[Juzh]

I still think its going to come down to the pre-set gear ratios with these high-speed, but not top gear, corners...

The torque is going to make all the difference during the fast direction change.

There's no super long straights monza style that require extra long gear ratios or anything like that. If anything top speed will be up only by about 5-8 kmh from the regular track, down to teams running lower wing angles. This difference will mean nothing overall. Only at 350+ would it MAYBE start to have an effect, but no one will be getting close to that number. Quali top speed last weekend were in the 320-325 range, race DRS trains 330-335 kmh.

Bottom line is teams know how to calculate best possible gear ratios.

I understand that they can calculate, but I also know this track was not a consideration when they calculated.

The cars bog slightly during the 5th/6th gear cornering... A slightly different gearing between teams could be a big time difference.

I'm just speculating from previous SIM experience on this layout (rFactor 2012ish). The gearing was worth a lot.

We find out, for sure, soon enough!

Lol, you're not seriously comparing old V8s which had all their power from 17000-18000 rpm, to current V6 turbos which have vastly larger power range and basically flat power curve from 10500 rpm onwards?

Yes back then this would matter, nowadays it doesn't matter a single bit. That's also part of the reason why gears are locked for entire season and no one's crying out about it, ever.

[Big Tea]

https://twitter.com/GeorgeRussell63/sta ... 15308?s=19

Does my bum look big in this???

[LHamilton]

Imma do a 'WTF1 style' prediction before the raceweekend and predict;

1. Albon does not qualify for Q3

And

2. Sainz 2nd place in the race

[Restomaniac]

I’ve just been thinking. I wonder how many drivers can say they’ve driven in a WDC & WCC car in its championship season when it wasn’t them that won the championship(s)?

[LM10]

Russell in the Mercedes is going to be an extraordinary opportunity to see several things. Which driver gets the chance to test a car of his future team in a proper race?

[NathanOlder]

I’ve just been thinking. I wonder how many drivers can say they’ve driven in a WDC & WCC car in its championship season when it wasn’t them that won the championship(s)?

Wasn't it Emerson Fittipaldi who took Rindt's seat at Lotus in 1970 ?

and a coincidence that its Emo's grandson who is replacing Grosjean this weekend

[mwillems]

Here is RUSs opportunity. It’s a clunky fit but that’s just how it is; it’s very rarely smooth when your number gets called up.

RUS may not be familiar with this iteration of racecar but he has done something like 600 laps in Merc machinery since ‘17. He’s been in F1 pretty much 2 seasons now; in a zero-pressure car/environment and he’s been paired against mediocre teammates.

No more excuses. Slap some expectation on his shoulders, let’s see what you’re truly made of. It’s now or never.

Yes but is the pressure just on Russell? What happens if he outperforms Bottas and is very very close....?

I doubt there’s any complexity for BOT; his psychology will be to crush RUS. For sure it will be different as he’s now defacto figurehead, but he’ll be motivated to silence the critics against the one who’s widely talked about as the pilot that should be in that seat.

And as to whether he’ll be faster than BOT, let’s wait and see.

For sure, no complexity, it is obvious he needs to lead the team and win the race and be a clear distance from Russell.

All I'm suggesting is that there is a potential pressure on Bottas because this one race could be a big defining moment in his future. If Russell showcases his talent in a Merc, they won't want to let him go, especially since Hamilton is at the back end of his career with Merc and the only seat at threat (If Hamilton signs) is Bottas'

[Restomaniac]

I’ve just been thinking. I wonder how many drivers can say they’ve driven in a WDC & WCC car in its championship season when it wasn’t them that won the championship(s)?

Wasn't it Emerson Fittipaldi who took Rindt's seat at Lotus in 1970 ?

and a coincidence that its Emo's grandson who is replacing Grosjean this weekend

You must be older than me.
Also was it already confirmed that Rindt had win the WDC at that point? That’s what I’m driving at. The chassis that will wear #63 this coming weekend wore #44 when the WCC was won and then wore it again when the WDC was won.

However even if it was Fittipaldi that still makes what Russell is about to do as being something that hasn’t happened for 50 years.

[NathanOlder]

I’ve just been thinking. I wonder how many drivers can say they’ve driven in a WDC & WCC car in its championship season when it wasn’t them that won the championship(s)?

Wasn't it Emerson Fittipaldi who took Rindt's seat at Lotus in 1970 ?

and a coincidence that its Emo's grandson who is replacing Grosjean this weekend

You must be older than me.
Also was it already confirmed that Rindt had win the WDC at that point? That’s what I’m driving at. The chassis that will wear #63 this coming weekend wore #44 when the WCC was won and then wore it again when the WDC was won.

However even if it was Fittipaldi that still makes what Russell is about to do as being something that hasn’t happened for 50 years.

Well if you're under 35, then yes I am older

I kniw Rindt won the championship with 1 race remaining, so I guess Fittipaldi drove the car Rindt would have raced in, but not the car Rindt drove as that was destroyed in the accident.

[Restomaniac]

Wasn't it Emerson Fittipaldi who took Rindt's seat at Lotus in 1970 ?

and a coincidence that its Emo's grandson who is replacing Grosjean this weekend

You must be older than me.
Also was it already confirmed that Rindt had win the WDC at that point? That’s what I’m driving at. The chassis that will wear #63 this coming weekend wore #44 when the WCC was won and then wore it again when the WDC was won.

However even if it was Fittipaldi that still makes what Russell is about to do as being something that hasn’t happened for 50 years.

Well if you're under 35, then yes I am older

I kniw Rindt won the championship with 1 race remaining, so I guess Fittipaldi drove the car Rindt would have raced in, but not the car Rindt drove as that was destroyed in the accident.

Very true.
Which just goes to prove what a rare occurrence this is. The actual chassis that won the WDC and WCC and one that Hamilton has been fine tuning and bedding in. Rather amazing really.
Unless of course they give Russell a new chassis and keep Hamilton’s out of the firing line so to speak.

[Manoah2u]

There's been some funny in-season 'changes'.

I remember Mika Salo having no seat, then a seat at BAR, then driving for Ferrari replacing Schumacher.
There are some instances, but only a few have been really successfull iirc, with some being forced due to bad drivng,
and some due to accidents, or some just because they were amazing.

Verstappen got Kvyat's seat and won.
Schumacher's talent got him a good seat and it worked.

i'd rather look in this case as a chance to see a star go supernova.

It was doubted LeClerc could hold his own against Vettel, but that went down particularly surprising.
We had a 2-day GP weekend this season which went down pretty remarkable.

I don't see how Russell could not find himself challenging Bottas.

I just hope Russell will be actual excitement,
not another VanDoorne/Palmer/Bottas/Ericssson.

Make it a hattrick Georgie boy,
PP Qually,
P1 Race Finish
FL Race Fastest Lap.

You'll be earned the title 'King George' for sure.

BTW is he donning a special helmet for this GP?

[Schuttelberg]

It's amazing that Williams released Bottas and Russell to Mercedes the moment they had an empty seat but wouldn't let Russell go for 2021.

One thing you have to give to Mercedes is the web of words they use to disguise their many lies.

Anyhow, I am thrilled for George. I think he is right up there with the likes of Max, Charles, Lando and a few more of these young guys. He has shown at Williams that his development is complete and has been overdue a car that can at least compete for points and podiums. However, Mercedes is a place where a podium could be a poor result but he is also fortunate that the driver who he will compete against is not the benchmark of the team.

I will be one of the few people who will not at all be surprised if George wins the race from pole. I think Bottas should easily win this race in terms of logic but it will all be down to how comfortable George is in the car.