2020 Sakhir Grand Prix - Sakhir, Dec 04 - 06

[Jolle]

Clearly, I don't understand your question.

The W11 that Russell is driving has already secured the WCC & WDC. When was the last time a driver drove a car that had mathematically already secured them.

In the same season or the second season of use?
The question should be then when has a championship winner departed his car before the season has finished. Easier to find out using that train of thought.

Big teams like Mercedes use multiple chassis during a season. They are build with smaller tolerances then the bottom half of the field and are less suitable for the many re-fittings if all the mounts over the course of a season (things like suspension fittings get a re-glue every few races).

[PlatinumZealot]

The turkey chassis then.
The thanks giving chassis.
The oven roasted turkey chassis stuffed with.... Er... Never mind.

[Just_a_fan]

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.

Would be shame is George destroyed that champion chassis wouldn't it? Heh. Sending it off into the barriers or something. It is huge pressure.

If he destroys the tub then there are bigger things to worry about - such as George's life.

Otherwise, the team would just bolt on a PU and gearbox from earlier in the season when they put the car in their museum. It would still be "the title winning car" as the title is won over a year, not in a race.

[PlatinumZealot]

God forbid, He would have achieved his dream at least. Racing a championship winning car.

[Phil]

All that nonsense about Williams not releasing Russell from their contract has been proven codswallop. Mercedes basically call the shots on Russell.

It’s all a matter of contracts and money. Russel has a Williams contract. We dont know the clauses behind the contract, but we can assume having Russel in the car for this weekend isnt free and getting him out for a 2021 Mercedes seat isnt either. Some of these penalty clauses are quite hefty too.

Russel is driving the Mercedes this weekend is because Mercedes is paying for it and Williams has the opportunity to make some more by putting someone into that seat as a replacement that pays for it as well. Sort of win/win. But i wouldnt say it’s cheap (probably depends on the willingness of Williams) and i also wouldnt say that Mercedes can “call the shots” when ever they want. It’s business and tied to costs.

[Mogster]

If Williams can extort extra cash from Aitken’s backers then they may be more keen than we realise.

[Big Tea]

The turkey chassis then.
The thanks giving chassis.
The oven roasted turkey chassis stuffed with.... Er... Never mind.

technical fowl there!

[i70q7m7ghw]

All that nonsense about Williams not releasing Russell from their contract has been proven codswallop. Mercedes basically call the shots on Russell.

It’s all a matter of contracts and money. Russel has a Williams contract. We dont know the clauses behind the contract, but we can assume having Russel in the car for this weekend isnt free and getting him out for a 2021 Mercedes seat isnt either. Some of these penalty clauses are quite hefty too.

Russel is driving the Mercedes this weekend is because Mercedes is paying for it and Williams has the opportunity to make some more by putting someone into that seat as a replacement that pays for it as well. Sort of win/win. But i wouldnt say it’s cheap (probably depends on the willingness of Williams) and i also wouldnt say that Mercedes can “call the shots” when ever they want. It’s business and tied to costs.

Russell has a Mercedes contract as well as a Williams contract, Mercedes will have an option on Russell and ultimately retain him as a driver, but as you say there will be a "refund" to Williams for his services.

[Morteza]

[214270]

by

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'

Maybe, but I don’t think athletes in competition focus on the negative. You’re suggesting BOT will be thinking about his race seat, I just believe he’d be more interested in spanking the junior.

Anyway, consider RUS hopping back into the Williams after AIT thrashes LAT: that’s the equivalent for RUS (focus on the negative mindset). I seriously doubt RUS is even thinking about it, even though that result would undermine everything he’s done in that car so far.

[Sieper]

Interesting. Well I do think Rus will beat Bot and Ait will beat Lat.

[Morteza]

[Gerhardsa]

That tire wall does not look like something that can stop a car flying in there at 250kph, and beyond into the ditch at the back...

[Shrieker]

That tire wall does not look like something that can stop a car flying in there at 250kph, and beyond into the ditch at the back...

Yeah looks certainly that way. Double stacked in a zigzag arrangement. Should've been straight stacked and triple layer at least.

[Sieper]

it will prevent a car from ripping apart in the guardrail. for now this is likely the best they could do. they need to rethink the entire guardrail situation. FIA will also have the research ready in a few weeks. Next year hopefully it will be better.