2020 Sakhir Grand Prix - Sakhir, Dec 04 - 06

[Morteza]

[Schuttelberg]

Not a lot of point if Williams won’t release Russell. 2022 will be the time.

I don’t think they have need either. They’ll probably still do the double.

You're funny! You think Williams have control over George? Listen to yourself mate.

He has a valid point.

I know you enjoy your Merc conspiracy theories, but Williams have the final say there.

I have no theories, just logic.

Williams had no need to let Bottas go in 2017, they did. At the time, he was managed by Toto who had his own ties with Williams. Russell was then put in a Williams and he is a Mercedes driver. Mercedes never needed a driver till now and WHAM! They get Williams to release Russell even though they have both titles wrapped up. As seen today, it's not that hard for a GP to get chaotic and Russell is Williams' best bet to beat Haas in the championship. Yet, they allowed George to go?

It's plain and simple a matter of money. Mercedes are making engine deals to Williams and buying experience for their young gun. Why do you think Wolff put George in the car this weekend? It tightens his hold on Bottas to do as the upper management expects him to behave, it allows him control over negotiations with Hamilton and if this was not enough he now knows Russell is the real deal. He has the 2021 titles in the bag so he can bag those and then very simply he will put Russell in the car alongside Hamilton unless Hamilton retires. Then, he always has the back up in Bottas.

I think Mercedes are basically in pole position for all discussions. My personal opinion is that a year alongside Hamilton will teach George a lot in 2021 and Mercedes will go into 2022 a stronger team. I also don't shy away from the fact that having a poor team mate ultimately challenges you lesser and you don't find some limits when you need them. I have followed all of Lewis' career and I think he was at his best against Rosberg on Saturday and he clearly has not been the quali giant he once was. I think a young Russell propelling him along will help him rediscover those limits.

[lh13]

Acrually most HAM fans want Russel. They have an appetite for HAM destroying stars.

Well, according to most HAM fans, Vettel and Rosberg are average drivers, so do tell me which stars HAM has destroyed to date. Apparently, all he has done is beat average drivers while driving some of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history.

Alonso as a rockie.. next question

They finished on equal points, although Hamilton did finish ahead in standings. If that is your definition of 'destroyed', then Adios!

[LM10]

Today we've seen why Mercedes has been keeping Bottas for years and I've told that numerous times already: He has the most dominant car, gets just enough points to secure WCC and is the perfect wingman for Lewis. If they still hold on Bottas for 2021 after what happened today, it will only further prove my point. Then I'm sure their intention will be to make Hamilton's 8th world title as easy as possible. No other single reason Bottas has that seat.

Russell totally destroyed him, as sorry as I am for him, but that's the reality. It was painful to watch after some point. George should have gotten the win today, but Mercedes stopped him by faking a puncture. That tells me that they will keep Bottas in 2021 and wanted to limit the embarrassment for him, also to not look like fools when being asked why on earth Russell is still at Williams.

Faking a puncture, really? Come on man your better than that. Russell suddenly stopped catching Perez for a few laps, he had an issue. plus George said the car started to crab down the straights. He definitely had a puncture. dont feed the trolls buddy.

He already said that he felt slow on the straights right after the pit stop. So did they put him on a punctured tyre? If yes, how did he manage several laps on that punctured tyre?

[Zynerji]

Maybe stroll sr bought his son a team to race in. But, we mustn’t forget that if not for him there would be only 18 seats on the grid today and Perez would be out of a seat anyway.

Also, Lance has shown far greater moments of brilliance than half the grid (and that includes Norris, dare I say). He just needs to find some consistency and let’s not forget, he’s still just 22.

I'm a closet Lance fan...

[NathanOlder]

Some Hamilton fans were hell bent on proving that Bottas is anything decent! I'm sure they're glad Russell did not win today. Bottas is there for a reason, to keep certain someone happy. It maybe a surprise for us, but Mercedes always knew how quick Russell was (is), yet he wasn't put in the car for next year. And people claim there is no #1/#2 in Mercedes.

Hamilton fans from Britain all wanted Russell to win. And Russell isn't in the car next year because Williams blocked it. Mercedes asked and Claire said no. So Merc resigned Bottas on 1 yr to fill the gap.

Just like they blocked Bottas in 2017.

Mercedes had to pay up for that. they were in a desperate situation thanks to Nico running off.

[lh13]

Some Hamilton fans were hell bent on proving that Bottas is anything decent! I'm sure they're glad Russell did not win today. Bottas is there for a reason, to keep certain someone happy. It maybe a surprise for us, but Mercedes always knew how quick Russell was (is), yet he wasn't put in the car for next year. And people claim there is no #1/#2 in Mercedes.

I see it other way around. Russel was barely slower than Bottas yesterday and today barely faster and now Russel is the best driver by beating the worst according to same people ? ?!?! Merc may see Bottas as second driver but they do *not* act like he is the 2nd driver by designing the car around the lead driver or calling the strategy in the lead driver's favor until it is absolutely necessary. Redbull/Ferrari do not even concern for their 2nd drivers.. Especially Redbull.. The last 2 years, I just appreciated how good Ric must have been to beat the 1st driver of Redbull as the 2nd. He is the 2nd best driver of the grid for me.

He was driving someone else's car, in which he did not even fit properly, while being very comfortable.

If you put a potato in the other car, then you don't need to treat it like a #2.

[siskue2005]

I can see what he's trying to do. He's using these races and seasons where he's nothing to gain/lose and establish a ruthless image whereby his peers/rivals know he will be prepared to crash if they don't yield. It will work as long as he's Ferrari's wonder kid but it will go pear shaped if and when they find their new one.

WOW!, that is one of the stupidest things I have read in this forum! Thank you

May be you should read your own posts? You'll perhaps understand what stupid truly is!

No mate, you lead by a long way!

[Schuttelberg]

Well, according to most HAM fans, Vettel and Rosberg are average drivers, so do tell me which stars HAM has destroyed to date. Apparently, all he has done is beat average drivers while driving some of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history.

Alonso as a rockie.. next question

They finished on equal points, although Hamilton did finish ahead in standings. If that is your definition of 'destroyed', then Adios!

Apart from Bottas, Hamilton has always had amazing team mates and he has beaten them all.

[NathanOlder]

Today we've seen why Mercedes has been keeping Bottas for years and I've told that numerous times already: He has the most dominant car, gets just enough points to secure WCC and is the perfect wingman for Lewis. If they still hold on Bottas for 2021 after what happened today, it will only further prove my point. Then I'm sure their intention will be to make Hamilton's 8th world title as easy as possible. No other single reason Bottas has that seat.

Russell totally destroyed him, as sorry as I am for him, but that's the reality. It was painful to watch after some point. George should have gotten the win today, but Mercedes stopped him by faking a puncture. That tells me that they will keep Bottas in 2021 and wanted to limit the embarrassment for him, also to not look like fools when being asked why on earth Russell is still at Williams.

They stopped him by faking a puncture? What’s your source for this info?

What kind of source do you want me to deliver? Official statement from Mercedes?

Russell's sector times didn't drop. How high is the possibility for a puncture without any reason for that? There was no debris, lock up whatsoever.

Yes Russells times DID drop. he stopped catching Perez for a few laps, and then pitted.

[lh13]

Alonso as a rockie.. next question

They finished on equal points, although Hamilton did finish ahead in standings. If that is your definition of 'destroyed', then Adios!

Apart from Bottas, Hamilton has always had amazing team mates and he has beaten them all.

Not according to most of his fans.

[lh13]

Hamilton fans from Britain all wanted Russell to win. And Russell isn't in the car next year because Williams blocked it. Mercedes asked and Claire said no. So Merc resigned Bottas on 1 yr to fill the gap.

Just like they blocked Bottas in 2017.

Mercedes had to pay up for that. they were in a desperate situation thanks to Nico running off. Next? every bit of bs you say, there is a proper answer for.

Oh did I step on your tail?

[NathanOlder]

They finished on equal points, although Hamilton did finish ahead in standings. If that is your definition of 'destroyed', then Adios!

Apart from Bottas, Hamilton has always had amazing team mates and he has beaten them all.

Not according to most of his fans.

He has beat them all. which fans disagree with that. AND NO HAMILTON FANS ARE SAYING BOTTAS IS AMAZING. stop talking nonsense.

[zibby43]

Today we've seen why Mercedes has been keeping Bottas for years and I've told that numerous times already: He has the most dominant car, gets just enough points to secure WCC and is the perfect wingman for Lewis. If they still hold on Bottas for 2021 after what happened today, it will only further prove my point. Then I'm sure their intention will be to make Hamilton's 8th world title as easy as possible. No other single reason Bottas has that seat.

Russell totally destroyed him, as sorry as I am for him, but that's the reality. It was painful to watch after some point. George should have gotten the win today, but Mercedes stopped him by faking a puncture. That tells me that they will keep Bottas in 2021 and wanted to limit the embarrassment for him, also to not look like fools when being asked why on earth Russell is still at Williams.

Faking a puncture, really? Come on man your better than that. Russell suddenly stopped catching Perez for a few laps, he had an issue. plus George said the car started to crab down the straights. He definitely had a puncture. dont feed the trolls buddy.

He already said that he felt slow on the straights right after the pit stop. So did they put him on a punctured tyre? If yes, how did he manage several laps on that punctured tyre?

It’s a slow puncture.

He likely got it from having to leave the racing line constantly for overtaking.

This isn’t that unusual.

[LM10]

To the people telling Mercedes can't win without Lewis - what are you trying to do? Those claims sound stupid and you're belittling Russell's exceptional performance today. What a shame.

He actually was on his way to easily win that. If it was not for the most stupid pit stop I've seen in a while. Why would you change some fresh Hards with less than half of the race remaining?