El Scorchio wrote: ↑07 Dec 2020, 20:00
Manoah2u wrote: ↑07 Dec 2020, 19:34
El Scorchio wrote: ↑07 Dec 2020, 18:34
Never going to happen. He's the future at Mercedes.
Marko and Co presenting that hot juicy steak in front of Russell's hungry nose might just force Toto to throw Bottas under the bus. Or, let's put it differently, Bottas himself laid down on the train tracks and it's up to Toto to grab him by the hand and lead him to safety.
The juicy steak of 'come now and be the number two driver in the second best team and and possibly ruin ever getting that Merc drive' vs 'Wait one year and be on equal footing at the best team for as long as you want?'. That's not such a juicy steak really.
Russell is in no place anyway to be making demands of Mercedes. Besides which, if as so many people say any fool could drive the Merc to the title, then why do they even need him? Why not just hire Grosjean?
I don't think RBR's 2nd seat is really something worthwile, but another concideration might be that the lure of short-term improvement might start selling.
After all, George is looking to another year at the end of the field with Williams.
With RBR, he can WIN. Mercedes also compltely co**ed up his race.
Drive at the back of the field for yet ANOTHER year, or WIN with RBR.
Also, WINNING with RBR means also BEATING 'hotshot' Max.
The chances of him being 'allowed' to beat Lewis is also - perhaps - questionable.
Just as that it's questionable RBR will be winning material for 2022,
it's also not unfathomable Merc will be far less dominant in the future,
especially with Toto 'slowly stepping away', and focus is not unlikely to shift to Aston Martin,
or perhaps Mclaren.
And then, RBR could also slam his name on a pack of RedBull, throw him all sorts of fun and vacations,
slam in some tasty millions of salary treats.
WHICH, could be ENOUGH to sign.