BREAKING: George Russell will drive for Mercedes in place of Lewis Hamilton. | FerrariChat

BREAKING: George Russell will drive for Mercedes in place of Lewis Hamilton.

Discussion in 'F1' started by WilyB, Dec 2, 2020.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 23, 2007
    4,104
    AZ
    BREAKING: George Russell will drive for Mercedes in place of Lewis Hamilton at this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix Jack Aitken steps up for Williams.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    stavura, mcimino, TopspeedPT and 11 others like this.
  2. WilyB

    WilyB F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 23, 2007
    4,104
    AZ
  3. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 11, 2005
    45,906
    Full Name:
    Toe Knee
    Congrats to Russell, great to see another twitch steamer doing well in F1. :D
     
    TopspeedPT and Bas like this.
  4. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    7,716
    Tropical
    Gotta admit it ..had to google it!
     
  5. jgonzalesm6

    jgonzalesm6 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 31, 2016
    20,528
    Corpus Christi, Tx.
    Full Name:
    Joe R Gonzales
    Can't wait to see what Russell does in that W11 rocketship.

    Pole and wins the race possibly??
     
  6. jpalmito

    jpalmito F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2009
    7,282
    Le caylar (France)
    Full Name:
    mathieu Jeantet
    Big test and chance for Russell.
    So happy for him, he really deserves it !
     
  7. Igor Ound

    Igor Ound F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2012
    8,102
    The Horn
    Full Name:
    Igor Ound
    I’m sure he’ll do great
     
    mcimino, jgonzalesm6 and jpalmito like this.
  8. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2006
    10,147
    opposite lock
    Full Name:
    Marc Sonnery
    Valterrrrri is worrrrried.
     
    stavura, Giallo 550, mcimino and 6 others like this.
  9. simpen

    simpen Formula Junior

    Jun 14, 2016
    291
    Finally a chance to evaluate what the young Russell is capable of! I expect nothing less than a podium, or else I'll just continue to call him the new Hulkenberg
     
    Senna1994, jpalmito and Nembo1777 like this.
  10. jpalmito

    jpalmito F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2009
    7,282
    Le caylar (France)
    Full Name:
    mathieu Jeantet
    Frankly it would be awesome if George could immediately challenge the Bottas pace because it is never easy to discover a car without any kind of test before.
    But who knows ..
     
  11. JJ

    JJ F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 6, 2010
    11,333
    PA
    Full Name:
    24601
    This is where the absolute ban on testing starts to become a safety issue, as well as limiting opportunity for young drivers.
     
  12. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2006
    10,147
    opposite lock
    Full Name:
    Marc Sonnery
    #13 Nembo1777, Dec 2, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2020
    I don't think he can win this sunday, too little time to really squeeze every ounce of speed from the car compared to Bottas BUT if Lewis is not declared fit for AbuDhababdabda then yes I will bet George wins there.

    This Sakhir GP will be very exciting and fraught with traffic issues having a decisive influence on results, due to the short almost oval layout totally unprecedented in F1 history and with Aitken and Fittipaldi that is two beginners in the mix, not at all an ideal race for them to start.
     
  13. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    7,716
    Tropical
  14. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 11, 2005
    45,906
    Full Name:
    Toe Knee
    Lets not forget that he tested the W10 twice last year and topped the times for the day both times. :) (2nd test he was under .1 behind Bottas best time).

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    stavura, mcimino, jpalmito and 3 others like this.
  15. WPOZZZ

    WPOZZZ F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2012
    6,477
    Honolulu, HI
    Congrats to Russell! It will be like going from a clapped out Hyundai to a Merc S Class.
     
    stavura, greg328, Robb and 5 others like this.
  16. PerKr

    PerKr Formula Junior

    Oct 10, 2007
    278
    Mariestad, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Per Kristoffersson
    surely the teams have something arranged for their up-and-coming drivers to avoid having them get into the car and be completely off the pace. Plenty of tracks in the UK and the big teams at least don't just throw away their old cars. Hamilton and Bottas did pre-season practice in the W09 so...

    Anyway, congrats to Russel for getting this opportunity though I'm looking forward to seeing Hamilton try for his 8th title next season
     
  17. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2002
    8,210
    Stepford, Connecticut
    Full Name:
    dave m
    Curious what motivation was given to Williams to release him?
     
  18. TurboFreak650

    TurboFreak650 Formula 3

    Jul 10, 2004
    2,363
    Atlanta, GA
    Congrats, lad!
     
  19. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

    Jul 11, 2005
    45,906
    Full Name:
    Toe Knee
    Each year post-season they have a "young driver" test week. They usually allow their best F2+F3 drivers to test, though this year Reno is pushing to give Alonso a seat :p

    Alternatively drivers can pay for testing like Stroll did before entering F1.

    Who knows what the teams charge but there are a few places in Europe where you can hire an older F1 car, this mob charge 11480 euros for 10laps in a 2011 Williams. Test days drivers are usually doing 100+ laps.

    https://www.lrs-formula.com/en/f1-driving-experience-gold-magny-cours-gp-circuit

    The reason Merc used the W09 was because the rules didn't allow them to run the W11/W10.
     
  20. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2006
    10,147
    opposite lock
    Full Name:
    Marc Sonnery
    Money in one shape or another, such as a discount on Mercedes engine bills.
     
    375+ likes this.
  21. jpalmito

    jpalmito F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2009
    7,282
    Le caylar (France)
    Full Name:
    mathieu Jeantet
    Why i'm so excited to see Russell in the W11?
    Too many boring years perhaps ..
     
    Bas, sainthoo and 375+ like this.
  22. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

    Dec 19, 2003
    4,186
    Cheshire
    This is the biggest chance Russell will ever get. He has to take it.

    He has an easier job than Hulk did earlier in the year as he is a current driver and has loads of experience with the Merc PU already powering his Williams. I doubt it will take him long to get to grips with the additional chassis performance of the Merc.

    I expect him to be on the pace by Saturday qualifying (top 6 minimum) and on the podium on Sunday. He doesn’t have to beat Bottas this weekend, but has to be comparable. That’ll be enough. Good luck to him. He’s earned this opportunity.

    If he’s still in the seat for Abu Dhabi, then he has a real shot at victory.
     
  23. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,061
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    I hope he doesn't crumble under the pressure.
    It would be great to see him on pole, proof anyone can drive that car to the top.
     
  24. jpalmito

    jpalmito F1 Veteran

    Jun 5, 2009
    7,282
    Le caylar (France)
    Full Name:
    mathieu Jeantet

    If he is a sort of real deal like Max or Charles he should already beat Bottas this week.
    Time will quickly tell..
     
    375+ likes this.

Share This Page