One race, even haas has podiumed but no ones giving mick Bottas seat. Doesnt Toto has a thing because isn’t he managed his sports management business?
You're being obtuse now, this was not some lucky occurrence. Russell comprehensively outperformed Bottas from the green light and was going to take a commanding victory before he suffered horrendous luck. You don't think his performance was exceptional given the circumstances?
Lol, noted. I do welcome competition against Hamilton but wouldn’t that be why they wouldn’t want to bring in Russell? Surely he doesn’t want to be a #2
That's the million dollar question isn't it. The team have been after harmony for the last few years and it's worked as Bottas hasn't rocked the boat. He keeps Hamilton very honest in qualifying but can't challenge him on a Sunday.
Mercedes is in a tough position. Hamilton will only go so much longer. Russell out of contract end of the season. Bottas can't carry the team, that much is clear. Russell is the guy they invested millions in. If they don't put him in a Merc soon what if he takes a brighter opportunity? I don't know what clause Ricciardo has in his contract or he could quit even. Mclaren would pounce on the opportunity...Imagine Norris and Russell in one team? Merc loves the harmony their current line up gives them. But they need someone to carry LH's torch when he retires.
Russell is nothing special? So when Hamilton manhandles Bottas, it's because he's great, but when Russell does it, he's nothing special? Got it. LOL Put him alongside Hamilton, give Leclerc, Verstappen, and Norris cars with similar capabilities, and you'll have one of the best F1 seasons in decades. The kids are alright.
Hamilton is the 7x champ, he’s supposed to manhandle. It’s when he can’t and he hasn’t, you’re looking at the situation wrong. Bottas also beat Hamilton more than once before, if we’re going by your logic he must be special too.
I think the big factor is that when Russell got into the car he had zero preparation, he didn't fit in the car, drove a vastly different car for his other year and a half in the sport. To then be immediately on the pace is quite something.
I have nothing more to add to this other than the fact that saying Russell was on the pace is an understatement. I think the majority of those watching, including myself, expected him to challenge Bottas, not completely embarrass him. No matter how you slice it, it was impressive.
For 1 race. Equally un-impressive is Russell tossing points at Williams. Behind the Safety Car in Italy. Wrecking Bottas and acting like a spoiled entitled brat after. Forcing a major public apology to counter his 'tin foil hat' conspiracy about the crash. He was a total idiot that afternoon. Not the soon to be, well spoken, clear thinking F1 star of the future. He walked over to Bottas to insult him and not bother asking how he was. Wow. UNIMPRESSIVE. 1.5million in damage, after deciding pass off the dry line in the wet, was smart. More potential points tossed. He has a long way to go before claiming competency in this series. He has not ever carried a team for a season and we do not know if he is capable. His decision matrix appears very emotionally driven like Vettel. I think better to leave him at Williams for 1 more year, enjoy the new car and then move to Mercedes to be with LH for his last season. He has tested the Mercedes before, has spent time in the simulator and has many hours of experience with Mercedes system. The car he drove in Bahrain was very very well balanced and capable at most all circuits. He did not jump into a Haas. He is fast. One small part of the equation to being a champion and leader. For me the best future star is Norris given a choice of Russell or Norris. Without a doubt. Smarter savvy racer at the moment. Its not Russell.
Is that the same race where Hamilton binned it and only for amazing fortune redeemed himself in the best car on the grid? Wow, you're bringing up an act of anger in the heat of the moment as a negative, his reaction was very understandable given the circumstances. He has not carried the team, do you actually take notice of his heroics in qualifying, he's putting that car in places it doesn't belong. Get him in that other Mercedes ASAP!
Yep, Russell Sucks. One wonders why Lewis is so scared of having him as a teammate, then. Support for team-mate Bottas: Hamilton follows di Resta's advice (motorsport-total.com)
Of course, he's got Bottas in his pocket. His quotes are very telling, he know that Russell is going to upset the apple cart.
What will happen to the notoriety of this sport if the one who holds most of the records gets bullied by a driver who has never scored a single point? A real nightmare for liberty media..
Ah I thought you meant if the Williams had DAS. No he used DAS in the Merc. Just never had it before or after EDIT: Refreshed, I was correct in my initial assumptions what was asked haha. As above, no DAS in the WIlliams and he got to use it at Merc.
Re. Russell moving to Mercedes. Never forget that the wishes of F1 fans don't always correspond with the interest of a team. An internal rivalry at Mercedes could be what F1 followers have been waiting for since Rosberg retired. But for Toto Wolff's point of view, anything that could threaten the stability of his team has to be avoided. We should know soon.
His accident with Bottas only shows how far he has to go. Safety car crash and tosses points. It is not at all about LH. Its about Russell integrating into a top team. Im glad he does well at Williams. It shows he's fast. Not anything else so far. Toto wont rush him. He has no better options than Williams and Russell will not risk his connection to Mercedes lol. Again Norris is the literal standard for young and talented. Russell is maturing a bit slower. Thats not unusual. Showing speed but make mistakes. The thing is he has been in F1 for years now, not a year. Again his emotional decisions are his weakness. He knows it and his very formal apology might help him deal with it. If he goes to Mercedes so be it but he has not shown he is the world ending driver so many think he is. He has not been in a position to show it yet, and when he could score points he failed. Such is the life of a driver far too emotional rather than a touch more calculating. Norris appears to have eluded that so far. His reaction was not understandable. He left the dry line and crashed when clearly that was the worst place to attempt a pass. He was angry at himself and blamed others for his mistake. Typical. Vettel and George are so similar. Bottas was literally on the ONLY dry racing line available. Thats called smart driving. Not being in the wet line. George took a very sad risk when the opportunity to pass was a few seconds away. Not good judgement. Tossed points in Italy behind the Safety Car the year before. Cost millions to Williams and over a million to Mercedes. Toto was measured in his words about George crash with Bottas. Something George needs to learn.
