Caporegime
Sky Sports Italy have a bit of a reputation... But this has the ring of truth for me, maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
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Sky Sports Italy have a bit of a reputation... But this has the ring of truth for me, maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part.
Associate
I mean yeah it’s totally believable with Bottas performance so far this year and how well Russell performed on the one opportunity he had in the Merc when Ham had covid
Soldato
Would Bottas’ departure and replacement by Russell surprise anyone that’s watched Russell in the Merc and Bottas’ performance so far this season?
Soldato
If true, there's not many seats for him next year? Can't see him wanting to go to Williams, maybe he'll do a Kimi and go rallying instead.
Associate
You can’t help but feel bad for the guy though, he’s definitely not given the same opportunities as Ham
Caporegime
I would think that he would be a top contender for basically any seat available on the grid. Trouble is, there aren't going to be many seats up for grabs. If Kimi leaves he might get his seat at Alfa, otherwise there just doesn't seem likely to be much movement on the grid. If it'd happened last year, I reckon he would have gone to Ferrari or Renault/Alpine but now both look to have their line up for next year in place. Back to Williams and hoping they can get their act together next year with the new regs looks the most likely outcome. It'd be a shame if he couldn't get a place in F1.
Soldato
Not really. He has had more than his fair share or bad luck, but he's just not up to it and is being shown up now that RB have gotten their act together. He's not as fast as Nico was, and doesn't seem to be able to back up Lewis. He's tier 2 B driver, I'd rate him as below Webber.
Bottas lucked into a seat in arguably the best team with the best car for several years. He managed to hang onto it, but never had the ability to really shine and prove himself to be worthy of that seat beyond being a second driver. Bottas has never had the ability to really worry Hamilton across a whole season, and now his time has run out and another, likely better driver is being given a chance.
Soldato
You can hear over the radio messages, his demeanour and Wolff blaming him for his Monaco retirement that Bottas was almost certainly told a few races back that he wasn't going to be there next season.
Speaking of that Monaco race though it's worth remembering that Bottas lost a near certain podium in unprecedented circumstances while Hamilton was a fair way back and going backwards.
Speaking of that Monaco race though it's worth remembering that Bottas lost a near certain podium in unprecedented circumstances while Hamilton was a fair way back and going backwards.
Caporegime
Wolff didn't blame him. The English speaking media lifted that from a German language article in which he doesn't blame Bottas and everyone ran with it. Read the original and it's clear that he's just explaining what happened rather than putting any blame on Bottas.
Yeah, Bottas's season would look very different without that retirement.
Associate
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I think Bottas's lack of abilty to progress from a poor position is the biggest issue - if he isn't starting on the front row, he's not going to fight his way up there.
Associate
Do you think Pirelli will actually come out with this accusation?
'Red Bull possibly played with tyre pressure, FIA never checks during races' (gpblog.com)
It seems daft that Red Bull would actively ask for it to be investigated further if they were breaking the rules. Plus it would also involve Aston Martin, and suggest the issue is more widespread.
'Red Bull possibly played with tyre pressure, FIA never checks during races' (gpblog.com)
It seems daft that Red Bull would actively ask for it to be investigated further if they were breaking the rules. Plus it would also involve Aston Martin, and suggest the issue is more widespread.
Russell/Bottas doesn't surprise me at all, I do rate Bottas, he's good but not the level of Hamilton, few drivers are. Russell is a Merc driver, they've already 'lost' two drivers at least by not wanting to rock a successful boat but it's time I think, Hamilton will retire sooner or later and pitting Russell against him is the best option for both verifying if he is that good as well as giving him a chance to learn from one of the best.
I doubt that Hamilton would require a number 2 driver contract for Russell tbh, he could've had that with Bottas easily but never did, so why now? Does he seem insecure enough to need that? He's clearly loving the challenge from Verstappen, after saying for years that it would be nice if other teams caught up, why would he not want a challenge from his teammate?
On the Pirelli thing, if as the article says the FIA/Pirelli were routinely not bothering to check then I would be shocked if some/most/all teams weren't running the pressures too low if there was an advantage.
I doubt that Hamilton would require a number 2 driver contract for Russell tbh, he could've had that with Bottas easily but never did, so why now? Does he seem insecure enough to need that? He's clearly loving the challenge from Verstappen, after saying for years that it would be nice if other teams caught up, why would he not want a challenge from his teammate?
On the Pirelli thing, if as the article says the FIA/Pirelli were routinely not bothering to check then I would be shocked if some/most/all teams weren't running the pressures too low if there was an advantage.
Associate
Well Pirelli have released their report and eluded to that it must be a parameter on the tyre (pressure or temperature) that caused the failure, however the sensors showed nothing outside of the parameters they set. So the likely conclusion is either:
a) Teams are doing something similar to Ferrari's fuel flow sensors, which can bypass the pressure sensors providing readings to reduce tyre pressure, OR
b) Pirelli tyres are trash and they require a redesign to increase structural integrity, or in the meantime, provide higher pressures within the tyres.
I wonder what the drivers will think in all this. Failures at 200mph on a street circuit are hugely dangerous and I'm surprised Max and Lance came out of both incidents unscathed, albeit shaken in Lance's case.
Soldato
But Pirelli have also stated that there was nothing wrong with the carcas or construction of the tyre and the FIA are issuing new technical directives to the teams... either pirelli are hiding design issues from the FIA or teams are gaming the system and sensors! I'd place my money on teams finding ways to manipulate the data given the stories of no real inspections or compliance checks once the race is underway.
From what I've been able to glean and read between the lines the FIA have become a little bit relaxed on tyre pressure testing during the race and teams may have reduced tyre pressures for performance reasons before pit stops etc. I'd imagine (or hope!) that tyre pressures are part of post race scrutineering. Parc Fermé ends 5 hours before the race but I believe the FIA can check tyre pressures even on the grid. The issue is whether they do or not. It will be interesting to see the wording of the technical directive due to be released this weekend prior to Free Practice 1. I suspect it will say that 'tyre pressures must be above the minimum set for the event at all times and can be checked by the Stewards at any time' or similar.
Associate
Whilst I wouldn't put it past teams to do so, surely Max would have kept his mouth shut IF they were running lower pressures than mandated by Pirelli rather than criticising them? I'm no fan of Max but surely his team would have briefed him should the pressures be lower (as it will affect the balance/feel of the car).
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-teams-new-cold-pressure-tyre-checks-at-french-gp/6572403/ says there will be more checks from this weekend including every set run in the race and checks that teams aren't overheating tyres to increase pressure results during testing so they can run lower pressures in the race.
Soldato
You will get exactly the same issues, and probably new ones as well, all that will change is the name of the supplier.