Poll: Sakhir Grand Prix 2020, Sakhir - Race 16/17

Rate the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix out of ten

  • Total voters
    115
  • Poll closed .
Not often I get angry watching a race, but I got angry today with Merc - even my Mrs was shouting at the TV. Such a frustrating **** up.

George deserved a podium and possibly the win. Certainly improved his stock for a decent car, will cement it if he gets the drive and repeats next week
 
this_is_gav said:
I think it largely depends on what Hamilton plans long term. If, as expected, he'll race in 2022 then I doubt he'll be giving too much of a confidence boost to what might be his closest rival that season.

If however he aims to end after next season before the new regulations (or do a Rosberg and shockingly end this season) then he can be as glowing as he wants.

It's hard not be impressed by Russell this weekend and particularly in the race, but as I said it's a bit of an oddball race, more in keeping with Hockenheim 1999 than Bahrain 2020, so if Russell is to cement himself a shot in the top car in the long term then he needs to be as close to Bottas next weekend if the chance presents itself.
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I agree Hamilton will be with us until 2022, perhaps next year when he beats the record and secures 8 WDC's he'll then go on to mentor and nuture Russell and prepare him like no-one else can, I'm sure Merc would like to see that, but Lewis being the out and out racer and winner that he strives to be, who knows. I'm kinda hoping that Lewis has been very impressed by what he saw today and giving Russell another shot could be the start of that process. Probably wishful thinking but you never know.
 
To everyone who thinks Russell will get the seat in 2022, I cannot see it.

I would be highly surprised if he ever gets the seat while Lewis is there.

No way someone like Lewis will sign off on a serious competitor in the sister car, unless clauses in Russells contract say he will be a solid number two and never compete directly, a bit like Schumacher "had" with most of his team mates.

I know Schumacher's team mates might not have directly had exact words in their contracts to say that, but in everything but actual words they all knew he was number one and you never race him.
 
Entai said:
To everyone who thinks Russell will get the seat in 2022, I cannot see it.

I would be highly surprised if he ever gets the seat while Lewis is there.

No way someone like Lewis will sign off on a serious competitor in the sister car, unless clauses in Russells contract say he will be a solid number two and never compete directly, a bit like Schumacher "had" with most of his team mates.

I know Schumacher's team mates might not have directly had exact words in their contracts to say that, but in everything but actual words they all knew he was number one and you never race him.
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Over the course of a season I can't see Russell matching Hamilton for the next 2-3 years anyway; he's got a huge amount yet to learn; you can see that with some of the mistakes he's had this season.
I think people are getting a bit over-hyped by a truly one off race on a very strange track where Merc had a massive speed advantage; lets see what happens if he's in the car on a more normal F1 track next weekend.
It does show that Bottas is probably a bit of a waste in that seat but at least he's 2nd usually and there to pick up the pieces if something happens to Hamilton.
 
Aside from all that how does Perez not have a drive next season?! F1 is broken when guys like him can't get a drive but Latifi, Albon, Mazepin and Stroll are all sitting in one. He is Mr Solid, Mr Dependable manages his tyres almost the best of anyone, stick him in your car and he'll get you points.
 
Psycho Ned said:
Aside from all that how does Perez not have a drive next season?! F1 is broken when guys like him can't get a drive but Latifi, Albon, Mazepin and Stroll are all sitting in one. He is Mr Solid, Mr Dependable manages his tyres almost the best of anyone, stick him in your car and he'll get you points.
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'Cos Daddy Stroll owns the team and can't have Diddy Stroll without a drive...
 
Entai said:
To everyone who thinks Russell will get the seat in 2022, I cannot see it.

I would be highly surprised if he ever gets the seat while Lewis is there.

No way someone like Lewis will sign off on a serious competitor in the sister car, unless clauses in Russells contract say he will be a solid number two and never compete directly, a bit like Schumacher "had" with most of his team mates.

I know Schumacher's team mates might not have directly had exact words in their contracts to say that, but in everything but actual words they all knew he was number one and you never race him.
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I genuinely think thats complete nonsense.
I feel Lewis would welcome Russell as a team mate, give him some genuine competition that he strives for, it also gives him a get out should he decide its time for him.
I feel Lewis is on borrowed time now, he's getting itchy feet, It seems each year takes more of a toll on him as he gets older and as he gets better it seems to wear him down more and more. I feel from his interviews he's still hungry for success, but I reckon he's got 2 seasons max left in him, As soon as he hits that downward slope in personal performance he'll be keen to move on. 8 titles possibly 9 with the last year being a handover/takeover, he'll soon be looking for someone to take up the baton, who better than George.
 
Psycho Ned said:
I thought he was always good for that? Had Carlos Slims pesos behind him? Or does he not have enough now :p
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There's a deeper dimension I think; at the end of the day Red Bull probably don't need Slim's money; Albon is Thai; Red Bull is half Thai so he's probably a huge marketing tool for them (as well as a tool on the circuit...)
Obviously daddy owning Racing Point has kept Stroll in a seat but Vettel is still a massive profile driver; ex champion, etc - thats massive as they relaunch as Aston Martin next year; I'd have kept Perez as well though...

Mr Jack said:
Pérez has backing. It's more the bizarre belief that Vettel is (at this time) a better driver. RP have Stroll and Aston money they don't need more.
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Neither Perez or Stroll are going to be the "face" of Aston Martin; Vettel as a multiple World Champion will be much better for marketing, etc - say what you like he might have struggled on the track but he always comes across like a really nice guy off the track.
Not that Perez doesn't but I suspect Mexico/South America isn't Aston's focus in the same way Europe and Germany is; especially given the Merc links.

Stroll, Mazepin and Latifi though are what's wrong with F1, are any of them ever going to be champions? Unlikely - Stroll has his races but seems more like a Grosjean or Frentzen to me; decent but never a world beater, Latifi is barely an upgrade on an injured Robert Kubica and Mazepin again looks like he'll be a middling average driver albeith with a lick of speed.
 
Entai said:
To everyone who thinks Russell will get the seat in 2022, I cannot see it.

I would be highly surprised if he ever gets the seat while Lewis is there.

No way someone like Lewis will sign off on a serious competitor in the sister car, unless clauses in Russells contract say he will be a solid number two and never compete directly, a bit like Schumacher "had" with most of his team mates.

I know Schumacher's team mates might not have directly had exact words in their contracts to say that, but in everything but actual words they all knew he was number one and you never race him.
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Hamilton had to deal with Rosberg, and it was the team decided it was too destabilising for the team to have two number one drivers after Rosberg left (not that they had a lot of drivers to choose from at the time).

I think things are different now. Hamilton will probably only do another three or four years, so it would be good to get Russell in and pick up as much as he can from being team mates with Hamilton. Although Hamilton is still performing at the top of the field, Mercedes need to start thinking of the future when he leaves the sport, and bringing on a future champion like Russell.
 
Also with Merc I still wonder what the long term plan is for the team, no one keeps winning forever and this teams had a longer run at the top than anyone already.

I suspect the Hamilton and Wolff dynasty have a couple of years left max, will Merc walk away then and sell the team?
 
Psycho Ned said:
Also with Merc I still wonder what the long term plan is for the team, no one keeps winning forever and this teams had a longer run at the top than anyone already.

I suspect the Hamilton and Wolff dynasty have a couple of years left max, will Merc walk away then and sell the team?
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Plenty of rumors, although Merc seem content with the F1 & FE programme currently It would be interesting to see what happens if they stop winning.

That said they've had heavy F1 involvement since 1994, part owning McLaren for a long time, so maybe they're here for the long haul
 
Russell did himself proud, great start, handled the safety car fine, and the technical glitch. I think he probably would have taken the win without the puncture. Considering his inexperience, imperfect car fit etc it was a fantastic showing. Made Bottas look poor.

Hamilton's expected back next week?
 
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