Poll: Sakhir Grand Prix 2020, Sakhir - Race 16/17
- Thread starter Shimmy
- Start date
Caporegime
Why? Bottas isn’t there for his outstanding talent or pace. Mercedes have won the constructors for the past 3 years with him as their second driver. That’s all they care about. Winning it by 100pts or 150 doesn’t make any odds to them and Bottas is perfect for the team. If any other team put up even a slight challenge they would drop Bottas pretty quickly for a better driver.
Soldato
Why do you think Verstappen is going to be any more of a challenge than he has been over the past few years? Unless the RedBull suddenly becomes as fast as the Mercedes like Ferrari were in 2019, then he's not going to beat Lewis, or any of the other top-tier drivers in the Mercedes.
There no doubting his talent, but while he destroys Albon, and previously Gasly, he isn't really doing anything much that the car shouldn't be doing, as demonstrated when he was partnered with Dani Ric.
Because he's been a challenge this year.
Soldato
I wouldn't consider him to be challenging. He's 143 off a title challenge. That's nearly 6 wins and Lewis needing to finish outside the points for those 6 races.
I do. Look at his results this year. If he doesn't retire during the race (4 times this year so far) he's on the podium. Apart from Turkey, that is. He's come second 6 times and third 3 times and won once.
Caporegime
Max has been a challenge to Bottas, not so much to Hamilton. I think it'll be closer next year, but I think we'll have to wait for 2022 to see a close championship again.
Caporegime
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He has the second fastest car, even if he didn't beat Bottas he should be finishing most races on the podium. He's offered little to no challenge so far this year because in large part his car isn't capable of it so there is simply nothing to compare him to Hamilton with.
The gaps to Hamilton are irrelevant, you could have the pace to finish 60 seconds ahead but all that does is put engine wear on your car and if you have that gap then a safety car happens and the guy behind has tires and fuel left while you used yours up on that gap. Gaps to the leader are misleading.
Until Verstappen has a competitive car there really isn't much of a comparison and there isn't a single sign that RBR is massively closing the gap with more competitive engines or chassis bringing them closer. If there was Max would actually be winning some races and the gap to Hamilton wouldn't be as huge as it is.
Permabanned
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Hopefully GRs finishing position is a reflection of his pace and racecraft this weekend and he doesn't get some bad luck such as a mechanical issue or an unfavorable safety car etc.... These things tend to average out over a season in terms of benefit/detriment but obviously not a single race.
Soldato
Max’s problem is that if Hamilton gets pole and nails the start, he’s in clean air and 4-5 seconds ahead before DRS is enabled.
Unlike Bottas, Hamilton doesn’t wet himself when another car is nibbling at his gearbox and rarely makes mistakes. In fact, I think he revels in having another driver challenging him as it’s much more fun than managing tyre wear and brake temperatures all race.
Unlike Bottas, Hamilton doesn’t wet himself when another car is nibbling at his gearbox and rarely makes mistakes. In fact, I think he revels in having another driver challenging him as it’s much more fun than managing tyre wear and brake temperatures all race.
It all makes qualifying a bit more interesting - no doubt Liberty are going to suggest wildcard driver swaps for next season 
I really wouldn't be surprised to see Russell pushing Bottas in qualifying, very capable of the front row. I'm not so sure he'll finish so well in the race though - probably use up the tyres a bit too quickly and have to make an extra stop. Hamilton has amazing one lap pace but he's been winning everything recently because he's learned to manage the car better than his team mates. It would be too much to ask for a young driver in his first race distance in the car to do the same. Maybe 5th place is more achievable.
I really wouldn't be surprised to see Russell pushing Bottas in qualifying, very capable of the front row. I'm not so sure he'll finish so well in the race though - probably use up the tyres a bit too quickly and have to make an extra stop. Hamilton has amazing one lap pace but he's been winning everything recently because he's learned to manage the car better than his team mates. It would be too much to ask for a young driver in his first race distance in the car to do the same. Maybe 5th place is more achievable.
Soldato
It would be better if DRS was enabled after the first lap.
That way the leader won't race off in to the distance.
That way the leader won't race off in to the distance.
Soldato
Time for the F2 feature race to give us a glimpse of the chaos that will unfold in the F1 tomorrow!
Plus the standard of driving in F2 is dodgy at the best of times
Plus the standard of driving in F2 is dodgy at the best of times
Soldato
I'm still unimpressed with the sound engineering on the sky and F1TV feed. It's like all elements have the same volume loudness, so get everything at once, rather than a more layered effect.
Caporegime
Should watch F2 more, these lads are absolute nutters down to the last lap and they're pushing each other at the pit wall and smashing through marker boards trying to complete overtakes
Mazepin is under investigation for that one! He's going to be "fun" in F1, alright.
Caporegime
Bottas made a small mistake on his fast run, Russell's was clean. Quali's going to be very close.
Soldato
While I'm happy to See Russell in the Merc today, it seems a bit unfair on Williams. Doesn't Merc have reserve drivers that don't interfere with other teams?
Soldato
Let the carnage begin. I love these short circuits, and having a high number of race laps. 87 tomorrow. Unfortunately it will be short race due to the speed.
Green light now, and no-one out.We won't to hear anyone complaining about traffic then
Green light now, and no-one out.We won't to hear anyone complaining about traffic then