jeff oakley Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 This really was an outstanding weekend for Russell and regardless of the outcome he is now a hot property for a team. He came into a car that didn't fit him, he had to wear race shoes a size smaller than he normally wears for space and misses pole by a small fraction, made Bottas look ordinary and if it wasn't for the mother of all ......ups by the team he would have won. I hope Mercedes take him next year but money talks and the two new Hass driver next year bring a lot of cash with them. Hopefully Russell will get a drive regardless of how much he can bring to the table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve (sdh2903) Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 1 hour ago, jeff oakley said: He came into a car that didn't fit him, he had to wear race shoes a size smaller than he normally wears for space and misses pole by a small fraction, made Bottas look ordinary and if it wasn't for the mother of all ......ups by the team he would have won It really is a sensational story isn't it. A seat and cockpit that didn't fit properly. The boots, even the clutch paddles on the wheel were too small. No driving time in this year's car and didn't know all the buttons on the wheel and yet he outshone bottas. It just shows that merc are more than happy to have bottas as a lesser backup driver to Lewis. Hope George gets his chance with a top team sooner rather than later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onliest Smeg David Posted December 6, 2020 Author Share Posted December 6, 2020 Stunning drive from Russell ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mole Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Surely got to be worth one year in the red bull.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Man On The Clapham Omnibus Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Lewis may be sweating for more than the reason of covid! As for Valteri, well I'd be pretty worried... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onliest Smeg David Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 2 hours ago, Man On The Clapham Omnibus said: Lewis may be sweating for more than the reason of covid! As for Valteri, well I'd be pretty worried... Yep.... if that's what Russell can do 1st drive, what could he do with a permanent seat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 A stunning performance for George Russell for sure. He was robbed and I am one of the many with a damaged TV this morning... I'm also really pleased for Checco. I think a well deserved, long overdue win and one that will hopefully see him in the Red Bull next year. I'd like to see GR heading to Mercedes in 2021 to take Bottas' seat BUT I'm not going to rain no.1's on Bottas' fried potato comestibles. He's been a great team player with enough wins and points scoring places to support the team enough to win the Constructors Championship with a 100% success rate. and long before the end of the season on every occasion. That's not luck... No other team has a number 2 (even though technically Bottas is not a formal Number 2) that has even come close. I'm sure that loyalty between driver and team will be rewarded for 2021 but I strongly suspect that will be Bottas' final Mercedes season UNLESS he comes in higher than 4th for the majority of races in 2021, but even then... That means he has just the next 10 or so races to impress and whilst he is undoubtedly fast and competent, he rarely properly impresses on race day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onliest Smeg David Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 In fact I wonder if Hamilton had actually been smuggled in to drive wearing a George Russell body suit! 🙃 Only way Hamilton might have done better is that he may have refused to go into the pits having a belief he could still win on the old tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsechris Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Just as impressive as the basic speed was the way he handled it after the 'error' quickly followed by a puncture. Instead of sulking or going nuts and crashing, he just got on with the job and made fantastic use of the softs. Very impressive indeed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhett Turner - Black Country AO Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 had George not had a puncture I think he would have still had a good chance of winning, even with the change to the correct tyres. I also suspect had Mr Botas followed George in and had the correct Mediums fitted he'd have finished higher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 3 hours ago, Dave (OnliestSmeg) - Manchester AO said: Only way Hamilton might have done better is that he may have refused to go into the pits having a belief he could still win on the old tyres. New boy obeys team orders because that's what the new boy should do, especially a sub. Had he been in for the season with a greater understanding of the car, he may well have ignored the call. Like so much of the aftermath of the race, we have more questions than answers. BUT the answers we do have bode well for having a(nother) fast young Brit to get behind once Lewis has beaten Schumachers championship winning record. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 3 hours ago, corsechris said: Just as impressive as the basic speed was the way he handled it after the 'error' quickly followed by a puncture. Instead of sulking or going nuts and crashing, he just got on with the job and made fantastic use of the softs. Very impressive indeed. This is my take on it too. A cruel way to have a win taken away, but the overall circumstances gave a better chance to showcase more skills. The pass on Bottas towards the end was lovely, for example. Firm but fair, fully controlled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff oakley Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 The other thing that stood out was when he was being interviewed. It would have been easy to blame everyone but he did not instead he thanked everyone for the opportunity and appeared to be really grateful to all who helped him with genuine warmth and clarity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clansman Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Gutted for George yesterday but the one thing that sticks out massively is that 6 of a certain persons F1 championships is 100% the car.......for someone to jump into a totally strange car he has never driven, be too tall and have big feet squeezed in to racing boots and STILL beat Bottas etc ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevip6 Posted December 8, 2020 Share Posted December 8, 2020 11 hours ago, clansman said: Gutted for George yesterday but the one thing that sticks out massively is that 6 of a certain persons F1 championships is 100% the car.......for someone to jump into a totally strange car he has never driven, be too tall and have big feet squeezed in to racing boots and STILL beat Bottas etc ........ I think that's a bit unfair? You can't say it's 100% the car as there has been another driver in an identical car that he has beaten consistently over the course of each season. Had Russell been his team mate through those championships it may have been a lot closer but you can't assume because someone is faster than Bottas they are faster than Hamilton. So many Hamilton haters all of a sudden this year, he's still an amazing driver and I still believe one of the best in F1, but I don agree there are a few that would be in the mix if everyone was in a Merc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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