[MKSixer]

RUS performed superbly in a short-notice substitution in the W11 for HAM due to Covid-19. In fact, he was on pace to win the but for a series of misfortunes. Misfortunes aside, he had BOTs measure all race.

Is it time to bring RUS into the Works Mercedes F1 team?

And please take a moment to explain your answer.

My answer is complicated. Emotionally, YES!!! He proved that he deserves the seat on short notice. Practically, No. Mercedes have a winning formula and as long as HAM is healthy, they have one hand on the WDC and WCC at the start of the season next year. So I'm voting, no.

I think RUS should be brought in for the 2022 season.

Cheers-mk

[fiveohwblow]

No.

The sport needs more than a dominant team where 1-2 are locked up always. Sure, it’s close to that now but all personal opinion aside we still see some breakup in order rank and file each GP enough to keep it interesting. Let BOT continue and let RUS stay the course and earn his stripes at Williams. The sport needs more variety, not less.

[rcracin]

Business wise, I don’t see the need for 2021. The Ham/Bot combo will likely win again. For 2022, I think it’s imperative that Merc put Rus in the seat. They need someone who is fast and can learn. Rosberg beat Ham because he learned from Ham. And arguably the change of garage and obviously some bad luck on Ham’s engine in Malaysia. Bottas hasn’t learned from Ham. Russell will learn and grow. We saw it when he was giving feedback on the tires on the first stint. Also when he got on the radio and said let me know when to push, I knew that was the golden ticket. He was controlling his pace and looking after the tires. He had it all under control.

Another factor though is how good Bono is and the relationship Ham and Bono have. Rus will need a comparable engineer.

[whitstap]

Yes from pure racing perspective , but I don’t think they will for many reasons like setting record for more driver/constructors titles...having RUS as backup driver just proved again their superior firepower and level of preparation... nonetheless BOT can’t be feeling too secure but he has had a lot of bad luck this season and that will probably help him keep his job for now...

[SenorFunkyPants]

I think if you are Toto then you wouldn't mess with your current winning set up for 2021.
If Bottas decided that he had had enough of being second and decided to retire then its a different ball game.
If its Russell/Hamilton for 2021 then I reckon it would be a close season in terms of outright pace with Hamilton ending up ahead due a host of reasons, not least his ability to conjure up wins from unlikely positions.

I suspect 2021 will be Hamiltons last year in F1.
Assuming Russell gets his seat then Mercedes will still have a strong team.

[yco]

it doesnt look like that but it may break the team in half like back in Rosberg days.. will Merc' survive that yeah can be if i were Toto i d consider Russel after '22 or '23.. but this depends on Bottas' performance as well.. if he ll start to feel awkward uncomfortable then it can be earlier.. at the same Russell is gaining experience.. i dont think he could drive like last weekend if he wasnt around for some time already..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Well.Toto said... "Something"

[///M Power-Belgium]

Of course George .. So damn close . Next weekend mate !

[yco]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Of course George .. So damn close . Next weekend mate !

thats sad...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by yco

thats sad...

Of course mate . But for some others it was even worse..

[SenorFunkyPants]

I think folk are being a bit harsh on Bottas.
Ending up on cold used hard tyres behind the safety car was always going to be a nightmare for the restart and subsequent laps.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

I think folk are being a bit harsh on Bottas.
Ending up on cold used hard tyres behind the safety car was always going to be a nightmare for the restart and subsequent laps.

BOT needs to up his race pace. He is not getting the job done on race pace and race craft.

I know the tires were an issue yesterday but the two attributes I mentioned before have been around far longer than the tire problem of yesterday.

[yco]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

I think folk are being a bit harsh on Bottas.
Ending up on cold used hard tyres behind the safety car was always going to be a nightmare for the restart and subsequent laps.

actually except cold and old tires part the rest of the weekend and the season wasnt looking that bright.. and im not telling this subjectively.. according to his expectation more likely.. he started this season targeted becoming a champ again but he wasnt that strong against Russell..

otherwise it wasnt his fault to run with old and cold tires of course.. another race ahead we ll see..

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by yco

actually except cold and old tires part the rest of the weekend and the season wasnt looking that bright.. and im not telling this subjectively.. according to his expectation more likely.. he started this season targeted becoming a champ again but he wasnt that strong against Russell..

otherwise it wasnt his fault to run with old and cold tires of course.. another race ahead we ll see..

I like Bottas but yes he has the misfortune to have ended up against the best most complete driver on the grid.
So he would always look second best.
Recall though that he was catching Russell at quite a rate after they had both changed onto the hard tyre.

[racerbruce]

Boot BOT to the curb.
Rush RUS to the grid.

[M3_WC]

100% Yes. Since new regs have been postponed a season.

The fans need someone in the other Merc than can have a fight with Lewis. We need another 2016 Ros vs Ham season.

Next season is chalked if Merc doesn't buyout Bot and replace him with Rus.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

I think folk are being a bit harsh on Bottas.
Ending up on cold used hard tyres behind the safety car was always going to be a nightmare for the restart and subsequent laps.

He isn't half the driver Rosberg was. Nico gave it to Lewis every race. The fans need another rivalry.

[E92inNC]

Both the WDC and WCC will belong to Merc next year so I say go ahead and move Russell up and speed the process along since he’s likely to be in the Mercedes anyways when Hamilton retires, doesn’t resign or they move on from Bottas. With both championships being a forgone conclusion til the regulation changes I’d like to see someone who’d have a better go of Hamilton to make it a more interesting season next year. However, I doubt it bc they have a good thing going where there are no clashes on track and Bottas doesn’t complain about his role. We’ve seen what happens if Hamilton partners with other drivers that will go at him in Alonso and Rosberg-drama and contact.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Of course mate . But for some others it was even worse..

Exactly,at least Wolfy allowed 3 points for Russ.
I'm afraid if I was in Max's shoes I would have decked Lecrash after that..remember no nonsense Piquet snr sorting an idiot out.

[FuzzyPeaches]

Interesting.....

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Iayq4-D15EW3t4

I don't know the validity of the site, but I did check the IG accounts for both drivers and its true that they have both removed their teams from their profiles.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPeaches

Interesting.....

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...Iayq4-D15EW3t4

I don't know the validity of the site, but I did check the IG accounts for both drivers and its true that they have both removed their teams from their profiles.

I don't think that is particularly damning. We shall see. We are squarely in the Silly Season AND this is 2020.

[FuzzyPeaches]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

I don't think that is particularly damning. We shall see. We are squarely in the Silly Season AND this is 2020.

Damning? no.... Fun to watch? Absolutely!