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As exciting as the Russel situation is...... is there not a good chance that Bottas is sticking to the development work they mentioned before the last round? Whereas Russel will just be hooning about the place
By all accounts Bottas was on the pace but kept going off-track, either getting lap times deleted or going through the gravel; Russell said he appeared to be a tenth and a half down on Bottas on outright pace. Doesn't sound like development work, but who knows. Again, we'll see come Saturday, and whatever's gone on today we should expect Bottas to be right up there by then.
Vettel's spin looked like fun. He's the comedy gift that keeps on giving!
Whatever happens the rest of the weekend Russell had made a massive impression. If Mercedes don't take up an option on him for 2022 then he'll be hot property.
I have a feeling he's rattled Bottas a bit but that familiarity with the car will be very valuable tomorrow as the track evolves through qualifying. If Russell gets within a few tenths of Bottas and is second on the grid he'll have done very well. A pole would be very impressive indeed.
Whereas Russel will just be hooning about the place
Sort of disappointed his radio messages were reasoned, professional, almost cold, rather than ‘WEEEEEEEOOOOOWWWWWW!!!! THIS IS AMAAAAAZING’ or ‘I AINT NEVER GETTING BACK INTO THAT OTHER SHITBOX 🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕’.
Oh man, I really do feel quite bad about every negative thing that I've ever said about Romain Grosjean. I may not rate the guy as an F1 driver, but I do rate him as a human being. Bravo, the sport will be poorer after he hangs up his helmet and gloves.
So...Russell. He's climbed into a Merc that doesn't fit him and has had to learn how to manage a very complicated machine through an unfamiliar interface. He's topped the timing sheets, twice going faster than Bottas who has had all season to learn the car. Russell's going to have to compromise comfort to fit in that car, which will be very difficult to manage over a 90 minute race.
I really want to see him get a good result.
This analysis suggests that Bottas was much faster but couldn't keep it on track. He's been qualifying really well this year, so my money's on him beating Russell in qualifying. Let's face it, if Russell is within a quarter of a second of Bottas, everyone's going to be impressed.
Bottas was much faster but couldn’t keep it on track
Er....
Er….
Point is that it's a practice session, so the times count for nothing. When they get to Q3, Bottas will be more familiar with the car plus have more experience pushing to the limit on this track. Obviously, he needs to put it all together over a complete lap, but my money would be on Bottas being more likely to do that than Russell.
Probably - but Russell's now had his first day in the car and time to look at the data, speak to the team and reflect...
On the Autosport podcast they had Bottas as averaging only 0.1something seconds down on Hamilton in qualifying.
Bottas is no mug.
That was pretty close
Interesting point from Brundle that the performance from Russell with be useful in their negotiations with Lewis. Just reminds him Merc have viable options should be push his luck too far.
Err, George, I'm not sure "balls out" is post qualifying interview safe language.
Brilliant. Keep that lad away from media training.
Great job by George. Crap job by albon, outqualified by kvyat and gasly 🤦♂️ he can't be long for that seat
Re. Contract with Lewis. He’s still 7 time WC, and mega famous. His value is not just about pace.
@joefm. Quite agree however it can’t hurt Merc for him to know there are possible options out there. Seemingly very quick options who would be far cheaper.
WC’s have priced themselves out of negotiations before...
Not so much the ones that still win... Dude that's papping himself at the minute has to be Bottas - no pressure tomorrow.... 😉
I suspect Bottas will have the edge over Russell in the race because managing tyres will be so important (with an abrasive surface, densely-packed traffic and a pit stop costing half a lap) and that’ll be a big challenge in a new car. If anyone’s going to beat him I’d put money on the two guys at the front who can really manage tyres: Verstappen and Perez. And Gasly and Sainz might be ones to watch if the race goes full weird.
Not that I wouldn’t be happy to be proven wrong and see Russell win 🙂
Yes, Russell has been impressive so far, but this article suggests he hasn't fully adjusted to the different characteristics of the Merc, so that may affect his race performance too.
https://the-race.com/formula-1/the-williams-origin-of-russells-sakhir-gp-weak-point/
Dude that’s papping himself at the minute has to be Bottas – no pressure tomorrow….
Oh I dunno, I bet Albon is experiencing a bit of squeaky bum time 😆
Lewis to Russell "Yeah sure you can drive it, just don't scratch it. It's a championship winning car!".
I bet Albon is experiencing a bit of squeaky bum time
Ocon too. He's looked weak compared to Ricciardo and next year will have Alonso as his teammate. Wasn't so long ago he was considered a contender for a Merc seat, but now Russell's swooped in and stolen that. If he doesn't do a lot better next year, Renault will be looking at Hulkenberg and Perez as potentially better number 2 drivers.
Shame he wont get to race next week. So happy he's heading home under his own steam and not in a box, that's going to be one very special family Christmas.
LOL @ sky running
Ooh, more high drama! Great start from Russell, that was amazing!
Oops
WHAT A START !!
crashstappen leave that wall alone.
Excellent!
This is suddenly looking incredible for both Mercs. Everything crossed for George Russell, what a feeling it must be to go from consistently mid-pack in a Williams to suddenly leading with a strong chance of winning in a Merc!
could have lifted max
That’s just what George needed. With Max out second today tied up second for Bottas in the championship so no need for team orders to gift Bottas the win.
Could we have more replays of Horner’s face please?
The radio from Russell is quite entertaining - he's reminding the team to tell him to stop in the first pit box, not the normal one he goes to and still asking what some of the buttons on the steering wheel do!
even though they like to "big" up max's chances once he's missed out on the lead off the start he's not going to win.
Yawn. Just another procession.
😉
Russell driving it like he stole it 😀
Spiced things up 😀
That's merc screwed
Ooofff
good grief
WTAF?!
“Should be plenty of pace on these tyres”
Russell “I **** hope so!”
😂
Mechanic on front left clocked what had happened I think and avoided same happening on Bottas. Interesting dynamic now with the Merc on faster tyres behind!