Stoeffel Vandoorne is their reserve driver.
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Williams' George Russell to race next to Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes after Lewis Hamilton contracted Covid-19; Jack Aitken to make his F1 debut at Williams; Russell has been highly-rated since F1 debut last year and is on Mercedes' books
Russell looking very quick in the first practice session. Think his fight will likely be with Verstappen on Saturday and Sunday though, Bottas is quick when the chips are down and I expect him to get pole and win the race. Tempted to stick a fiver on Russell to get both though!
The current social media love in with Lewis Hamilton is massively over the top.
George Russell who before today many non F1 fans would not even had heard of has just taken Hamilton's place in the best car.
Previous best grid position 12th - today front row.
Previous best F1 finish 11th and today if it wasn't for an almighty cock up by Mercedes then a puncture he would have won this race comfortably. Gives clear evidence to my earlier assertion that the best race teams/cars and the best trainers/horses make champion drivers and jockeys.
I even saw Hamilton touted as best British "sportsman" yesterday! Nonsense. Here's a few without thinking too hard...Steve Redgrave, Daley Thompson, Andy Murray, Chris Hoy, and I'll throw in Phil Taylor for controversy 😀
Hamilton who took over a middle of the pack team and quickly lead them to being one of the best in history? The only man who have won a race in every season he's competed in, despite having had a couple of fairly dreadful McLarens and Mercedes cars?
George Russell is a fantastic talent. It doesn't mean that Hamilton isn't one of the greatest drivers of all time, because he blatantly is.
Sounds like yourself who's having a wee greet.
He's broken almost every record there is to break and has only had two teams. He's won everywhere he's at, often with not the best car on the grid. Even at the end of last season the Ferraris were faster. He's using his platform for social change, he's a fair racer, he's phenomenal.
There's no rational denial of it that he's well up there as one of our greatest sportsmen.
Absolutely. Mental that STILL people somehow diss Hamilton despite his unparalleled record.
Absolutely brilliant race today and you have to feel for George today...sure he’ll get his chance though and I’d be very tempted to put him in instead of Bottas next season.
As for the winner. Superb to see him top of the podium and surely surely he’s gonna be in a Red Bill next season.
Fair enough didn't mean to hurt all your feelings 😢😢😢😢
Crazy race and gutted for George, hopefully he gets another chance next weekend.
Re Hamilton, he's an inspiration, his sheer dedication to his craft from the age of around 6 years old in the face of racism and constantly being told "you can't do this" is amazing. Him and Andy Murray share similar traits of complete and utter focus on winning, certainly 2 of the greatest ever British athletes.
Yep. I always liked Hamilton and Button in the same team as they pushed each other well. Russell would learn a lot from Hamilton and would keep him very honest for those next titles. Defo the heir to the Hamilton seat though as those overtakes showed he's got what it takes to be a top, top driver.
Nobody can be unhappy about Sergio Perez winning today. Amazed that Stroll Sr. can show his face at the podium ceremony seeing as how he's not given him a drive for next season.
I think bottas has a contract for next year with Mercedes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if toto moves him on and brings Russell in. To step into a strange car with different characteristics, and thoroughly outshine a more experienced teammate who should have really dominated the weekend is a great achievement, and all done with a calmness and aplomb. Could be looking at the next cracking British racing driver
What was telling that after quali yesterday he had to ask his engineer which one of the buttons he needed to press to turn the engine off.
Bottas had to comfortably beat Russell today without a shadow of a doubt. To be overtaken by him twice and to not be able to catch him is a bad showing.
Alex Albon has now had more than enough chances as well, Perez has to take that seat.
Tell you what, here's a question for those who don't rate Hamilton as being a great driver.
Taking into context that if they wanted a likeable character who would give good PR and media relations they could get someone much cheaper like Ricciardo or Lando Norris, if they wanted a previous champion they could get someone like Vettel for cheaper, if Lewis Hamilton wasn't a great driver then why have they kept him on such a massive salary year on year?
You came onto an F1 thread to trash Hamilton. Start a thread on greatest sportsmen if you want the debate, just remember that there have been some incredible women who have risen to the pinnacle of their sport over the years.
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Do feel free to answer my previous question though - if what you're saying is true, then why have Mercedes continued to spend so much money on bringing him to the team then keeping him for so many years? If it's down to the machinery then they could get cheaper, if it's down to PR and media then they could get someone like Ricciardo?
Just a reminder that its Sebastian Vettels last race for Ferrari this weekend. Looking back I think he lost the will when he slid off the track when winning the German GP. It was a season of blunders.
Its a shame he's leaving after such a dreadful season. Over the past few years he's given us a lot to talk about.
What's your favourite?
I still have a wee chuckle at his spat with Hamilton where he quite deliberately side swiped him ... and who can forget when he when he swapped the 1st and 2nd boards over after another "lucky" Hamilton win.
Mazepin. What a ****ing idiot and what a sleazebag creep. Guaranteed his wealth will see him keep his seat though.
So,
Driver of the year:
Team of the year:
Race of the year:
Moment of the year:
Drive of the year: