Dont think theyd go for ricciardo, hes been beaten by verstappen in the same car and now beaten by Norris. And proven to be not very good at adapting to new carsEl Scorchio wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 19:41I think they'd go after Ricciardo or try and pinch one of the Ferrari duo. Maybe Norris would be a very outside bet.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 19:19I really do not see Bottas as a team leader, and Russell is going to be the 'new boy' so it would not be fair to expect him to be team leader when Bottas has a long residence there.Mchamilton wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 19:10
Surely theyd just get bottas back if lewis walks? Someone who is 100% integrated with the team already
Safe hands and a good guy, though. I think they could do worse but you do make a good point, from a pure performance POV. If they knew exactly what they have in Russell then it's a much easier to make a call on a prospective team mate.Mchamilton wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:03Dont think theyd go for ricciardo, hes been beaten by verstappen in the same car and now beaten by Norris. And proven to be not very good at adapting to new carsEl Scorchio wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 19:41I think they'd go after Ricciardo or try and pinch one of the Ferrari duo. Maybe Norris would be a very outside bet.
From various reports :
Cant say i blame him.
Lewis Hamilton is "disillusioned" and will never get over the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, says Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff.
Hamilton was "robbed" of the title and the decisions made over a late-race safety car "still feel like a nightmare", Wolff said.
He said he could not guarantee if Hamilton would continue to race in F1.
"As a racer, his heart will say: 'I need to continue' because he's at the peak of his game," Wolff said.
"But we have to overcome the pain that was caused upon him.
"I am in a daily dialogue with him. But there is not a lot to talk (about) at the moment. Each of us copes in their own way with the feelings we have at the moment.
"I just need to do the utmost I can to help him to overcome the feelings that he has in order for him to return strong with a love of the sport and trust in the decision-making of the sport next year.
Seriously you would consider Lance Stroll in a Mercedes? In my eyes that would be the last driver to pick.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 20:50I grimaced at Stroll until I thought about it. He does seem amicable, he has experience with Mercedes via the engine, and yes, I think they would make a good team. Either of the Ferrari drivers or Norris would be good, but I think they are tied into contracts it would be hard to get out of. I suspect FT would allow Gasly to go to one of the top teams with pleasure as there are a few drivers he would like to get.Spoutnik wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 20:10(More unexpected) Grosjean ? Vandoorne ? Alonso (Piastri to replace him) ? Or in a desperate situation Stroll ?...El Scorchio wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 19:41
I think they'd go after Ricciardo or try and pinch one of the Ferrari duo. Maybe Norris would be a very outside bet.
I was not really convinced when I was writing my initial post as it would be in last resort, nevertheless Stroll is Merc-linked since quite a long time. He's kind of "Bottas 2017" in 2021 to me (safe asset + experienced driver).epo wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:34Seriously you would consider Lance Stroll in a Mercedes? In my eyes that would be the last driver to pick.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 20:50I grimaced at Stroll until I thought about it. He does seem amicable, he has experience with Mercedes via the engine, and yes, I think they would make a good team. Either of the Ferrari drivers or Norris would be good, but I think they are tied into contracts it would be hard to get out of. I suspect FT would allow Gasly to go to one of the top teams with pleasure as there are a few drivers he would like to get.
Anyways Hamilton will drive next year so don't worry.
I would, as he would not be replacing Hamilton, Russell would. However Russell has no experience in the team so someone he could work with that is steady would be far better than someone like Alonso or Riccardo who could destroy his confidence as they are 'hardened' team leaders.Spoutnik wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:44I was not really convinced when I was writing my initial post as it would be in last resort, nevertheless Stroll is Merc-linked since quite a long time. He's kind of "Bottas 2017" in 2021 to me (safe asset + experienced driver).epo wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:34Seriously you would consider Lance Stroll in a Mercedes? In my eyes that would be the last driver to pick.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 20:50
I grimaced at Stroll until I thought about it. He does seem amicable, he has experience with Mercedes via the engine, and yes, I think they would make a good team. Either of the Ferrari drivers or Norris would be good, but I think they are tied into contracts it would be hard to get out of. I suspect FT would allow Gasly to go to one of the top teams with pleasure as there are a few drivers he would like to get.
Anyways Hamilton will drive next year so don't worry.
Furthermore regarding Lawrence Stroll/Aston Martin do not forget some AM road cars are powered by AMG engines since 2020...
I think you're being a bit harsh on Russell. He's been team leader at Williams for three years, and he's seen off all-comers. He also had an explosive debut at Mercedes a year ago, so he knows what a Grand Prix weekend looks like from the sharp end. I don't think he'd have any issues with whoever was in the other car; George is a sportsman.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:50I would, as he would not be replacing Hamilton, Russell would. However Russell has no experience in the team so someone he could work with that is steady would be far better than someone like Alonso or Riccardo who could destroy his confidence as they are 'hardened' team leaders.Spoutnik wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:44I was not really convinced when I was writing my initial post as it would be in last resort, nevertheless Stroll is Merc-linked since quite a long time. He's kind of "Bottas 2017" in 2021 to me (safe asset + experienced driver).
Furthermore regarding Lawrence Stroll/Aston Martin do not forget some AM road cars are powered by AMG engines since 2020...
Russell's first job if Hamilton is not there is to get the team behind him and a hardline experienced driver would divide it
I agree, Russell has a lot more experience than people realize. He’s ran a lot of testing laps in that Mercedes’ and knows a lot of the team. More than likely would have won in his only race last year for mercedesSulman wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:57I think you're being a bit harsh on Russell. He's been team leader at Williams for three years, and he's seen off all-comers. He also had an explosive debut at Mercedes a year ago, so he knows what a Grand Prix weekend looks like from the sharp end. I don't think he'd have any issues with whoever was in the other car; George is a sportsman.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:50I would, as he would not be replacing Hamilton, Russell would. However Russell has no experience in the team so someone he could work with that is steady would be far better than someone like Alonso or Riccardo who could destroy his confidence as they are 'hardened' team leaders.Spoutnik wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:44
I was not really convinced when I was writing my initial post as it would be in last resort, nevertheless Stroll is Merc-linked since quite a long time. He's kind of "Bottas 2017" in 2021 to me (safe asset + experienced driver).
Furthermore regarding Lawrence Stroll/Aston Martin do not forget some AM road cars are powered by AMG engines since 2020...
Russell's first job if Hamilton is not there is to get the team behind him and a hardline experienced driver would divide it
(to all above) I am not just considering Russell but a team Hamilton has just left. Thats Hamilton, not just any old driver, which would be bad enough to have 2 'new boys' straight after a long term driver and his established 'wingman'.holeindalip wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 22:09I agree, Russell has a lot more experience than people realize. He’s ran a lot of testing laps in that Mercedes’ and knows a lot of the team. More than likely would have won in his only race last year for mercedesSulman wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:57I think you're being a bit harsh on Russell. He's been team leader at Williams for three years, and he's seen off all-comers. He also had an explosive debut at Mercedes a year ago, so he knows what a Grand Prix weekend looks like from the sharp end. I don't think he'd have any issues with whoever was in the other car; George is a sportsman.Big Tea wrote: ↑16 Dec 2021, 21:50
I would, as he would not be replacing Hamilton, Russell would. However Russell has no experience in the team so someone he could work with that is steady would be far better than someone like Alonso or Riccardo who could destroy his confidence as they are 'hardened' team leaders.
Russell's first job if Hamilton is not there is to get the team behind him and a hardline experienced driver would divide it