ringo wrote: ↑17 Dec 2021, 05:50
I am not sure if anyone can give Hamilton a hard time in the same car. I think his 15th year operating on the highest level, fighting for championships is unheard of in F-1 and he knows everything about extracting performance. Russel is young and will naturally have more reflexes and stamina, but it's hard to see him drive with and against that everlasting arsenal of experience that Lewis has. Even with 2021, I think Lewis had the redbull car and its #1 driver figured out after a certain point; hence the winning streak. I don't think redbull can beat him again with a slightly faster car.
He must start to decline at some point though, and by the signs of Alonso and Schumacher it could be around that 40 year mark. He just wont be on it for every race.
Russel is a good addition to the team. Bottas was so annoying in his lack of race performance. Russel vs Max or Sainz or Leclerc should be exciting.
Bottas annoyed me too. "Lack of race performance" was not his only fault, he was not a good wingman either [after he stood no chance of winning the Championship] allowing cars to sweep past him.
I have a feeling Hamilton will walk away and I would not blame him. If he does go the only only replacement that I can see working is Hulkenberg [none of the other sound suitable. Grosjean!
I think Russell will do fine whether Hamilton is there or not. He seems a very sensible young man as well as a very good, but honest driver.