PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑30 May 2022, 20:12
Chris I know you are a new Mercedes fan but we are very used to a winning car. Even the scraps of a lucky podium is not something to trigger jubilance.
No F1 constructor is entitled to a top car after all. If anything, (for example) Williams process' from being champions with the Williams-Honda, to also-rans with the Williams-Judd, then snipping at the heels of the leaders as the emerging Williams-Renault, and then back to champions again just four seasons later is what makes Grand Prix racing exciting.
The Mercedes is still a really strong upper-midfield car, engaged in some really exciting midfield racing! If Mercedes can repeat the transformation they managed from 2010 to 2014, or even get back to the front a little faster than that, that would be most exciting. That would certainly be much quicker than Red Bull managed to get back to winning ways (8 seasons which was certainly a while as a Red Bull fan, but certainly an exciting journey with many highlights), and would be very expedient indeed.
PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑30 May 2022, 21:21
I could have sworn you were an ardent supporter of George Russell.
Red Bull-Honda fans can be big George Russell fans! I sure am. Russell was very impressive hustling the Williams (as is Albon for that matter!).
I found Russell's exceptional defence in the Spanish GP to be most amusing. It was a cracking drive!
Interestingly, as far as being a BAR/Honda/Brawn/Mercedes fan, I was partial the BAR-Honda team and Button & Sato (they provided a lot of excitement in the 2004 season in particular), but I didn't have a car with VTEC until after Honda left the sport and passed the team on. When Honda supplied Jordan as well, I obviously preferred Jordan to BAR, but I followed Sato from Jordan-Honda to BAR-Honda. Regardless it was definitely fun to cheer for Button and Sato's great podiums for the team in 2004, and for Button's striking victory for the team in Hungary in 2006.
PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑30 May 2022, 21:36
Can't beat everybody all the time.
That's true, it's really a huge shame that Russell didn't get the chance to go for the WDC in the past couple of seasons given the other Mercedes driver is certainly very, very good but also beatable, but it is what it is. Mercedes management didn't want to expediate Russell's promotion for whatever reason (even though Ferrari and Red Bull were much more timely in promoting Leclerc or Gasly), despite Russell's obvious skills. It's quite a big shame for Russell IMO, Russell could very possibly have double-digit race wins and at least one WDC by this point, oh well.