2020 Styrian Grand Prix - Spielberg, 10-12 July

[Pyrone89]

Mercedes don’t need the hassle of Verstappen. They have one great driver and one good driver who can happily coexist and still deliver driver and constructor championships year in year out.

When Hamilton hangs them up I wouldn’t be surprised if Verstappen gets the move but not before. Although I’d prefer to see Russell in that car. He could be very special indeed.

As I said boring it is at Mercedes.

They DO need the attention of 2 alpha dogs, because now it is boring as F. Everyone with a brain already knows Mercedes will win the titles this year and by extension Hamilton.

Wether that is by giving Russell a chance or going all-in (Verstappen) is up to them. But this Bottas crap is annnoying to every F1-fan. Mercedes dominating is one thing, but at least have an interesting team battle.

[siskue2005]

The best thing that could happen to F1 right now is to get Hamilton and Verstappen both in the same front-running car. Off course would suck for all other drivers because a. they would get lapped and b. they would get 0 TV-time.

No team would do that though. It would cause more problems than it solves.

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Why should Merc suffer for incompetence from other teams whom have same or even more budget than Mercedes??
It is other's incompetence, why should Merc suffer for other's entertainment?

If anything other teams who have similar or even more budget should work harder to catch Merc, rather than Merc artificially creating drama

[ENGINE TUNER]

The best thing that could happen to F1 right now is to get Hamilton and Verstappen both in the same front-running car. Off course would suck for all other drivers because a. they would get lapped and b. they would get 0 TV-time.

No team would do that though. It would cause more problems than it solves.

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Verstappen is still a crasher

Want the list again?

[siskue2005]

No team would do that though. It would cause more problems than it solves.

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and kuddos from fans for at least making it an interesting battle. Win win win as I see it.

Max is over hyped by media. If Merc want someone to challenge Lewis they should look at Leclerc, Norris or Russel.

I agree, he has much much more to prove.

[Macklaren]

Agreed. If I were Lewis I'd be pushing Toto to put Russell in the other car to show his greatness against the new generation

[Restomaniac]

The best thing that could happen to F1 right now is to get Hamilton and Verstappen both in the same front-running car. Off course would suck for all other drivers because a. they would get lapped and b. they would get 0 TV-time.

No team would do that though. It would cause more problems than it solves.

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

2 cockerels in the hen house doesn’t work. Yes you may win things but it causes shocking PR. Mercedes just don’t need it literally and figuratively.

[Pyrone89]

No team would do that though. It would cause more problems than it solves.

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Why should Merc suffer for incompetence from other teams whom have same or even more budget than Mercedes??
It is other's incompetence, why should Merc suffer for other's entertainment?

If anything other teams who have similar or even more budget should work harder to catch Merc, rather than Merc artificially creating drama

Artificial drama? Having two good drivers is actual drama. As opposed to their articifial weekly radio-based soap series about how much they are struggling and how close it was.

And it is in Mercedes' interest because ultimately it is a marketing exercise for them. And having 2 top dogs making it interesting is good for their TV-coverage and goodwill. To re-itterate. Is there anyone here actually believing some team other than Mercedes, and due to their driver choices by extension Hamilton, is taking the 2020 and 2021 titles?

[Pyrone89]

No team would do that though. It would cause more problems than it solves.

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Verstappen is still a crasher

Wa t the list again?

Please make the list for both of them, and you will see that over his career Lewis had the exact same pattern when he was 5 years in F1. Remember 2011?

To re-itterate. Is there anyone here actually believing some team other than Mercedes, and due to their driver choices by extension Hamilton, is taking the 2020 and 2021 titles?

[El Scorchio]

Mercedes don’t need the hassle of Verstappen. They have one great driver and one good driver who can happily coexist and still deliver driver and constructor championships year in year out.

When Hamilton hangs them up I wouldn’t be surprised if Verstappen gets the move but not before. Although I’d prefer to see Russell in that car. He could be very special indeed.

As I said boring it is at Mercedes.

They DO need the attention of 2 alpha dogs, because now it is boring as F. Everyone with a brain already knows Mercedes will win the titles this year and by extension Hamilton.

Wether that is by giving Russell a chance or going all-in (Verstappen) is up to them. But this Bottas crap is annnoying to every F1-fan. Mercedes dominating is one thing, but at least have an interesting team battle.

Better that than at Ferrari or RBR where historically two ‘alpha dogs’ spend as much time crashing into each other and losing points And embarrassing the team as they do turning in good performances.

Merc have learned their lesson with Rosberg and it’s obvious to them that harmony is key to delivering titles. It’s not their job to create competition within the sport. It’s the job of their competitors to step up and provide it.

Besides which if the car is so good that ‘anyone’ could win in it, then they have zero need for Verstappen ever anyway. They can just put someone much cheaper and more level headed in the car and carry on winning with less expenditure and less headaches.

[siskue2005]

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Why should Merc suffer for incompetence from other teams whom have same or even more budget than Mercedes??
It is other's incompetence, why should Merc suffer for other's entertainment?

If anything other teams who have similar or even more budget should work harder to catch Merc, rather than Merc artificially creating drama

Artificial drama? Having two good drivers is actual drama. As opposed to their articifial weekly radio-based soap series about how much they are struggling and how close it was.

And it is in Mercedes' interest because ultimately it is a marketing exercise for them. And having 2 top dogs making it interesting is good for their TV-coverage and goodwill.

LOL, Havent Merc achieved their objectives in the last 4 years with their current line up?
havent they won everything? Dont they have good TV coverage and PR already?? Dont they have more than enough sponsors and best team?

Why the need to create artificial drama with Verstappen? Perhaps you mean Verstappen will crash more and spin more in Qualifying? Yes that might create more drama

[ENGINE TUNER]

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Verstappen is still a crasher

Wa t the list again?

Please make the list for both of them, and you will see that over his career Lewis had the exact same pattern when he was 5 years in F1. Remember 2011?

To re-itterate. Is there anyone here actually believing some team other than Mercedes, and due to their driver choices by extension Hamilton, is taking the 2020 and 2021 titles?

Verstappen has been crashing every 3rd race or so for 5 seasons. Hamilton had half a bad season and bunch of piss poor stewards decisions against him. Big difference. Verstappen needed a year or 2 more in the junior ranks, he is on the path of becoming Vettel 2.0.

[siskue2005]

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Verstappen is still a crasher

Wa t the list again?

Please make the list for both of them, and you will see that over his career Lewis had the exact same pattern when he was 5 years in F1. Remember 2011?

To re-itterate. Is there anyone here actually believing some team other than Mercedes, and due to their driver choices by extension Hamilton, is taking the 2020 and 2021 titles?

And whose fault is that? Merc's or other incompetent teams with similar budget??

[dans79]

Would it? Mercedes with Verstappen (the only driver than can challenge them if RB and Honda had bothered to make a better car and engine instead of assuming Merc would not improve much further) is scott free as it is. And they risk losing TV-time because everyone is sick of their dominance (apart from LH and Merc fans of course). This way they will still secure both titles (even easier) AND get massive TV-attention and goodwill (remember, F1 is marketing for them) for at least making it an interesting battle. Instead of the 'outspend to win' and 'grey corporate team with nr. 1 and 2'. For LH it is also good because he may be a 7 or 8 times WDC after next year, but it will always be associated by having a dominant car for an unprecedented time -7 years as opposed to Schumacher's 2 year- while his main rivals had way inferior material. Win win win as I see it.

Why should Merc suffer for incompetence from other teams whom have same or even more budget than Mercedes??
It is other's incompetence, why should Merc suffer for other's entertainment?

If anything other teams who have similar or even more budget should work harder to catch Merc, rather than Merc artificially creating drama

Artificial drama? Having two good drivers is actual drama. As opposed to their articifial weekly radio-based soap series about how much they are struggling and how close it was.

And it is in Mercedes' interest because ultimately it is a marketing exercise for them. And having 2 top dogs making it interesting is good for their TV-coverage and goodwill.

They don't care what you think, or any of Max's fans either. They what drivers in the car that can ensure a WCC & WDC, no more no less. Anyone who has any knowledge of Formula 1 history would know that two top tier drivers in the same team never works out well.

[Pyrone89]

Why should Merc suffer for incompetence from other teams whom have same or even more budget than Mercedes??
It is other's incompetence, why should Merc suffer for other's entertainment?

If anything other teams who have similar or even more budget should work harder to catch Merc, rather than Merc artificially creating drama

Artificial drama? Having two good drivers is actual drama. As opposed to their articifial weekly radio-based soap series about how much they are struggling and how close it was.

And it is in Mercedes' interest because ultimately it is a marketing exercise for them. And having 2 top dogs making it interesting is good for their TV-coverage and goodwill.

LOL, Havent Merc achieved their objectives in the last 4 years with their current line up?
havent they won everything? Dont they have good TV coverage and PR already?? Dont they have more than enough sponsors and best team?

Why the need to create artificial drama with Verstappen? Perhaps you mean Verstappen will crash more and spin more in Qualifying? Yes that might create more drama

Or Hamilton will crash in a rain race like in Germany under waved yellow flags?

See, you bait, you get a response.

Time you get a job

[Phil]

Artificial drama? Having two good drivers is actual drama. As opposed to their articifial weekly radio-based soap series about how much they are struggling and how close it was.

You should go watch something else. For most of us, the excitement of F1 comes from watching drivers of different teams battle in different cars. If you have two championship contenders in the same team, what you'll get is a somewhat artificial race, where the only "real" excitement will be in Q3 and the rest of the race dictated by the strategy set by the sole strategist, as the guy in front will always get the ideal strategy and the guy behind will hardly be able to pass in such a similar paced car. Aka, what we watched last week when Hamilton was "hunting" Bottas for most of the race, but it made little to no sense, because he was never going to get by.

I'd rather have a repeat of 2017 & 2018 in what IMO was a good battle between Hamilton/Mercedes and Vettel/Ferrari. Either way, it's more exciting watching drivers of different teams battle each other because like for tomorrow, no one knows what RedBull will do to give Max an edge and what Mercedes might to respond. If it were Ham/Bot on the first row, how exciting would that be?