Poll: Sakhir Grand Prix 2020, Sakhir - Race 16/17

[KiNgPiN83]

Russell to Mercedes, and Aitken to Williams. Amazing. I really wasn't expecting that.

What are the odds on a Russell win now?

Anyone get one of those 1000/1 race win bets in before they stopped taking them? I don't think he'll win but i think he will do well. I guess the goal should be at least 4th purely going by the car and the championship standings. (Although there's been chat of RB not looking good for this track layout.) I hope he does well.

 

[Yaayuh!]

George Russell in Lewis’s seat is great, but kinda wish it wasn’t at a circuit that is basically an oval.

 

[dandan556]

Can't wait now

 

[KiNgPiN83]

Schumacher in the Haas next year too. (Shame its a big pile of poop though.. Maybe the new Ferrari engine will reinvigorate it.)

 

[MissChief]

Imagine the pressure on Bottas if George keeps up his F1 qualifying streak of always beating his teammate?

 

[MissChief]

Wow double post! Impressive!

 

[Kenai]

It's win win for GR really, if he beats Bottas he'll galvanise his already good reputation, if Bottas beats him, it's to be expected because he's in an unfamiliar car.

 

[MissChief]

Hmm, that press release doesn’t really thank Williams or show any gratitude to them. Makes me wonder if there was a contract clause that Mercedes could activate if they wanted him for some reason.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Hmm, that press release doesn’t really thank Williams or show any gratitude to them. Makes me wonder if there was a contract clause that Mercedes could activate if they wanted him for some reason.

The fact that they did not announce it as soon as Hamilton was out suggests they had to at least have a negotiation about it before making the decision. So I doubt it was written in stone.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Yes yes yes yes yes. Now this will be interesting. I will laugh hard if Russell beats Bottas.

It's win win for GR really, if he beats Bottas he'll galvanise his already good reputation, if Bottas beats him, it's to be expected because he's in an unfamiliar car.

Yup, exactly. Its a brilliant opportunity.

Imagine the pressure on Bottas if George keeps up his F1 qualifying streak of always beating his teammate?

It has certainly made this race more interesting!

How come the start is so much later this time?

 

[GravyMonster]

Contract clause and a big pile of money most likely.

 

[RoboCod]

Missed the 1000/1 odds on him yesterday morning

 

[Mr Jack]

Hmm, that press release doesn’t really thank Williams or show any gratitude to them. Makes me wonder if there was a contract clause that Mercedes could activate if they wanted him for some reason.

I don't think so:

“I wish to thank our loyal partners at Williams for their collaboration and open-mindedness in making it possible for George to race for Mercedes this weekend,” said Wolff, a former shareholder in Williams. “The conversations with the team at Williams were positive and pragmatic, and those were the key factors in reaching an agreement.

“This race will mark a small milestone for us, as we see a member of our Junior programme compete for the works Mercedes team for the first time,” he added​

Seems it was negotiated rather than contractual. Russell is saying similar things himself.

 

[Flibster]

It's win win for GR really, if he beats Bottas he'll galvanise his already good reputation, if Bottas beats him, it's to be expected because he's in an unfamiliar car.

But surely, he had to be favourite to win now, as apparently 'it's all the car, anyone could win in that Mercedes'

 

[413x]

Missed the 1000/1 odds on him yesterday morning

Wow. I never thought of that. I guess it's valid??

 

[413x]

Bottas should be concerned.
Not expecting Russell to beat him. But if he does... Ouch

 

[Terminal_Boy]

3 long straights?

Black Mercedes 1-2 with Pink Mercedes 3-4.

 

[Mr Jack]

3 long straights?

Black Mercedes 1-2 with Pink Mercedes 3-4.

Could have McLaren in the mix too? Sainz was ahead of Pérez in Monza qualifying.

 

[MissChief]

Wow. I never thought of that. I guess it's valid??

It’ll be voided under some technicality I’m sure.

 

[Yaayuh!]

I don't think George Russell will be on the podium, but i'd be impressed if he is. It's a lot to ask of him, regardless of how good the car is and how dull the track is.