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

[chrismscotland]

Thats the point...

Ah sorry I see what you mean now!

 

[englishpremier]

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.

Really? If the Mercedes is the fastest car, and Russell isn't on the podium or exceptionally close to it, I'd say it would be a poor result. After-all Russell has been racing all year. Hulk was immediately fast in the Racing Point.

 

[deuse]

As long as Russell is in the top 5, he has done really well.

He hasn't been in the Merc sim for 2 years.

 

[this_is_gav]

^ But he was in the Mercedes itself in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year.

I think a lot will be down to how quick he is in qualifying or at stages in the race. I don't think it's fair to ask him for absolute consistency over several stints in a foreign car of which he has no experience.

It plays into his hands that the lap is short and there are so few corners, though I think something like being a tenth or two off Bottas in Q3 and anything better than finishing a few seconds behind Max in the race (assuming Bottas wins) then he'd have done a very solid job.

Hopefully for him he gets another go in Abu Dhabi, which would be a better indicator.

 

[Flibster]

And Russell is a bit tight in the Merc W11 too...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpmwHcdswVA&feature=youtu.be&t=336s

I'm liking Bono's response...

 

[chrismscotland]

F2 drivers seem to be struggling with the kerbs; with some very quick drivers well down the order (Calum Ilott 18th fastest) wonder how the F1 drivers will cope!

 

[GodAtum]

It's a lose lose. Russell has not a lot of experience driving the car, and if he's stuck in traffic it performs poorly.

 

[MissChief]

It's a lose lose. Russell has not a lot of experience driving the car, and if he's stuck in traffic it performs poorly.

On the contrary, it’s win win IMO. If he doesn’t do well, it’d a new car, new team etc. If he does well he builds his reputation.

 

[stockhausen]

It's a lose lose. Russell has not a lot of experience driving the car, and if he's stuck in traffic it performs poorly.

I somehow doubt that George Russell sees it as a "lose lose" and I am happy to accept his assessment.

 

[Mr Jack]

I was kinda of expecting to see Russell out in the first minute of FP1 in order to maximise his time on track.

 

[GravyMonster]

Russell goes fastest. Bottas leaves pits to answer it... and doesn't.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Russell goes fastest. Bottas leaves pits to answer it... and doesn't.

I wonder how he will cope with Russell pushing him already....
He looks ragged on this set!

 

[Mr Jack]

Bottas in third, but actually has the three fastest sectors. And... as I type that... Russell goes fastest and claims the last sector. Albon doing well too.

 

[Danthus]

The comment just about Albon is really relevant, there is huge pressure on him I would image to see how he handles Russell.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

There's still a lot for Russell to lose, even if Merc don't.

1- Fail to finish in the top 5 (looks bad on him)
2- Crash whilst pushing (looks bad on him)
3- Stuff it whilst under pressure (looks bad on him)
4- Do really well (people say "it was because of the car")

He needs to outperform Bottas consistently to get any sort of praise.

I don't agree with that, but simply finishing in the points would be my idea of "done well" and I hope he achieves that. However make no mistake, this could make or break his future if the impression he sets is a bad one.

 

[Flibster]

That'll do for a start.

 

[Mr Jack]

Well. Russell beats Mr. Friday in FP1. That's a great start for him.

Fitipaldi and Aitken have much more the showings I'd expect from stand-ins, although obviously the jump up for them is much more than for Russell, at a 1s and 0.4s behind their teammates. If they can improve from there, they're both in for good weekends.

 

[MM-Seat]

In before all the "itS tHe CaR cOmMeNtS"

Not necessarily from here i'd like to point out.

 

[Irish_Tom]

Cheers @Shimmy

Looking good so far for Russell, I hope he keeps it up over the next few sessions!

 

[JBeck]

There's still a lot for Russell to lose, even if Merc don't.
However make no mistake, this could make or break his future if the impression he sets is a bad one.

Ditto for Bottas I'd say.