[racerbruce]

Well said MK -
So true....the wild-card relating to all aspects of life in 2020.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by FuzzyPeaches

Damning? no.... Fun to watch? Absolutely!

Absolutely spot on!! Cover and Circuses

Originally Posted by racerbruce

Well said MK -
So true....the wild-card relating to all aspects of life in 2020.

The wild cards have wild cards in 2020!

[EdM5]

Let's compare the Hamilton/Bottas driver line-up with Schumacher/Barrichello at Ferrari 2000-2005.
In those 6 years, Rubens scored 9 wins and 10 poles. Michael scored 49 wins and 41 poles

Bottas has now been Lewis' teammate for almost 4 years and scored 9 wins and 16 poles. Lewis has won 42 wins and 37 poles as Bottas' teammate..

So, when compared to their GOAT teammates, Rubens and Bottas seem to have similar track records. Yet Bottas is getting a lot of heat for perceived underperforming but I can't remember the same thing for Rubens.

Any thoughts on this guys?

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Let's compare the Hamilton/Bottas driver line-up with Schumacher/Barrichello at Ferrari 2000-2005.
In those 6 years, Rubens scored 9 wins and 10 poles. Michael scored 49 wins and 41 poles

Bottas has now been Lewis' teammate for almost 4 years and scored 9 wins and 16 poles. Lewis has won 42 wins and 37 poles as Bottas' teammate..

So, when compared to their GOAT teammates, Rubens and Bottas seem to have similar track records. Yet Bottas is getting a lot of heat for perceived underperforming but I can't remember the same thing for Rubens.

Any thoughts on this guys?

This does make one think about BOT's future, for sure. Perhaps the advent of the hyper-engagement in social media, computer access has changed how we can communicate and share our thoughts in just a nano-second.

[yco]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Let's compare the Hamilton/Bottas driver line-up with Schumacher/Barrichello at Ferrari 2000-2005.
In those 6 years, Rubens scored 9 wins and 10 poles. Michael scored 49 wins and 41 poles

Bottas has now been Lewis' teammate for almost 4 years and scored 9 wins and 16 poles. Lewis has won 42 wins and 37 poles as Bottas' teammate..

So, when compared to their GOAT teammates, Rubens and Bottas seem to have similar track records. Yet Bottas is getting a lot of heat for perceived underperforming but I can't remember the same thing for Rubens.

Any thoughts on this guys?

Rubens never said he ll become a World Champion.. Bottas says that every year.. i believe thats key difference draws more attention on himself and his mistakes..

[andrewmr]

From a constructors championship, I think HAM and BOT can beat VER and ALB again in 2021. So a HAM and RUS lineup may be overkill. But it would be nice to have that headroom.

Not sure what impact Alonso at Renault will have. He's my guy, so I certainly hope he does well but I'm not expecting anything until 2022. If then as I recognize he's missed his window.

And I'm not sure what Ferrari will be able to do in 2021.

McLaren????

I really don't expect much from Racing Point, other than perhaps a few podiums here and there.




But VER and PER at RBR might be a little tougher so RUS in the BOT seat may make sense.




If you really want to think outside the box and shake some things up....

Hamilton hasn't signed a contract for 2021 and if I remember correctly he's asking for 54 Million.

Assuming Williams will release Russel, leave him in Hamilton's seat and replace Bottas with Perez. That would save 50 Million in drivers salaries.

That would leave Hammy with an option to get out of the sport, or find a seat at the last minute. Where would he go? Where could he go?

RBR comes to mind and having him as a teammate to Max would put a few discussions to rest. This would be a killer driver combination, but sadly one that would end poorly for Max.

Would Racing Point (Aston Martin) rethink their decision on Vettel and pick up Hamilton?

So many things to ponder.....




But back to the original question. Yes, RUS deserves a better seat than Williams is able to give him. If BOT is the only seat available then yes he should get it.

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

BOT needs to up his race pace. He is not getting the job done on race pace and race craft.

This is it for me. After so many years watching him vs. Lewis, and then vs. RUS last weekend, he can't. He just doesn't have it, he's not improving. With every world class performance support at his disposal (physical, psychological, dietary), he's hit his natural race pace ceiling. It's not even close vs. Lewis when the lights go out and it never will be.

You should not have a clear tier 2 talent occupying 1 of the top 2 seats in all of motorsport. Piloting the best F1 car of all-time should be a privilege for the absolute most deserving. BOT definitely isn't 1 of those 2. He's had years to prove himself worthy.

Merc will once again win the WCC going away next year.

I think it's crazy to not add massive levels of intrigue and interest by mixing up the Merc driver lineup. Madness for Merc not to want that attn. as a brand, and must be excruciating for F1 to be so close to injecting huge (probably renewed) interest. Check this out, on track this week (12/6-12/12) for "F1" as a search term to reach a worldwide 5 year high by some margin https://trends.google.com/trends/exp...day%205-y&q=f1

And that's with WCC and WDC wrapped up, and the sport's most popular driver out of action. Motorsport fans want RACING and unknowns at the front.

For those who favor HAM, RUS substitution will only serve to enhance his reputation and legacy. Especially over the long-term, greatness is informed by the challenges faced and overcome, not how many times you beat your little brother.

fwiw, I think HAM is great and beats RUS. But man, I'd love to see him challenged every once in a while and earn that record-breaking WDC with more than just race craft and wisdom from 20 seconds out in front.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

This is it for me. After so many years watching him vs. Lewis, and then vs. RUS last weekend, he can't. He just doesn't have it, he's not improving. With every world class performance support at his disposal (physical, psychological, dietary), he's hit his natural race pace ceiling. It's not even close vs. Lewis when the lights go out and it never will be.

You should not have a clear tier 2 talent occupying 1 of the top 2 seats in all of motorsport. Piloting the best F1 car of all-time should be a privilege for the absolute most deserving. BOT definitely isn't 1 of those 2. He's had years to prove himself worthy.

Merc will once again win the WCC going away next year.

I think it's crazy to not add massive levels of intrigue and interest by mixing up the Merc driver lineup. Madness for Merc not to want that attn. as a brand, and must be excruciating for F1 to be so close to injecting huge (probably renewed) interest. Check this out, on track this week (12/6-12/12) for "F1" as a search term to reach a worldwide 5 year high by some margin https://trends.google.com/trends/exp...day%205-y&q=f1

And that's with WCC and WDC wrapped up, and the sport's most popular driver out of action. Motorsport fans want RACING and unknowns at the front.

For those who favor HAM, RUS substitution will only serve to enhance his reputation and legacy. Especially over the long-term, greatness is informed by the challenges faced and overcome, not how many times you beat your little brother.

fwiw, I think HAM is great and beats RUS. But man, I'd love to see him challenged every once in a while and earn that record-breaking WDC with more than just race craft and wisdom from 20 seconds out in front.

I agree with a lot of this and believe that BOT should go in 2022, not 2021. The responsibility of Toto is to deliver the WCC and the WDC and all of the acclaim it brings. It isn't to cause angst and consternation within the team for the purpose of bringing spice to the sport. As you well know, there are 9 other teams that are seriously under performing with two of those having budgets similar to Mercedes.

I'm weary of everyone saying HAM has to take and pass additional tests having been in F1 for 14 years and performing at the very top of the field even with the dismal MP4-24. To be at the top of his game since HAM game into the sport overall...I mean at the karting level, not F1 is extraordinary. He has literally won everything. He's only been beat by team mates 2 times in his entire racing career...not just Formula One.

And let's talk about challenges. Don't look at the final results from 2017 and 2018 but for doing so one race at a time. In both of those years HAM had to come back from behind in order to win the WDC and it was against what was most probable, an illegal car. What else must Lewis do to convince others of his worthiness of the accolades he's EARNED through hard and consistent work for over 25 years in motorsport with 14 at the very top level and nearly ALWAYS in contention for the WDC...even with dismal equipment?

Great post from you!!
Thanks!!!

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

What else must Lewis do to convince others of his worthiness of the accolades he's EARNED through hard and consistent work for over 25 years in motorsport with 14 at the very top level and nearly ALWAYS in contention for the WDC...even with dismal equipment?

Nothing.. His resume is beyond reproach and spot within the pantheon of all-time greats a done deal. No matter what happens from here.

But greatness should be challenged. New, up and coming challengers should be welcomed until it's time to pass the torch. This happens naturally in almost all other sports -- tennis, basketball, boxing, you name it.

Motorsport is one of the only arenas where this natural challenge process doesn't necessarily materialize, but I think it's incumbent upon the world's premier motorsport and its participants to make it so. If Merc continues to be dominant, Lewis could be "insulated" by BOT (or similar) for another 5 years, 10 years? (HAM's an athlete, bet he could effectively drive well into his 40's.) Meanwhile a RUS spends his prime years in a Williams? That can't be right.

Some good competition within the team will not obstruct another WCC or necessarily cause strife. They're all grown men & women operating on a 9 figure budget. Hire counselors...

And as above, HAM aside, I have issue with BOT being in 1 of the top 2 seats in all of motorsport. It's just not deserved.

Respect your viewpoint. But I sure hope come March '21 I'm looking at different driver lineups at both RB and Merc. My level of interest will be exponentially greater if so.

Small side note/anecdote -- last weekend was the first race my 12 year old son watched lights out to checkered all year!

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Nothing.. His resume is beyond reproach and spot within the pantheon of all-time greats a done deal. No matter what happens from here.

But greatness should be challenged. New, up and coming challengers should be welcomed until it's time to pass the torch. This happens naturally in almost all other sports -- tennis, basketball, boxing, you name it.

Motorsport is one of the only arenas where this natural challenge process doesn't necessarily materialize, but I think it's incumbent upon the world's premier motorsport and its participants to make it so. If Merc continues to be dominant, Lewis could be "insulated" by BOT (or similar) for another 5 years, 10 years? (HAM's an athlete, bet he could effectively drive well into his 40's.) Meanwhile a RUS spends his prime years in a Williams? That can't be right.

Some good competition within the team will not obstruct another WCC or necessarily cause strife. They're all grown men & women operating on a 9 figure budget. Hire counselors...

And as above, HAM aside, I have issue with BOT being in 1 of the top 2 seats in all of motorsport. It's just not deserved.

Respect your viewpoint. But I sure hope come March '21 I'm looking at different driver lineups at both RB and Merc. My level of interest will be exponentially greater if so.

Small side note/anecdote -- last weekend was the first race my 12 year old son watched lights out to checkered all year!

Nicely stated.

My experience in motorsport is that the creme rises to the top, invariably. The best drivers always get the best seats and there are so many machinations in the background that we fans can't possibly know them all. It is better now than under the Bernie dictatorship.

And FANTASTIC on the race with your son. My daughter still watches the races when she can between studying law and has been a gear head since she was young. When she was in high school, she was the Car Guy. She knew more than all of the boys about cars. She still comes on our "spirited drives in Mexico" and loves all things cars. It sounds like you are along a similar path. Enjoy this time...it passes more quickly than you might imagine.

Cheers-mk

[MKSixer]

.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by EdM5

Let's compare the Hamilton/Bottas driver line-up with Schumacher/Barrichello at Ferrari 2000-2005.
In those 6 years, Rubens scored 9 wins and 10 poles. Michael scored 49 wins and 41 poles

Bottas has now been Lewis' teammate for almost 4 years and scored 9 wins and 16 poles. Lewis has won 42 wins and 37 poles as Bottas' teammate..

So, when compared to their GOAT teammates, Rubens and Bottas seem to have similar track records. Yet Bottas is getting a lot of heat for perceived underperforming but I can't remember the same thing for Rubens.

Any thoughts on this guys?

Nico vs Lewis.

Fans need another battle. Next season is over if nothing is changed.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

.

Boo.

Ha...and I am a Merc fan.

[racerbruce]

Thank you MK for the MB announcement.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

Thank you MK for the MB announcement.

You're welcome, my friend!