Motorsport

Still think Merc may rue the day they decided to manage Bottas' last 18 months at the team so poorly. They should be looking for a slam dunk 1-2 next week on a track they should have a decent advantage at. But with the guy looking so totally defeated it wouldn't surprise me at all to watch him trundle around to an anonymous 3rd and not take any points away from Max. I've never thought he was a particularly amazing driver but he deserves a lot better than the sub-Barichello crap he's been fed on his way out.

What we're seeing is the result of a man knowing he's lost his seat whatever happens a year in advance. This open secret shit is a really poor thing to do at any time, but for a guy who's been as compliant as Bottas has been is something else entirely. It's been handled terribly and they should have just chucked George in under the condition that he's a clearly defined number 2 until the new regs came in next year. He'd have been motivated as fuck, picked up a win or two and helped Lewis to the title.

Can't hold his phoned in performances this year against him, the position he's been put in isn't nice at all.

I think George would have snapped Toto's arm off for this season in a Merc under the guise of it being a 'learning/bedding in year'. Back up Lewis, help him win his 8th title and then you're free to fight when the new regs kick in next year. I'm not Bottas' biggest fan but even I know he's looked nothing like his usual self this year. He's pretty much the blueprint for a perfect front running back up driver when he's motivated. This year he's not arsed about getting involved in the slightest.

Chances are they are going to have to have an early conversation about it next year if it's close at the top. There's just no way they will be able to beat Verstappen and fight each other for points at the same time. But they could have made this year so, so much easier on themselves with a couple of better decisions.

Finally off those 1 year deals. Good for him, it's a good fit for both that.

Merc got exactly what they wanted out of Bottas. They never wanted another Lewis Vs Nico and quite rightly too. Their hand is being forced a bit by having a possible generational talent on the books they simply can't afford to lose to someone else. But they should have pulled the trigger last year going into this season really. His form this season is very obviously below what he's capable of, it's been poorly handled. The fact it's been such an open secret for so long can't have been easy for him.

Yeah all this is completly right in my opinion.

George backed them into a corner ever since they put him in the car last year. It was done from that point. Should have given bottas a nice big pay cheque to thank him and helped him find another seat.

Give George more time with Lewis etc.

Instead they pissed of bottas, he is quite rightly not playing the team game. Which may cost them.

Bottas annoys me though..nows not the season to play hard ball and I think he will always regret not pushing for a title in the best car for 5 years. Whether that was talent or contract obligations only he will know.

George Russell signs for Mercedes
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/58474646

Finally confirmed!

None of it matters tbh. New era of Ferrari dominance starts next year.

Prediction, Haas reveals a rocket in 2022 due to not having spent any money this year, but Marzipan flan takes out Schumi in the first 5 races bankrupting the team

Even though it was expected, still really pleased for Russell. Rather like Leclerc's move to Ferrari, it feels like this starts the countdown clock on Hamilton's career.

I expect Russell to immediately cause him a few issues on track. Off-track, I doubt it'll be hugely fractious as I'm not sure either of them is that kind of personality. According to his various teammates, Hamilton's never really bothered with internal politics (at the weekend, Button/Rosberg said he used to be very naive as he arrogantly thought his speed was enough). George is a strong character who speaks his mind, and it's harder to say if he'll be tempted. Kubica mumbled a bit about George getting preferential treatment but he was getting destroyed, and nothing tangible ever came to light.

I suspect their relationship will be more like Button/Hamilton than Rosberg/Hamilton with mutual respect on track and minimal time together off it. George should gradually start to edge him on absolute pace, but I suspect Hamilton's experience will mean he picks up points more consistently in the short term.

Everything suggests George is another generational talent, so it's practically inevitable that at some point he'll assume full control. Happens with every generation, and it's extremely rare for a driver to maintain their peak past mid-thirties. Lauda/Prost at Mclaren is being cited as a precedent and I can see why. Hamilton is 37 in Jan, and by the end of his current contract, he'll be almost 40. Frankly, it would be weird if George didn't start to assume leadership through performance before then. It would be nice to see Hamilton handle it with grace and take him under his wing as Stewart did with Cevert, and Vettel is doing with Mick (but absolutely did not do with Leclerc). He'll have to adapt to survive.

They've completly messed up f2 and f3 this year. Think it's been recognised and going back to the old way next season.

Don't like the extra race either. All just gets a bit diluted

www.redbull.com/int-en/redbullracing/alex-albon-to-drive-for-williams-racing-in-2022?utm_source=RBR_TWITTER&utm_medium=SOCIAL&utm_content=WEB&utm_campaign=AlexSignsForWilliams/?


Looking like he's still in the red bull program aswell. Reportedly red bull offering williams money to have him

I see the Schumachers have come out just before this documentary hits Netflix next week and all but confirmed that the Michael that won 7 world championships is no longer with us. I know it was kinda obvious but it's quite bleak to actually hear it spelled out by the people that have been caring for him.

I don't see Latifi putting up much of a fight against Albon. But it should be a good match - Williams seem to be moving in the right direction and Albon is certainly better than a number of other drivers on the grid...