Alright when was that again.....?

pcraenme · Dec 3, 2020

What if Russell wins? How will Bottas look like when he gets beaten? And Hamilton, when someone else stepping in wins immediately in his car... proving what some people say all the time, that he wins most of his races because of his car and other drivers could do the same in that car. So... it may be better for Mercedes when Bottas wins. My vote went to Max, but if Russell grabs it, that would be great as well!

CrimsonEminence · Dec 3, 2020

Things will not go according to plan and Carlos Sainz Jr. will take the lead at lap 13, followed by a brilliant race win.

Enagee · Dec 3, 2020

So if Russell miraculously wins the race over a minute..... Guess Hamilton might start to get worried too

RichardHessels · Dec 3, 2020

Would be such stellar performance if Russell would end in at the podium on his first promotion.
Keeping that nervous Williams on track should make the Merc an much more relaxed drive for him.
As if you went from a tuned streetcar to a GTE.
Just imagining his anxiety at this time. I hope he can still catch some sleep.
All in for team Russell this weekend.

Sasha Jednak · Dec 4, 2020

If Russell is really in group with young stars, I don’t see how he can not win. Of course excluding pit wall changing engine modes. Unless he is not part of that group of drivers...

Crekkan · Dec 4, 2020

Honestly, both drivers should be concerned if Russell does really, really well.

It'll play up to the perception that Bottas is weak and even a number 2 and it'll seal his fate come the 2022 contracts. Meanwhile for Hamilton it would add an extra asterisk to his championships to the large amount of skeptics, given how he has already had the longest streak of utterly dominate cars for 6 seasons (if you minus the first halves of 2017 and 2018 to be generous).

Before I get berated, I'm not denying Hamilton's talent nor dismissing Bottas's good days, which there are enough to justify at least another year at Mercedes for the latter and to be put into the top 10 of all time for the former.

BillyBobSenna · Dec 4, 2020

I voted for Jack Aitken thinking we will finally get someone that will get the most out of the car.

Dude27 · Dec 4, 2020

The Hollywood win: Russell
The realistic boring win: Verstappen
The realistic alternative boring win: Bottas
The French speaking fan (like me) Win: Leclerc
The out of nowhere win: Gasly
The revenge of Zapata win: Perez
The mission Impossible Win: Latifi
The Fun win: Ricciardo
The old fart win: Raikkonen

wombat999 · Dec 4, 2020

DILLIGAF.

Bryce Waard · Dec 4, 2020

I'd love to say that Bottas has learned from last week and will run away with the win this week, but we've all seen his starts this season and arguably, all the pressure is on him to win. The best car, the most experienced team mate and Lewis out. The less dramatic scenario is Bottas, then Verstappen/Russell, swap the positions as it may, but if Russell beats Bottas in almost any capacity, I think his ride is in jeopardy next year. It will be interesting to see where Mercedes focuses their support and strategy this week. Do they back the veteran, or pull all the stops to get Russell the win?

It's like when Marquez got hurt and the rest of the MotoGP riders were relevant again, it's going to be a fun week to watch!

BazzaLB · Dec 4, 2020

Dude27 said:
The Hollywood win: Russell
The realistic boring win: Verstappen
The realistic alternative boring win: Bottas
The French speaking fan (like me) Win: Leclerc
The out of nowhere win: Gasly
The revenge of Zapata win: Perez
The mission Impossible Win: Latifi
The Fun win: Ricciardo
The old fart win: Raikkonen

BTW, nice to see you around again.. Haven't seen you since the old original WMD days.. (Although I see you have been posting over the last week

)

rubaru · Dec 4, 2020

I've actually picked Gasly to win because Monza. AT should do well on a high speed track again. I think the last few seasons have seen Mercedes not the fastest in a straight, especially very long ones. Great acceleration but they often get caught by the end of it.

Other bold predictions:
GR on the podium.
Someone forgets to turn left after T4.
Aitken and Fittipaldi both beat their teammates.
Ferrari out in Q1.
Bottas tests positive, opening his seat to Stoffel.

Patrik Marek · Dec 4, 2020

will be intersting to see,
Russell willbe probably under huge pressure to do well, but on the other hand he will also have great , championship winning car

very different layout, more of a high speed setup, can also change things quite a bit , will be intesting if which will be the the fastest Ferrari engine car

Tony 93 · Dec 4, 2020

Best news ever

Stevy · Dec 4, 2020

lol, people really think Russle will win?
It would be a great performance if Russell get's 3rd.
I guess more like Top5 or even worse (Top 8).
I don't think he has a chance against Bottas or Verstappen.

THK84 · Dec 4, 2020

Voted Bottas: He has to win really. It's a fail if he doesn't.

Hope Verstappen: Bottas is still Bottas.

Other hope: Surprise mixed up podium/results.

It was Max Crashtappen for a long time. Is it now Valteri Bodgetas if, even without Hamilton, he'll manage to bodge his race?

muzikant · Dec 4, 2020

Track layout doesn't look difficult.. and a lot of straights. He have the merc power and if he is good he must be on the podium.

GP STONER · Dec 4, 2020

I am currious about how the racing would be on this layout.

At the moment i think with this layout they also could drive indianapolis 500 layout or pocono or talledega(i like to see that one) and the former lauzitsring tri oval.

Monaco is allways being the odd track in the season.. but now days i cant say there are lot of great tracks being used any more thats why for me the appeal to f1 is slowing fading away.

All the hype up but when the moment is there.. 8 out of 10 times it turns in to a snooze fest.

So yeah currious if it turns in to a snooze fest or the best race ever this layout with this era of cars.

LeSunTzu · Dec 4, 2020

GP STONER said:
I am currious about how the racing would be on this layout.

At the moment i think with this layout they also could drive indianapolis 500 layout or pocono or talledega(i like to see that one) and the former lauzitsring tri oval.

Monaco is allways being the odd track in the season.. but now days i cant say there are lot of great tracks being used any more thats why for me the appeal to f1 is slowing fading away.

All the hype up but when the moment is there.. 8 out of 10 times it turns in to a snooze fest.

So yeah currious if it turns in to a snooze fest or the best race ever this layout with this era of cars.

It depends on what you call a snooze fest

For me Indy500 is a snooze fest until the last SC and there could be a similar race with that simplistic layout.

Appie Kuipers · Dec 4, 2020

Stevy said:
lol, people really think Russle will win?
It would be a great performance if Russell get's 3rd.
I guess more like Top5 or even worse (Top 8).
I don't think he has a chance against Bottas or Verstappen.

Bottas, no Ham to keepup, Russell not yet, Max no, lack of power.