Schumacher thinks Mercedes should put Russell in race seat
May 18 - Mercedes should put George Russell in a race seat "in the medium term", according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher.
However, the German said he did not believe rumours that Toto Wolff was seriously considering ousting Valtteri Bottas before the 2021 season is out.
"For that, he would have to drive extremely badly, and he doesn't," Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. "We've seen with Ricciardo at McLaren and Perez at Red Bull that it is very difficult to quickly adapt to a new car.
"But in the medium term, I would put George Russell in a Mercedes," he added, referring to the impressive 23-year-old Williams driver, who is the most prominent Mercedes junior.
"I do think he would do a better job there than Bottas. Because of all the setbacks he's had, the whole thing is slowly becoming very difficult for Valtteri," Schumacher said.
Another driver whose Formula 1 career is at the crossroads, according to Schumacher, is Sebastian Vettel.
"His task in the coming races is to dominate his teammate," he said, referring to the Aston Martin duo of quadruple world champion Vettel alongside Lance Stroll.
"As a four-time world champion, he has to do that. If he is not clearly better and doesn't move the team forward, then you have to ask yourself at some point whether all of this still makes sense," Schumacher added.
"But we are not at that point yet. We should give him two or three more races."
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Problem is Bottas is getting worse, he has to go as some point and MB have to be carful as they cannot risk him throwing a paddy and not supporting Hamilton for the second half of the season. I just hope GR gets signed up before Verstappen finds that clause in his contract.
Valteri and Max will stsy where theu are in my opinion. Unfortunately, George hasn't got a good option for 2022, unless Vettel's seat opens up.
Yep, unless HAM hires a lorry and bugs out with his haul the 2021-2022 silly season will be boring. BTW, folks keep writing "if VER decides to go to MB." That is up to MB and they ain't buying. Why would they?
Merc couldnt care less whose in the 2nd seat all they want is the constructors championship for the kudos and the $$, which Usually means too the team wins the wdc, so putting GR in the car wouldnt alter the above ( not that i think they will swop seats mid season ) as for throwing a paddy, why would he do that to his career?
Exactly. RUS does have a chance if HAM quits and that is certainly on the table.
Hamilton is more likely to be in a Merc next year than Bottas
Suprized I need to explain it, if VB doesn't get a contract for next year he wont be so compliant with the team towards the end of the season. He wasn't exactly helpful when the much faster Hamilton was trying to get past last time
And Merc know that.......... , so what dyo think theyll do? er wait till the season is over/nearly over before either renewing or binning him, so no , you didnt need to explain it but i obviously had to, its basic negotiation
I did have explain because you asked me to "why would he do that to his career?" remember now.
However I can't understand you latest error ridden post.
Oh god lol , your point was made using the idea that he wont be compliant yes ( mentioning the 2nd half of the season, if he knew he wasnt getting an extension of his deal and i commented that if this was known to other teams, hed be wise not to be"uncompliant " for the benefit of attracting another employer
Mine simply said Merc will delay any contract negotiations untill the championships are over , in other words keep him on the hook till its of no consequence.
Your other post, changed the parameters from " the 2nd half of the season " to " towards the end of the season " ??
Which proves my point about his career, this early in in the season, delaying Lucy meant nothing
Was it that difficult to understand, honestly?
Question, lets Imagine MV has a get out clause and approaches Merc and says ill drive for you for same salary as im getting at RB?
Do we think Toto would sign him, 1. run him alondside LH or 2. dump Lucy and make MV there No 1 ..?
No, he will stay at RB.
Who's Lucy?
I refer your question to my previous post
Oh how I would love for Max to get into a Merc next season; alongside Hammer of course. Fantasy? Maybe. One can dream though. I'll settle for Russell.
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