No F1 thread?

[Marv]

Gutted for Russell. Pleased he managed to show/prove how good he is though. Definitely the real deal.

Was great to see Perez finally win a race too.

[duncs500]

Gutted for GR, drove brilliantly. I just hope he'll get another chance. Pleased for SP though, been a consistent performer for a long time.

Edit - Didn't see Marv's post, a "this" would have sufficed.

[jamcg]

Ted kravitz on the notebook last night said he’s seen an email that was sent around the paddock stating any attendee who tests positive for covid19 will automatically not be allowed into Abu Dhabi, there was no clarification though if that includes drivers, or if it’s even a genuine email

[Gavin]

The Stroll family are feckin snakes.

Lance is immensely unlikeable. Pretty much had to be dragged out of him in the interview there to acknowledge Perez.

It must be a bit rubbish for him re Perez. Everyone can see Lance kept his seat through nepotism as Perez is clearly a better driver. Lance is good but it must be galling to have his skills so starkly laid bare.

[Rich B]

The Stroll family are feckin snakes.

Lance is immensely unlikeable. Pretty much had to be dragged out of him in the interview there to acknowledge Perez.

It must be a bit rubbish for him re Perez. Everyone can see Lance kept his seat through nepotism as Perez is clearly a better driver. Lance is good but it must be galling to have his skills so starkly laid bare.

I love how everyone forgets Strolls recent good performances so quickly because he's not very likeable!

Perez is clearly a good driver, but he's just left it way too late in his long career to show anyone.

[Gavin]

Lance is immensely unlikeable. Pretty much had to be dragged out of him in the interview there to acknowledge Perez.

It must be a bit rubbish for him re Perez. Everyone can see Lance kept his seat through nepotism as Perez is clearly a better driver. Lance is good but it must be galling to have his skills so starkly laid bare.

I love how everyone forgets Strolls recent good performances so quickly because he's not very likeable!

Perez is clearly a good driver, but he's just left it way too late in his long career to show anyone.

Hmm, I am not even agreeing that he is unlikable. He seems to be a void of personality, perhaps he is shy in front of the camera.

Perez has been a points machine his whole career, this is by far the best car he has ever had. Did anyone say Lance was rubbish?

[mik]

I didn’t get to watch much of this, but it seems it could not have gone much better for George? He didn’t get the win, but everyone believes he could and should have - save for elements out of his control.... job done.

[Rich B]

I didn’t get to watch much of this, but it seems it could not have gone much better for George? He didn’t get the win, but everyone believes he could and should have - save for elements out of his control.... job done.

Totally, he was fast, was able to overtake, didn't choke at any point, did as he was told. Definitely the full package.

[Alex_]

Great to see Perez win. Sainz might have had a good chance of winning if they didn't pit him under virtual safety car, him and Riccardo were unlucky. Bottas, as usual, is crap.

[DaveE]

GR had a great day.

He seemed very comfortable/able at the front. Had the measure of Bottas - easily able to maintain and extend the gap when required.

GR made some great overtakes as well - decisive and smooth.

I'd like to see SvD get the drive next time though - it would give a good benchmark for how well GR did (relatively).

Aside from maybe over-ruling the last pit decision, I wonder what Lewis would/could have done that GR didn't?

Heartbreaking that he didn't get a podium - but he did everything he needed to and maybe it'll help him long term (if he can bounce back from the disappointment).

[JonMad]

I reckon he'd have caught Checo were it not for the puncture. So gutted that happened, as well as the balls up over the tyres. Are we allowed to feel for Bottas having to go back out on his worn hard tyres as George had some of his set on at the time? No, ok.

[Delphi]

George's performance is all the more impressive when you consider he has to wear boots that were a size too small so he can use the pedals and he has to have his feet iced after long periods in the car. Also he's using Lewis' steering wheel and the paddles behind the wheel aren't set up for his larger hands.

Bottas is a good driver, I think he's just been unlucky to be put up against two exceptional drivers.

Lancelot is also a decent driver if not necessarily a decent person.

[Mito Man]

I don’t think Albon has any excuse after this weekend to still be in Red Bull let alone F1. Not actually sure what the point of the Red Bull young driver program/B team is all about anymore when you can just save a chunk of money and sponsor individual drivers like Mercedes did with Russell or Ferrari do with all their young guns.

Lance is a bit of an odd one. Very good driver in the wet so you would expect him to be exceptional in the dry but he’s pretty average.

[DaveE]

It was pretty obvious how uncomfortable GR must have been in the car, he was sitting visibly 'taller' than you'd expect...

[mr_jon]

Bin Bottas off back to Williams and get George in the car for next year. I'm sure for the right money it can be done.

[jamcg]

Bin Bottas off back to Williams and get George in the car for next year. I'm sure for the right money it can be done.

Free engines, job done

[duncs500]

I predict they'll keep the steady rear gunner while Lewis secures the record title eight, then stick George in to make it an almighty scrap for shits and giggles.

[Marv]

I didn’t get to watch much of this, but it seems it could not have gone much better for George? He didn’t get the win, but everyone believes he could and should have - save for elements out of his control.... job done.

Totally, he was fast, was able to overtake, didn't choke at any point, did as he was told. Definitely the full package.

Yep, he seemed utterly composed throughout qualifying and the race. Did he make any noteworthy mistakes on Saturday or Sunday? I can't think of any. Remarkable!

I think it's creating some head scratching at Mercedes. I can't see Russell disrupting the harmony of the team the way Rosberg did, but bringing in someone who can genuinely challenge Hamilton would certainly create a different dynamic.

You never know, Hamilton might see Russell as someone to eventually hand over the reigns to.

[tim]

I really really really wanted Russell to win, then find a cap with a big No.2 on it to hurl at Bottas

[Zonda_]

Bottas has deleted all mention of Mercedes from his Instagram account and Russell has removed Williams, what more proof do you need!