[Driver] 2019 F1 Silly Season

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Mercedes, IF they continue in Formula 1 beyond their current commitment, need a replacement for Hamilton when he calls it quits

The most suitable replacement is a young Dutchman, first name Max, family name Verstappen. Ocon would make a great wingman for Max.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Do you honestly believe that Bottas is doing a worse job than Vandoorne, Hartley, Ericsson or Sirotkin? That would, I think, put you in a small minority.

Nope. But I do think worse than Ricciardo and Mercedes should have taken Ricciardo into a #3 Mercedes-AMG. Mercedes' decision making is baffling.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by wnut

Could not believe that Merc gave him a contract for 2019, he was and is probably the most under performing driver on the grid.

Toto deserves a good kick in the butt for this signing.

It's pretty obvious what Bottas's role is at Mercedes. He's the number two driver and Hamilton's wingman and does the job well. He's had 6 podiums so far this year, 1 pole position and is three points behind Räikkönen. Toto knows exactly what he is doing.

[BSchneiderFan]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

Nope. But I do think worse than Ricciardo and Mercedes should have taken Ricciardo into a #3 Mercedes-AMG. Mercedes' decision making is baffling.

But that’s not what wnut said, with respect.

[S griffin]

He is certainly closer in pace to Hamilton than Raikkonen is to Vettel

[Skam85]

Bottas is doing exactly what Merc want him to do. They don’t want another Rosberg to start beating Lewis and upset the apple cart.

On the topic of the WCC as well, Merc are more likely to win the WCC based on the difference between Hamilton and Vettel, than Bottas and Kimi.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

He is certainly closer in pace to Hamilton than Raikkonen is to Vettel

I think they're roughly the same compared to their no.1 teammates this year. It's clear they are not in a position to threaten their teammates so it's probably irrelevant how quick they are unfortunately.

At the end of the day an obvious number 2 driver who is only given the freedom to perform to their absolute best when their team boss allows it is always going to appear to be less capable than their teammate

I recall a lot of Schumacher's teammates were hardly tuggers yet were firmly kept in check to do a job for the team. That reflected quite badly on them because sometimes they were given such ordinary strategy that weren't even in contention for podiums. But none of the other top drivers wanted to drive as no.2 to Michael anyway!

With the strategy focused racing it is extremely difficult to engineer a result where team cars finish 1-2 unless they have a massive advantage. In the current era the number 2 cars are seemingly out there to circulate off the pace of the leaders to be ready to knobble the rival team at a moments notice! Must be very tough for those drivers.

At the start if the year Bottas was doing a mega job, free to race and get the points in. He was in effect given the opportunity to prove his worth to the team, When Hamilton got upto speed, he asserted his authority in terms of pace and then Bottas had his issues, and that ended up with him needing to play the supporting role.

If the title is decided a few races before the end of the season, and Valtteri's remit is completed, Wolff will free him up to go for it again.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Bottas is doing exactly what Merc want him to do. They don’t want another Rosberg to start beating Lewis and upset the apple cart.

On the topic of the WCC as well, Merc are more likely to win the WCC based on the difference between Hamilton and Vettel, than Bottas and Kimi.

indeed. things are humming along quite nicely for the Brackley squad. i cant imagine they see much need for a change and i think they will very much benefit from the experience of Bottas can bring next year vis a vis their lineup compared to Ferrari.

granted Bottas has not been on LH's pace this year but he has also been unlucky particularly the puncture that took him out of the lead at Baku (i think).

not a knock on Leclerc but he will be hard pressed to bring in the 250 odd points one would expect from the second seat of a top tiered team.

bad luck or no, Merc know Bottas can do this.

[Adam43]

As current F1 is all about the cars, surely Leclerc can get the 250 odd points if the car is up to it.

Although Kimi only got 205 last year (Bottas 305)! Although Kimi should nearly get there this year. Pro rata ding toward 244ish (Bottas 239).

[chillibowl]

true but will his consistency to deliver results be there?

time will tell of course. from what everyone says the youngster has it in him but until he does it who can say.

with Bottas it is more of a given, imo, simply because Merc have seen him do it and do it in a very team friendly way.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

As current F1 is all about the cars, surely Leclerc can get the 250 odd points if the car is up to it.

Although Kimi only got 205 last year (Bottas 305)! Although Kimi should nearly get there this year. Pro rata ding toward 244ish (Bottas 239).

Kimi is currently on 174 points and Bottas on 171, with 6 races to go.

[Adam43]

So if they score at the same rate Raikkonen will be on 244 and Bottas 239

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

So if they score at the same rate Raikkonen will be on 244 and Bottas 239

At the end of last season, Bottas finished on 305 and Kimi on 205. However compared with this time last year after Singapore, Bottas had 10 podiums two of which were wins.

[Adam43]

I see Leclerc being in that ballpark in his first Ferrari year.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I see Leclerc being in that ballpark in his first Ferrari year.

Last year, Kimi had 7 podiums. His worst finishes were 7th in Canada and 14th at Azerbaijan, plus two retirements and a DNS. So far this year, he has 9 podiums, with his worst result 6th in Canada and three retirements. It will be very interesting to see what LeClerc can achieve.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Last year, Kimi had 7 podiums. His worst finishes were 7th in Canada and 14th at Azerbaijan, plus two retirements and a DNS. So far this year, he has 9 podiums, with his worst result 6th in Canada and three retirements. It will be very interesting to see what LeClerc can achieve.

Interesting indeed, but I dont believe Leclerc for all his talent will match Raikkonen. Not year 1 in Ferrari, with the mistakes his inexperience will lead to.

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Last year, Kimi had 7 podiums. His worst finishes were 7th in Canada and 14th at Azerbaijan, plus two retirements and a DNS. So far this year, he has 9 podiums, with his worst result 6th in Canada and three retirements. It will be very interesting to see what LeClerc can achieve.

I am very confident LeClerc will be close to and/or beat Vettel in WDC points. Vettel is simply not that good!

Vettel would then become Ferrari's number 2 and eventually replaced by Verstappen one would presume.

[BSchneiderFan]

“Simply not that good”? Four world titles?

[el_cat]

I see Albon has signed for Nissan in Formula e. I guess that rules him out as an outsider for the Toro Rosso seat

[52Paddy]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

I am very confident LeClerc will be close to and/or beat Vettel in WDC points. Vettel is simply not that good!

Vettel would then become Ferrari's number 2 and eventually replaced by Verstappen one would presume.

That is a lot to presume. How can you possibly be that confident? Vettel is the ONLY driver putting it up to Hamilton for this year's title and the only Ferrari driver to take race wins this season. Asking a relatively inexperienced driver (Le Clerc) to outscore a four times WDC who is still a force to be reckoned with on any given race weekend is absolute nonsense.

[S griffin]

Leclerc has more potential to win races than Kimi. And that's what we need, with a big gap between the big 3 and the rest if we have more drivers who can win races in top cars, then that's good for the sport. Unless the likes of Renault get their act together

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Leclerc has more potential to win races than Kimi. And that's what we need, with a big gap between the big 3 and the rest if we have more drivers who can win races in top cars, then that's good for the sport. Unless the likes of Renault get their act together

Why do you say that?

[Akrapovic]

Edit: Nevermind, totally misread it!

[Adam43]

If the Ferrari has the potential to win races then Leclerc does.

The last few years, unfortunately, seem to be showing that the reality is that Raikkonen doesn’t. That’s nowt to do with being a number 2 either.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Why do you say that?

Personally, I'm slightly bemused by those who seem determined to talk Leclerc down. I think he's going to be very good indeed. The one thing we've seen for a long time now is that Kimi just doesn't have the potential to win races. The one thing that will hold Leclerc back is likely to be the team itself if their money remains firmly on Vettel, who at times has looked pretty fragile to me.