Sports Articles: Formula 1: Sakhir Talking Points

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Formula 1: Things To Think About After Sakhir

1. Russell Could Well Be The Future Of Mercedes

I think we can all understand why Mercedes tried so hard to convince Williams to release Russell before they gave Bottas a new contract. Russell stepped into the car and was immediately incredibly fast and smooth, while Bottas was right on the ragged edge trying to stay ahead of the youngster. It is absolutely no wonder that Mercedes have Russell earmarked as their long-term successor to Hamilton and it would be no surprise at all if they did not try once more to get Williams to release him for next season. With Williams under new ownership, who are clearly more amenable than the previous ones, there is a good chance Russell gets the chance to partner, and learn from, Hamilton next season.

2. Speaking Of People On Loan

The budget restrictions coming in for next season have caused Ferrari a lot of problems, as they usually spend double the money. To get round it, they are loaning Simone Resta, a designer, to Haas for next season as part of their technical collaboration. Makes you wonder how it would work. Will they basically use the Haas car to test out new concepts? They have said Resta is simply the first of a number of staff they will be loaning to Haas, so is Haas going to become a Ferrari testbed? They will even have a young Ferrari driver in Mick Schumacher driving next season, so it could become even more of a B team than Alpha Tauri is to Red Bull.

3. The Track

What to make of that track? It was more like an Indy-car oval than an F1 track, but it was quite a nice contrast, for a change. I would not want to see lots of similar tracks, but one a season is interesting and a completely different challenge for drivers. I have always believed that the circuits should be as varied as possible in type. The last few years they have all moved towards becoming 'Tilke-domes', all very similar and it becomes boring. This mixed up, crazy season has shown how great it is when the drivers have to take on a new challenge. I hope they return to some of these circuits on an irregular basis, chopping and changing the layouts more often as well.

4. Anticipation

This race was possibly the most anticipated for years. Not just because of the new track layout, but new rookie drivers, a young driver jumping from the slowest car to the fastest and then there was the grid being so mixed up. Leclerc in 4th was clearly miles ahead of the actual pace of the car, while there were a couple at the back who should have been up near the front. It always makes for excitement when there are cars out of position.

5. The Start

What a great start by Russell, he was away and would have strolled to victory if it had not been for the mess behind him. The commentators said he was already about 8 seconds clear when the safety car came out - that was on the first lap! That accident, with Leclerc messing up (probably trying too hard to gain places before his true pace saw him slide down the field) is almost certainly responsible for us getting to watch an incident-packed race, rather than a procession.

6. Verstappen

Can someone please explain to me what he was doing? It seemed like he just accelerated into the wall while looking the other way, but I find it difficult to believe such a talented driver could make an error that basic and stupid.

7. Mercedes Pit Stop

Bottas not only held everyone up to cause the first lap crash and stop Russell just running away with it from the start, but his problems with the tyres (which Russell was fine with) caused the Mercedes team to pit both cars under the virtual safety car. That saw one of the most ridiculous moments I have ever seen in F1. Not just that they made a mess up which saw Russell go out with a mix of his and Bottas' tyres on his car, but the Bottas stop afterwards. The mechanics were running round the car trying to figure out which wheel went where! Then they had to take them off altogether and put the old tyres back on. Worse was to come for Russell, who had to come back in and change the tyres for a full set that were his own. Then, with him now in 5th, he had to climb all the way up to 2nd and begin to chase down Perez. Only for Mercedes to call him back in after a puncture and he ended up 15th. It is to his credit that he then very nearly caught Bottas up afterwards. All stemming from Bottas complaining about vibration on his set of tyres.

8. Pink Mercs

Once again Stroll messes up and once again Perez drives a flawless race. How messed up is this world that Stroll will be the team's driver again next season while Perez is still searching for a drive? If this win from the back of the grid, remember he was 18th place at the end of lap 1, is not enough to get Perez the second seat at Red Bull, then I give up! It must be said that Stroll senior's decision-making is looking extremely flawed right now. Not just that he has decided to dump Perez, but that he is keeping his son on when he has done nothing to show he deserves a drive. Stroll junior only got into F1 because of his dad's money making him a good choice for a team with no money. Surely it is about time he grew up and showed whether or not he is good enough away from his dad's protection?

Written by Tris Burke December 08 2020 08:33:59