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Column | Broken Bottas must be replaced immediately by Russell
People who said that Formula 1 is boring will surely scratch their heads after the 2020 season. What a spectacle the Sakhir Grand Prix was, but what a pity for George Russell.
So much bad luck in 2020 for Verstappen
For Max Verstappen, the race in Sakhir was quickly over. The Dutchman is not really happy this season. Every time there is a chance of achieving a good result, bad luck will take that chance away from him. This time not because of his engine or some other technical problem, but because of an over-enthusiastic Charles Leclerc.
The Monegasque braked in an attempt to overtake Perez. Leclerc has made his apology and with that, the discussion is over. Verstappen showed himself to be very mature because in that duel he backed off earlier because he did not want to get into the sandwich. That shows the progress of the Dutchman, but unfortunately, it will not bring him much success in 2020.
Hamilton's genius substitute
Because Lewis Hamilton was infected with coronavirus, George Russell joined Mercedes this weekend. A unique opportunity for the Brit, which he seized with both hands. On Friday, Russell was the fastest and on Saturday he was very close to Bottas, who is normally also very close to Hamilton in qualifying.
Russell has to go to Mercedes
The Brit drove circles around Bottas, and returned to the front after a problem at the pit stop, but lost the race due to a flat tyre. How much bad luck can you have in a race? It is terribly sad that this has happened to Russell, but hopefully, it will open eyes at Mercedes.
They have been sticking to Bottas for years, while Russell has to wait around at Williams. Bottas has been mentally broken by Hamilton this season and seems to lose his place with time. Why don't Mercedes just do everything they can to put Russell next to Hamilton in 2022?
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Perez embarrasses Racing Point and Red Bull
Then about Sergio Perez. That man was actually beaten after one lap but ended up on the podium as the winner. He does exactly what a man has to do when his team puts him aside for another driver: To rise above. Perez shows this season that Racing Point have made a backwards decision to push Perez out in favour Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel may need a new environment, but will he do much better than Perez now at Racing Point? Lawrence Stroll is celebrated for his tough business choices, but as far as his son is concerned, Stroll is just like anyone else blind to his own child's shortcomings. Stroll should never have had that seat in 2021 instead of Perez or you shouldn't have signed Vettel.
Another team that could ridicule itself is Red Bull Racing. If Helmut Marko now still chooses Alexander Albon, then Red Bull can no longer seriously call itself a top team and Max Verstappen has to think carefully whether Red Bull is the ideal place to stay in the coming years.
Besides Perez, Russell may be an interesting option for Red Bull. If Mercedes are really letting him wait at Williams, why wouldn't Red Bull join in? However, Perez has more experience and with Verstappen next to him, Russell has more prospects for the future at Mercedes, but what will the Brit do if Red Bull suddenly comes to him…?
It was a party again at Renault because this was their third podium of this season. After Daniel Ricciardo did it twice, it was now time for Esteban Ocon. The Frenchman needed that boost for a while towards 2021. It wasn't all that easy in 2020 and for a longer future in F1, Ocon will have to work hard.
This article was written and originally published by Tim on the Dutch edition of GPblog.com.
