Coulthard sees hungry Russell: "Is great both on and off the track"

Formula 1 is, just like any other top-class sport, a very tough world. It is eat or be eaten and that principle is reinforced when drivers have to fight for their spot with an employer. Usually that fight takes place behind the scenes, but in Imola it suddenly became visible on the track with Mercedes.

Bottas now knows exactly what he has on Russell

George Russell seized the opportunity to put Valtteri Bottas in his place at a difficult weekend. It's now an open secret that George Russell is in pole position to take over the Finn's seat in 2022, but if Bottas had any doubts, he now knows for sure.

That's also what David Coulthard says to the Daily Mail. Russell clearly showed his intentions with his on-track action and comments. Although his behaviour on and off the track was condemned by most followers, Coulthard can also understand it.

"I think George is the real deal. He’s great on track, great off track. What he experienced in Imola was the growing pains of going from being a young man into a more experienced man. What he did show was his hunger, his passion and I think there’s an underlying… he is looking at Valtteri and going 'that’s my seat, I want that seat'."