423 replies to this topic

[ARTGP]

Yes, it's a competition. But it's also a highly political environment. I imagine that, in case Mercedes arrives to a point where they have to decide which driver to support for a Championship bid against Verstappen or Leclerc, Hamilton would be the chosen one. In that situation, I don't think it would be a good idea for Russell to confront his team.

I don't say it from a moral point of view, just as a better strategy for the development of his career. Russell is 23 and he is driving for the best team in the sport. Lewis will be 37 before the beginning of the season. Time is on George's side, he better proves on his first year that, by the end of the season, he can match Hamilton's pace, while being a loyal team member. Next year, we'll talk.

These are all sensible musings, from an outside perspective.
But I’m certain George is not thinking about Ham’s age or his own and who has more time left. As you mentiomed earlier, these are all hypothetical musings. We don’t know that george can keep up with Lewis.

[shure]

Yes, it's a competition. But it's also a highly political environment. I imagine that, in case Mercedes arrives to a point where they have to decide which driver to support for a Championship bid against Verstappen or Leclerc, Hamilton would be the chosen one. In that situation, I don't think it would be a good idea for Russell to confront his team.

I don't say it from a moral point of view, just as a better strategy for the development of his career. Russell is 23 and he is driving for the best team in the sport. Lewis will be 37 before the beginning of the season. Time is on George's side, he better proves on his first year that, by the end of the season, he can match Hamilton's pace, while being a loyal team member. Next year, we'll talk.

im absolutely convinced they will support whoever is ahead. And if they are neck and neck they will support both. I haven’t seen anything to suggest that Lewis’ years with the team will give him preferential treatment over Russell no matter how Russell performs.

Merc also have to look to the future. And if Russell should prove to be Lewis’ equal, then Merc will be happy that the future is secured and they won’t hold him back.

In short, Russell just needs to get his head down and focus on his driving. If hes the real deal, then he won’t have to worry about having to play second fiddle

[Singularity]

Three words: Neuron firing rate!
When we are around 5 years old, our neurons are firing at the maximum rate and then it is all downhill from there. Russell is close to his peak, the point when he has learned everything he needs and his brains "clock frequency" is still high enough for his instincts and reactions to be computed in real time. Hamilton, with his slower CPU, needs to predict more. He will use his experience to compensate for his reduced firing rate, but it will be harder and harder. 

I don't think that many believed that anyone would beat Schumacher's 7 titles, but Lewis might do it already this year. The greatest ever.

Russell will also want to be the greatest ever and is he allows Lewis to take one more, his job will be so much harder. He will go all in.

[Fraser1994]

If Merc nail the new regs then they will be untouchable again. Russell’s pace next to Hamilton is a frightening prospect.

[danmills]

The other exciting question is who will be GR teammate when Lewis retires!?

Sainz, when Ferrari makes way for Mick?

[Anderis]

The other exciting question is who will be GR teammate when Lewis retires!?

So much can happen by 2024 that it's difficult to even make an educated guess.

[Kao18]

The other exciting question is who will be GR teammate when Lewis retires!?

Sainz, when Ferrari makes way for Mick?

 

If Russell is ready to lead the time by that time Mick himself probably. Frederic Vasseur recently mentioned Schumacher jr. is more likely to end up at Mercedes than at Ferrari.

Edited by Kao18, 20 September 2021 - 11:44.

[as65p]

If Russell is ready to lead the time by that time Mick himself probably. Frederic Vasseur recently mentioned Schumacher jr. is more likely to end up at Mercedes than at Ferrari.

At one point or another Mick has to be assessed vs. a real teammate. I doubt either Merc or Ferrari will risk him before that. Giving him one free learning year alongside Mazepin was a cunning idea, but at some point he has to compete with other F1 drivers.

[noikeee]

The other exciting question is who will be GR teammate when Lewis retires!?

Sainz, when Ferrari makes way for Mick?

Ricciardo sounds plausible in this scenario. But there a hell of a lot of variables and many different possible scenarios. George might flop and they might try to hire Max or Charles as lead drivers. Lewis may stay on for very long. Etc.

[Anderis]

Ricciardo sounds plausible in this scenario.

Ricciardo will be 35 in 2024. If Mercedes have a top car in 2023 and a good pool of drivers to choose from, I think they will rather go for someone younger as a long term option.

Edited by Anderis, 20 September 2021 - 13:46.

[noikeee]

Ricciardo will be 35 in 2024. If Mercedes have a top car in 2023 and a good pool of drivers to choose from, I think they will rather go for someone younger as a long term option.

Thought he was younger!

[Kao18]

At one point or another Mick has to be assessed vs. a real teammate. I doubt either Merc or Ferrari will risk him before that. Giving him one free learning year alongside Mazepin was a cunning idea, but at some point he has to compete with other F1 drivers.

 

I imagine a lot will depend on whether Russell can step into Lewis' shoes. If he can I dont think Schumacher would necessarily need to be of the same level for Mercedes to consider him. They have had Rosberg and Bottas after all.

 

Mick is obviously not there yet but in two/three years time, who knows. If he develops into a decent enough driver I could definitely see it happening.

[ARTGP]

 

“There’s a lot more pressure, he’s having an unbelievable team-mate with the biggest records and there it’s important that you condition him and you calibrate him in the right way. -Wolff

https://www.planetf1...l-harmony-plan/

 

 

[SilverArrow31]

I keep reading "Just confirmed now" every time I come on the forum and think its some new exciting news  

[Colbul1]

Alex Albon is free of Red Bull (sort of), he could be Lewis' replacement in 3 years and then George can have his best mate as wingman!  I don't think we will be seeing Mick Schumacher anywhere near a top team, he sadly falls into the Lance Stroll bracket rather than the Max, Lando and Charles bracket.

[Marklar]

I keep reading "Just confirmed now" every time I come on the forum and think its some new exciting news

lol the edit made it worse, now i think he is driving for Mercedes now in september

[masa90]

Alex Albon is free of Red Bull (sort of), he could be Lewis' replacement in 3 years and then George can have his best mate as wingman!  I don't think we will be seeing Mick Schumacher anywhere near a top team, he sadly falls into the Lance Stroll bracket rather than the Max, Lando and Charles bracket.

Yet Albon? Who already had a chance yet was one of the biggest dissapointments in a top team in many years.

Atleast Mick is still unknown quality, he might turn out good.

[Red5ive]

Three words: Neuron firing rate!
When we are around 5 years old, our neurons are firing at the maximum rate and then it is all downhill from there. Russell is close to his peak, the point when he has learned everything he needs and his brains "clock frequency" is still high enough for his instincts and reactions to be computed in real time. Hamilton, with his slower CPU, needs to predict more. He will use his experience to compensate for his reduced firing rate, but it will be harder and harder. 

I don't think that many believed that anyone would beat Schumacher's 7 titles, but Lewis might do it already this year. The greatest ever.

Russell will also want to be the greatest ever and is he allows Lewis to take one more, his job will be so much harder. He will go all in.

 

 

I was with you up until the last bit.

 

No way at 23 and zero wins will Russell be thinking about stopping Hami getting 8 titles because it will be harder to beat than 7.

 

He will go "all in" - because he is a confident racer, no other reason.

[Singularity]

I was with you up until the last bit.

 

No way at 23 and zero wins will Russell be thinking about stopping Hami getting 8 titles because it will be harder to beat than 7.

 

He will go "all in" - because he is a confident racer, no other reason.

No, that's not how it works

[shure]

No, that's not how it works

I don't know, I agree with Red5ive here.  I doubt Russell will be thinking that far ahead, tbh.  He'll be wanting to win to prove himself and to establish himself as the driver the team should be rallying around - he won't want to be seen as anyone's #2.  I very much doubt Lewis wanted to beat Alonso back in '07 because he was worried he might otherwise take longer to overhaul him in the titles table - he just wanted to win and prove he was the best.

[DeKnyff]

I don't know, I agree with Red5ive here.  I doubt Russell will be thinking that far ahead, tbh.  He'll be wanting to win to prove himself and to establish himself as the driver the team should be rallying around - he won't want to be seen as anyone's #2.  I very much doubt Lewis wanted to beat Alonso back in '07 because he was worried he might otherwise take longer to overhaul him in the titles table - he just wanted to win and prove he was the best.

 

Lewis in 2007 was not facing a guy who had won six (seven?) WCs with that team, though. I would tread lightly in that situation. Not saying he has to be slower so he doesn't upset Lewis if (big, huge 'if') he is quicker. Just that, in the case the team needed team orders in favour of Lewis, he shouldn't make stupid things.

[Singularity]

I don't know, I agree with Red5ive here.  I doubt Russell will be thinking that far ahead, tbh.  He'll be wanting to win to prove himself and to establish himself as the driver the team should be rallying around - he won't want to be seen as anyone's #2.  I very much doubt Lewis wanted to beat Alonso back in '07 because he was worried he might otherwise take longer to overhaul him in the titles table - he just wanted to win and prove he was the best.

You actually just proved my point. Of course the primary idea is not "I will win more titles than anyone", but we have all been kids and dreams fuels our future. It starts with "I want to win". Some are lucky enough to get that win, in whatever competition it is. Very few stops there.

[garoidb]

I was with you up until the last bit.

 

No way at 23 and zero wins will Russell be thinking about stopping Hami getting 8 titles because it will be harder to beat than 7.

 

He will go "all in" - because he is a confident racer, no other reason.

 

This must be why nobody has been trying too hard to beat Hamilton up till now. Since Schumacher already had 7, it made no difference if Lewis managed to get 4,5,6 or 7. The record would still be the same. Any championships he gets from now on mean his successors will have to stay in F1 even longer to beat. This completely changes the situation 

[garoidb]

On a more serious note, the higher Lewis can push this record, the better chance no one will ever beat it. That could influence him to stay longer in F1 if titles still appear possible. 7 or 8 titles is just about matchable or beatable, but a few more could put it completely beyond the bounds.