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At the Sakhir GP, Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas was completely disenchanted by Hamilton’s replacement, George Russell. But Lewis Hamilton is of the opinion: “I don’t have to defend Bottas.”
George Russell did the best publicity in his own name at Sakhir GP weekend: the 22-year-old Englishman replaced Lewis Hamilton (who suffered from Corona) with the Mercedes in the front row, just behind Valtteri Bottas, in the The British race went cold. Leadership and held it effortlessly as if he had never done anything else in his life.
Bankruptcies, bad luck and Mercedes breakdowns led Sergio Pérez (ahead of Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon) in the turbulent race of the outer ring of the Bahrain International Circuit to 8th place for Bottas and 9th for Russell.
Subsequently, a heated discussion began among fans and experts about whether Bottas should also drive a Mercedes in 2021. GP winner Ralf Schumacher even recognized a broken Bottas and expressed the opinion that the Finn would likely be fired.
In Abu Dhabi, returnees Lewis Hamilton said of Bottas’ staff: “I really don’t know how many nice words I can say about Valtteri. The last time I did it was after the Bahrain GP. I think Bottas doesn’t have to defend himself, and I don’t think he has to. “
“He’s constantly working on himself, and especially this year he beat me a lot in qualifying. It’s not easy on a racing team with a strong partner. It is a constant duel, it is extremely exhausting both mentally and emotionally. “
“What’s great about us: We fight tooth and nail on the track, but when we take back the race cars, we treat each other like gentlemen, this working relationship shows character and personality. I know I will be stronger again in 2021 so I have to find more speed in myself to keep my nose forward. “
Qualifying, Abu Dhabi
1. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:35 246 mins
2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Mercedes, +0.025 seconds
3. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +0 086
4. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +0.251
5. Alex Albon (T), Red Bull Racing, +0.325
6. Carlos Sainz (E), McLaren, +0.569
7. Daniil Kvyat (RUS), AlphaTauri, +0.717
8. Lance Stroll (CDN), Racing Point, +0,800
9. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +0.819
10. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, +0.996
11. Esteban Ocon (F), Renault, +1,113
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Renault, +1,160
13. Sebastian Vettel (R), Ferrari, + 1385
14. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Alfa Romeo, +3.002
15. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Racing Point, no time
16. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN), Alfa Romeo, +2.309
17. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +2,617
18. George Russell (GB), Williams, +2799
19. Pietro Fittipaldi (BR), Haas, +2,927
20. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, +3,197
Drivers from the World Championship stand after 16 of 17 races
1. Hamilton 332 points
2. Bottas 205
3. Verstappen 189
4. Pérez 125
5. Ricciardo 112
6. Leclerc 98
7. Sainz 97
8. Albon 93
9. Norris 87
10. Walk 74
11. Gasly 71
12. Ocon 60
13. Vettel 33
14. Kvyat 32
15. Nico Hülkenberg (D) 10
16. Raikkonen 4
17. Giovinazzi 4
18. Russell 3
19. Grosjean 2
20. Magnussen 1
21. Latifi 0
Trademarks
1. Mercedes 540
2. Red Bull Racing 282
3. Racing Point 194
4. McLaren 184
5. Renault 172
6. Ferrari 131
7. AlphaTauri 103
8. Alfa Romeo 8
9. Haas 3
10. Williams 0
