Where does Carlos go now?
Discussion
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
He can't believe it. They've already been head to head in the same equipment once and Russell beat him, comprehensively. Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
FeelingLucky said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
He can't believe it. They've already been head to head in the same equipment once and Russell beat him, comprehensively. Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Sergio Perez comprehensively beat Verstappen at the Azerbaijan GP last year - winning both the sprint race and the Grand Prix.
Doesn't mean Max believes that Sergio is faster than him.
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Anyway we don't have a single race, we have both of them benchmarked against Hamilton for at least two full seasons.
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Anyway we don't have a single race, we have both of them benchmarked against Hamilton for at least two full seasons.
You can also benchmark 2 things against a non-constant value, it doesn't mean you will get the correct answer though.
I would expect Russel to have the measure to Bottas, but unlike you I'm not so arrogant to think I know the result before they actually compete.
On balance I think Bottas would make an excellent stop gap before they give Antonelli the drive for 2026. If he finishes Top 3 in F2 they might stick him straight in though, we will all have to wait and see.
mick987 said:
Bottas going back to Mercedes will not happen it is a lose lose position. If he goes back Russell will probably beat him and if he beats Russell after Hamilton has spanked his arse for the last four years will look terrible for Mercedes.
It's not lose-lose for BottasIf Russell beats him, that's the expectation. Hey-ho, he gets in a top three car for a couple of years and has some better results than in a Sauber.
If he beats Russell, then he's exceeded expectations. Mercedes know where Russell is and will need a new team leader.
The former scenario is much more likely, obviously, but Bottas is a known quantity and left on good terms IINM.
I don't think he'll be top of the list of potentials, but I think he'll be on it.
mick987 said:
Bottas going back to Mercedes will not happen it is a lose lose position. If he goes back Russell will probably beat him and if he beats Russell after Hamilton has spanked his arse for the last four years will look terrible for Mercedes.
I don't think Mercedes are expecting to get anybody better than Russell, They've always had their pick of drivers excluding Alonso and JV who would never have partnered LH, and they chose GR, if they thought somebody was a better bet then they would be in the car already.Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Anyway we don't have a single race, we have both of them benchmarked against Hamilton for at least two full seasons.
You can also benchmark 2 things against a non-constant value, it doesn't mean you will get the correct answer though.
I would expect Russel to have the measure to Bottas, but unlike you I'm not so arrogant to think I know the result before they actually compete.
On balance I think Bottas would make an excellent stop gap before they give Antonelli the drive for 2026. If he finishes Top 3 in F2 they might stick him straight in though, we will all have to wait and see.
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Anyway we don't have a single race, we have both of them benchmarked against Hamilton for at least two full seasons.
You can also benchmark 2 things against a non-constant value, it doesn't mean you will get the correct answer though.
I would expect Russel to have the measure to Bottas, but unlike you I'm not so arrogant to think I know the result before they actually compete.
..
On balance I think Bottas would make an excellent stop gap before they give Antonelli the drive for 2026. If he finishes Top 3 in F2 they might stick him straight in though, we will all have to wait and see.
In one race which has also already been said on this page. To small a sample size for a fair minded person to draw a conclusion.
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
Hustle_ said:
Bluequay said:
What stability? he's out of contract at the end of the season and no guarantee he will be kept on much after that when Audi takeover. Mercedes will put their wonderkid in the car at some point so he fits nicely as a stopgap.
Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
2025 will be year three of a three year. Mercedes never gave him a three year and never would in future.Bottas will also believe 100% he can beat Russell and he'd love the chance to prove it.
Bottas has already raced against Russell in Mercedes and was beaten, were it not for an unfortunate puncture for Russell.
Anyway we don't have a single race, we have both of them benchmarked against Hamilton for at least two full seasons.
You can also benchmark 2 things against a non-constant value, it doesn't mean you will get the correct answer though.
I would expect Russel to have the measure to Bottas, but unlike you I'm not so arrogant to think I know the result before they actually compete.
On balance I think Bottas would make an excellent stop gap before they give Antonelli the drive for 2026. If he finishes Top 3 in F2 they might stick him straight in though, we will all have to wait and see.
They had one race together, which isn't representative.
They then both competed against Hamilton, in completely different cars under completely different regulations. The only common factor was that they were manufactured by the same team.
TBH I'm not very invested in this one because it's not an outcome that I'm hoping for / thinking will happen.
However I guess instead of beating around the bush I should simply ask if anybody here thinks Bottas would beat Russell over a season assuming equal treatment and reliability. To me it is clear that Russell has run Hamilton much closer in 2022/23 than Bottas did, and the one time we've seen them in the same car, Russell basically had Bottas licked (even though he was a last minute stand-in and wasn't comfortable in the car etc).
However I guess instead of beating around the bush I should simply ask if anybody here thinks Bottas would beat Russell over a season assuming equal treatment and reliability. To me it is clear that Russell has run Hamilton much closer in 2022/23 than Bottas did, and the one time we've seen them in the same car, Russell basically had Bottas licked (even though he was a last minute stand-in and wasn't comfortable in the car etc).
I don't think Bottas would be anywhere near Russell, at least in part because I suspect Russell would perform considerably better without Hamilton in the other seat. I think there are three drivers who would convincingly beat Russell in equal machinery - Verstappen, Hamilton and Alonso; and another two who would run him very close - Leclerc and Norris. I think he'd have the measure of anyone else.
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 6th February 17:33
Bottas well past his sell by date had his chances and can’t see why he’s even on the grid not a good racer.
Carlos always seems to be under rated I think he’s one of the smartest racers on the grid and only a tiny bit off the pace of the absolute quickest 3 - he will do a fantastic job for Audi I hope he gets a drive deserving of his talents.
Carlos always seems to be under rated I think he’s one of the smartest racers on the grid and only a tiny bit off the pace of the absolute quickest 3 - he will do a fantastic job for Audi I hope he gets a drive deserving of his talents.
Bottas well past his sell by date had his chances and can’t see why he’s even on the grid not a good racer.
Carlos always seems to be under rated I think he’s one of the smartest racers on the grid and only a tiny bit off the pace of the absolute quickest 3 - he will do a fantastic job for Audi I hope he gets a drive deserving of his talents.
Carlos always seems to be under rated I think he’s one of the smartest racers on the grid and only a tiny bit off the pace of the absolute quickest 3 - he will do a fantastic job for Audi I hope he gets a drive deserving of his talents.
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