Hypothetical Situation
Discussion
The final three races are a triple header. Someone testing Covid positive at Race 1 could easily miss all three races.
If Hamilton had to sit out the final three races, Bottas would have a clear run at hoovering up 78 points.
If he won the Championship like that no doubt he'd do the same as he did after the Russian GP, however, I do wonder what other people's opinions would be (especially when it became clear what would be happening in Abu Dhabi)?
If Hamilton had to sit out the final three races, Bottas would have a clear run at hoovering up 78 points.
If he won the Championship like that no doubt he'd do the same as he did after the Russian GP, however, I do wonder what other people's opinions would be (especially when it became clear what would be happening in Abu Dhabi)?
miniman said:
There would still be a second Merc driver wouldn’t there? I reckon George would give Bottas a run for his money. He nearly had the Williams in the points and had made fewer mistakes in the last 2 seasons than Vettel...
I think all drivers fall in to the ‘fewer mistakes than Vettel’ category don’t they? 
TheDeuce said:
Monkeylegend said:
Not sure Bottas would want to become world champion in that way so hopefully it won't happen.
Even if it's the only way possible? Monkeylegend said:
TheDeuce said:
Monkeylegend said:
Not sure Bottas would want to become world champion in that way so hopefully it won't happen.
Even if it's the only way possible? And to be fair, if Lewis was out of it... Shouldn't he win? It would be right and he's arguably still held a strong 2nd this season and also his previous racing career is what lead him to ending up in the car to have that opportunity...
He would be the correct person to win under such circumstances - even if he wished the circumstances were different. Which granted, I'm sure he would.
TheDeuce said:
Monkeylegend said:
Not sure Bottas would want to become world champion in that way so hopefully it won't happen.
Even if it's the only way possible? TheDeuce said:
Monkeylegend said:
TheDeuce said:
Monkeylegend said:
Not sure Bottas would want to become world champion in that way so hopefully it won't happen.
Even if it's the only way possible? And to be fair, if Lewis was out of it... Shouldn't he win? It would be right and he's arguably still held a strong 2nd this season and also his previous racing career is what lead him to ending up in the car to have that opportunity...
He would be the correct person to win under such circumstances - even if he wished the circumstances were different. Which granted, I'm sure he would.
He would be champion in name only, not because he is the fastest, most consistent driver of this or the last few seasons.
I think if Lewis made a big mistake and crashed out and was unable to finish the season it would be different.
I very much doubt either scenarios will happen though
I suppose he could take the trophy but dedicate it to Lewis to nullify any bad vibes/karma
Would be a bit odd, but he'd still have the title and the correct person would still have the recognition!
Joking aside, I really don't think he would accept the title without being very clear that on merit it was going to be Lewis's without such bizarre circumstances. I do agree he's there to beat Lewis, not to hang on to his coat tails. The Finns don't seem keen to take unwarranted praise - if it was only won by default I think that would be his primary feeling and comment.
But overall the same cool logic would give him the right to feel proud that he was the person close enough to Lewis's score to take it. Someone has to...
Would be a bit odd, but he'd still have the title and the correct person would still have the recognition!
Joking aside, I really don't think he would accept the title without being very clear that on merit it was going to be Lewis's without such bizarre circumstances. I do agree he's there to beat Lewis, not to hang on to his coat tails. The Finns don't seem keen to take unwarranted praise - if it was only won by default I think that would be his primary feeling and comment.
But overall the same cool logic would give him the right to feel proud that he was the person close enough to Lewis's score to take it. Someone has to...
Losing out to your nearest competitor as a result of mechanical failures, poor team tactics/orders, or accidents during the racing weekend is all part of the sport.
To not be able to race due to covid is another matter altogether and I would imagine any driver with a sense of fair play would feel a bit uncomfortable being crowned champion under those circumstances, especially when your opponent is so far ahead in the standings.
If this does happen and Bottas becomes champion he will never be regarded as the true champion so why would you want to win under those circumstances.
I can just imagine the comments being posted on here in the "Does Bottas deserve to be the WDC " thread
To not be able to race due to covid is another matter altogether and I would imagine any driver with a sense of fair play would feel a bit uncomfortable being crowned champion under those circumstances, especially when your opponent is so far ahead in the standings.
If this does happen and Bottas becomes champion he will never be regarded as the true champion so why would you want to win under those circumstances.
I can just imagine the comments being posted on here in the "Does Bottas deserve to be the WDC " thread
ch37 said:
Championships have been changed by deaths before now, if not directly in all cases then certainly indirectly.
It would feel odd, but really it's no different to Hamilton sitting out the first 3 races and then playing catch up (although that would have been more exciting!)
If Jacky Ickx had won Italy in 1970 (he was on pole) he'd have taken the championship from Jochen Rindt despite having two podiums to Rindt's five wins at the time of the latter's death.It would feel odd, but really it's no different to Hamilton sitting out the first 3 races and then playing catch up (although that would have been more exciting!)
Monkeylegend said:
Not sure Bottas would want to become world champion in that way so hopefully it won't happen.
Of course it would happen. Bottas wouldn't hesitate.World Championships don't come along easily. If you have the chance to get one, you take it.
If Lewis crashed and broke his legs in Turkey, do you think Bottas would deliberately not go for the title? Of course he wouldn't. Same principle with Covid.
Muzzer79 said:
Of course it would happen. Bottas wouldn't hesitate.
World Championships don't come along easily. If you have the chance to get one, you take it.
If Lewis crashed and broke his legs in Turkey, do you think Bottas would deliberately not go for the title? Of course he wouldn't. Same principle with Covid.
I agree with the broken leg analogy.World Championships don't come along easily. If you have the chance to get one, you take it.
If Lewis crashed and broke his legs in Turkey, do you think Bottas would deliberately not go for the title? Of course he wouldn't. Same principle with Covid.
Covid is different altogether, it is not an outcome as a result of racing.
In my humble opinion of course
I am not saying Bottas would refuse to accept the ultimate prize, but I can imagine it would not sit too comfortably.
By all accounts Lewis has been extremely careful, typically remaining at circuits in his motorhome, and I think, only travelling back to Monaco generally. His bubble seems to have consisted of Angela for most of the season.
Other drivers, not so much. Plenty of examples knocking around on social media, just one would be Ricciardo and Verstappen regularly travelling on private planes together (I still don't understand how that's allowed under the FIA bubble rules, but there you go).
I think, if he caught it you'd just put it down to appalling bad luck and Bottas picking up the championship would indeed feel very hollow. However if Lewis was partying all the time, had a wide-bubble of about 60 people and was still travelling around the world for fun, then absolute fair game for anyone who is able to take advantage of his poor judgement and grab a load of points from the situation.
Other drivers, not so much. Plenty of examples knocking around on social media, just one would be Ricciardo and Verstappen regularly travelling on private planes together (I still don't understand how that's allowed under the FIA bubble rules, but there you go).
I think, if he caught it you'd just put it down to appalling bad luck and Bottas picking up the championship would indeed feel very hollow. However if Lewis was partying all the time, had a wide-bubble of about 60 people and was still travelling around the world for fun, then absolute fair game for anyone who is able to take advantage of his poor judgement and grab a load of points from the situation.
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff