Why were Mercedes not better prepared?
Discussion
Genuine question.
Bearing in mind, how Toto lly professional Mercedes are in every aspect, particularly this year, with Coronavirus, why did Mercedes not have firm back up plans as to who would be driving in the event of one of their drivers being ill/ testing positive.
Dont get me wrong, I am loving it that George is getting a chance, and like others watched free practice, with a lot more interest than normal.
But given that, presumably he was always, going to be a possible replacement, I am really surprised at how he doesnt actually fit in the car. I appreciate he is significantly taller, and they can not have a totally redesigned car, but would have thought that they would have a seet he fits properly, and a work round with the pedals.
Bearing in mind, how Toto lly professional Mercedes are in every aspect, particularly this year, with Coronavirus, why did Mercedes not have firm back up plans as to who would be driving in the event of one of their drivers being ill/ testing positive.
Dont get me wrong, I am loving it that George is getting a chance, and like others watched free practice, with a lot more interest than normal.
But given that, presumably he was always, going to be a possible replacement, I am really surprised at how he doesnt actually fit in the car. I appreciate he is significantly taller, and they can not have a totally redesigned car, but would have thought that they would have a seet he fits properly, and a work round with the pedals.
Toto explained that Vandoorne would have been in the car, he has travelled to every race required of him (including this one), however as they had time Toto approached Williams about George.
Had Lewis received his positive test a day later then Vandoorne would have been in the car this weekend.
Can't be more prepared than having one driver always good to go and another they can call upon should the opportunity arise and time allows.
Had Lewis received his positive test a day later then Vandoorne would have been in the car this weekend.
Can't be more prepared than having one driver always good to go and another they can call upon should the opportunity arise and time allows.
glazbagun said:
Gotta feel for Vandoorne. Comes to F1 with great expectations only to get stomped on by Alonso and now misses out on a redemption shot in the sun. Has anyone ever came back from being demoted to substitute to getting a full season?
Kvyat, Kubica, Ocon and Grosjean are all recentish drivers I can think of. Vandoorne's problem is there isn't enough teams these days and most have young driver programs to hire from.glazbagun said:
Gotta feel for Vandoorne. Comes to F1 with great expectations only to get stomped on by Alonso and now misses out on a redemption shot in the sun. Has anyone ever came back from being demoted to substitute to getting a full season?
this does seem like a slap in the face if he's available and in Bahrain for the specific reason of being mercs reserve driver as I read... He's even the "correct" height!They had a choice of drivers, both under contract in some way! We are in the year of COVID, and the other team to have been affected, Racing Point, had to interrupt a retired driver’s breakfast and put him in Lance Stroll’s clothes 
George and Mercedes have had a helmet specially painted. I noticed yesterday that the tyre warmers say “George” on them.
George and Mercedes have had a helmet specially painted. I noticed yesterday that the tyre warmers say “George” on them.
HustleRussell said:
They had a choice of drivers, both under contract in some way! We are in the year of COVID, and the other team to have been affected, Racing Point, had to interrupt a retired driver’s breakfast and put him in Lance Stroll’s clothes
George and Mercedes have had a helmet specially painted. I noticed yesterday that the tyre warmers say “George” on them.
I thought those tyre warmers looked a bit tight !!George and Mercedes have had a helmet specially painted. I noticed yesterday that the tyre warmers say “George” on them.
Edited by Exige77 on Sunday 6th December 15:12
civicduty said:
I think I have seen Saturday mentioned somewhere.
Hamiliton has to drive in a practice for the race, so he has to be there and in qualifying at the latest. However has has to get there. Abu Dhabi has quarantine rules which the F1 personnel have been exempted from as long as they flew in on specially chartered flights on Monday then isolated whilst waiting for a negative test. I also believe he cant leave Bahrain until at least 24 hours after a negative test.So once he has a negative test he has to persuade Abu Dhabi to grant him a special exemption to enter the country. I guess we will know on Friday.
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