Andrew P Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 38 minutes ago, rocor said: A big pile of cash as recompense for the premature conclusion to his contract, may just make it so. And possibly a Bonus payment to Williams as well. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 15, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Andrew P said: And possibly a Bonus payment to Williams as well. They would get a hefty sum for releasing Russell's contract. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sidecar Racer Posted June 15, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 15, 2021 4 hours ago, RedgateModels said: They need to do it now if they want any chance of the constructors championship. RB have two very competitive drivers, Merc don't now. I agree to a point , a lot could depend on how possible it is to adapt a car mid-season for a new driver given the lengths George had to go to in order to fit Lewis car , how much different is he size wise to Bottas . 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 2 minutes ago, Sidecar Racer said: I agree to a point , a lot could depend on how possible it is to adapt a car mid-season for a new driver given the lengths George had to go to in order to fit Lewis car , how much different is he size wise to Bottas . Good point, I think Bottas is shorter than Lewis. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERandBR Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 2 minutes ago, Sidecar Racer said: I agree to a point , a lot could depend on how possible it is to adapt a car mid-season for a new driver given the lengths George had to go to in order to fit Lewis car , how much different is he size wise to Bottas . Red Bull seem to have no issues changing cars to fit different drivers mid season. Last year, George was temping for one race so it made sense not to make major changes to the car. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 Just now, LNERandBR said: Red Bull seem to have no issues changing cars to fit different drivers mid season. Last year, George was temping for one race so it made sense not to make major changes to the car. And it was at very short notice, something like 24 hours, so no chance to make new bits etc. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sidecar Racer Posted June 15, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 15, 2021 1 hour ago, LNERandBR said: Red Bull seem to have no issues changing cars to fit different drivers mid season. Last year, George was temping for one race so it made sense not to make major changes to the car. Max V is 1.86m or 6ft 1inch Alex Albon is 1.81m or 5tf 9inch Pierre Gasley is 1.77m or 5ft 8 inch Sergio Perez is 1.73 m or 5ft 6 inch So the Red Bull replacements were all shorter than the lead driver . George Russell is 1.85 m or 6 ft and a smidge . Lewis is 1.74m or 5 ft 7 inch Valteri is 1.73m or 5ft 6 inch . So George is 5 inches taller than Lewis and 6 inches taller than Valterri , it's going to be easier to fit a shorter driver into a car than a taller one . Also how much modification is allowed to a car in the areas that would need changing once the monocoque has been crash tested and certified for the year . 1 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNERandBR Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 Okay apart from Max hasn't been replaced has he so the fact he's taller than the others is irrelevant. Red Bull swapped Drivers mid season and planned to do so. Therefore they had plenty of time to carry out the required changes to fit the drivers into the car and Toro Rosso had plenty of time to do the same. I don't think George even had a proper seat fitting for the Merc, he used one from a few years prior which didn't fit properly. The swap was that late. I doubt anything would need to be changed that would require the new crash tests. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Sidecar Racer Posted June 15, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 15, 2021 4 minutes ago, LNERandBR said: Okay apart from Max hasn't been replaced has he so the fact he's taller than the others is irrelevant. Red Bull swapped Drivers mid season and planned to do so. Therefore they had plenty of time to carry out the required changes to fit the drivers into the car and Toro Rosso had plenty of time to do the same. I don't think George even had a proper seat fitting for the Merc, he used one from a few years prior which didn't fit properly. The swap was that late. I doubt anything would need to be changed that would require the new crash tests. I was only pointing out the fact that it must be easier to put a shorter driver in a car than a taller one , I certainly was not saying it cant be done , also these were just thoughts about what is involved . For example, if they did decide to do a swap it would have to be planned well in advance to allow any new or altered parts to be produced , would George be allowed by Williams to attend for things like seat fittings etc , could it even mean building up a new monocoque to save time at changeover . While it would be great to see George in the Merc ASAP I think it makes sense to leave it till next season so that all contractual stuff can be sorted without a rush . And that of course was something that did'nt really affect Red Bull as Torro Rosso and them are part and parcel , so if Marco said we change drivers it happened . 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 IIRC the issue for George at Sakhir wasn't so much his height as the size of his feet - he had to wear boots a size smaller in order to get into the car! Whilst that's bearable for one race weekend, it's not really sustainable for half a season, and to design a new nose with more footroom could have aerodynamic implications. Of course it's possible that following Sakhir the Mercedes designers may have designed the car with George's big feet in mind, in which case I could understand VB being somewhat demoralised at the implication! My expectation though is still that Toto will honour VB's contract to the end of the season barring VB doing something out of order (such as punching a team member or ramming another driver). Another thought - Lewis would have signed his contract on the understanding that VB would be there for the season - could there be contract implications with Lewis if things change? Certainly I think that were I Lewis, I'd be giving VB every bit of assistance I could to help him regain his form and keep his place in the team! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted June 16, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 16, 2021 I'm afraid I feel this is a manufactured story, based upon what a lot of us are thinking and therefore happy to absorb as fact. It's how websites get more hits. I'll believe it when it happens. 3 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Holliday Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 8 hours ago, Sidecar Racer said: Max V is 1.86m or 6ft 1inch Alex Albon is 1.81m or 5tf 9inch Pierre Gasley is 1.77m or 5ft 8 inch Sergio Perez is 1.73 m or 5ft 6 inch So the Red Bull replacements were all shorter than the lead driver . George Russell is 1.85 m or 6 ft and a smidge . Lewis is 1.74m or 5 ft 7 inch Valteri is 1.73m or 5ft 6 inch . So George is 5 inches taller than Lewis and 6 inches taller than Valterri , it's going to be easier to fit a shorter driver into a car than a taller one . Interesting information, but I think you need a new calculator. 1.85m = 6' ¾", 1.81m = 5' 11¾", 1.77m = 5' 9¾", 1.74m = 5' 8½" and 1.73m = 5' 8". So George is only(?) 4¾" taller than Valtteri. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 30368 Posted June 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2021 Much as I have loved Grand Prix - F1 racing over the last 55 or so years I do think it has got itself into a creek without a paddle in so many ways. Roll on Le Mans 2023! Kind regards, Richard B 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete the Elaner Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 2 hours ago, Oldddudders said: I'm afraid I feel this is a manufactured story, based upon what a lot of us are thinking and therefore happy to absorb as fact. It's how websites get more hits. I'll believe it when it happens. It seems many are deciding Bottas' future on the strength of 2 bad races; Imola & Baku. He would have had 4 podiums in 6 races had his wheel nut not been machined. The other 3 were double podiums for Mercedes, so he has not done badly. 1-2 finishes are difficult when you don't have a significant pace advantage because you can only undercut the opposition with 1 car. Mercedes have not been happy with their car all season. If he can get 2 more podiums in the next 3 races, 1 of them making a Merc 1-2, it would change matters completely. Going back to last season, Turkey stands out as being a shocker. The same can be said for most of the field on that day. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold StuAllen Posted June 16, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 16, 2021 Pirelli have reported on the 2 tyre failures: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.pirelli-reveal-results-of-investigation-into-baku-tyre-failures.2pILHApKjmVjoDk8NQIvY5.html they’ve issued new guidelines to the teams for monitoring the tyres through the race 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulleidboy100 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 (edited) I will not believe anything, until TW says VB is leaving. So much media drivel just to make headlines. What's happening to Le Mans 2023? Edited June 16, 2021 by Bulleidboy100 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 Similar story here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/57476106 The take home from this is that the teams are finding ways to keep the tyre pressure from rising when the cars are racing which improves cornering, but weakens the tyre as it is not within operating parameters. Floppy wings, soft tyres, what next? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 1 hour ago, Pete the Elaner said: It seems many are deciding Bottas' future on the strength of 2 bad races; Imola & Baku. He would have had 4 podiums in 6 races had his wheel nut not been machined. The other 3 were double podiums for Mercedes, so he has not done badly. 1-2 finishes are difficult when you don't have a significant pace advantage because you can only undercut the opposition with 1 car. Mercedes have not been happy with their car all season. If he can get 2 more podiums in the next 3 races, 1 of them making a Merc 1-2, it would change matters completely. Going back to last season, Turkey stands out as being a shocker. The same can be said for most of the field on that day. He's simply out of contract as is Russell, it's about excuses not to renew his contract even though for several years now it's been open knowledge he would be replaced by Mercedes protege George Russell. But perhaps the issue is Hamilton not Bottas, they need to sell to Hamilton the idea of a competitive partner and they do so by rubbishing Bottas, that Bottas is a threat to the team's success and the team need Russell, for Hamilton personally, the status quo is fine. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium PhilJ W Posted June 16, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 16, 2021 (edited) 35 minutes ago, woodenhead said: He's simply out of contract as is Russell, it's about excuses not to renew his contract even though for several years now it's been open knowledge he would be replaced by Mercedes protege George Russell. But perhaps the issue is Hamilton not Bottas, they need to sell to Hamilton the idea of a competitive partner and they do so by rubbishing Bottas, that Bottas is a threat to the team's success and the team need Russell, for Hamilton personally, the status quo is fine. Hamilton is not that far off from retiring, two maybe three years IMHO. Russell is up there in the list of possible replacements. Edited June 16, 2021 by PhilJ W 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted June 16, 2021 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted June 16, 2021 58 minutes ago, Bulleidboy100 said: What's happening to Le Mans 2023? Ferrari re-enters the top class at Le Mans, known as Hypercars. This year's race, scheduled for late August, features more than a dozen Ferraris, but they are all 8-cylinder 488EVOs, i.e. a gussied up road car, as is required for that class. The glorious 12-cylinder prototypes are long gone. Ferrari hasn't really hit the spot in the top class since 1967, when the 330P4 was a worthy runner up to the Ford GT Mk IV. Ferrari won overall every year from 1960-65. The 512S and 512M of 1970/71 were simply not a match for the Porsche 917, and having to build 25 of them to qualify stretched resources, so the F1 effort became more diluted. Evidently in 2021 that is no longer a problem and campaigning on multiple fronts is now seen as achievable. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejstubbs Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 27 minutes ago, Oldddudders said: The 512S and 512M of 1970/71 were simply not a match for the Porsche 917, and having to build 25 of them to qualify stretched resources Something that Porsche kind of, er, found a way round...allegedly: 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Radford Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 2 hours ago, woodenhead said: Similar story here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/57476106 The take home from this is that the teams are finding ways to keep the tyre pressure from rising when the cars are racing which improves cornering, but weakens the tyre as it is not within operating parameters. Floppy wings, soft tyres, what next? Pirelli tyres are fantastic... But you are not supposed to race on them... Hat, coat etc. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocor Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 2 hours ago, woodenhead said: Similar story here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/57476106 The take home from this is that the teams are finding ways to keep the tyre pressure from rising when the cars are racing which improves cornering, but weakens the tyre as it is not within operating parameters. Floppy wings, soft tyres, what next? 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJS1977 Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 7 hours ago, Oldddudders said: I'm afraid I feel this is a manufactured story, based upon what a lot of us are thinking and therefore happy to absorb as fact. It's how websites get more hits. I'll believe it when it happens. Especially since at least one article I read on the subject said that Toto Wolf had told George's management that George would be replacing VB. Toto is George's management.... 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted June 16, 2021 Share Posted June 16, 2021 5 minutes ago, RJS1977 said: Especially since at least one article I read on the subject said that Toto Wolf had told George's management that George would be replacing VB. Toto is George's management.... And Bottas' too. Internal memo from Toto to Toto 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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