Who will replace HAM for the next or possibly, next 2 races?

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

Especially considering his share cut in the 'firm'.

MAX is called by the FIA !
The FIA saw that MAX was speaking with HAM , last weekend after the race ..Both without mouth masks !
MAX must get his COVID-test ASAP !
What a mess ! Honestly I really hate that virus from hell !

[rcracin]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

MAX is called by the FIA !
The FIA saw that MAX was speaking with HAM after the race ..Both without mouth masks !
MAX must get his COVID-test ASAP !
What a mess ! Honestly I really hate that virus from hell !

Max held Ham's trophy after it was given to Ham. That's what I thought about first in reference to how the virus is supposedly spread.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Max held Ham's trophy after it was given to Ham. That's what I thought about first in reference to how the virus is supposedly spread.

Mate . We'll see that , after MAX is tested .
I knew it , that sooner or later it would go wrong ..

As we know , COVID is like a war vs an invisible enemy !
Disaster !

[Bongoxxx]

I would have voted for and would like to see Russell, but most likely it will be Vandorne.

Re: MAX and Contact with HAM, I thought that right after the race when they were talking as well as on the podium. Who knows maybe the champagne shower was as good as an alcohol bath

[wdb]

Please please give Russell a go at a proper car.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

God forbid that Max could be affected..but he should be given the all clear.

Let us hope my friend . Currently I see COVID like a minefield !

As for COVID .I'm very....Very ! Worried in the company !
Meet other people all the time....I have to ! Damn !

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by Bongoxxx

I would have voted for and would like to see Russell, but most likely it will be Vandorne.

Re: MAX and Contact with HAM, I thought that right after the race when they were talking as well as on the podium. Who knows maybe the champagne shower was as good as an alcohol bath

Sadly , that didn't worked for HAM .
I wonder about Bottas , Toto , his physiotherapist Angela Cullen , ect...

[SenorFunkyPants]

Mercedes do have quite some pull at Williams given that they supply them with engines!
Russell also ran the Mercedes W10 for over 100 laps at the Bahrain test in 2019 setting the fastest time on day 2.


Below from:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/55152354

"Williams driver George Russell is the leading contender to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix.

Hamilton has been forced to withdraw from the race in Bahrain after testing positive for Covid-19.

Mercedes have guided Russell's career since 2017 and have approached Williams to see if the team would release him.

The fall-back position is for Mercedes to use their reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne.

He raced for McLaren in 2017 and 2018.

A Mercedes spokesman said the team "did not comment on speculation".

Russell was Mercedes reserve driver in 2018 before they released him to Williams on a three-year contract from the start of the 2019 season, and is highly rated by the team as a candidate for a potential future drive.

The 22-year-old Briton has tested several times for Mercedes but running him in Bahrain this weekend - as well as potentially the season-closing race in Abu Dhabi a week later if Hamilton does not recover in time - is a good opportunity for the team to assess his development in a competitive environment.

Mercedes inquired as to Williams' position on Russell in the summer before they confirmed Valtteri Bottas for the 2021 season, but were told they were not prepared to release him.

However, that was under Williams' previous management before their sale to the investment group Dorilton Capital in August.

Talks are ongoing, and if an agreement can be reached for Russell to drive for Mercedes, it is not clear who would replace him at Williams.

Their reserve driver is Briton Jack Aitken, who is in his third season in Formula 2 and has not raced in F1.

Vandoorne, who races for Mercedes in Formula E, could potentially be made available in a swap, or they could go for an experienced driver such as German Nico Hulkenberg, who has substituted three times at Racing Point this season after positive coronavirus tests for their drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.

Hulkenberg made his F1 debut for Williams in 2010, and took pole position in the penultimate race of the season in Brazil.

Williams also have a development driver in Dan Ticktum, another Briton who races in Formula 2 this year."

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Let us hope my friend . Currently I see COVID like a minefield !

As for COVID .I'm very....Very ! Worried in the company !
Meet other people all the time....I have to ! Damn !

My dentist and her assistant had nearly complete blue plastic covering suits,a moulded mouth and nose mask like a gas mask but without the eye coverings and a full face screen.

[yco]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Mercedes do have quite some pull at Williams given that they supply them with engines!
Russell also ran the Mercedes W10 for over 100 laps at the Bahrain test in 2019 setting the fastest time on day 2.


Below from:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/55152354

"Williams driver George Russell is the leading contender to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for this weekend's Sakhir Grand Prix.

Hamilton has been forced to withdraw from the race in Bahrain after testing positive for Covid-19.

Mercedes have guided Russell's career since 2017 and have approached Williams to see if the team would release him.

The fall-back position is for Mercedes to use their reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne.

He raced for McLaren in 2017 and 2018.

A Mercedes spokesman said the team "did not comment on speculation".

Russell was Mercedes reserve driver in 2018 before they released him to Williams on a three-year contract from the start of the 2019 season, and is highly rated by the team as a candidate for a potential future drive.

The 22-year-old Briton has tested several times for Mercedes but running him in Bahrain this weekend - as well as potentially the season-closing race in Abu Dhabi a week later if Hamilton does not recover in time - is a good opportunity for the team to assess his development in a competitive environment.

Mercedes inquired as to Williams' position on Russell in the summer before they confirmed Valtteri Bottas for the 2021 season, but were told they were not prepared to release him.

However, that was under Williams' previous management before their sale to the investment group Dorilton Capital in August.

Talks are ongoing, and if an agreement can be reached for Russell to drive for Mercedes, it is not clear who would replace him at Williams.

Their reserve driver is Briton Jack Aitken, who is in his third season in Formula 2 and has not raced in F1.

Vandoorne, who races for Mercedes in Formula E, could potentially be made available in a swap, or they could go for an experienced driver such as German Nico Hulkenberg, who has substituted three times at Racing Point this season after positive coronavirus tests for their drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.

Hulkenberg made his F1 debut for Williams in 2010, and took pole position in the penultimate race of the season in Brazil.

Williams also have a development driver in Dan Ticktum, another Briton who races in Formula 2 this year."

so Russell still can be in Merc'.. that can be interesting..

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M5theonlyone

My dentist and her assistant had nearly complete blue plastic covering suits,a moulded mouth and nose mask like a gas mask but without the eye coverings and a full face screen.

Sounds good and Safe my friend . I skipped my 6 monthly visit at my dentist .
Good night my friend . I have to leave for work at 04:30 *AM

[racerbruce]

I voted Someone Else....and it's RUS

[MKSixer]

Corona Virus to Toto: That's a REEEEAAAAALLLLLL nice driver you have there. It'd be a shame if he got...Infected. (Eying Hamilton)

Corona Virus moving onto Christian Horner: I hear you have a driver that's about as good as Hamilton...be a real shame if he got infected too!!

Too soon?

[minn19]

Originally Posted by MKSixer

Corona Virus to Toto: That's a REEEEAAAAALLLLLL nice driver you have there. It'd be a shame if he got...Infected. (Eying Hamilton)

Corona Virus moving onto Christian Horner: I hear you have a driver that's about as good as Hamilton...be a real shame if he got infected too!!

Too soon?

Albon was in close contact on the podium (elsewhere) with them as well. RBR may need a whole new lineup for these last two races. Hopefully not.

[VeloF1]

Mick Schumacher! It’d be wild.

I wish Max albeit you gotta go with Russell.

[eggman51]

I am really hoping for George Russell as I think he'd be faster than Bottas if he gets enough track time with the car.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Russell on Twitter:

"Nobody can replace this guy, but I'll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car.
Get well soon Lewis "

Yay

Also...Jack Aitken steps up for Williams

[SenorFunkyPants]

In other news
Question to Haas:

"What was the main reason you hired the son of a Russian billionaire as a driver for next season" ?

[HFW003]

My money is on George.

[yco]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Russell on Twitter:

"Nobody can replace this guy, but I'll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car.
Get well soon Lewis "

Yay

Also...Jack Aitken steps up for Williams

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by HFW003

My money is on George.

I hope he does really well...always hoping for new exceptional talent to take the sport forward.
Also George seems like a decent bloke.

It would be fun for Merc to do more driver swaps (now the constructors and drivers championships are tied up) applying the "no dickheads" rule obviously.

I'd like to see Leclerc have a go as well...beating the 4xDWC Vettel at Ferrari was no mean feat.

[3798j]

Quite the opportunity for Russell. I really hope he can make the best of it...should be fun to follow.