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  1. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by emporer_k View Post
    Mercedes junior programme looked to be in trouble when Rosberg retired at short notice and they overlooked Wehrlein in order to buy Bottas out of his contract at Williams.
    Actually, this was the junction where Mercedes showed a lack of faith in their junior driver programme. They had an opportunity to redress it when they reviewed Bottas' earlier in the season but didn't. While other teams [Redbull, Ferrari, Mclaren] were giving their promising junior drivers opportunity to prepare for the new era commencing from 2021 in the senior team, Mercedes turned away from their rich pool of junior drivers. I have a feeling they may come to regret not taking this opportunity to align their promotion of a junior driver with the competition.

    I like Bottas but l don't see him of the calibre to replace Hamilton when he retires. Hence l ask myself what is the long game for Mercedes? As it stands at this time, they don't seem have any. Meanwhile, their competition have just kicked off their long game.

    Mclaren had seen enough to have the confidence to put Lando Norris in the Mclaren from 2019 straight away. Redbull saw enough to promote Gastly before the 2018 season concluded. Ferrari, after two tries finally found a promising talent in Leclerc and promoted him before the season was over.

    In spite of George Russell winning both the F3 and maybe the F2 championship, l doubt Mercedes would stick him in one of the silver arrows for 2019. Of course Bottas has been signed up for 2019 and 2020, which put the opportunity outside the reach of Russell until 2021. Ocon was clearly discounted for whatever reason by Mercedes. Wehrlien was sent to oblivion with no chance of returning to the grid in Mercedes colours.

    The risk here is, Russel may or may not find a drive elsewhere over that two years which could kill his F1 prospects. Even if he does, the chances are that, what happened to Wehrlien and Ocon may happen to him as well, with the next Mercedes junior coming from the lower formula to fight him for limited available seats.
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 6th October 2018 at 22:01.
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
    William Shakespeare

  2. #12
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    Don't you know? It's to develop their DTM drivers!

  3. #13
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    Apparently, George Russell has won the F4, GP3 and F2 titles. Not many out there have this sort of pedigree. Williams are very lucky and smart to sign him.
    Last edited by Nitrodaze; 17th October 2018 at 10:30.
    Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
    William Shakespeare

  4. Likes: truefan72 (14th October 2018)

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