Hamilton to miss second Bahrain GP

[Nitrodaze]

So what happens if Russell beats Bottas this weekend and potentially in Abu Dhabi?

The Vandoorne effect at Mclaren is likely to take place. Russell is a threat to Bottas. And by God, he has to deliver his very best performance at this race. After two bad race weekends and a junior placed in the next vacant seat. That sends as clear a message as possible to Bottas.

There is no excuse now, no Hamilton to contend with. He is effectively the benchmark for the whole grid this weekend. His worry is Verstapenn firstly and then Russell.

If Russell can be within 3 tenths of Bottas at Q1, that would already be very respectable. If he can put the Mercedes in second ahead of Verstapenn, that would send ripples through the paddock.If he puts it on pole, then Bottas has real concern regardless of who wins the race. Similarly if he wins the race, regardless of the circumstances.