Russell vs Bottas: lose everything or win everything?

Surprise driver of Lewis Hamilton’s single-seater this weekend after the latter’s withdrawal due to Covid, it was difficult to predict such a start to the weekend for the driver under Williams contract. Indeed, even though he has driven the W11 on a few occasions as a test driver, everything suggested that the regular driver Valtteri Bottas would be untouchable.

So? Do the performances of the Englishman this Friday in Sakhir suggest a revelation in the eyes of the field, is Bottas cracking under psychological pressure, or on the contrary, is the Finn playing it cleverly?

Psychological battle

Already with his morale dented by his impossible battle against Lewis Hamilton throughout the season, Valtteri Bottas finds himself having to prove his legitimacy in the W11 through a new Grand Prix. He knows that he will have to perform and stay ahead of George Russell, who is testing his experience with the world champion Mercedes in the race. What about a potential battle during the race? The answer on Sunday.

A motivating pressure for one, stressful for the other?

If one has everything to gain, the other has more to lose. George Russell, managing his seasons perfectly at the wheel of the modest Williams, knows he holds a winning ticket.

He only needs to validate it. The stakes are lower for a team already crowned, but the opportunity is too good to pass up for Nicholas Latifi’s teammate. He has everything to gain, as he holds one of the least coveted seats on the grid.

The Englishman knows he must show what he’s capable of, and that involves outperforming his teammate over the weekend.

This driver, for whom victory would be “normal and obvious,” will lose much more than championship points if he is dominated in qualifying and the race. However, Bottas can also manage his practice sessions by exploring this new track to set things right during Saturday’s qualifying. Strategically, this approach would be commendable to show the seven-time world champion’s replacement that he is in charge in his absence.

A higher-performing car?

The question doesn’t usually seem relevant, but in light of what’s happening at Red Bull, isn’t it fair to wonder if within the same team, one car might be more powerful than another? Without considering an engine advantage, anything is possible depending on the settings. And what if Lewis Hamilton’s car was faster? It’s hard to prove.

An extraordinary pilot?

George Russell, a young prodigy in driving, has nothing to prove on this subject on the track. Crushing his teammates in qualifying since his arrival in F1, the Englishman has unfortunately never been able to compete outside the back of the pack at the wheel of his sluggish Williams. While good drivers quickly become noticeable in motorsport, it’s harder to say the same for those who are above the rest. These drivers, like Schumacher or Hamilton, are metronomes, perfectly blending pure performance with race management. And what if George Russell is one of those drivers capable of adapting in a few days to a sharp, demanding single-seater set up for someone else?

Without getting into wild speculations, let’s take our hats off to the Williams driver, who managed his adaptation in the W11 perfectly and his first two free practice sessions in Sakhir.

Join us this Saturday in the qualifiers to get answers to the questions raised!