© LAT Images for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd
By Adrian Mann
Lewis Hamilton’s complete dominance over Formula 1 cannot be denied. Since 2014 the Briton has won 72 races out of 135, which is a little over 53%.
This has naturally led to complaints from fans that the races have become too predictable and even “boring”. It has led to suggestions and wishful thoughts of what Formula 1 would look like if Lewis Hamilton wasn’t a part of it. Well, it’s a sad state of affairs in a sport when people are clamouring for the best to leave, so that those that are left can fight over who is second best.
However, for better or worse, after Lewis got diagnosed with COVID-19, we will all get a preview of what Formula 1 might look like after Lewis Hamilton retires. And, as much as Mercedes fans can’t wait for the champ to return, we all must admit that we are at least a tiny bit intrigued to see which players will emerge once the big dog is not around.
The stage is set, the players are on the board and the storylines are worthy of a primetime drama (or is it all on Netflix now?).
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George Russell with everything to gain
There’s no doubt that George Russell won the Formula 1 lottery when Mercedes asked him to fill in for Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix. The most sought-after seat in F1 is now his, at least for one race. Up until now he has been a bundle of potential, being held back by Williams’ clunky machinery, unable to prove what he can do in a more competitive car. As a Mercedes junior driver he was largely looked at as Mercedes’ next big thing, the next in line to step in after either Lewis or Valtteri leave the team.
Well, now he has to prove it. But he has a lot of hurdles to overcome. He has to get familiar with the car, and quick, he has to get familiar with the team and his new engineers (although as a Merc junior and former reserve driver, he does have some experience there) and, ultimately, he has to do it all on a completely new layout of the Bahrain track, that he has never driven on before.
However, it’s not all bad news. Considering everything that I just mentioned, nobody actually expects him to finish at the top. He doesn’t even have to beat Valtteri Bottas to look good, he just has to be able to hang somewhere close to the Red Bulls. Ultimately, he has everything to gain and little to lose.
Valtteri Bottas with everything to lose
Valtteri Bottas however has everything to lose. To put it bluntly, without Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri has to win the race. Everything other than a race win would reflect tremendously badly on the Finn (barring some technical issues).
It is generally thought that he could be a world champion in a Mercedes if his team-mate wasn’t the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. However, if he finishes behind Max Verstappen, without Lewis Hamilton in the mix, that would put a big question mark at the end of that sentence.
If, however, Bottas finishes behind George Russell, a man who stepped into the car for the first time just two days prior, it would be a catastrophe for the Finn. Not only would his ability to be a world champion be questioned, but his very seat with Mercedes would be in jeopardy. He does have a contract for next year, but if this was to happen, even that could be put into doubt. Valtteri Bottas has everything to lose.
Max Verstappen with everything to prove
And now we come to Max Verstappen, a man many are saying could beat Lewis if only he had the machine to do it. Well, now’s the time to prove how good he really is. Nobody would fault Max Verstappen if he loses out to Bottas, as many would again point to a superior car, but if he loses to Russell, who will race in a Mercedes for the very first time on such short notice, it will be a different story.
However, if he wins the race and beats both Mercedes, he might just prove that he is as good as a lot of people say he is. This is the time for Max Verstappen to prove himself.
Lewis Hamilton watching from the sidelines
For the first time in his career Lewis Hamilton, through no fault of his own, is going to miss a grand prix. However, he too has a horse in this race, so to speak. If George Russell wins in his first outing for Mercedes, many will say this is the proof that the W11 is so superior, that anybody could just walk in and run through the field.
But George Russell is not anybody. George Russell just might be the next big thing. Is he? Well, we’re gonna have to wait until Sunday to find out.
