Hamilton's an old guy now, he won't be interested in fighting a team mate again. He's been there, done it, won, and been miserable doing it. Youth beats age eventually - it's meaningless. Russell and Hamilton will never drive for the same team.
F1 2020 Season
- Thread starter pauldyson1uk
- Start date
Mercedes say Lewis Hamilton's health is "improving" - but still do not know whether he will be able to race in the year's final grand prix this weekend.
The world champion missed the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain last weekend after contracting coronavirus.
Hamilton remains in isolation and must return a negative test result before he is allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi.
"His condition's improving but we won't know closer to the time if he will be driving," said team boss Toto Wolff.
"We'll do everything we can to get him in the car and we know he's determined to be back as soon as possible. But his health is our main priority, so we will see what the situation is and then make the call."
Russell has been named as Mercedes' representative alongside Valtteri Bottas in the official FIA news conference on Thursday.
The latest Mercedes could put Hamilton in the car and still race is on Saturday for qualifying.
The team said it was "possible" they would make the decision as to whether Hamilton races as late as before Saturday's final practice session, which runs for an hour and starts at 10:00 GMT, three hours before qualifying.
The world champion missed the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain last weekend after contracting coronavirus.
Hamilton remains in isolation and must return a negative test result before he is allowed to travel to Abu Dhabi.
"His condition's improving but we won't know closer to the time if he will be driving," said team boss Toto Wolff.
"We'll do everything we can to get him in the car and we know he's determined to be back as soon as possible. But his health is our main priority, so we will see what the situation is and then make the call."
Russell has been named as Mercedes' representative alongside Valtteri Bottas in the official FIA news conference on Thursday.
The latest Mercedes could put Hamilton in the car and still race is on Saturday for qualifying.
The team said it was "possible" they would make the decision as to whether Hamilton races as late as before Saturday's final practice session, which runs for an hour and starts at 10:00 GMT, three hours before qualifying.
If Hamilton is really that touch and go then they should just forget about it and leave it to Russell.
He didn't look well at all in the video he posted earlier this week, seems a bit mad that they're taking a risk that he'll be 100% by the start of weekend.
Surely he isn't actually over Corona Virus either? has he tested negative that we know?
He didn't look well at all in the video he posted earlier this week, seems a bit mad that they're taking a risk that he'll be 100% by the start of weekend.
Surely he isn't actually over Corona Virus either? has he tested negative that we know?
He's had a negative test and on his way to Abu Dhabi. However. he will then have another test when he arrives, if that's also negative he's racing. Outside chance Friday but more than likely Saturday.
I just don't see how they can expect Russell to do 2 practices in Mercedes on Friday, then move him back to Williams on Saturday. That isn't fair on Aitken either.
The decision will need to be made by tomorrow IMO.
I get why Hamilton is eager to return but it all seems a big health risk just to have 1 more race that has literally zero riding on it.
If he is truly recovered after 1 week that's a testament to how fit he is I guess.
You know Hammy my hero but in all honesty i'd love to see Russell again. It isn't fair on Russell if he does qual tomorrow but Hammy the main man as we both know. I think if Hammy only 90% fit he'd still say he's 100% fit. It is what it is unfortunately.
I think Lewis should just forget this last race, let Russell have the drive.
Lewis has already won , no reason for him to drive.
Lewis has already won , no reason for him to drive.
Me too, but can't see it happening.
Same here , Lewis is very competitive and will want to race, nothing wrong with that, but sometimes you have to take a step back and this is it.
If he is negative, be at the track for support, not driving.
Hamilton will race, confirmed on the official Twitter.
He wants to keep adding to his wins while Mercedes still has the best package.
Never know what will happen with development under the new rules and he's getting on in age by 2022.
This looks brilliant and very innovative from Silverstone to bring some cash in.
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Schumacher on the grid for the final round.
Wants to maitain some credibility for his titles more likely. Saving grace for him that Russell didn't win last week but the damage was already done.
7 WC broke nearly all the records there is the break and you think he has lost credibility because of one drive from Russell !!
Damage has already been done ? With resect this is just rubbish, Russell is a very good driver and in a winning car was always going to do well.
Its amazing how little respect Lewis gets. Statistically, he has surpassed Schumie and yet...
I find it amazing also, OK he is a colossal idiot, but his driving skill and talent is just as colossal.
Same was said about Schumacher at the time, even Vettel a few years back when he was winning.
Pauldy, he is respected universally, he doesn't need to ask for it, his position a s status demands it.
A man of the people he is not, however, much he'd like to be.
I still love the memories of that irreplaceable memory of his first Championship at Interlagos. The rest pales in comparison......
another car fire, this time Kimi.
He honestly doesn't even give a shit
just casually pulls over and takes his time getting out then decides he wants to be a fireman.If you are conspiracy minded, both Bottas and Russell deleted Mercedes/Williams out of their Instagram bios.
Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying
Last qualifying of the season.
Max looked fast in FP, but expect Lewis to be pushing hard.
Max looked fast in FP, but expect Lewis to be pushing hard.
Lewis lap time removed in Q1, having to go again, floor damage.
KNOCKED OUT IN Q1
16) Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo
17) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
18) George Russell, Williams
19) Pietro Fittipaldi, Haas
20) Nicholas Latifi, Williams
A spin from Latifi at the penultimate corner ruined his lap.
16) Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo
17) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
18) George Russell, Williams
19) Pietro Fittipaldi, Haas
20) Nicholas Latifi, Williams
A spin from Latifi at the penultimate corner ruined his lap.
Ocon and Danial, out of Q3
KNOCKED OUT IN Q2
11) Esteban Ocon, Renault
12) Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
13) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
14) Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
15) Sergio Perez, Racing Point
11) Esteban Ocon, Renault
12) Daniel Ricciardo, Renault
13) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
14) Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
15) Sergio Perez, Racing Point
Last Q3 , will Lewis get his 99th pole.
Bottas , Max and Lewis after their first flying laps
Sharpe end of Q3 . all out for the last push for pole.
WOW what a last sector from Bottas, take Pole from Lewis and the Max take Pole from Bottas, what a lap from Max.
Great lap for Verstappen.
Hamilton was way too cautious in sector 3, don’t see that too often
I though that also , seemed to be losing a bit in 2nd section.
Should make for a good race on Sunday.
Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying Result
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:35.993 | 1:35.641 | fastest lap 1:35.246 | |
| 2 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 1:35.699 | 1:35.527 | 1:35.271 | |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | fastest lap 1:35.528 | fastest lap 1:35.4661 | 1:35.332 | |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:36.016 | 1:35.849 | 1:35.497 | |
| 5 | Alexander Albon | Red Bull | 1:36.106 | 1:35.654 | 1:35.571 | |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | McLaren | 1:36.517 | 1:36.192 | 1:35.815 | |
| 7 | Daniil Kvyat | AlphaTauri | 1:36.459 | 1:36.214 | 1:35.963 | |
| 8 | Lance Stroll | Racing Point | 1:36.502 | 1:36.143 | 1:36.046 | |
| 9 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:35.881 | 1:35.932 | 1:36.065 | |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | 1:36.545 | 1:36.282 | 1:36.242 | |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon | Renault | 1:36.783 | 1:36.359 | not available- | |
| 12 | Daniel Ricciardo | Renault | 1:36.704 | 1:36.406 | not available- | |
| 13 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 1:36.655 | 1:36.631 | not available- | |
| 14 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | 1:37.075 | 1:38.248 | not available- | |
| 15 | Sergio Perez | Racing Point | 1:36.034 | not available- | not available- | |
| 16 | Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | 1:37.555 | not available- | not available- | |
| 17 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:37.863 | not available- | not available- | |
| 18 | George Russell | Williams | 1:38.045 | not available- | not available- | |
| 19 | Pietro Fittipaldi | Haas | 1:38.173 | not available- | not available- | |
| 20 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams | 1:38.443 | not available- | not available |
Absolutely fantastic by Max.
Much as I admire Lewis Hamilton, it would be good to see Max get a win today. I just hope that reliability doesn't affect him. Fantastic qualifying by Norris by the way.