F1

VALTTERI BOTTAS admits George Russell’s excellent performances during the Sakhir GP weekend could have made himself look like ‘a complete c***’.
Russell jumped into Lewis Hamilton’s car and, with only two days of cramming, was able to get up to speed with its complicated systems.

Bottas says Russell’s amazing Sakhir GP made him look like ‘complete c***’Credit: Splash News

The Brit was so at home, despite being too big for Hamilton’s bespoke cockpit, that he topped both Friday practice sessions and only just missed out on pole.
During the race, he beat Bottas at the start and pulled off an excellent overtake at the restart to clinch the driver of the day title on his Mercedes debut.
Russell only failed to win due to what Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called a ‘colossal f*** up’.
It has raised questions as to whether Bottas should keep his seat for 2021, despite having signed a new deal in the summer.

But the Finn says while outsiders might start to question him, he has the full backing of his Mercedes bosses.
He said: “If you don’t know things, I might have looked like a complete c***, a fool, so that’s not nice.
“But the people who know, they know how the performance [was] and how the end result could have been.
“It was a pretty bad race for me from that side and it will be very easy for people to say that a new guy comes in and beats the guy who has been in the team a few years, so it was not ideal.

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“He obviously did a mistake-free race, but I still knew there would be everything to play for.
“The race was not finished when we had the thing with the pit stops, which changed everything.
“I managed to go a bit longer on the medium tyre and that would have opened up opportunities for me.
“I was catching him.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff calls the mistakes that cost George Russell victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix a ‘colossal f*** up’ live on Sky Sports More

LEWIS HAMILTON faces a race against time to be declared fit to compete in this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP.
The world champion missed last week’s Sakhir GP after testing positive for Covid-19 and was forced to spend 10 days in isolation.

Lewis Hamilton remains a doubt for the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: AFP

The 35-year-old was replaced by George Russell, who will again fill in should Hamilton fail to test negative.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who swore live on Sky Sports, had initially declared that Hamilton was “not great” as he suffered from the symptoms of the disease.
However, on Sunday night the Austrian said Hamilton had made a “big step” in his coronavirus recovery.
Wolff said: “We need to see how well Lewis recovers, that’s the most important, that he’s well.

“He said it’s a bit better on Sunday, he feels he’s made a big step, and if the test is negative then it’s his car and then he will for sure drive a brilliant race.
“And if the test in Abu Dhabi is [positive] then George is in the car.”
Hamilton’s 10-day isolation period ends on Thursday but he must also test negative before being allowed to leave Bahrain and travel to Abu Dhabi.
However, there are added complications that we reported last week as the Yas Island circuit in Abu Dhabi is set to be placed into strict lockdown.

George Russell is ready to step in for Lewis Hamilton once againCredit: Getty Images – Getty

It is understood that Merc are willing to wait until Thursday before making a decision on whether they would wait for Hamilton.
FIA rules mean that in theory he could arrive in time for Saturday evening’s qualifying, but even then, he would be subjected to government approval.
FIA Race Director, Michael Masi said: “It’s very much a decision for the Bahraini health authorities to determine if Lewis is fit and complies with their regulations, and then further for the Abu Dhabi authorities to determine their criteria.
“It’s effectively two government entities that need to determine entry criteria.
“If he meets the entry criteria of the respective governments and then further complies with the testing protocol from an FIA perspective, in being tested negative prior to entering the paddock, then there’s no problems from our perspective”,
“As long as the driver participates in a practice session, or qualifying, they’re permitted to race, … they couldn’t just turn up and race, as their only thing, they would have to do one of the practice sessions, be it free practice or qualifying practice beforehand.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff calls the mistakes that cost George Russell victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix a ‘colossal f*** up’ live on Sky Sports More

SKY SPORTS were forced to apologise after Mercedes chief Toto Wolff described Sunday’s Grand Prix as a ‘colossal f*** up.’
Mercedes endured a disaster in Bahrain after 22-year-old George Russell was denied his first ever win through no fault of his own.

Toto Wolff swore live on air to describe Mercedes’ performance

With a famous victory in his grasp, a pit stop howler on lap 63 saw one of Valtteri Bottas’ tyres end up on Russell’s car.
The Brit was forced to pit again on the next lap before making yet another charge to the front.
Just as it appeared he could rescue a win, an unfortunate puncture ended his chances to leave Russell devastated.
Russell, who finished ninth, was stepping in for Lewis Hamilton who continues to self-isolate after contracting coronavirus.

Speaking after the race, Wolff said live on air: “Overall for us, it was just a colossal f*** up.
“I know im not allowed to say that… but it was.”
Sky Sports presenters Simon Lazenby and Anthony Davidson quickly interrupted his comment and responded: “I have to apologise for that!”
Wolff then continued, explaining how the team made such a grand error.

George Russell saw his dreams dashed by a pit stop errorCredit: Splash News

George Russell was left devasted after being denied his first winCredit: Splash News
He added: “Simply put, one of the tyre crews didn’t get a call.
“We had a radio failure in the garage and when the car came in they didn’t know to change the tyres and had the wrong tyres.
“This is accidentally why we had the wrong set of tyres out.
“Then we obviously had to pit again. But then the race wasn’t lost, but then one bad thing comes…
“We did need to double stack because it was a Safety Car stop. We were find on the hards and could have stayed out, but we had the gap and this is when you do these things.
“You can question that but I think it is absolutely the right call. Still, I cannot even watch these pictures.
“Overall we were doing a good job. Technical failures happen. It wasn’t any human error. These things happen and we have to learn from it.”
While it was heartbreak for Russell, it was tears of joy for Mexican Sergio Perez who earned his first career win.
Esteban Ocon was second while Lance Stroll took third.

Speaking after the race, Russell said: “I am gutted, I am absolutely gutted.
“I can’t put it into words, it was not a nice feeling jumping out of the car.
“I gave it everything I had, I felt confident, comfortable, then we had the muddle up in the pit stop, but I could still have caught Sergio, then there was the puncture. I am gutted.”

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GEORGE RUSSELL was given a cruel triple whammy that denied him victory in the Sakhir Grand Prix. The brilliant Brit delivered a fantastic performance that proves he deserves to be Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate at the Silver Arrows next season. But a pitstop cock up by his Mercedes team – and a late puncture denied him […] More

MICK SCHUMACHER is well on his way to following in his father’s footsteps after being crowned F2 world champion.
The son of legendary seven-time world champion Michael, the 21-year-old clinched the title in Bahrain, despite his 18th place finish.

Mick Schumacher has been crowned F2 world championCredit: Getty Images – Getty

An error on the opening lap meant he dropped down the positions but British rival Callum Ilott failed to take advantage with a 10th place finish.
It meant Mick won the title by 14-points with Ilott needing to finish in the top two places.
It was his last race in F2 before he moves to Formula One with team Haas next season.
After the race, the rising German superstar said: “To be champion, I owe it all to my team!

“I’m a bit overwhelmed at the minute, it’s going to take a few days – I’m just so happy and grateful!
“To Callum, he gave me a run for his money – it’s been tough but so enjoyable at the same time. So big thank you to him.”
Gracious in defeat, Ilott praised his competitor on his terrific season.
He said: “Can’t say I didn’t give it my all, what a year it’s been.

Mick is mobbed by his team as they celebrate his achievementsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

F1 legend Michael Schumacher with a young Mick
“So much speed, some great memories and I couldn’t have done it without @VirtuosiRacing. Pushing this man @SchumacherMick all the way to the end. Very well done to him and @PREMA_Team.”
Schumacher will partner fellow rookie Nikita Mazepin, the son of a Russian billionaire, next season.
Sharing his joy at the step up to F1, he said: “The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless.
“I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me.
“I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents – I know that I owe them everything.

“I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1.
“A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career.
“I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”

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