Should Bottas' seat be under threat?

[caneparo]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Italian top newspaper Corriere della sera thorws ina different scenario. Summing it up in 2021 there should be a team swap between verstappen and hamilton and ricciardo would join leclerc in ferrari. What do you think about it? Would you prefer such a scenario or better hamilton and verstappen battling on the same car?

[erwin greven]

The latter scenario, VER and HAM in the same car, would answer Max' quote, "Give me the same car and then we can see how good Lewis actually is".

[Vassago]

It's obvious Bottas stands no chance of becoming a WDC. Some people raved about him being 2.0 version after the first four races of the season but it's long gone.

We also said the same about Nico Rosberg...

And the fact that Ocon lost his seat at Racing Point means nothing since you know Lance Stroll's daddy bought the team and Lance was always going to take one seat. Better to have the super experienced driver in the other seat so they have an excuse as to why Stroll is the worst driver in the team.

About Max's RBR seat - Sky said there was a performance clause in his contract. If he didn't achieve a certain level of results at a certain point of the season, then he would be able to leave. I would tend to agree with what the Sky commentators said about that, which is Max seems very relaxed and well in control of that team right now and able to achieve good results, so he is probably in the best place.

Rosberg had this chip on his shoulder attitude and having a racer father surely helped him off the track too. Bottas is just Barrichello 2.0. Even Webber had more fire in him as Vettel's sidekick.

About Max's contract wasn't it that if he's Top 3 in points after Hungary the deal gets extended or the "leave clause" lapses?

[kals]

The latter scenario, VER and HAM in the same car, would answer Max' quote, "Give me the same car and then we can see how good Lewis actually is".

That's the wrong quote for Max to be saying, it is also pretty redundant. We know how good Lewis is. The same can be said for Seb, Schumi, Alonso, and all the greats. The correct quote should be "Give me the same car and then we can see how good I actually am". But even that's redundant because we know how good Max is.

[erwin greven]

The latter scenario, VER and HAM in the same car, would answer Max' quote, "Give me the same car and then we can see how good Lewis actually is".

That's the wrong quote for Max to be saying, it is also pretty redundant. We know how good Lewis is. The same can be said for Seb, Schumi, Alonso, and all the greats. The correct quote should be "Give me the same car and then we can see how good I actually am". But even that's redundant because we know how good Max is.

But he meant it like that. You can turn it around, but he was pointing out that Lewis is racing in a Mercedes, which at that moment was very dominant.

[Everso Biggyballies]

About Max's contract wasn't it that if he's Top 3 in points after Hungary the deal gets extended or the "leave clause" lapses?

I think in addition to the points factor if he had a race win in the season up to Hungary was also a factor. Whether it was for Max not winning in the timescale allowing him to break contract, or if he did win in the timescale Red Bull could overide and enforce his contract I dont know. Maybe both.
So if he is 4th in the points at Hungary but has a race win perhaps his escape clause is invalid.

[Vassago]

Okay, so the exit clause appears to be about winning a race until Hungary. That's obviously gone now.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-auto ... es-F1-news

[Everso Biggyballies]

Okay, so the exit clause appears to be about winning a race until Hungary. That's obviously gone now.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-auto ... es-F1-news

Plus he is third in points atm, over 20 points clear of Vettel in 4th.

[Picci]

Ricciardo has made no secret in wanting to go to Ferrari and let's be honest, I would kill to see him in one. To be fair it would be also very interesting if he went to Merc instead and Ferrari got Hamilton and kept Vettel. That would be fun.

[MonteCristo]

Apparently Max could go to Ferrari.

[SBan83]

Wait, am I missing something here? The exit clause stipulated he not win any races by Hungary, which he obviously has, so how is he going to exit Red Bull before 2020 now?

[Everso Biggyballies]

Wait, am I missing something here? The exit clause stipulated he not win any races by Hungary, which he obviously has, so how is he going to exit Red Bull before 2020 now?

This occured to me as well. As I mentioned previously he is also 3rd in the points which is another minimum stipulation some say existed... ie 4th or lower would invoke the exit clause. Red Bull are also 3rd in the constructors by a margin of over 150 points, so it cant be invoked on the basis of the team not being top 3

Mr Ginger Spice had stated he will not be leaving under any exit clause and he is 100% sure Max will stay. (for 2020)
https://www.gpfans.com/en/articles/3893 ... n-t-leave/

[erwin greven]

Red Bull are also 3rd in the constructors by a margin of over 150 points, so it cant be invoked on the basis of the team not being top 3

If the gap had been bigger, it would be clear that it is not Max who is causing it.

[Vassago]

Wolff said they will mull the decision over the summer break and if they stick with Bottas then Ocon will be released. I still think Ocon will either end up at Merc next season OR moves to Haas who are poised for a driver change.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Yes, Toto also said Russell was not a consideration, to replace Bottas, on the basis he is better off having another learning year at Williams than being thrust into the Merc team as Hamiltons teamate... fearful that what happened to Gasly could happen to George and destroy career prospects in F1.

[Antonov]

I understand that Bottas will be retained by Mercedes for 2020, with Ocon set to replace Hulkenberg at Renault. I don't see many options for the latter (unless perhaps an unlikely move to the Red Bull family, or to Haas ousting Grosjean?).