Schumacher tips Russell for Mercedes seat 'You don't automatically drive up front'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher hopes to see George Russell fill the empty seat in Lewis Hamilton's W11. Hamilton tested positive for coronavirus and has to miss the upcoming race in Bahrain. There are many entrants and multiple options. Schumacher thinks Russell is the best option.
Schumacher tips Russell
The German tipped Russell as a replacement for the seven-time world champion. The 22-year-old Brit hasn't scored any points in his almost two-year F1 career. This is not due to the Brit himself, but mainly due to the material his employer Williams gives him every race.
Schumacher says in a video on Sky.de: "He already knows the car and is a Mercedes test driver. He is definitely in the race for the spot. He has the experience and knows the track. He can get in immediately and is a driver who is already being coached by Toto Wolff".
First points for Russell
If Russell is indeed allowed to join Mercedes, the young Brit has a good chance of scoring his first F1 points. With Mercedes, he could even score quite a few points. Schumacher nevertheless stresses that driving a Mercedes doesn't directly guarantee a podium.
"Russell is definitely one of the most talented drivers. Unfortunately, he can't show that in his car, but you can see it in the qualifying match. I don't think you can just sit in a Mercedes and drive at the front". The races of Valtteri Bottas in Istanbul and Bahrain are examples of this.
Mercedes seems to have already approached Williams to release Russell for a race. Schumacher said it was a great moment to see what the Mercedes and Hamilton are worth: "How good is the Mercedes if Hamilton isn't in it? I expect that we will see that Lewis is worth every penny".