Quote:
Originally Posted by M5Rick
Sure he will, but the pressure is getting to the Russel boy too and if Checo gets his mojo back then he should get past...knowing that Slim is watching  $$$ |
Russell will have received firm instructions to assist Hamilton in getting P2 in the WDC and to secure P2 for Mercedes in the WCC: *no* contact/impact with Hamilton, let Hamilton finish ahead of him, finish ahead of Ferrari (back up Ferrari behind). Otherwise said: Russel will have been Bottas'd for the remaining races of the season.
The points gap between P2 WDC (Perez) and P3 WDC (Hamilton) is exactly the same points gap as the one between P2 WCC (Mercedes) and P3 WCC (Ferrari): 27 points.
Toto Wolff desperately wants P2 for WDC and WCC. WCC results determine the millions that a team gets. The Qatar race was a disaster, with Hamilton squandering a golden chance for the team and himself to grab precious WDC and WCC points (Sainz did not start + weak Perez qualies + P2 and P3 start for Russell and Hamilton). So Russell must help.
As regards Perez: he is aware that his maecenas Carlos $lim will be watching too. Can he handle the pressure ? Personally I hope he will. He is capable to pull it off with the best car of the field, but he will require to remain super focused.