LAP IT UP, GEORGE
Coulthard backs Russell to make most of golden Mercedes chance
GEORGE RUSSELL has a golden opportunity to mimic Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen – and stake his claim for a top F1 job.
David Coulthard jousted with both those world champions during his 14 years on the grid and knows how hungry they were in their early days.
And he believes the 22- year- old from Kings Lynn, who is filling Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes, can do the same by challenging Valtteri Bottas in qualifying and in tomorrow’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
Hamilton has tested positive for coronavirus. Russell, fastest in both yesterday’s practice sessions, has impressed in his two seasons with Williams despite not scoring a single point.
He has never been outqualified by an F1 team- mate and has reached Q2 nine times in 15 races this year, even though he has been in what most believe to be the slowest car on the grid.
Former Williams driver Coulthard thinks Russell has a great chance to force his way into Mercedes’ thinking.
Bottas has a contract next season but Russell could put himself in contention for a 2022 drive. Coulthard, below, said: “I think it is a brilliant decision.
“It backs completely the support and belief Mercedes have shown with George in helping him get into F1 with Williams.
“This is the absolute golden opportunity for George to go out, match Valtteri at the minimum, beat Valtteri and put himself on the map.
“This is a shootout.” Russell can make an impact similar to Hakkinen and Schumacher with the world watching, added Coulthard.
Hakkinen replaced Michael Andretti at McLaren for the 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix and beat the legendary Ayrton yrton Senna in qualifying.
Similarly, Schumacher qualified seventh for r Jordan on his s debut in 1991.
Coulthard added: “Let’s ’ s imagine Mercedes des are the fastest t car again and they will be happy with a one- two – Valtteri on pole, George second.
“But if George out- qualifies Valtteri then people are going to sit up and take notice in the way Hakkinen in his first race outqualified Senna.
“Everyone went woah! Similarly, with Schumacher at Spa. “Everything is set up so beautifully for George to go from being someone who is respected as a fast driver to someone who has elevated himself to a must- have driver for any of the top teams.”