[NeilP]

My very first thought about Valteri Bottas is what a nice guy he is.  I say that not because he plays number two very well to my favourite driver but because he genuinely comes over as being a very nice guy.  Then one thinks of the old adage "Nice guys Finnish (Pun intended) last".  I do not think that is right all of the time but for sure you could never confuse Michael Schumacher with a cuddly teddy bear (Keep fighting Michael).

No, Valteri is unfortunate to have as his team mate Lewis Hamilton. I do not want to make this post all about Hamilton because it is not. However to ignore his influence on Bottas's situation would be a mistake. It has everything to do with him.  The fact of the matter is he is simply not in the same league as Hamilton, very few ever have been and its arguable if any are right now although I accept some may consider Max Verstappen to be right up there.

Mercedes it seems to me have reached a crossroads with their driver situation.  I am sure for the odd time it actually happens here on the Banter Box we are all in agreement and want to see George Russell in the other seat at Mercedes.  Personally I do not buy into the "Good wingman" to be retained idea.  I feel that has happened in the last two maybe even three seasons and probably with good reason.  Many make the claim its to keep Hamilton happy, maybe that is true maybe not.  Can we not have said the same about Kimi at Ferrari with Vettel.  Can we not say the same about Max Verstappen and his team mates. I am far more certain Red Bull will never challenge Max as the number one driver at that team than I am Mercedes will challenge Hamilton.

To me there is only one choice and it has be to Russell and my reasoning is as follows. Mercedes need a young upcoming driver for the future. Also Hamilton will not be around for ever (Shhh Forza) and they will need a number one driver and in my opinion based on what I have seen so far Russell may well be that guy.  Much is being made of Valteri and his team first attitude at Silverstone this week but can we please be realistic about this.  Hamilton was going to pass him with ease, it would simply have been when not if.  Yes allowing him through unhindered probably helped him enormously to win the race but is that not standing operating practice for all F1 teams in that situation, of course it is.

I do not see where Bottas will remain in F1 I mean where do you go from Mercedes? This is part of all sports and indeed life we all reach the end of our usefulness (My wife and indeed 'friends' tell me that was over a decade ago for me). I do not want to see him go to Haas or Williams for his F1 career to die.

As for Russell will he push Hamilton harder than Bottas. My thoughts are yes he will but he will also light a fire under Hamilton and maybe give him one more wave to ride before he calls time on his career.  What I think it will do is open up the WDC more because I can see Russell taking more points off Hamilton than Bottas and that may open the door for others.

As for Bottas, I will remember him for being a really solid F1 driver.  On his day right up there, but more often that not he was the almost guy.  That said he is one of the nicest guys we have seen on the grid and I wish him luck.