2017 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand PrixFormula 1

[Peter.]

I don't think he was supposed to beat Lewis in qualy...so the team "fixed" it.
Sounds like Mercedes have already made him a number 2....

Mercedes are probably the most liberal top team in a while when it comes to driver parity. I'm sure Lewis wouldn't mind if they did have a preference, but the obvious lack of driver preference is part of why he ruffles his feathers every now and again.

If you want to worry about a driver potentially becoming number 2, look no further than Kimi.

 

[TheElbows]

Not to mention for the first time in several years Mercedes has competition for the manufacturer's title...zero point in sabotaging one of their drivers. I do believe that Mercedes care more for the manufacturer title than for Hamilton to win another driver's championship. They need Mercedes 1-2 regardless of the order.

I see Bottas sneaking in one, maybe two wins this season (particularly if Hamilton or Vettel go out). I don't see the same promise from Kimi.

 

[Peter.]

I think Kimi is just fine in the races, but he's poor in qualifying and not a particularly good starter, so he won't get close to the front to challenge for wins. He can execute a strategy just fine if he were in the positions Vettel is in.

 

[[Nor]MclarenF1]

If you want to worry about a driver potentially becoming number 2, look no further than Kimi.

Ricciardo could also be on the fast track to becoming #2 as well. With Verstappen being the more marketable of the two with his young age and a name that carries some F1 heritage - not to mention his on-track antics.

 

[TenEightyOne]

I see Bottas sneaking in one, maybe two wins this season (particularly if Hamilton or Vettel go out). I don't see the same promise from Kimi.

Kimi's suffered from Ferrari's "#2 Strategy" choices though, they've missed opportunities to have him challenging for a podium this season.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Kimi's suffered from Ferrari's "#2 Strategy" choices though, they've missed opportunities to have him challenging for a podium this season.

No I think just like Bottas, Kimi is partially his own enemy, and the other problem is the car set up not meshing well with him, which is the team's fault. You can't win a WCC just by giving it to the more famous of the two drivers all the time. But then again this is Ferrari, the only team to find as much glory in giving a driver a WDC as they would in winning a WCC.