Marc Surer: "He's a very good alternative to Bottas"

To Ferrari or not?

"I think Hamilton's decision depends more on what happens at Mercedes", says Surer to Speedweek.com. "He may also think that the relationship between team boss Toto Wolff and the new Daimler boss Ola Källenius is not as close as before between Wolff and Dieter Zetsche. With these two I always had the feeling that they are one heart and one soul."

Surer doesn't think if Hamilton would ever make the switch to Ferrari again. "That, of course, is the icing on the cake of a great career. But with Hamilton you have to think: he has already become world champion for two different teams, unlike Sebastian Vettel. From this perspective, he doesn't necessarily have to go to Maranello."

Second driver at Mercedes

Surer assumes that Hamilton Mercedes will remain loyal. He also thinks Hamilton will do everything in his power to keep Valtteri Bottas as a teammate. "Because he knows exactly that he has no problems with this driver", says Surer.

He does see a very good alternative for Bottas in George Russell. "If you train a young pilot you have a prospect of one day taking Hamilton's place", he says.