'You don't want to disrupt Hamilton with a whippersnapper like Russell'

At last year's Sakhir GP, George Russell filled in for Lewis Hamilton who had to miss the race due to a coronavirus infection. Russell left a good impression, finishing just behind Valtteri Bottas on P2 in qualifying. It looked like he could win the race, but a team blunder with the pit stop meant he had to settle for ninth.

Johnny Herbert said the following on camera: "We have spoken about Lewis and his relationship with the team. The one thing that you don't want to disrupt is your number one driver being disrupted by this whippersnapper George Russell coming in. He has proved he can jump in Mercedes and do a good job. He can handle the pressure and Valtteri fits in well at the same time. He is a race winner, always there or thereabouts."

Hamilton knows who his teammate will be

Toto Wolff revealed that he values Lewis Hamilton's opinion when it comes to the second driver's contract talks. According to Paul Di Resta, Hamilton already knows who his teammate will be.

"It doesn't matter who you are. I am sure lewis knows who the next driver is going to be. That would have been part of the discussion. Why wouldn't he ask the question? Why upset a working environment? You have to think of the future, but at the same time, if Lewis is nailed on for that long he's still got a lot of life in him. And he's still got a lot of drive. I wouldn't upset the balance if I was in charge," Di Resta said.