Is Wolff hinting here at Russell being recruited and Bottas saying goodbye?
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- GPblog.com
Did Toto Wolff hint in an interview about the arrival of George Russell to Mercedes? It seems so, but it could also be that the Mercedes team boss is trying to put up a smoke screen. Whether we can draw any conclusions from this, we'll leave to you, but it is certainly interesting.
After the British Grand Prix, Wolff spoke to RTL, and the 49-year-old top executive discussed the contractual situation at Mercedes for 2022. Lewis Hamilton's commitment has already been extended, but it is uncertain whether Valtteri Bottas or Russell will be allocated the second spot.
Has the decision already been made?
"Now we'll see what decision we make - or have already made but haven't said yet," Wolff laughed. When asked if he can already report any news, the Austrian answered: "Unfortunately I don't have any news, I don't know which way it's going yet." Wolff then winked conspicuously into the lens of the German camera. What conclusion did RTL draw from this? The decision seems to have been made already, but it's still a secret.
The consensus seems to be falling Russell's way, as the team boss goes on to say, "To say to someone 'that's it', that's a very difficult conversation and something you'd rather not do." This statement seems to refer to Bottas, as he is the one who could lose the spot at Mercedes. Russell has nothing to lose in that respect.
Is Russell ready for it?
Wolff also knows that as team principal, he is asked to speak up during the less pleasant moments. "I have to have the unpleasant conversations too, even if it's incredibly difficult," he says. Finally about Russell: "He definitely has what it takes to be a world champion. You have to bring him carefully, that's what we did." After three seasons at Williams, is it time to give Russell a chance at Mercedes' top team? Or is another fourth season needed at Williams to fully mature?