Russell in, Bottas out, Mercedes relies on youth instead of experience

The long-standing saga is over: Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate in Formula 1 in the coming season will be George Russell.

Mercedes has used Valtteri Bottas alongside Hamilton since Nico Rosberg retired in late 2016, but the rise of junior driver Russell made him no longer ignore.

Mercedes’ decision creates an all-British line-up for 2022, the first in Formula 1 in a decade when Jenson Button worked with Hamilton at McLaren for three years.

It’s a change of pace from Mercedes that has historically valued stability and experience, but was highly calculated and not done on a whim.

Mercedes has had Russell under its wing since 2016 and he stormed successive titles in the GP3 series and Formula 2. During this time between 2017 and 2018 he was increasingly integrated into the Mercedes warehouse and tested Formula 1 machines – impressive with his Speed ​​and talent. He often spent Grand Prix in the Mercedes garage, alongside team principal Toto Wolff and the late Niki Lauda.

Russell signed a three-year deal with Williams – the team supplied by Mercedes engines – but his arrival in 2019 coincided with the UK team’s sharp regression through the deal. Despite the dire situation, Russell was a beacon for the team that consistently excelled and was a figurehead in its ongoing resurrection.

George Russell (left), with Toto Wolff in 2018.

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It was last year in Bahrain that Russell’s star quality really shone when he was drafted to replace the COVID-positive Hamilton at Mercedes. Despite an inadequate seating position, high frame and inexperience in the Mercedes Formula 1 car, Russell was just 0.026 seconds off Bottas’ pole position before he dominated most of the race. Between a catastrophic pit stop and a puncture that derailed his chances of victory, he showed serenity and excellent racing skills. His application on this unexpected opportunity struck the Mercedes hierarchy – as did his mature response to such a devastating result.

Russell’s rise continued despite some bumps in the road until 2021 and was firmly established in the frame. Russell finally scored his first Williams points in Hungary, finished eighth and followed in qualifying in Belgium with a shocking position in the front row. The race day rain disaster meant Russell took his first podium, Williams’ best since 2014, and a healthy score on that lap. By the time Russell put the eighth-best car on the front row, Mercedes had long since decided to get him for 2022 and beyond.

Russell’s move to Mercedes continues the recent trend among Formula 1 leaders towards youth, joining Max Verstappen from Red Bull and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, both 23, 21-year-old McLaren driver Lando Norris and the formula’s newest race winner 1, Alpine 24 year old Esteban Ocon. Mercedes must also consider Russell as a possible long-term successor to Hamilton, who has signed through 2023 but turns 37 in January. Hamilton won’t be there forever.

Russell still has big footsteps to fill. Mercedes has seven titles in a row, it could be eight by 2022, and predecessor Bottas played his role almost perfectly.

“He was the best team-mate I had the pleasure of working with,” said Hamilton of Bottas. He turned directly to Bottas and said: “What you really notice is the person you are and the gentleman. You’re bigger than you know. ”Bottas will have another chance in Formula 1, with Alfa Romeo with a multi-year contract. It is a chance to step out of the shadows and to form a team around you who is not successful.

Mercedes could see Russell as a possible successor to teammate Lewis Hamilton, who will turn 37 in January.

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Russell doesn’t have to try to exceed expectations, but rather live up to them week after week and fight for regular podiums and wins instead of settling for points. And he has to do that together with a driver who has clinched 99 wins, 101 poles and seven titles and who remains an impressive racing driver well into the twilight of his career. But it’s a challenge that Russell enjoys.

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t totally humming,” said Russell. “It’s a huge opportunity and one I want to seize with both hands.

“But I have no illusions about the extent of the challenge. It’s going to be a steep learning curve. Valtteri has set the bar very high and consistently delivered successes week after week, taking wins, pole positions and helping to win several championship titles.

“I’ve looked up to Lewis since I was in go-karting and the opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model both on and off the track can only benefit me as a driver, professional and person. “

For several months, the will has been rumbling in Formula 1 circles, which they are not debating, and the announcement is a relief for team boss Toto Wolff.

“George was a winner in every racing category – and the last three seasons with Williams have given us a taste of what the future might hold for him in F1,” said Wolff. “Now it’s our common challenge to help him learn in our environment and alongside Lewis, the greatest F1 driver of all time.

“I am confident that as the relationship grows, they will form a strong team and that they will deliver on and off the track for Mercedes in the years to come. It is a burden on our shoulders to have our plans for 2022 clear and known. But now we are concentrating again on the last nine races of this season and are putting everything into our challenge for this year’s world championship. “

How do you think George will do at Mercedes? Will he do as well as Bottas in second place? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

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