Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is the latest person to give his or her opinion on the Mercedes dilemma ahead of next season. Valtteri Bottas is under pressure from Williams’ exciting young candidate George Russell to keep his place as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, with team principal Toto Wolff yet to decide her fate.
Rumors are circulating that the seasoned Finnish driver will be replaced by Russell after a relatively disappointing season at the Mercedes hot seat.
Bottas, who has been with Mercedes since 2017, is currently fourth in the drivers’ standings – 87 points behind front-runner and team-mate Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in second and third place ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.
It was hoped that Mercedes boss Wolff would make his final decision on Bottas and Russell’s future during the midseason, but no one is the wiser and the position still appears to be open.
And on Thursday, Bottas stayed closed as he pushed about his future while Russell sat right next to him during his press conference.
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Ferraris Leclerc then added, “I can see what George is going through. I can understand this situation. I don’t know if it concerns him or not. I do not think so. And it shouldn’t – he’s doing great. “
Russell knows that many eyes will be on him this weekend in Belgium as his F1 future is in the air, but many already know that he has what it takes to compete with Mercedes.
Russell endured heartbreak when he stood in for Hamilton at last season’s Sakhir Grand Prix after the seven-time world champion’s positive Covid test.
Russell seemed destined for a remarkable win on his debut for Mercedes, but a tire mix-up and then a puncture shattered his dreams in Bahrain before finally finishing ninth.
Meanwhile, the F1 calendar is back on track in Belgium this weekend, with Hamilton and Verstappen renewing their exciting title rivalry.
Mercedes and Hamilton have regained authority in the title race in recent races after Verstappen suffered disasters in both the British and Hungarian Grand Prix.
Mercedes, who have won the last seven constructors’ titles, are leading again, while Hamilton is now eight points ahead of their Red Bull rivals.
Knowing the time has come in the title race, Verstappen will be desperate to put the British greats in first place on Sunday afternoon in Belgium.
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