Mercedes has been considering who Hamilton will join the team as a partner in 2022 and is considering current Williams driver Russell as a replacement for Bottas.
Russell has been part of the Mercedes Young Driver Program since 2017 and has played in F1 throughout his time at Williams since making his debut for the team in 2019.
Russell and Bottas were reluctant to make any decision ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, saying there was “no news to share” but team principal Toto Wolff announced on Saturday that he had made his decision.
Wolff explained the delay in the announcement “because there are stakeholders involved that we must respect”.
“As long as no contracts are signed, there is no point in announcing this,” he added.
When asked by Motorsport.com if he would like both Bottas and Russell to settle their futures before they make an announcement, Wolff replied, “Yes.
“It’s not just our calling, there are other parties involved and you always have to act with respect and care.”
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes AMG, and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, in the garage
Photo by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Alfa Romeo was being considered as a possible landing site for Bottas should Mercedes decide to promote Russell to their senior team.
The team led by Sauber is said to have put him at the top of its shortlist for 2022 as a free agent, but has waited for Mercedes to make a decision first.
With reference to his comment on Saturday about a decision that had already been made, Wolff made it clear that he had personally made a decision, but “not the only one involved in this decision”.
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Bottas has been driving for Mercedes since he replaced Nico Rosberg in the 2017 season and has since been involved in four wins in the constructors’ championship.
But the Finn has fought for form throughout the current season, finishing a race above third place only once and not winning a race.
The last setback for Bottas came on Saturday in Spa, when he was only able to qualify in eighth place in wet conditions.
That meant he left Spa empty-handed while Russell took nine points in the rain-shortened race after finishing second thanks to his qualifying performance and marking his first F1 podium.
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