According to Toto Wolff, Mercedes will “rate everything” when deciding on future lineups – including some drivers who have not yet had a “winning car”.
Mercedes has a big decision to make in 2022, largely in relation to Valtteri Bottas, when Sir Lewis Hamilton, as the current probability trend is, renews his contract.
It has been widely reported that George Russell is next in line, especially after advocating for the seven-time world champion because of his illness at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix, where the substitute shone at the last minute on the race weekend.
Esteban Ocon’s obvious improvement in 2021 has also brought him back into the mix, as the alpine driver like Williams’ rival Russell is under the direction of Mercedes F1 co-owner and team principal Wolff.
And of course there is also the possibility that the seven-time constructors’ world champions could try to lure Max Verstappen from Red Bull as the long-term successor to Hamilton.
According to Wolff’s comments in an interview with the Italian version of Motorsport.com, there could also be other goals.
“We always evaluate who may be behind the wheel of a Mercedes in the future. Max is certainly a first-order star in the future, but he’s not the only one who is, ”said Wolff.
“I think there is a group of really good young drivers who haven’t had a winning car and from that point of view it will be very interesting to see how their careers develop.”
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When given Russell’s name, Wolff did not deny that he was the most obvious contender to replace Bottas if Hamilton decides to extend his Mercedes career to a tenth year and even beyond.
“We will examine both decisions,” added the 49-year-old Austrian, whose only full-time racing driver at Mercedes since his arrival in 2013 has been Hamilton, Bottas and Nico Rosberg.
“Valtteri is one of our drivers and I will always be loyal to our drivers. But we all have an obligation to evaluate the future, to have long-term plans, and in that regard we have to consider all possible options for both cars.
“And since we have two Mercedes juniors, Esteban (Ocon) and George, we have to evaluate everything.
“I would add that we also keep an eye on other young people who show up but only two drivers drive a Mercedes today and they are Valtteri and Lewis.”
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