George Russell has replaced Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes for the 2022 F1 season and will form a delightful British partnership with Sir Lewis Hamilton
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George Russell joins Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes
Mercedes has been warned that they chose the wrong driver to partner with Lewis Hamilton after George Russell was arrested in 2022.
Former Williams driver Russell, 23, will forge an exciting British partnership with Hamilton that replaces Valtteri Bottas.
Russell was dubbed “Mr. Saturday” last season after consistently exceeding expectations in qualifying. His career highlight came in Spa, where only Max Verstappen denied him pole position when he died.
His second starting position was somewhat doubtful as the finish the next day, when due to torrential rain, only two safety car-led laps were possible, which meant a first podium place.
George Russell will become Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2022 F1 season
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Image:
XPB pictures / PA pictures)
After months of speculation, his portrayal prompted Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to confirm his commitment to the team for 2022.
He had previously stood in for Hamilton at Mercedes at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix and finally finished ninth after a slow tire damage had ruined his chances of victory.
Despite Russell’s undisputed promise, he only managed to collect 16 points in the drivers’ championship last season and ended up in 15th place. The decision to sign him has now been questioned by two F1 pundits.
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In the F1: Checkered Flag podcast, Jack Nicholls argued that the spot was better suited for Lando Norris, who finished sixth overall with McLaren and only refused to take a first Grand Prix victory at the Russian Grand Prix due to late rain.
Nicholls said, “If I’m Mercedes and have a free choice in this second place alongside Hamilton, I think after this year I’ll choose Norris over Russell.”
Jolyon Palmer agreed, adding, “I’ll go with Jack, I’ll go with Lando.”
Russell will partner with Hamilton in 2021, replacing Valtteri Bottas
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Image:
Getty Images)
Palmer cited the 22-year-old’s performance in Sochi as a catalyst for big things that lie ahead.
“The way he stopped Lewis Hamilton at the end of this race in Sochi until he lost his strategy and tire choice was incredible.
“For a guy who has never won a race to have a seven-time world champion in a Mercedes behind his neck.
“Then it starts to rain and he still got off the road a few times, crawling around, but we keep all of Hamilton, we all know how good he is in the wet behind him.
“It was really legendary stuff I think from Norris.”
Norris will instead stay with Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren, with the two claiming the team’s first one-two in 11 years at last year’s Italian Grand Prix.
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