Russell and Valtteri Bottas kept deciding which of them would compete next year alongside Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after the summer break with the media day leading up to the event for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
When Leclerc and Verstappen appeared together for their part of the joint press conference in Spa on Thursday, the two were asked if they think Russell – who drove alongside Leclerc in European Formula 3 in 2015, with Verstappen a kart rival in front of hers individual single-seater career lifted off – it is worth taking part in the battle of “Class A” at the top of the F1 field.
Ferrari driver Leclerc replied: “I think it’s great if George gets this seat because he deserves it.
“It’s always very difficult to judge in Formula 1 because the cars are so different and of course with George at Williams it is always difficult to judge how well he is doing his job.
“But I mean, he’s consistently there and shows good things, and I’ve raced with him in the past and I know how strong George is.
“So he definitely deserves this place and I think it will be great to have such a talented driver in this place.”
Verstappen said, “George sure is very quick,” adding, “he can’t stay where he is forever”.
“He deserved more,” continued the Red Bull racing driver. “But at the end of the day, it’s up to Mercedes to make the call. Not really on my side.
“But I definitely rate him very highly as a driver and he is of course still very young. So it is natural that the younger ones will move up at some point – and especially the good drivers.”
George Russell, Williams, and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, at the press conference
Photo by: FIA Pool
In his session alongside Bottas at Spa, Russell said he would enjoy the chance to test his driving skills against Hamilton, whom he described as “probably the greatest of all time” in F1 history, if given the chance to win in 2022 Change Mercedes.
“Of course, like any driver, they want to compete against the best,” said Russell. “Well, you want to oppose it [such a driver] and see how you are.
“It will probably be an honor for everyone to have this opportunity. At the moment, of course, it’s all hypothetical.
“The same comments as I made three years ago [before joining F1 from Formula 2 still apply] – If I could choose to play someone as my teammate, Lewis would be the one. “
