Bottas to trade places with Russell next season?
Jun.15 - Rumours are gaining steam that George Russell is definitely set to replace Valtteri Bottas for 2022 and beyond.
"We would like to keep George," new Williams team principal Jost Capito admitted to Sky Deutschland. "But we all know that Mercedes will make the decision."
Indeed, Russell is a closely Toto Wolff-aligned Mercedes junior who is expecting the call to be made "by the end of the summer break at the latest".
"My attitude is to get it all wrapped up as soon as possible. That is in everyone's best interest," the Williams driver added.
Even Mercedes' closest rival - Red Bull - thinks Russell replacing Finn Bottas, who has been on one-year contracts since 2017, is "the logical step".
"They can't hold it off any longer, otherwise the (driver) program no longer makes sense. Even if Hamilton won't be happy," Dr Helmut Marko told f1-insider.com.
It appears that the logical move for the Bottas, 31, is that he will simply trade places with 23-year-old Russell at Williams - the team Bottas entered Formula 1 with in 2013.
"Bottas doesn't need to call us," Red Bull's Marko insisted. "There is no space here.
"Actually, I can only imagine that he swaps with Russell. I think Williams will be the only option for him."
It is rumoured that Mercedes might announce Russell's impending arrival at his home race at Silverstone next month.
Esteban Ocon, meanwhile, is expected to have his Alpine contract renewal announced at his own home race this weekend at Paul Ricard.
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And now, the Taps shall be played for the late Honorable Valtteri Bottas.
R.I.P
About 2 years to late. Red Bull do this at least once a year, only thing is 2 British drivers, not great for marketing.
Always assuming Lulu continues into 2022 of course, he (GR) is also NOT a Mercedes junior driver .
Once Georgy gets his feet under the table at mercedes the tantrums will begin
Especially when BOT beats him in the Williams. LOL Let's remember, new rules and new cars for 2022. The slate is clean.
Unlikely considering GR got the better Bottas in his one and only race in a Mercedes.
Sakir 2020: Quali BOT 1 RUS 2, Race BOT 8 RUS 9. Bad fortune for RUS, yes, but data is data. Pay attention awardguy
Looks like you spend to much time on a computer, try watching the race, might learn something.
The Old fella makes an interesting point. Which makes me wonder.....what's going to be the excuse/s from the haters when Sir Lewis dominates next year(yes this another prediction so try to remember this one Old Racer), given the cars will be different? Let me take a stab at the excuses.
1. The Fia conspired with Merc to make the rules and cars advantageous to them.
2. Merc is favoring Lewis over Russell and giving him the best car setup to keep him happy as agreed in his contract.
So basically it will boil down to the same old tired excuse of....."it's the car it's the car". Lol
you been sniffing the brake fluid on your Jaxi again?, and funny you should mention " the car " because that's all Arnie has been banging on about recently
Jaxman, I'd need 3 gigs of storage to track your HAM failed predictions. If Sir Lewis tightens his boots and has his 100/8 season he won't be around next year.
im off the same opinion Ror, so are you saying for 22 GR And VB ? lol 3 gigs classic
Best guess: if HAM quits BOT/RUS, or HAM/BOT if Sir Lewis bungles this season. The wild card is how badly Toto beats on BOT this year. Either way it seems like MB dominance ends this season. Maybe, just maybe we will have a very competitive 2022 season. IMO, which is almost never correct. LOL
So Old one, I'm curious. What are you basing your theory of Hammer retiring this year if he gets #8 mantra on?
Oh and also point out my supposed wrongful predictions, if you dare!
probably right Torger just needs to show some love to Bottas, Lucy wouldn't want IMO to be shown up by George, nomatter how much he says he enjoys it, the press would slaughter him, ok he beat alonso in 2008 but tailspin alonso, as for leclerc on vettel well nuff said , thats facing Lulu , or at least the risk of it IMO will make him retire, but your right who knows ?? got to know when to hold and when to fold as they say.
it just had to be mmm
Pre-race press conference pairings in full – Thursday 17th June, from 11.30am BST
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
#headspace
Ill tell you a wrong prediction lewis will stay for 3 years but now only wants a 1 yr deal 3 gigs you are magic and i dont mean like "that special magic button" hamster uses correctly/incorrectly lol
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