Schumacher thinks Mercedes must sign Russell as next season's driver
Aug.25 - Ralf Schumacher has rejected suggestions Mercedes may actually stick with Valtteri Bottas for next year.
The former Formula 1 driver thinks it is obvious that the German outfit will actually move the young and highly-rated George Russell from Williams for 2022 and beyond.
"I am firmly assuming that Russell will be in the Mercedes next year," Schumacher told Sport1. "Anything else would be completely incomprehensible for the future.
"Lewis is 36, so in another two or three years, the cheese will already have been eaten," the former Williams driver added.
"Mercedes has to prepare for the time after Lewis, and Max Verstappen is no longer an issue for them."
However, Bottas said last weekend that Hamilton has told him "directly" that he would prefer if the 31-year-old Finn remains on the team next year.
Schumacher thinks 23-year-old Russell would definitely give Hamilton a push.
"Russell will put more pressure on Lewis," he said. "What he did in Bahrain last year was unbelievable.
"George didn't even fit in the car because of his size, but he still would have won if the team hadn't of made that mistake at the pitstop.
"That was a great achievement by him. Lewis knows that too which is why he came back very quickly for Abu Dhabi," Schumacher added.
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Russell to RB next year.
we dont want/need him
why? because checo is faster?, do not think so. not many drivers can step up when it comes to mingling with the top.
"Russell will put more pressure on Lewis,"
Does it ever occur to these pathetic pundits that MB does not want pressure in their team? A completely 'team' attitude seems to have worked quite well for them...for a very long time. In motor racing, it has always been true that the future is now. No points or $$$ are awarded for 2-3 years from now. Healthy internal competition is good (even fun), but try running ANY business without supportive cooperation.
I completely agree. As long as Lewis can continue winning the last thing Mercedes needs is two drivers crashing into each other, which is what they will have if the bring in Russel now.
Actually this would be good for Red Bull and everybody else!
The best result a team can ever hope for is P1 and P2, that's what Valteri was hired for: let Lewis win, but if something goes wrong for Lewis try to win Valtri......we really love you, Lewis too.
ReallyOldRacer is right: in Formula One the future does not exist!
Russell to McLaren? I just want to see that boy in a fast car...
This has got to happen the sooner the better.Russell will be a winner he is that good.
The cheese will already have been eaten??!
How about ''I AM FIRMLY ASSUMING!!!!''
You know what they say about people who assume... now when you FIRMLY assume you MUST be an ass..................