Wolff says Bottas not a F1 phenomenon like Hamilton
Nov.3 - Toto Wolff says departing works Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is "not a phenomenon" like 2021 title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Finn Bottas, 32, is keeping his Formula 1 career alive next year with a new long-term contract at Swiss-based Alfa Romeo.
"I expect him to take the lead there," said Mercedes boss Wolff. "He can bring that team forward.
"He's certainly not a phenomenon like Lewis or Max, which is very rare, but recently in Turkey, for example, he drove better than the two of them."
However, Wolff made the decision to promote the highly-regarded Mercedes junior and current Williams driver George Russell into Bottas' seat for 2022.
"What do I expect of him? That he fits in well with the Mercedes system," Wolff told Speed Week when asked about Russell. "That means learning.
"It doesn't matter whether he is slower or faster or tied with Lewis. He has to be a team player. With us, the team is the star, not a single member of it."
It is also clear that Wolff sees Russell, 23, as a long-term successor for the much older seven time world champion Hamilton.
"We are very close and we exchange our ideas every day," Wolff said when asked how long he thinks 36-year-old Hamilton will keep racing in Formula 1.
"But we both know that a Formula 1 career is a moving goal. There is no date he is committed to.
"What is certain is that we will do the best possible job together next year as well," he added.
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"It doesn't matter whether he is slower or faster or tied with Lewis. He has to be a team player. With us, the team is the star, not a single member of it."
Yeah ,right, no knight bias here. sheesh
What is Toto on about, George is no rookie fgs, but if he begins to outshine hamish, i predict sparks flying ala 2007, but heh it'll be fun watching the interviews after races...
I still believe lewis will quit at end of the year
Only if he wins the WDC. Can you just imagine the coincidental heart attacks in Hamland if he pulls a Nico? The Jaxaphobes would be catatonic. Not to mention Totster. I will fly over and buy you a beer, or ale or whatever you Limeys call it. :)
Hardly a story, Bottas has let Mercedes down for to long, amazing he lasted this long
He has lasted this long because he has dutifully followed team orders for this long. If Bottas were turned loose all the time, I think his numbers would be much better at this point. We'll see at Alfa.
Hes not a hypocritical sanctimonious pratt either
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