“George is pretty highly rated for the future” – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff thinks highly of George Russell, but is Mercedes ready to replace him with Valtteri Bottas?
Mercedes were the team of the last decade, and seem prepared to continue that domination over this decade. The key to that is going to the ideal pairing of drivers. This worked out perfectly over the last seven years, with Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, and Valtteri Bottas as the prominent drivers. But they have a young, swashbuckling driver to consider for the future – George Russell.
It is not a secret that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff rates the Williams driver very highly. But when it comes to putting him on the 2022 Mercedes seat, Wolff is not entirely convinced yet. He wants Russell to enhance his reputation even further next season, and if the stars fall into place, we could see him partnering compatriot Lewis Hamilton.
“Well, it all depends on how next season goes. Also in our team, our loyalty is highest for the guys in the car because we owe it to them to give them every opportunity. But then obviously George is pretty highly rated for the future.”
Toto Wolff impressed with George Russel’s ‘brutal’ attitude
George Russell was inconsolable after spinning and crashing behind a safety car at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Since then, he has vowed to learn from his mistakes, something which Wolff is extremely impressed with. Russell is self-critical when required, and has the right ingredients to upgrade to ‘Mr. Sunday’ from his current moniker ‘Mr. Saturday’.
“He (Russell) has one of those personality traits that he’s brutal in assessing himself. I think this is what the great ones have shown, that they are able to go with that.”
