MANAMA — System One particular champions Mercedes are not dealing with this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix as a shootout concerning workforce normal Valtteri Bottas and super-sub George Russell, workforce principal Toto Wolff claimed on Friday.
Russell, a 22-12 months-outdated who is in only his next year in System One particular, has been called up to stand in for Lewis Hamilton just after the 7-time globe winner analyzed favourable for COVID-19.
The highly-rated Briton, who has amazed at engine buyer Williams, is noticed as a expertise of the long term and tipped to 1 working day generate for the key Mercedes workforce.
That has led to speculation that Russell’s non permanent advertising, most likely to carry more than into the year finale in Abu Dhabi if Hamilton won’t return, could be a way for Mercedes to assess him immediately in opposition to Bottas for a seat in 2022.
“There is no shootout,” Wolff explained to reporters via video clip conference on Friday.
“If George does perfectly, it is an indication that 1 working day he’s likely to be in a fantastic car or truck and ideally race for victories and globe championships.”
Bottas has gained two races to Hamilton’s eleven this year but has pushed the Briton tough in qualifying.
The Finn will be out of agreement at Mercedes at the close of up coming 12 months which could open up up at least 1 seat at the globe champions for 2022.
Hamilton, out of agreement at the close of this 12 months is but to indicator an extension. Nevertheless, that is expected to be a formality.
Russell, who will be staying at Williams up coming 12 months, did his likelihood of driving for the key Mercedes workforce in the long term no damage on Friday when he topped each exercise sessions.
Nevertheless, Wolff claimed Mercedes wouldn’t make a decision its 2022 line up dependent on just that.
“We know that we race up coming 12 months with Lewis and Valtteri,” claimed the Austrian.
“Wherever we are in 2022 is all likely to depend how our possess year in 2021 is likely to go and not by George’s overall performance on a oval in Bahrain and on a year ultimate in Abu Dhabi.
“We have complete have faith in in Valtteri and loyalty as we have constantly had, and that is our posture.”
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