Sky Sports Channel Logo
  • F1

  • Teams

Mercedes News

News

  • News
  • Results
More from F1
  • F1 Home
  • Teams

George Russell, Valtteri Bottas tight-lipped on 2022 Mercedes' driver decision plans

But Valtteri Bottas, the incumbent at Mercedes, adds: "Maybe I know something, maybe I don't"; George Russell suggests any 2022 announcement unlikely before the Italian GP in two weeks' time

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 26/08/21 5:05pm

Neither Valtteri Bottas or George Russell were giving much away when asked about which team they'd be driving for in the 2022 Formula 1 season

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Neither Valtteri Bottas or George Russell were giving much away when asked about which team they'd be driving for in the 2022 Formula 1 season
Neither Valtteri Bottas or George Russell were giving much away when asked about which team they'd be driving for in the 2022 Formula 1 season

George Russell and Valtteri Bottas said there was "no news to share" about their respective futures, as F1 continues to wait on Mercedes' eagerly-anticipated announcement about who partners Lewis Hamilton at the team next season.

In direct competition for the seat next to F1's seven-time world champion for 2022, Russell and Bottas were paired together by the FIA in the first section of Thursday's drivers' press conference at the Belgian GP where F1 reconvenes after the summer break.

The drivers were tight-lipped about whether any decision by Mercedes had been taken.

"There's no news to share yet," said Bottas, Hamilton's team-mate since 2017.

Asked if this represented a surprise, the Finn did cryptically then add: "Who knows. Maybe I know something, maybe I don't, but like I said, there's no news to share."

Natalie Pinkham and Martin Brundle look ahead to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix from Spa

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Natalie Pinkham and Martin Brundle look ahead to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix from Spa
Natalie Pinkham and Martin Brundle look ahead to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix from Spa

Russell, a Mercedes junior driver currently at Williams, towed a similar line but did disclose that conversations had taken place during the break and that any announcement was unlikely for at least two more weeks.

"No news to share at this stage," said the Briton.

  • Q&A on Formula 1's return
  • Sky F1's Belgian GP schedule: When to watch live
  • What's the latest in the F1 driver market for 2022?

"Obviously in discussions over the summer break but there's nothing to announce one way or another this weekend and probably not next weekend either, to be honest.

"It's no problem. Do things right rather than quickly, let's say."

The Dutch GP follows the Belgium event next week, with the triple-header ending with the Italian GP at Monza on September 12.

Valtteri Bottas wasn't giving much away when asked about his future at Mercedes beyond this season

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Valtteri Bottas wasn't giving much away when asked about his future at Mercedes beyond this season
Valtteri Bottas wasn't giving much away when asked about his future at Mercedes beyond this season

Toto Wolff, Mercedes' team principal, said in an interview with Germany's Bild newspaper earlier this week that he was keen to have the driver situation for 2022 resolved in September.

Asked by Sky Sports if he knew what the team's decision was but could not divulge it, Bottas replied: "The simple answer is there's nothing I can tell you at the moment. But eventually, we'll find out and everything will be fine."

Should Bottas lose his drive to Russell, as is increasingly anticipated by some, then an effective seat swap with the Briton at Williams, where the Finn started his career, or a switch to Alfa Romeo have been mooted.

Hamilton will support Mercedes decision on team-mate

Having enjoyed a strong working relationship and partnership with Bottas since the Finn replaced Nico Rosberg four-and-a-half years ago, Hamilton has consistently spoken positively about his current team-mate.

The world champion says he talks about the situation with team boss Wolff but says he will support whatever decision the management and board make on who takes the second seat.

"I've obviously been vocal in the past about my loyalty to Valtteri and worked incredibly closely with him, I think our working relationship is better than ever," said Hamilton.

Also See:

  • Insight: Are Merc really back ahead?
  • Sky F1's Belgian GP live schedule
Lewis Hamilton credits his Mercedes team for helping him overtake Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the driver standings

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Lewis Hamilton credits his Mercedes team for helping him overtake Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the driver standings
Lewis Hamilton credits his Mercedes team for helping him overtake Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the driver standings

"Toto is a great leader and we always stay connected, of course we talk about these things and naturally we're part of the same team, we want what's best for the team moving forwards, we want to win more championships and so we just have conversations.

"But at the end of the day, it's down to him and the board at Mercedes to make that decision. I'm a part of the team so I'll support them whichever way they go, naturally, but at the moment I'm just trying to put all my energy into being the best I can this season."

Trending

  • 1
    Man City 'surprised' after being charged by PL for alleged financial breaches
  • 2
    Papers: Man Utd's failed £100m move for Rice
  • 3
    Man City charges Q&A: What are the punishments? | PL cite 101 rules broken
  • 4
    Transfer Centre: Keita leaving Liverpool this summer? Plus Marsch reaction
  • 5
    Marsch sacked by Leeds | Backroom trio take charge vs Man Utd
  • 6
    Nev: Liverpool need to wake themselves up | 'Man Utd look happy again'
  • 7
    Ref Watch: Was Casemiro unlucky to see red? What about Ayew?
  • 8
    Why Dortmund's implosion under Klopp should worry Liverpool fans
  • 9
    Albon 'confused' over FIA politics ban | Verstappen: We should be able to speak
  • 10
    Salah's form analysed: What's going wrong?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2023 Sky UK