Wolff will help Bottas find new F1 seat if Mercedes picks Russell for 2022

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says he has a “responsibility” to help Valtteri Bottas find another seat in Formula 1 if the team opts to sign George Russell for 2022.
Second placed Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 in parc ferme.
Second placed Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1 in parc ferme.
© FIA Pool Image for Editorial Use

Bottas’ future ꧙remains uncertain as he e💫nters the final five months of his Mercedes contract, with the German marquee currently in the process of weighing up who should be Lewis Hamilton’s teammate for next season.

The choice appears to be a straight shoot-out between Bottas and current Williams driver and Me🌌rcedes protege Russel✨l.

Bottas played a key role in helping Hamilton claim a crucial victory at the British Gra🍌nd Prix last time out as he follo𒈔wed a team order to move aside for his teammate on his way to completing the podium in third.

Speaking after the race at Silverstone, Wolff revealed he would do all he can to ensure Bottas - who has been linked with a return to Williams and Alfa Romeo - secures a seat elsewhere on the 𓂃2022 F1 grid in the event Mercedes chooses to prom꧂ote Russell.

“If we were to come to the situation that we wanted to give somebody else a go, then it’s not onlꦯy my relationship with him but also my responsibility that he has a great future,” Wolff said. “Because he deserves that.

“He has been the teammate of the best Formula🎶 1 driver of all time and that is not always very easy to shine, but he’s fantastic.”

1st place Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 with Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1.
1st place Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 with Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Mercedes AMG F1.
© xpbimages.com

Hamilton has backed Bottas to retain his seat but Wolff recently stressed the seven-time world champion’s teammate preference for 2022 was not a topi🌞c which came up during negotiations over a new two-year deal, adding the final call will be a “strategic decision”.

“Valtteri has ticked all the boxes that we needed to understand,” Wolff explain🍷𝐆ed. “Not only recently but also before.

“It is more🍬 of a strategic decision whether we stay with the current line-up or w👍hether we go more bold next year.

“But we’re going to sit ♓down with the drivers, with both of them – because George is a Mercedes driver – and then discuss and then come up with a decision.”

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