Toto Wolff’s most recent comments about Mercedes’ decision for the 2022 Formula 1 season contradict what many previously thought.
Entering the four-week Formula 1 summer break, which is now set to conclude this weekend with Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, it was believed that the break would feature a decision regarding the second Mercedes seat for the 2022 season.
Seven-time world champion and current points leader Lewis Hamilton has already signed a contract extension to remain with the Silver Arrows through the 2023 season after entering the year on just a one-year deal he signed the month before the season began.
But Valtteri Bottas, who has been Hamilton’s teammate since the 2017 season, is competing for the Brackley-based team on a one-year deal for the fifth straight year, and he is without a contract to compete in 2022.
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With Mercedes junior driver George Russell in a contract year at Williams, speculation has been rife that the 23-year-old Briton will replace the 31-year-old Finn next year.
After Hamilton tested positive for COVID-19 late last season, Russell was called upon by Mercedes to replace him for the Sakhir Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, and despite the fact that he barely fit into the car and ended up with bloody knuckles and bruised knees because of it, he put on an extremely impressive performance.
But the decision that many expected to come between the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring four Sundays ago and this Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix probably isn’t going to be coming during the break.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff now hopes that a decision will be made at some point next month.
Here is what he told German tabloid newspaper Bild this past weekend.
"“We have to choose between the stability of Valtteri and the talent of George, where the future lies. I want the topic settled in September so both of them can position themselves properly for the coming season.”"
At the very least, he clearly ruled out signing Lance Stroll, whom Jacques Villeneuve believes the team will sign from Aston Martin simply because he won’t “bother” Hamilton.
At the end of the day, the wait continues. But every day, the decision does get closer; we simply don’t know exactly how long the wait will last. Will the latest target of September end up being pushed back as well?