Marko: George Russell ‘Worth Considering’ for Red Bull if Mercedes F1 Don’t Sign Him up

While Red Bull and Mercedes are surely engaged in a tight battle for the championship this year, it appears as though they’re already battling for their future in the sport as well. This specific fight hinges on George Russell, who is rumored to join the Silver Arrows for the 2022 season.

However, it is purely speculation as of now, but the Milton-Keynes-based outfit are already ready to throw their hat in the ring for the young Brit if Mercedes don’t come calling for his signature. Red Bull’s advisor Dr. Helmut Marko has seen how Russell has progressed at Williams and he is interested in bringing the latter to the team.

Red Bull will keep an eye on the George Russell-Mercedes saga

As quoted by Motorsport.Total, the Austrian said, “Russell is certainly worth considering with the performance he is now showing at Williams.

“This is something of utopian. If Mercedes would let that go, it would be such a faux pas that I honestly can’t imagine it,” Marko concluded. (Translated via Google Translate)

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Wolff will take the call on Hamilton’s partner next season

Lewis Hamilton has extended his stay at the Brackley-based squad for two more years; this gives the team time to focus on the second seat, which is currently shrouded by a cloud of uncertainty.

Valtteri Bottas is the incumbent driver, but his contract is running out at the end of the season. Furthermore, the Finn hasn’t had the best season so far, which doesn’t help his case if he wants to continue with the Silver Arrows.

Down at Williams, however, Russell has been impressing everyone on the grid this season, with his notable achievement being getting into Q3 at the Austrian Grand Prix with a lackluster car.

The 23-year-old is part of the Mercedes junior driver program and is in the final year of the contract at the Grove-based team. Russell is just waiting for the stars to align and finally get the call up to the Silver Arrows.

While there were a few other names in the mix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made it abundantly clear that Russell and Bottas are their only options for the next year.

He said, “We will use the coming races to get more clarity. I thought Valtteri’s last race was very strong, he needs to consolidate that. We also know George’s strengths and weaknesses. I expect that we will make a decision during the summer. 

“We will negotiate only with Valtteri and George. It’s between them,” Wolff concluded. (Translated via Google Translate)

Who you think will get the second seat at the most dominating team on the grid? Will Bottas continue his partnership with Hamilton, or will the team opt for a young gun, in the form of Russell? Let us know in the comments below.

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