Marko Pressurizes Mercedes To Make Bottas-Russell F1 Move – “Even if Hamilton Won’t Be Happy”

Months of speculation has suggested George Russell might make a move to the Mercedes team next year. Furthermore, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko feels that keeping the Brit at Williams another year is illogical.

Russell is part of the Mercedes’ junior program and was called for a one-off in Sakir last year when Lewis Hamilton was down with COVID-19. Even though he didn’t win, he certainly made the Mercedes board room consider him as an option due to his brilliant performance.

It is rumored that Valtteri Bottas won’t be given a contract extension for the 2022 championship so that the seat for Russell is made available.

Marko feels that keeping George Russell at the Grove-based team makes no sense

As quoted by Motorsportweeek.com, the Red Bull advisor said, “It would be the logical step”, referring to Russell getting Bottas’s seat.

“You can’t hold it off any longer. Otherwise, the funding no longer makes sense. Even if Hamilton won’t be happy.”

Marko didn’t cross off the possibility of a swap deal that would see Bottas heading to Williams and Russell to Mercedes.

“Bottas doesn’t have to call us,” he jokingly said. “There is no space. Actually, I can only imagine a swap with Russell. I think Williams will be the only option for him.”

It should be noted that Bottas was with Williams from 2013 to 2016, before making the switch to the Silver Arrows. So the possibility of the Finn returning to the Grove-based outfit is on the horizon.

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The Brit wants to quickly wants to sort out his future for 2022

The 23-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season. Hence, Russell wants to know whether he will stay at Williams or move up the grid to Mercedes for next year’s championship. Moreover, Russell has spoken to Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal to shed some light on his future.

He said, “I haven’t really spoken about it [with Toto], that’s always just been my mindset [to conclude the talks quickly]. It’s in everyone’s best interest.”

“I’m just focused on the here and now really, but I’m sure everything will be sorted no later than the end of the summer break really. I think we’d all want a nice summer break off when the season’s this intense, not messing around with contracts,” Russell concluded.

Where do you see Russell in 2022? Will he stay at Williams, or will replace Bottas in the most dominant team on the grid? Let us know your thoughts about the Russell-Mercedes saga in the comments below.

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