Toto Wolff Suggests How George Russell Could Have Potentially Lost His 2022 Mercedes F1 Seat

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was probably the season-low for George Russell and Valtteri Bottas. The drivers crashed into each other while battling positions in the race. Back then, there were major speculations that Russell would replace Bottas in the Mercedes for the 2022 season. However, the crash surely didn’t impress Toto Wolff to bring George into the Silver Arrows.

The young British driver was adamant that the crash was the fault of Valtteri. The whole chain of events is depicted masterfully in the 8th episode of season 4 of the Netflix show Drive to Survive.

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Although we did not get a major response from the Mercedes team boss after the race, he did share his opinion with the Netflix crew.

Toto Wolff reacts to Russell-Bottas crash in Imola in DTS

After the crash, there were many who mentioned that Russell had jeopardized his chances of joining Mercedes. It was also suggested that the former Williams driver was not ready to drive in the front running car.

Moreover, Wolff opened up about the 2021 incident in the new season of Drive to Survive, where he revealed the issues that could make a driver like Russell lose his shot at a Mercedes seat.

” With a young driver, you need to expect mistakes. But the things that would be inexcusable are arrogance, a sense of entitlement, and an approach of ‘it wasn’t my fault. It’s always someone else’s mistakes'” said Wolff.

F1 Journalist compares Russell and Bottas for the Mercedes seat

F1 Journalist and Drive to Survive regular Will Buxton also mentioned that the crash in Imola might have impacted Russell’s chances. He further revealed what the team expects from a Mercedes driver, who is in the seat for the championship.

” Take out the car of the team that you are trying to impress and then refuse to apologize for it? For Toto, moments like that are going to allow doubts to creep in. Of course, Toto wants a fast driver, but he also needs someone who is reliable and isn’t reckless if they are going to sit next to Lewis.” 

“Is George ready? Does he have the right mindset? Is he a team player? Cause Valtteri, look, he might not have the ultimate pace, but he is not smashing the car up every weekend,” said Buxton.

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It is interesting to find out that they were doubts about Russell early in the 2021 season. Many didn’t know that the young British driver was at risk of losing the Mercedes seat after the Imola crash. But it all worked out as Bottas now seems confident spearheading his new team, Alfa Romeo, as a primary driver. Season 4 of Drive to Survive is streaming on Netflix.