George Russell and Valtteri Bottas have more options as Toto Wolff mulls Mercedes decision

F1: George Russell hikes during the off-season

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With a decision to partner Lewis Hamilton next season said to be imminent, Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff believes George Russell and Valtteri Bottas will have “great options” in Formula One if they aren’t chosen for the seat.

Russell and Bottas have both been waiting patiently to see what their fate might be at the seven-time world champions, with Bottas hoping to retain his seat at Mercedes, while Russell is hoping to step up from Williams looking to prove himself alongside the Briton.

Bottas is fighting to remain at Mercedes next season amid rumours he could be replaced with Russell, who will be a free agent come the end of his three-year stint with Williams.

Russell, a Mercedes junior driver, not only impressed when he sat in for Hamilton at Mercedes at the Sakhir Grand Prix in 2019, but has been outperforming a back-of-the-grid car this season, scoring his first haul of points for the team in Budapest.

Yet, with both their futures unsure with the champions, Wolff says whatever the outcome, he believes both drivers will have viable options come 2022.

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“George and Valtteri would have probably more than one option to stay in Formula 1 and race in Formula 1 with an attractive outlook,” said Wolff.

“Most teams see themselves as challenger teams, that they expect a big step to be done next year because of the cost cap that is now valid for everybody.

“They’ve concentrated on next year’s development very early, you can see that Alfa, Williams haven’t brought in a huge amount of pieces anymore for a while.

“I think George and Valterri would have, whatever we decide, great options.”

Wolff dropped a huge hint before the summer break that a decision would come before the Belgian Grand Prix.

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Last season, the Finn was informed he would be staying at Mercedes at the start of August, however, the Austrian suggested the decision could come a bit later this season.

“I think it is important for Valtteri and George to know where they will be driving next year and that is going to happen,” said Wolff during the British Grand Prix weekend.

“I expect some questions in Spa then,” he added, laughing.

Bottas meanwhile expressed his interest to keep his seat alongside Hamilton, admitting he believes they’re a “really strong team” in their current form.

“First of all, I don’t like to think that way; I always try to think positive and I know what I want and I want to stay with the team – that’s the best chance for me to win races next year and fight for the title,” he began ahead of the British Grand Prix. “For some reason, if not, I will look for other options in Formula 1 because I love Formula 1, I enjoy it, I still think I have quite a good few years in front of me.”

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