Valtteri Bottas’ cryptic comment over Mercedes’ George Russell decision

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Valtteri Bottas has shared a cryptic comment regarding Mercedes and George Rusell. It has been reported that the reigning construtors’ champions will soon tell both the Finnish driver and the Williams racer who will drive alongside Lewis Hamilton next year.

The F1 circuit resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix and the pair remained tight-lipped on the subject at the press conference.

“There’s no news to share yet. Maybe I know more, maybe not. In any case I can’t share any news,” replied Bottas, who has formed a formidable partnership with Hamilton at Mercedes since 2017.

Russell feels ready to step up and compete for the title at Toto Wolff’s team, especially after driving for Mercedes at last season’s Sakhir Grand Prix in Hamilton’s absence.

In regards to his potential move, the 23-year-old gave a very coy response.

“Obviously in discussions over the summer break but there’s nothing to announce one way or another this weekend and probably not next weekend either, to be honest,” he explained.

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“But that’s not a problem. Let’s do things right rather than rushing.”

Earlier this week, 1998 and 1999 F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen urged Mercedes to snub George Russell and keep Valtteri Bottas.

He told RTL: “If you look at the facts, the results in all the years Valtteri has driven with Lewis (Hamilton) – what the team has achieved with these two drivers – you can’t beat that.

“It’s incredible, it’s been brilliant.

He gushed over Bottas’ ability in the car and mentioned the challenges of driving alongside someone of the calbre of Hamilton.

“He (Bottas) is a brilliant driver. He’s being criticised too much. Far too much,” said the 52-year-old former McLaren driver.

“Driving next to Lewis is not child’s play. Being talented and fast is not enough. The experience these people have is just incredible.

“You don’t learn that on the internet or from books.”

Bottas previously mentioned that the seven-time champion would like him to stay on the team, at least until 2022.

Mercedes and Red Bull are set to go head-to-head once again and Hamilton will aim to extend his slender eight-point lead over title rival Max Verstappen.

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