George Russell goes from Lewis Hamilton autograph hunter to Mercedes teammate as British Formula 1 star replaces Valtteri Bottas
George Russell has been confirmed as Lewis Hamilton's new Mercedes teammate, replacing Valtteri Bottas.
The much-anticipated announcement comes after Bottas sealed a move to Alfa Romeo for 2022.
The 2018 Formula 2 world champion has been part of Mercedes’ young driver programme since 2017, and has earned his reputation as one of the sport's most exciting rising stars during his first two seasons in F1.
Last year, he replaced Hamilton at Mercedes for the Sakhir Grand Prix after the 36-year-old contracted COVID-19, and put in a sensational substitute performance.
Russell qualified second on the grid and breezed past pole-sitter Bottas with ease, before cruelly having the win taken for him due to a botched pit-stop.
Hamilton has repeatedly to maintain his seat as speculation increased, saying: “I’ve obviously been vocal in the past of my loyalty to Valtteri, and worked incredibly closely with him.
“I think our working relationship is better than ever.”
But as Bottas departs to replace his retiring countryman Kimi Raikkonen at Alfa Romeo, Hamilton is set to be paired up with a far more competitive teammate next season.
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