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George Russell on Tuesday was confirmed as the seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton’s new team-mate at Mercedes for next season after Valtteri Bottas signed a multi-year deal with Alfa Romeo.
“The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team today confirmed that George Russell will become team-mate to reigning seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, beginning from the 2022 Formula One season as the sport enters a new era of technical regulations.
“This confirmation follows the news that Valtteri Bottas will join Alfa Romeo Racing next year, after five highly successful seasons with Mercedes. Valtteri will be succeeded by 23-year-old George Russell. He joined the Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 2017,” Marcedes said in a statement
George Russell is currently in his third season in F1 driving for Williams. He will be Hamilton’s first new teammate since Bottas joined Williams in 2016. Bottas has spent the past five seasons alongside Hamilton at Mercedes. Russell has won the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Champion for ART and the 2017 GP3 Series Champion. He achieved his first F1 podium with Williams at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix. He is also a part of the Mercedes Young Driver programme in 2017.
It’s a huge opportunity and one I want to grab with both hands: George Russell
“I’m under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge. It’s going to be a steep learning curve. I’ve looked up to Lewis since I was in go-karts and the opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model both on and off-track can only benefit me as a driver, a professional, and a human being,”
Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1’s Team Principal on Russell
“Looking forward to 2022, we are very happy to confirm that George will have the opportunity to take the next step in his career and join Mercedes. He has been a winner in every racing category.”
“Now, it is our challenge together to help him continue learning within our environment. And alongside Lewis, the greatest F1 driver of all time. (Alprazolam) I am confident that as their relationship grows, they will form a strong team. And deliver for Mercedes on and off the track in the years to come,” he added.