George Russell says he has been told about Mercedes’ 2022 driver decision, but he has no news yet

George Russell appears to have been named Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate in 2022; Russell says he was told before the Belgian GP where he was driving, but official news has not yet been confirmed; Hamilton says Russell’s front-line qualifier at Spa was “absolutely amazing”

George Russell says he has been told where he will drive in the Formula 1 season in 2022, when Lewis Hamilton praised his young countryman as an “incredibly talented driver.”

Although Mercedes has not yet announced the identity of his Hamilton teammate next season, all indications are that Russell will be named in the seat, and longtime Valtteri Bottas is heading to replace Alfa Romeo with Kimi Räikkönen. on Wednesday night that he will retire at the end of the year.

“The truth is, there’s nothing to tell, but I’m aware of the situation where I’m going to compete next year,” Russell confirmed at a press conference at the Dutch GP on Thursday.

Russell, whose career is led by Mercedes, said he learned of the matter from the Belgian GP last week.

Russell’s promotion created a mouth-watering British partnership in Mercedes, and the 23-year-old joined the 36-year-old as a seven-time world champion.

Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes is best prepared, but feels that winning Max Verstappen at his home field is a long order.

Asked in an earlier section of the new conference about the possibility of pairing with Russell next year, Hamilton spoke glowingly about his young compatriot and praised Russell for his first podium at the Spa last week.

“I honestly think it would be good,” said Hamilton, who has been driving alongside Bottas since 2017.

“George is clearly an incredibly talented driver. I would say that probably the only highlight of last week was his qualifying round, it was amazing.

“He’s humble, he has a great approach, naturally British I would think it would probably help with communication.

“Right now, of course, I have to be a very supportive teammate I have right now, so that’s why I always support Valtter because we have a task ahead. Neither can win the team championship alone, we have to do it together.

Simon Lazenby and Karun Chandhok are looking forward to Zandvoort’s Dutch GP this weekend.

“[Russell is] one of the future members of the sport. I think he’s already shown an incredible drive so far, and I’m sure he’s still growing. Where better to do it than such a great team or whatever team he goes to. “

Talking Sky Sports F1, Hamilton added: “The only good thing that came over the weekend was George ‘s lap. It was absolutely amazing.

“Seeing the excitement of his team – this is the sport. Williams has been waiting a long and long time, it was a shame it wasn’t a real race, but that’s what it is and you take it anyway.”

More to follow …