Sabrina faija
09/04/2021 9:18 AM
ClarĂn.com
sports
Updated 09/04/2021 9:18 AM
The final stretch of the Formula 1 season began in Belgium.
Gone are the talks that usually occur between teams and drivers during the break.
Now, the attention is focused on a pass market that has
already released a seat
(that of Kimi Raikkonen in Alfa Romeo) and that has
George Russell
as the main protagonist.
Since last year, when he took the place of Lewis Hamilton in the Sakhir Grand Prix, in the
paddock there is
only talk of the possibility that Mercedes will finally decide to stay with the 23-year-old English driver who achieved the second best time in the difficult track at Spa-Francorchamps last week.
"
Yes, I know where I will drive next year
," warned Russell in the preview of the Netherlands Grand Prix.
"(They told me) verbally, before Spa. As I said, I am not going to sit here and lie without telling the truth; the truth is that there is nothing to announce, but as I said, I am aware of the situation from where I will compete next year and they informed me just before Spa, "he reinforced under the watchful eye of Lando Norris, his companion in contact with the press on Thursday.
2022?
@ GeorgeRussell63 knows where he'll be, but he's keeping it quiet for now ... # DutchGP 🇳🇱 # F1 pic.twitter.com/bqaICoyBXR
- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 2, 2021
While he recounted that, Hamilton - who until now had tried to stay on the sidelines but always supporting Bottas - filled him with praise: "
He is the future. He is one of the future members of the sport.
I think he has already shown incredible driving. until now, and I'm sure it will continue to grow, so what better place to do that than in a great team like this, or whatever team I go to? "
Far from worrying, Bottas also told accredited journalists at the Zandvoort circuit that
"things are going in the right direction"
and that he is "happy and excited."
"A multi-year contract would be fine, that's something I've never had before in Formula 1. That way you can definitely give a good overall commitment to the team, not just for that year," observed who has been in the team for five years. German team.
Will these conditions be found at Alfa Romeo?
Where will it go?
Bottas came from Williams to Mercedes and could return there, although Raikkonen's retirement opened up the possibility of moving to Alfa Romeo.
Photo ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
It is that the departure of Raikkonen opened that door to the Finn, who seemed destined to return to Williams in the event of a castling with Russell.
"I still have a few years left in Formula 1, so I
really want to continue
. It must be challenging, it must be exciting, it must be fun and an environment in which I really enjoy working," he remarked.
If these moves materialize, Max Verstappen believes Russell will make life "very difficult" for Hamilton.
"He got into the car in Bahrain and basically already from lap 1 he was making it very difficult for Valtteri, so you can only imagine how much more experience you get in that car and the more you get used to within the team, naturally you are going to be every faster time, "he opined.
The Dutchman, England's biggest rival for the title this year, also noted that Russell had "a very good performance" at Spa last Saturday.
"You could see they prepared the car for wet conditions. However,
doing that in a Williams was very impressive
. So yeah, I hope you do very well if you get that seat."
With no news on the Dutch beaches,
the Mercedes announcement is expected to come during the Italian Grand Prix
next week in Monza.
Although what happens with the champion team is not the only thing that interests in a transfer market that awaits other news.
The chair game
Insured places.
Alonso, Ocon, PĂ©rez, Verstappen and Sainz already have their seats for 2022. Photo FERENC ISZA / AFP
Raikkonen's retirement from Formula 1 freed up a seat in the 2022 season
.
While Alpine confirmed Fernando Alonso as Esteban Ocon's teammate last week, there are other drivers waiting for his renewals, while several are struggling to return to the
Gran Circo
in that free seat.
In that first group is Mick Schumacher, who hinted in the last hours that an extended agreement with Haas is close.
"Obviously we are reaching the final stages to confirm everything and I'm pretty sure things will look a lot brighter next year.
The plan is to stay.
Obviously we haven't signed anything so we have to make sure that in the next weeks to get to that point, "he told Sky F1 before the Belgian GP.
Christian Horner and Toto Wolff share their thoughts on a possible return to the grid in 2022 for Alex Albon # DutchGP 🇳🇱 # F1 pic.twitter.com/PjpI4cGrfC
- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 3, 2021
Look also
Formula 1: mechanical problems, distractions and little time to practice in the challenging Zandvoort
Formula 1: Verstappen goes for the lead at home and Hamilton for his 100th win, in a weekend that promises a show
