Mercedes confirms George Russell for 2022, Valtteri Bottas to Alfa Romeo

Published on 07 September 2021 by Kees-Jan Koster

George Russell will drive next year for Mercedes, announced the team this morning. The 23-year old Brit made his debut last year with the German team at the Sakhir Grand Prix, to replace Lewis Hamilton who was infected with coronavirus, but will next year officially transition to the top team. Russell made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2019, but will leave the team after three seasons.

“It's a special day for me personally and professionally, but also a day of mixed emotions,” says Russell on social media. “I’m excited and humbled to be joining Mercedes next year, which is a huge career step, but it also means I’ll be saying goodbye to my team mates and friends at Williams. It has been an honour working alongside every member of the team, and an honour to represent the Williams name in F1.”

In turn, Valtteri Bottas will join Alfa Romeo. He will replace Kimi Räikkönen, who announced before the Dutch Grand Prix to retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season. It is not yet known who will be Bottas’ teammate, but it is rumoured that his will be Nyck de Vries. The driver from Friesland recently became Formula E champion.

The Williams team will also have and empty seat to fill, with the transition of George Russell to Mercedes, assuming that Nicolas Latifi will retain his seat with the team. Here too de Vries is named to join the team, but another possibility is former Red Bull Racing driver Alexander Albon.