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George Russell hailed as Mercedes’ future as Toto Wolff plans Lewis Hamilton replacement

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When Lewis Hamilton departs for Ferrari, Toto Wolff will have to think about Mercedes’ options for his replacement, but the team manager is certain that George Russell can take the reins and guide the team.

George Russell has the support of Toto Wolff to guide Mercedes into the future and take over for Lewis Hamilton.

At the conclusion of the 2024 season, the seven-time world champion will depart to join Ferrari. After an 11-year tenure with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton’s blockbuster move will end, and Wolff will have the enormous task of taking his place.

Mercedes won’t make that choice hastily. Wolff will have the entire upcoming season to weigh his options before deciding on Hamilton’s announcement regarding his team’s new driver.

He already knows, though, that he doesn’t have to worry about who will keep the team on course. The Austrian said at a press conference on Friday that Russell is prepared to step up to replace Hamilton.

“We are currently concentrating on the 2024 season,” he stated. We have two outstanding drivers: George, who is keen to get back in the driver’s seat and perform, and Lewis, who is in his last year at Mercedes. We know it will be challenging to compete not just with Red Bull but also with the other drivers, so we need to field a car on the track that is faster than the one from last year.

“Also, with all the Lewis discussion, one thing that has not been talked about enough is George – George has the potential to be the next lead driver in the team. He is of the generation of Lando and Leclerc and some of the others and I couldn’t wish for a [better] new team leader for when Lewis leaves, no doubt about that.

“We just need to decide on the best option for the second seat because we have such a strong foundation and a quick and intelligent guy in the car. I don’t want to jump right into that.”

Although Mercedes has plenty of options, two of the better ones have already been eliminated. Among the more skilled drivers on the grid are Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, who both signed new deals with their respective teams just last month.

Wolff made a suggestion that they would have been targets if they hadn’t done that. “We would have looked at a few contracts that were signed a few weeks ago; that would have been interesting, but timing here bit us a bit,” he continued.

“I always welcome change because it offers opportunities… Making the best choice for the team and my coworkers regarding who will be in the chair next year excites me much. Perhaps this is your chance to take a risk.”

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