Mercedes confirm summer deadline to sort Bottas and Russell's F1 futures
Bottas and Russell are in competition to partner Lewis Hamilton next year
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed a decision on whether George Russell or Valtteri Bottas will be Lewis Hamilton's 2022 team-mate "is going to happen" over the summer break.
Bottas has been on a rolling one-year contract with Mercedes since joining the team from Williams in 2017, but since the emergence of George Russell in F1 in 2019, his seat has been a constant source of speculation.
At the end of his own three-year deal with Williams and with F1 heading into a new era of technical regulations, it appears to many that now is the time for Mercedes to make a change.
Previously tight-lipped on when a decision would be made, Wolff has now confirmed a call will be taken before the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August.
"I think it is important for Valtteri and George to know where they will be driving next year and that is going to happen," he said.
Jokingly, he added: "I expect some questions in Spa then!"
Should Mercedes decide to make a change, Bottas has accepted he would unlikely be fighting at the front with a different team as few seats are available.
The Finn explained: "Most likely, we won't be fighting for wins and titles so it would be a new project.
"On the other hand, that could be very interesting but as I said before, you know what my intentions are, keeping my seat.
"We make a really strong team at Mercedes. Let's see."
Related
More F1 news
Latest F1 news
Recommended by the editors
Latest F1 News
Aston Martin and Adrian Newey set for F1 cost cap boost after FIA twist
F1 News & Gossip
Max Verstappen told to speak to F1 rivals after causing storm over new 2026 rules
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen ally claims bad Red Bull start has triggered F1 champion's fury
F1 News & Gossip
Max Verstappen F1 ally 'approached by Aston Martin' in shocking twist over Adrian Newey replacement
Races
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2026
-
Grand Prix of China 2026
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Bahrain 2026
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026
-
Miami Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2026
-
Grand Prix De Monaco 2026
-
Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2026
-
Grand Prix of Great Britain 2026
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2026
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2026
-
Dutch Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2026
-
Gran Premio de España 2026
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2026
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2026
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2026
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2026
-
Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2026
-
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2026
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2026
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Editorial & corporate information
Avenue HQ
10–12 East Parade
Leeds
LS1 2BH
United Kingdom Regional correspondence
View contact page