Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff "brainstorming" Mercedes line-up

Toto Wolff in gesprek met Lewis Hamilton. — Photo: © LAT Images

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Hamilton and Wolff "brainstorming" Mercedes line-up

Russell and Bottas are in competition to partner Hamilton in 2022

Sam Hall

Friday 27 August 2021 13:30

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed he and Lewis Hamilton have spent the summer "brainstorming what is best for the team" as to whom will partner the seven-time F1 champion next season.

Hamilton's current team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Williams driver George Russell are still waiting to learn who will land the second seat in 2022.

Although Bottas has been with Mercedes since 2017, a run of just one win in 27 races coupled with the rise of Russell has left Wolff with a tough decision to make.

After signing a new two-year contract in July, Hamilton has been assisting Wolff in the process.

“Lewis is a very important part of the team," Wolff told Sky Sports F1.

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"He is really not a driver. Drivers are normally contractors. They come and then maybe they go for another opportunity and Lewis has been with us, I think we are in our ninth year together.

“[He has] such incredible importance, like all these guys, so he is part of the discussions.

“He and I are brainstorming what is best for the team. He is taking the driver cap off really because when he has the driver cap on, we pretty much both know what is good for him.

“But he is taking the team view and we have been discussing all throughout the summer and we have the same opinion.”

Mercedes to make driver decision 'soon'

Ahead of the summer break, Wolff had intimated a decision would be made during the shutdown period.

Although this has not happened, he maintained it is important to all parties the matter is settled quickly.

“I think you want to do it sooner rather than later because both drivers that are in the run for this cockpit, they need to know," added Wolff.

“For us, it was always important that whatever step we take, we need to know what will happen to George or to Valtteri if we decide for one of them and that is something I am considering all the time.

“We are not going to take a decision unilaterally without knowing what the direction is for the other one.”