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'Verstappen and Russell will drive for Mercedes in 2022, that is obvious'

'Verstappen and Russell will drive for Mercedes in 2022, that is obvious'

25-03-2021 09:31 Last update: 09:49
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GPblog.com

The 2021 season hasn't even officially started yet, but the silly season for 2022 already has. Last year saw some big shifts, but the next few months might be even more interesting. Especially since spots will most likely become available at Mercedes.

Zak Brown, the big boss at McLaren, is daring enough and is already filling those spots. "I think you will see Max and George there in 2022. I think that is the obvious conclusion. Lewis wins title No 8 this year and is the winningest driver (most successful) in every category; they have a one-year deal with him. George is coming out of his deal and Max has a deal he comes out of", Brown explained to the Daily Mail.

Verstappen cannot leave Red Bull Racingjust like that

Brown ignored the clause in Verstappen's contract. If Red Bull Racing do not deliver a winning car, he can indeed leave after this season. But according to Brown this is not the case if the RB16B is on average less than three tenths slower than the winning car.

His conclusion that Hamilton will leave after winning his eighth world title is also a bold assumption. It would more or less mean that Hamilton will leave Formula 1, because the world champion doesn't have many other options with possibilities. Brown is not going to offer him a place at McLaren either. He said he wants Hamilton in his team, but the timing is not right. McLaren is not waiting for a driver who only signs for one or two years.