Di Resta: "Russell going to be most successful driver in F1 the next few years"

There is, even after the summer break, no clarity on who will drive the Mercedes next year alongside Lewis Hamilton. Will it be George Russell or Valtteri Bottas. Both gentlemen didn't really talk about it during Thursday's press conference. So for analysts it remains guesswork and speculation.

In a video of SkySports Paul Di Resta says that he thinks the young Briton will get the drive. He bases this on several things, among which his qualities as a driver and his development.

"I think it's going to be Russell, based on the press conference. His body language said he's comfortable in the position he's in. He's obviously made good decisions in the summer, but I still maintain that you have to balance Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes' biggest asset."

Di Resta believes in Russell

At least, based on his quotes, that can be clearly said. "We are talking about the man who is going to be the most successful in F1 for quite some time. He's going to break the records. Valtteri is a guy who can beat him 25% of the time in qualifying. Wolff said. When it comes to wheel-to-wheel racing on a Sunday, it's very different. If you look at how people have succeeded in the sport, you usually need someone at the top to support him. Valtteri is the ideal support person in that respect. That's the point I think Mercedes need to look at."

"If they upset Lewis, if they take the momentum away from him, that will hamper their performance," Di Resta continued. "If you have Red Bull pushing on, that's something they need to look at. Red Bull openly said when they extended Perez's contract that they did so to give them stability to fight for the championship. If Valtteri is told he won't be in the Mercedes, how can he fight for the championship with Lewis?"

Sometime in September, it will become clear whether Russell will sit alongside compatriot Hamilton next year or whether Mercedes will opt for the familiar duo.