'Nico Rosberg knows only too well the predicament that George Russell will face'

George Russell will be joining Mercedes next season. The German racing team hopes to have brought a rival to Lewis Hamilton into the team, but that won't be easy.

Will Buxton writes on the official website of Formula One that Russell could be in for a tough ride. "2022 will not represent the coronation of George Russell. He doesn’t join Mercedes to find an empty throne. How he handles the next two seasons alongside Lewis Hamilton will be all important, not only for his own future but for that of Mercedes."

"And Lewis himself has as much of a role to play as does George," he continued. "Russell will want to impress immediately. But Hamilton will not want to be upstaged. The potential for friction is high, and only time will tell if those rare moments of frustration in George will bubble over. Nico Rosberg knows only too well the predicament that George Russell will face, and has warned that the next few years at Mercedes may not be as rosy as the team is hoping."

Bottas to Alfa Romeo

The arrival of Russell means that Valtteri Bottas must make way. The Finn was previously told that Mercedes were not going to renew his contract and subsequently signed a commitment with Alfa Romeo.