Wolff wants to avoid Hamilton-Rosberg situation in 2022: "Better prepared"

Toto Wolff wants to avoid a 2016 scenario with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at all costs at Mercedes next season. George Russell replaces Valtteri Bottas and is all too keen to fight for the World Championship. However, the German racing stable is going to bring its pupil quietly and does not immediately expect Russell to be as fast as teammate Hamilton.

"He's [Russell has] proven that he deserves to have a seat in a top car and now we need to get him properly adjusted into the Mercedes situation… there's a lot more pressure, he's having an unbelievable team mate with the biggest records and there it's important that you condition him and you calibrate him in the right way," Wolff said according to Formula 1's official channels.

The big battle between Hamilton and Rosberg five years ago is also mentioned. "We've seen situations in the past where they've failed; Lewis was part of one where I think the team didn't quite understand how it could potentially go. and I think we're maybe a little bit better prepared for that situation but nevertheless, he has all the ambition to be a future world champion and so has Lewis, to add another one, so it's about calibration,"  explained Wolff.

Wolff sees 'intelligent' Russell

In principle, Russell will get equal opportunities with the seven-time world champion when the 2022 season gets underway. "I think you have to respect also the other guy's perspective, and ambition," said Wolff. "We are not going to put a driver in the car who is not going to have the ambition to do as good as possible to kick his team mate as hard as he can, win races and championships early too, and that's clear. we need to keep the momentum in the team. And he's very intelligent, he gets that.”

Russell was briefly close to a win for Mercedes on his debut for Mercedes at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. However, a slow pit stop and a puncture meant that even a podium proved unattainable.