'He's going to be desperate to get in the Mercedes seat'

Lewis Hamilton is battling it out with Max Verstappen for the world championship this season. The Englishman is twelve points behind for now, but still has enough races to catch up with his Red Bull Racing rival in the rankings.

Behind the scenes there is talk about a possible contract extension for Hamilton. For now, Mercedes seems keen to continue with the seven-time world champion. "As far as I'm concerned, it's as good as finished. Lewis will stay in Formula 1 next year. He wants to drive the 2022 cars," Martin Brundle responded to Sky Sports. The former racing driver wonders what Russell will do. "George is a young man in a hurry, he's got the experience now, he's going to be desperate to get in the Mercedes seat."

However, there is a chance that Mercedes will continue to have faith in Valtteri Bottas for the time being. "I think Lewis will push to keep Valtteri there," said Paul Di Resta. "I think Lewis will be pushing for Valtteri to be there. Team dynamics are working. I guess the big question Mercedes have got to ask themselves is: with Checo going to Red Bull and doing such a good job there, they need to know George is going to be the absolute backup for Lewis."

The media regularly mention Russell as the logical replacement for Bottas. The Williams driver has shown this season that he is ready for the next step in his career.