The long-awaited change at the top of Formula One has begun, with Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes’ No. 2 driver, joining Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season.
It will enable the seven-time constructors champions to name George Russell, who is now with Williams, as Lewis Hamilton’s partner for next season later this week.
Russell’s move to join Hamilton had been expected for some time, with the young Brit temporarily replacing Hamilton last year in Bahrain while the seven-time world champion was suffering from Covid.
Russell’s talent is obvious; he qualified second in the Williams for the cancelled Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago and has never been outqualified by a Williams teammate.
Bottas has won nine races in Formula One but has struggled to keep up with Hamilton, usually falling behind the British driver and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who are duelling for the 2021 championship.
Bottas will take over as team principal at Alfa Romeo (formerly Sauber) on a multi-year deal when Kimi Raikkonen retires at the end of this year.
It’s unclear whether he will be partnered with current driver Antonio Giovinazzi, who is there via a link with Ferrari.
Red Bull reserve driver Alex Albon, Mercedes Formula E champion Nyck de Vries, and Alpine youngster Guanyu Zhou are all expected to be in the mix, with de Vries linked to the Williams seat that Russell is about to vacate.
“A new chapter in my racing career is opening: I’m excited to join Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN for 2022 and beyond for what is going to be a new challenge with an iconic manufacturer,” Bottas said.
“Alfa Romeo is a brand that needs no introduction, they have written some great pages of Formula One history and it’s going to be an honour to represent this marque.
“The potential of the setup in Hinwil is clear and I am relishing the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid, especially with the new regulations in 2022 giving the team a chance to make a leap in performance.
“I’m grateful for the trust the team has put in me and I cannot wait to repay their faith: I’m as hungry as ever to race for results and, when the time comes, for wins. I know Fred [Vasseur] well and I am looking forward to getting to know the rest of the team I am going to work with, building relationships as strong as the ones I have at Mercedes.
“I am proud of what I have achieved in Brackley (at Mercedes) and I am fully focused on finishing the job as we fight for another world championship, but I am also looking forward to the new challenges that await me next year.”
The uniforms of Formula One racing drivers are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price:
