Brundle says Mercedes have to get 'a young gun' in there

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Sky F1's Martin Brundle believes Mercedes should slot George Russell into Valtteri Bottas' seat next season with the prospect of the Briton becoming the team's automatic leader sooner rather than later.

Mercedes and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton announced last weekend an extension of their massively successful collaboration until the end of 2023.

But team boss Toto Wolff has yet to decide who from Bottas or Russell will be racing alongside Hamilton at Mercedes next season.

For Wolff, the choice will boil down to a known quantity – Bottas – whose renewed presence would safeguard the team's cohesion, and to an outstanding talent who would likely challenge Hamilton more consistently but also embody the team's future.

"It wouldn’t surprise me if George got the drive next year alongside Lewis at Mercedes," Brundle told Sky Sports F1.

"Whether it’ll be announced at Silverstone, if they’re going to do it, why not? It would be the perfect place."

Brundle knows which driver he would choose if he were in Wolff's shoes.

Read also: Bottas will consider 'other options' in F1 in case of Mercedes exit

"If you were running Mercedes you’d ask is Valtteri Bottas our man to win the World Championship when Lewis inevitably retires two, three, four years into the future," he added.

"You’d have to think no. I hate to say that, I really admire Valtteri as he is a great driver and does an amazing job against the might of Lewis Hamilton.

"But you can’t honestly say if Lewis wasn’t there Valtteri would be dominating instead, can you?

"So I think Mercedes have to get a young gun in there that would emerge as their automatic new team leader sooner than later."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.