Wolff: Mercedes has chosen between Russell and Bottas

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Toto Wolff says that Mercedes has decided who from George Russell and Valtteri Bottas will race alongside Lewis Hamilton at the Brackley squad next season.

Russell's stunning performance in qualifying at Spa, where the Williams charger was only outpaced by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, led the media to press Wolff once again with questions about Mercedes' 2022 line-up.

And the Austrian let the cat halfway out of the bag when he acknowledged that Mercedes had made its choice between Russell and Bottas.

"If it would have been an easy decision, we would have made it earlier," commented Wolff.

"Because we know what we have with Valtteri and we know what we have with George, and both of them deserve to be looked after in the best possible way because they’re both of them a part of the family, and we hold them up high.

Read also: 'Buzzing' Russell felt he had nothing to lose in final run

"There are pros and cons like with any driver line up, and at the end there is no such thing as a perfect discussion.

"But we just need to manage the situation well with whoever driver is not going to be in a Mercedes next year.

"Make sure that there is an exciting programme and on the other side manage the situation internally, like we’ve always had."

Asked when Mercedes will make its decision public, Wolff simply replied: "Soon".

Addressing Russell's outstanding performance on Saturday in qualifying, achieved what's more in treacherous track conditions, Wolff joked that he was "a little bit disappointed, because [Russell] should have been on pole".

But the Mercedes boss admitted that the incredible result made no difference to Mercedes beyond the fact that it simply confirmed the team's opinion of the Briton.

"I think we know what we have with George," Wolff repeated. "He's been outstanding in the junior categories, he's been outstanding at Williams, he's been outstanding when he's been [racing for Mercedes] in Bahrain.

"And if I needed to have that ultimate proof, then something would have been wrong."

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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.