Russell had a tough time: 'It was difficult to keep the secret'
F1 News
- GPblog.com
It remained a secret for a long time at Mercedes who would be the driver next to Lewis Hamilton next season. The persistent rumours were that George Russell would go to Mercedes, while Valtteri Bottas would move to another team. In the end, that turned out to be the truth.
Russell was very happy when he heard a couple of weeks ago that he will get a chance at Mercedes next season. The British driver wanted to tell this to everyone immediately but was told to keep it to himself for a while.
"I already knew for a while", Russell tells the NOS honestly. "Before the summer holidays it was still uncertain, but in Spa-Francorchamps, I heard that it was done. It was difficult to keep the secret because I was overjoyed. I was not allowed to talk out of turn. Valtteri was still negotiating with Alfa Romeo. The game of musical chairs was a game of chess."
Bowing questions from journalists
It took a lot of effort for Russell not to say anything. "Journalists asked trick questions. You have to watch what you say. So I always made it out that there was nothing new to report, but reporters understand very well that that is different from saying there is no news."