The long-awaited move at the top of Formula 1 is finally underway, with confirmation Mercedes No.2 driver Valtteri Bottas will join Alfa Romeo for the 2022 season.
It will allow the seven-time constructors champions to name George Russell, currently at Williams, as partner to Lewis Hamilton for next year later this week.
Bottas’ exit, and Russell’s move to join Hamilton, has been expected for some time, with the young Brit replacing Hamilton temporarily last year in Bahrain when the seven-time world champion had Covid.
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Russell’s talent is unquestioned; he somehow qualified second in the lowly Williams for the aborted Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago, and has never been outqualified by a Williams teammate.
Bottas has won nine races in Formula 1 but proved unable to match Hamilton consistently, frequently ending up behind the Brit and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who are duelling for the 2021 championship.
With Kimi Raikkonen to retire at the end of this year, Bottas will take the top seat at Alfa Romeo (formerly Sauber) on a multi-year deal.
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 set to be in the mix, those de Vries has been linked to the Williams seat about to be vacated by Russell.
“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.”