Secure the future or stay in the present? That was the question Mercedes TP and co-owner Toto Wolff faced in 2021 while deciding their lineup for the 2022 season. He chose to secure and invest in the future by replacing Valtteri Bottas with George Russell while keeping faith in the present with Lewis Hamilton. However, this is where the Austrian boss went wrong.

According to F1 journalist Peter Windsor, every F1 team, especially the ones with championship-winning capabilities, must maintain a balance in the team. A balance of power, or racing prowess and results. With Russell’s appointment, a driver with championship ambitions and capabilities, Wolff upset the balance in Mercedes, which was perfect with Bottas in the second seat, and he put his world-champion driver under pressure which has unsettled the Brit.

“In my opinion, I’ve said this many times, I think he made a mistake getting rid of Valtteri Bottas and replacing him with George Russell. Not because George isn’t quick, just to reiterate the point for the millionth time, he’s absolutely quick and that is the problem. If you’ve got Lewis who’s one of the most impressive drivers of this era and who’s got his world out there, seven world championships, and a huge footprint in terms of just being a star, then you don’t cramp your star with somebody as quick as George,” said Windsor in his latest YouTube live stream.

He explained further, “The same way you wouldn’t put George in the other Red Bull. Exactly the same thing!”

There is no doubt Hamilton is a driver capable of beating anyone at any given point in his career. However, Russell will never accept this reality, which will always cause friction in the team. In fact, it even took Bottas five long years to come to grips with this reality, but by then, his fate was sealed.

“It was very difficult to accept”- When Valtteri Bottas finally admitted the reality in Mercedes

When Bottas joined Mercedes, Hamilton was already a multi-time champion, having won in 2008, 2014 and 2015. Then over the years, his failure to beat his teammate grew into frustration, which almost pushed him to the brink of retirement, while Hamilton continued his success, winning a total of 7 championships.

However, the Finn recentered himself and accepted the reality that Hamilton is faster than him and even won a few races after coming to terms with this reality.

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Bottas made this admission in 2023 and said, “It was very difficult to accept. It probably happened in 2021 when I could admit that Lewis was faster. It took me five years to accept that. It’s frustrating because as a driver you want to be the best.”

Not many drivers will make such an admission even to themselves, let alone the media. This acceptance from Bottas was monumental in maintaining order at the Brackley outfit.

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However, the chances of hearing Russell make such an admission are slim, at least not while he is racing alongside Hamilton. The fact that Russell is only a few tenths behind Hamilton, evident in the 2023 season, will always make him push on the track and this is where the problem lies, according to Windsor. Do you see the two Mercedes men clash more often in 2024?

WATCH THIS STORY: Watch: Lewis Hamilton Gets Past Flashbacks Against George Russell at the 2023 Spanish GP