GEORGE RUSSELL has signed his Mercedes deal following the Dutch GP – according to Nico Rosberg.
The 2016 world champion says Russell was called into Merc boss Toto Wolff’s office to put pen to paper on a deal that would see him drive for the team next season.
Rosberg says it was done for the benefit of the Netflix film crew who are making their fourth installment of the Drive to Survive TV series.
He said: “By the way, on George Russell, I’ve got a rumour.
“A certain streaming service was called into the office of Toto to film the signatures.
“That’s the rumour that is circulating in the paddock.”
The move will see Russell, 23, partner Lewis Hamilton in the team while Valtteri Bottas will make way and is expected to join Alfa Romeo this week.
Both Hamilton and Russell endured tough races around Zandvoort on Sunday.
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Starting 11th following a crash in qualifying, the Williams youngster was handed a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane before suffering a gearbox issue.
While Hamilton was unable to match Max Verstappen’s pace around the Dutch circuit as the home favourite swooped to the victory.
The British pair’s planned team-up next season has also been backed by ex-F1 star Jenson Button.
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He said: “For Lewis it puts pressure on his shoulders because he’s never had a young hotshot come into his team that he’s had to beat.
“It’s a very different dynamic from what we’ve seen with British drivers before as team-mates – it was Lewis and myself – so I’m really excited for that fight if it happens.
“It will be great for Lewis because it’s another challenge for him.”
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
