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MERCEDES have been told that they would have been better off signing Lando Norris for next season than George Russell – had all drivers been available.The Silver Arrows have replaced Valtteri Bottas with Russell for the 2022 season.
Lando Norris impressed in the McLarenCredit: PA
George Russell will partner Lewis Hamilton next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brit, 23, has impressed in three seasons with Williams – even earning his first career podium.
Team principal Toto Wolff opted to sign Russell for next season to partner Lewis Hamilton, having kept him on his radar for years as a former Mercedes youth driver.
The F1: Chequered Flag podcast team, however, believe that in an ideal world Norris would have been a better option.
Jack Nicholls said: “If I’m Mercedes and I have a free choice in that second seat alongside Hamilton, I think I’m picking Norris over Russell after this year.”
Jolyon Palmer agreed: “I’m going with Jack on it, I’m going with Lando.
“The way that he held off Lewis Hamilton at the end of that Sochi race until the strategy and the tyre choice got away from him, was unbelievable.
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“For a guy that has never won a race, to have a seven-time World Champion breathing down his neck in a Mercedes…
“Then it starts raining, and he’s still off the road a couple of times, scrabbling around, but keeping Hamilton, we all know how good he is in the wet, behind him.
“It was really legendary stuff I think from Norris.”
The McLaren star penned a new ‘multi-year’ contract back in May – making him unavailable to the likes of Mercedes.
Norris grabbed four podiums in 2021, including a memorable second-place finish in Monza behind team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
He finished sixth in the Driver Standings, being pipped to fifth by Carlos Sainz.
Russell remarkably secured his first podium in a WilliamsCredit: Reuters
Norris came second in Monza this yearCredit: Reuters More

LEWIS HAMILTON looks set to continue his Formula One career – after hints he would retire before the new season.The British hero, 36, missed out on a record-breaking eighth world championship on the last lap of the 2021 season.
Lewis Hamilton appears set to continue in Formula One with Mercedes in 2022
Max Verstappen overtook him in dramatic fashion after significant help from the safety car and race director Michael Masi to snatch his maiden title.
And there were fears Hamilton would call it a day in the sport after the heartbreaking finale.
Even former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone reckoned Hamilton’s time was up because he is ready to explore other ventures.
Ecclestone said: “I don’t think he is coming back, I think he will not race next year.
“His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too great, and I understand him.
“Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it is the perfect time for him to fulfil his dream and be a fashion entrepreneur.”
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But Hamilton’s team Mercedes took to Twitter in the New Year – suggesting Hamilton is fired up and raring to go in 2022.
They posted a photo of the Stevenage superstar wearing his race suit looking pensively into the light.
The caption said: “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.”
Hamilton has not posted on social media since the Abu Dhabi GP more than three weeks ago and unfollowed everybody on Instagram.
He has also been ignoring newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s messages – and skipped the FIA end-of-season gala.
But despite the radio silence, Ben Sulayem is confident Hamilton will be battling to reclaim the world title when the season starts in Bahrain in March.
He said: “No, I don’t think he will quit.
“I’ll ask your question: did Lewis declare that he’s not going to race? No. Exactly. Being a driver, you declare yourself, you don’t let the rumours talk.
“I’m confident that Lewis will return. Lewis is a big part of motorsport, and of course of Formula One, the new era can add to Lewis’ wins and achievements, and also Verstappen is there.
“I am very confident that you will see a very challenging Formula One season next year.”
Max Verstappen clinched his first world title in dramatic fashion to pip HamiltonCredit: Getty More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has been voted as F1 driver of the year by his fellow racers. The flying Dutchman landed the award ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who he beat to the title in dramatic circumstances with one lap remaining of the final race of the season.
Verstappen was voted by his fellow peers as 2021 driver of the yearCredit: AP
He beat Hamilton to the prize after dramatically beating him to the titleCredit: PA
According to MotorSport Week, Verstappen topped the voting from his fellow drivers in a poll organised by F1 chiefs.
Interestingly drivers from Mercedes and Red Bull declined to participate, as did those from Alfa Romeo.
That left 14 drivers left to vote using the current F1 point-scoring system – 25 points for first, 18 points for second, 15 points for third and so on.
And it was Verstappen who topped the list, ahead of Brit rival Hamilton.
Verstappen also reportedly came out on top in a vote undertaken by F1 team bosses, again ahead of Hamilton.
The 24-year-old won a maiden F1 title after 10 race victories across the season, and a further eight podiums.
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Hamilton, 36, on the other hand won eight races, and a finished on the podium an additional nine times in 2021.
The pair went into the final race of the season at Yas Marina LEVEL on points, with Hamilton seemingly coasting to victory with five laps left.
But a late Safety Car after a Nicholas Latifi crash cued the most incredible finish, with Verstappen controversially overtaking Hamilton with one lap left.
Mercedes protested the result on two counts, but were rebuffed by F1 chiefs and chose not to appeal the decision.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was voted by his peers as the third-best driver of the year, with Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles LeClerc fourth and fifth respectively.
Verstappen’s Red Bull partner Sergio Perez, and Hamilton’s Mercedes team Valtteri Bottas, failed to make the top 10.
Fernando Alonso was voted sixth for his efforts with Alpine, while AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was seventh.
Incoming Mercedes driver George Russell finished in eighth after his impressive season for Williams.
And Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Mick Schumacher (Haas) were voted ninth and tenth respectively.
Schumacher, son of F1 legend Michael, received a number of votes despite not scoring a single point during the season.
Norris was voted as the third best driver of the yearCredit: PA More

FORMER F1 chief Bernie Eccleston believes Lewis Hamilton would have won an eighth world title if Mercedes had deployed a smarter strategy. Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen on the last lap of the last race at a dramatic Abu Dhabi GP.
Eccleston reckons a better Mercedes strategy would have seen Hamilton win the titleCredit: Getty
Instructions could have been sent to Bottas to wind the engine down, which would have resulted in the Safety Car staying on the trackCredit: The Mega Agency
Hamilton was beaten at the death by Dutchman Verstappen in dramatic and controversial circumstancesCredit: Getty
But Mercedes could have possibly made sure the Safety Car stayed on the track until the end of the race after it was called out with five laps left to go.
That would have meant the leading driver at the time, Hamilton, would have won the race and also the title.
Eccleston was asked by Swiss outlet Blick whether Mercedes could have “radioed to [Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri] Bottas to let the car coast because they want to preserve the engine.”
Had they done so, in all likelihood the Safety Car would have stayed out and Hamilton would have won the race.
And Eccleston responded: “Pretty clever. I thought of that too, and it would have been ideal to make sure the Safety Car stayed out and the race wouldn’t have been restarted.
“Many people would have been upset, but there wouldn’t have been any changes to the final result.”
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He was then asked if they failure to make the call to Bottas had been costly in handing the championship over to Verstappen.
Eccleston replied: “Right, and I don’t know if Toto Wolff, with a third of the team shares, is still in the same strong position as before.
“But we will find out at some point.”
The controversial result still leaves Hamilton chasing an eighth world title.
His seven championships so far is the joint most of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher.
But following the events that unfolded at Yas Marina, speculation has been rife that Hamilton could even RETIRE from the sport.
However the 36-year-old Brit is expected to take to the grid again next season with Mercedes, but could face an even tougher battle for the title.
New F1 regulations mean Hamilton could face three fresh challengers for the driver’s prize in 2022. More

LEWIS HAMILTON missed out on a record eighth F1 world title by the barest of margins this year, and could face an even tougher challenge for the gong next season. Max Verstappen won the title at Yas Marina in controversial circumstances earlier this month, and the Dutchman will be desperate to defend his title in 2022.
Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven world titlesCredit: PA
Verstappen denied Hamilton an eighth title this season after a dramatic climaxCredit: Reuters
There are rumours that Hamilton could RETIRE after this year’s thrilling title race, although he is expected to take to the grid once again when the season starts in March.
Verstappen is sure to challenge him for the crown again, but new technical regulations that come into force in 2022 could also make for a wide-open title race.
Here SunSport take a look at just who could rival Hamilton for the championship in 2022.
Max Verstappen
The Red Bull flyer is sure to give it his all to defend his maiden title.
The 24-year-old has stacks of ability behind the wheel and will likely be Hamilton’s biggest challenge next year.
Ten race wins in 2021, and 18 podiums overall, will make Verstappen a leading contender if he replicates that form in 2022.
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George Russell
The 23-year-old Brit is moving to Mercedes from Williams next season to replace the departing Valteri Bottas.
Russell will be Hamilton’s team-mate, but in a much faster car he will be able to showcase more of what he can do.
Russell will be looking to impress in his first season with MercedesCredit: PA
Whether he will be a title challenger remains to be seen, but he impressed when racing in Hamilton’s place during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
But as Mercedes experienced in the Nico Rosberg and Hamilton days, two drivers competing for the title could do the team more harm than good…
Charles Leclerc
The 2022 shake-up will see cars shoot air upwards, rather than behind them.
That means the drivers are capable of travelling closer together, which in turn leads to closer racing.
One man who could benefit from that is Ferrari driver Leclerc.
Ferrari improved from sixth in the constructors standings in 2020 to third in 2021, and a further upwards trajectory could see Leclerc improve again.
Leclerc has been improving steadily, and could improve again next seasonCredit: Getty
Sergio Perez
Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull, Perez showed moments of brilliance last season, finishing fourth in the driver standings.
The 31-year-old Mexican driver is the perfect partner to Verstappen, and valiantly held up Hamilton behind him in Abu Dhabi to help Verstappen ultimately take the chequered flag.
His title credentials remain questionable, but he’s certainly got the car to trouble Hamilton next season on multiple occasions.
And if Russell fails to to adapt immediately at Mercedes, Red Bull will have the tactical advantage of two drivers high on the grid.
Perez is an able to deputy to Verstappen, and will be looking to kick on next seasonCredit: Getty More

MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has backed the ban on race principals being able to talk to F1 race directors over the radio during races.The Austrian’s comments come as he also admitted ‘overstepping the mark’ with his rant to Abu Dhabi director Micahel Masi during the dramatic final lap of last season’s championship.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has backed the ban on team principals being allowed to speak to race directors during Grands Prix next seasonCredit: pixel8000
It comes after he admitted overstepping the mark in his rant at Abu Dhabi race director Michael MasiCredit: Getty
Masi controversially allowed lapped cars to un-lap under the safety car heading into the final circuit and, in doing so, virtually handed the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman had fresh tires and flew past Mercedes’ British star Lewis Hamilton – who was leading – prompting a furious outburst from Wolff.
Fuming, the 48-year-old yelled down the publicly broadcast radio: “No, Michael, no, no, Michael, that was so not right.”
In order to let fans understand what is going on and to make races more transparent and entertaining, radio exchanges from the race control channel are broadcast on TV and radio.
But Wolff reckons it’s time for the principal-director line of communication to be axed – in line with a call from F1 managing director Ross Brawn.
Wolff told Motorsport.com: “I agree with Ross.
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“But I equally blame Ross and myself because we have been part of the decision making to broadcast more of the channels for the purpose of transparency and entertainment for the fans.
“There is so much going on on the intercom that giving fans a little bit of an overview of all the little dramas that happen, like is the car breaking down, are we having some kind of strategy discussions, was meant well.
“But I think we overshot.”
Wolff’s Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner could also be heard pressurising Masi to allow the cars to un-lap in the build up.
And Wolff added: “I need to take myself by the nose, and Christian.
“We were given the opportunity to talk to the race director directly, and because we fight so fiercely for the interests of our teams all of us, we overstepped.”
After the controversy surrounding the finale, Brawn revealed principals will no longer be able to speak to the race director during Grands Prix next year.
Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season
He explained: “We will stop this contact next year.
“It’s unacceptable that team bosses put Michael under such pressure during the race.
“It’s like the coaches negotiating with the referee in football.”
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MAX VERSTAPPEN was crowned F1 champion in one of the most controversial ends to a sporting event. Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team were left furious and accused race bosses of bending the rules, resulting in a dramatic one-lap shootout between Hamilton and Verstappen for the title.
Max Verstappen was finally CONFIRMED as world champion four-and-a-half hours after the race finishedCredit: Getty
Verstappen and Red Bull celebrate after protests by Mercedes were rejectedCredit: Getty
Lewis Hamilton embraces rival Max Verstappen after the raceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brit had been chasing a record 8th world titleCredit: Getty
Merc’s chiefs fought a four-and-a-half hour battle to have the decision overturned before it was finally rejected late on Sunday night – however, the German team are expected to mount a further legal challenge.
After Mercedes’ protest was rejected Verstappen said: “I am very relieved. It’s been a very stressful day.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner added: “I am disappointed we had to go through that. Max is the world champion, he’s the deserving world champion, nobody can take that from him.”
Merc boss Toto Wolff raged at race director Michael Masi, who was subjected to an investigation over his handling of the Abu Dhabi GP.
Masi, the equivalent of a referee, has been dogged by question marks over his handling of flashpoints over the season – but none more so than here at the final race.
It was supposed to be the best finale the sport has ever known, Verstappen coming of age against the seven-time champion.
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A seminal moment to witness the ending of an era and the start of a new reign for the Dutchman.
F1 has made a habit of shooting itself in the foot but this time they used a rocket launcher for good measure.
After the pathetic show at the Belgian GP this year, where a handful of laps were run behind a safety car to satisfy lucrative TV contracts, this was a new low.
It shows that despite having the best battle in years, the sport has been overregulated by a rule book that the FIA don’t themselves understand.
Having led for the majority of the race – and with a huge gap in front – Nicholas Latifi’s smash five laps from the end saw Masi deploy the safety car while the broken Williams was recovered.
Initially, Masi said that ‘any lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake’ – which meant Verstappen would be trapped behind five backmarkers before he could get a run on Hamilton.
However, on the penultimate lap, Masi CHANGED his mind allowing just the five cars to unlap themselves to put Verstappen right behind Hamilton.

The Dutchman popped open the bottles of bubbly after the official confirmationCredit: Getty
Verstappen celebrating with his entire Red Bull teamCredit: Getty
It left Hamilton a sitting duck on old tyres as Verstappen swooped past on the final lap to take his first world title.
Mercedes’ protest was based on two regulations: Article 48.12 and Article 48.8 of the F1 Sporting Regulations.
The first was rejected after three hours when Verstappen was cleared of overtaking behind the safety car.
And the second was rejected as Red Bull argued that the rules say “any” cars rather than “all cars” while Masi was also cleared of any breaches.
As the Red Bull team celebrated with Queen’s “We are the Champions playing from their garage”, Hamilton trudged out of the paddock.
The manner in which this title was decided will wrangle with Mercedes, while F1 drivers were also scathing over how it was handled.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was not impressed with the outcome – and the team have appealedCredit: Sky Sports
FIA race director Michael Masi has come in for huge criticismCredit: Getty
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was delightedCredit: Getty
George Russell, who will be Hamilton’s team-mate next season, Tweeted: “THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!
“Max is an absolutely fantastic driver who has had an incredible season and I have nothing but huge respect for him, but what just happened is absolutely unacceptable.
“I cannot believe what we’ve just seen.”
Former F1 world champions were also critical of the FIA’s handling of the final few laps.
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Damon Hill, who won the title 1996, added: “This is like running a motor race in a way we’ve not been used to in the past.
“They’ve kept us guessing all the time as to which way a decision is going to go. One team who is not going to be complaining about what happened is Red Bull.”
Nico Rosberg, the last man to beat Hamilton to the title in 2016, said: “First they said you’re not allowed to unlap themselves, then they changed that once they saw it was safe to do so.
“The thing is that in the document it says ‘all cars will be required to unlap themselves’ and yet they only let those five cars that were between Lewis and Verstappen unlap themselves.”
Nicholas Lafiti’s crash saw the safety car deployed and gave Verstappen the chance to cut the leadCredit: Sky Sports
Lando Norris, who was right in the mix and one of the five cars ordered to get out of the way, says he was equally baffled when the instruction came.
He said: “At first we weren’t allowed to overtake, as the backmarkers, so if that influenced decisions to Mercedes and to Lewis and that’s the reason they didn’t do their pit-stop.
“But then the FIA suddenly changed their minds and they were allowed to let us past. That’s where I’m not so sure. For it to end like that, I’m not so sure.”
Hamilton’s brother Anthony also blasted the FIA on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: “The FIA broke their own rules, which is a disgrace to our whole sport.
“Nevertheless, regardless of being mistreated today, the Hamilton’s were humble in defeat.
“My father, the guy who raised us, congratulating Max & his father Jos.
People can say what they like, but my Father’s gesture proves all of the doubters & haters wrong & shows who we are as ‘The Hamilton’s’.
“Proving people wrong is in our DNA, which Lewis does on a daily basis.
“With utter professionalism & decency in defeat, even though we all know, that he was let down by the sport that he has given so much to.
“Congratulations to Max for such a fantastic season from him.”
Verstappen finally overtook Hamilton on the final lap of the seasonCredit: Getty
Hamilton’s dad Anthony gave his son a cuddle at the end of the raceCredit: PA
Verstappen posing with his first F1 world crownCredit: Getty More

MAX VERSTAPPEN was crowned F1 champion in one of the most controversial ends to a sporting event. Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team were left furious and accused race bosses of bending the rules, resulting in a dramatic one-lap shootout between Hamilton and Verstappen for the title.
Max Verstappen was finally CONFIRMED as world champion four-and-a-half hours after the race finishedCredit: Getty
Verstappen and Red Bull celebrate after protests by Mercedes were rejectedCredit: Getty
Lewis Hamilton embraces rival Max Verstappen after the raceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brit had been chasing a record 8th world titleCredit: Getty
Merc’s chiefs fought a four-and-a-half hour battle to have the decision overturned before it was finally rejected late on Sunday night – however, the German team are expected to mount a further legal challenge.
After Mercedes’ protest was rejected Verstappen said: “I am very relieved. It’s been a very stressful day.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner added: “I am disappointed we had to go through that. Max is the world champion, he’s the deserving world champion, nobody can take that from him.”
Merc boss Toto Wolff raged at race director Michael Masi, who was subjected to an investigation over his handling of the Abu Dhabi GP.
Masi, the equivalent of a referee, has been dogged by question marks over his handling of flashpoints over the season – but none more so than here at the final race.
It was supposed to be the best finale the sport has ever known, Verstappen coming of age against the seven-time champion.
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A seminal moment to witness the ending of an era and the start of a new reign for the Dutchman.
F1 has made a habit of shooting itself in the foot but this time they used a rocket launcher for good measure.
After the pathetic show at the Belgian GP this year, where a handful of laps were run behind a safety car to satisfy lucrative TV contracts, this was a new low.
It shows that despite having the best battle in years, the sport has been overregulated by a rule book that the FIA don’t themselves understand.
Having led for the majority of the race – and with a huge gap in front – Nicholas Latifi’s smash five laps from the end saw Masi deploy the safety car while the broken Williams was recovered.
Initially, Masi said that ‘any lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake’ – which meant Verstappen would be trapped behind five backmarkers before he could get a run on Hamilton.
However, on the penultimate lap, Masi CHANGED his mind allowing just the five cars to unlap themselves to put Verstappen right behind Hamilton.
The Dutchman popped open the bottles of bubbly after the official confirmationCredit: Getty
Verstappen celebrating with his entire Red Bull teamCredit: Getty
It left Hamilton a sitting duck on old tyres as Verstappen swooped past on the final lap to take his first world title.
Mercedes’ protest was based on two regulations: Article 48.12 and Article 48.8 of the F1 Sporting Regulations.
The first was rejected after three hours when Verstappen was cleared of overtaking behind the safety car.
And the second was rejected as Red Bull argued that the rules say “any” cars rather than “all cars” while Masi was also cleared of any breaches.
As the Red Bull team celebrated with Queen’s “We are the Champions playing from their garage”, Hamilton trudged out of the paddock.
The manner in which this title was decided will wrangle with Mercedes, while F1 drivers were also scathing over how it was handled.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was not impressed with the outcome – and the team have appealedCredit: Sky Sports
FIA race director Michael Masi has come in for huge criticismCredit: Getty
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was delightedCredit: Getty
George Russell, who will be Hamilton’s team-mate next season, Tweeted: “THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!
“Max is an absolutely fantastic driver who has had an incredible season and I have nothing but huge respect for him, but what just happened is absolutely unacceptable.
“I cannot believe what we’ve just seen.”
Former F1 world champions were also critical of the FIA’s handling of the final few laps.
Damon Hill, who won the title 1996, added: “This is like running a motor race in a way we’ve not been used to in the past.
“They’ve kept us guessing all the time as to which way a decision is going to go. One team who is not going to be complaining about what happened is Red Bull.”
Nico Rosberg, the last man to beat Hamilton to the title in 2016, said: “First they said you’re not allowed to unlap themselves, then they changed that once they saw it was safe to do so.
“The thing is that in the document it says ‘all cars will be required to unlap themselves’ and yet they only let those five cars that were between Lewis and Verstappen unlap themselves.”
Nicholas Lafiti’s crash saw the safety car deployed and gave Verstappen the chance to cut the leadCredit: Sky Sports
Lando Norris, who was right in the mix and one of the five cars ordered to get out of the way, says he was equally baffled when the instruction came.
He said: “At first we weren’t allowed to overtake, as the backmarkers, so if that influenced decisions to Mercedes and to Lewis and that’s the reason they didn’t do their pit-stop.
“But then the FIA suddenly changed their minds and they were allowed to let us past. That’s where I’m not so sure. For it to end like that, I’m not so sure.”
Hamilton’s brother Anthony also blasted the FIA on social media.
He wrote on Instagram: “The FIA broke their own rules, which is a disgrace to our whole sport.
“Nevertheless, regardless of being mistreated today, the Hamilton’s were humble in defeat.
“My father, the guy who raised us, congratulating Max & his father Jos.
People can say what they like, but my Father’s gesture proves all of the doubters & haters wrong & shows who we are as ‘The Hamilton’s’.
“Proving people wrong is in our DNA, which Lewis does on a daily basis.
“With utter professionalism & decency in defeat, even though we all know, that he was let down by the sport that he has given so much to.
“Congratulations to Max for such a fantastic season from him.”
Verstappen finally overtook Hamilton on the final lap of the seasonCredit: Getty
Hamilton’s dad Anthony gave his son a cuddle at the end of the raceCredit: PA
Verstappen posing with his first F1 world crownCredit: Getty More