Seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton has stood firmly behind his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Botas after the Finn drew much criticism for his poor performance since the start of the 2021 season.
While the Briton has two wins and one-second place on his account in the first three starts of the campaign, the co-driver of the "Black Arrows" has only two third places and one elimination. In the qualifiers, the Finn is also behind his teammate in his rankings, so far he has one pole position in Portugal and one third and eighth place in the previous two starts, and the Briton has not started outside the front row so far.
It was these weaker-than-normal performances of Botas that gave rise to rumors in the British media that he could be replaced by Williams driver George Russell before the end of the season. Despite them, the Finn expressed his opinion that he will not be replaced, as such things are done "only in one team, and he is not a Mercedes." A little later, his teammate expressed his opinion, in which he fully supports Botas.
Botas does not think he will be replaced by Russell before the end of the season
"From what I've experienced in my work with Walter, he's a great teammate, as I've said before. To be honest, I think we have the best pilot pair from several points of view. However, this will change someday, I will not be here forever, he will not be here forever, but for now, I think that we have shown the necessary results over and over the years and we continue to do so. Valtteri was in pole position last week, and this is only the fourth race. I think people should give him some freedom and let him focus on his work, "said Hamilton before the start of the fourth weekend of the year in Spain.
He and Botas have expiring contracts at the end of the 2021 season, as does Russell, who is part of Mercedes' young driver development program.
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