With rumours swirling around the Formula One paddock that George Russell could be set to confirm a switch to Mercedes in 2022, we take a look at five drivers who could replace the Brit at Williams.
Russell has gradually impressed since arriving in F1 in 2019 off the back of winning the 2018 F2 title and is now set to graduate to Mercedes if rumours are true, meaning that a seat could very well be available at Williams next season just as new regulations come into effect.
We therefore take a look at five potential candidates who could be in the hunt for Russell’s seat if the Brit decides to move across to Mercedes at end of season, starting with two former Williams’ drivers who could be chasing a return to where their F1 careers began.
Valtteri Bottas
Having driven for Williams between 2013-16 before finding himself poached by Mercedes to replace Nico Rosberg, Valtteri Bottas could well decide to head back to Grove in hope of a F1 reset after a difficult 2021 campaign at Mercedes where he has lacked the consistency of recent seasons.
Bottas would also bring front-end experience to a team battling its way up the order with Nicholas Latifi who hasn’t really set the grid alight so far, particularly when compared to Russell which makes a top quality teammate a must for Latifi in 2022 if the team is to continue progressing forward.
We however must acknowledge that Bottas at 31 years-old could decide to just move on to pastures new and explore rallying plus other racing series if he so wishes, especially with Mercedes running a team in Formula E.
Williams and Bottas back together though could be a feel-good story for 2022 if the Finnish driver can rediscover his best quality, as F1 faces a new technical era from next season onwards.
Nico Hulkenberg
If Bottas is a serious contender to potentially fill Russell’s seat then we shouldn’t rule out Nico Hulkenberg because although podiums has eluded the German’s grasp, Hulkenberg has been a consistent driver which teams can trust to deliver a solid job on a regular basis.
Hulkenberg also is currently still involved in F1 as Aston Martin’s Test and Reserve Driver so will be fully up-to-date with the latest technical action, particularly given that both teams are Mercedes customers on the power unit front.
A return to Williams would also bring Hulkenberg’s F1 career full circle in a sense after starting out at Grove before spending 2011 as Test Driver for Force India – coincidentally the exact same team as Aston Martin of now after two rebrands.
Williams however will be looking to continue their push towards the front of the midfield pack so could be tempted to sign a driver who is currently racing this season, compared to rehiring Hulkenberg for the nostalgia value of the German returning home to the team where his F1 career began.
Jack Aitken
Having set up a youth academy last season, Williams could certainly be tempted to look to promote from within, with Jack Aitken fitting the bill perfectly given that he currently holds a FIA superlicense on top of enjoying a solid debut in December’s Sakhir GP in place of Russell and now races in GT.
Aitken would also bring a sense of familiarity with him due to his role as Test Driver and serve as validation of the potential pathway from Williams’ academy through to the main race team, without the expenditure of hiring a former driver or someone like Daniil Kvyat who is rumoured to be in contention.
One downside to putting Aitken alongside Latifi though is that Williams could find themselves lacking crucial F1 experience, which someone like Bottas or Hulkenberg could provide as the team adapts to new regulations and car design next season.
Aitken though shouldn’t be ruled out of contention yet given his current role in the team and brings financial benefits to Williams in wage terms, as well as being a British driver racing for a British team which is a good marketing asset to have.
Dan Ticktum
Another serious contender from within Williams’ own academy is Dan Ticktum who is currently right in the thick of the F2 title mix this season, as he sits 18 points off the summit and could certainly ask questions of his Williams bosses if he wins the title.
Whilst it is easy for many fans to dismiss Ticktum as immature or controversial based on his history of racing incidents, we must remember that he isn’t the first hot-headed youngster (i.e. Max Verstappen) yet has matured in his racecraft and in radio response this season despite the rare typical British moan.
Ticktum however doesn’t really seem to be on Williams’ radar with Roy Nissany getting the nod for FP1 sessions this season, despite often lacking the quality needed on show in F2 if he wants to reach F1 full time compared to Ticktum who has excellent speed and potential in him to reach F1.
Flipping the situation to Williams’ perspective, Ticktum like Aitken would bring the benefit of lower wages than Bottas or Hulkenberg would, on top of the marketing value of being a British driver racing for a British team which could be key in balancing finances.
Oscar Piastri
Although Williams have a close bond with Mercedes as evidenced by an extension in technical partnership between the pair next season, perhaps they could make a loan move for one of Alpine’s young talented academy drivers in Oscar Piastri.
The reason why I think a move for Piastri could work is because Williams has done an excellent job with Russell across his three years with the team on loan from Mercedes, so it would be worth looking at a similar deal with Alpine for Piastri who is definitely a top future driver ready for a F1 drive next season.
Add in the fact that Guanyu Zhou seems to be Alpine’s favoured protégé at present as evidenced by his recent F1 debut in FP1 at Austria, a loan move would offer Piastri a chance to impress in F1 instead of rusting around in F2 for a second campaign.
Williams also boasts a solid record with two previous Aussie drivers after guiding Alan Jones to the 1980 title, as well as provide Mark Webber with his debut podium at 2005 Monaco Grand Prix, highlighting an impressive history to boot between Williams and development of Australian drivers in F1.
A Piastri/Latifi pairing though would be quite risky because of the latter’s disappointing track record in F1, yet it could be one which in turn unleashes Latifi’s better qualities which we haven’t seen yet if he is forced to step up as team leader by virtue of no.1 driver role.
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