The Mercedes move that’s loomed for years has final come to fruition. George Russell is now slated to be one of the team’s Formula 1 drivers for 2022.

The decision for Mercedes go with Russell comes as no surprise to anyone that’s followed Formula 1. It felt like an inevitability that was only a matter of time. After three seasons driving under Williams, George Russell finally gets his call-up.

His newest Mercedes teammate in 7-time world champion lewis hamilton certainly gave Russell a warm welcome in what feels like the first touchpoint from one team standard-bearer to the next.

“I want to take a moment to welcome George Russell to the team,” said Hamilton. “I remember meeting him when he was young, dreaming of one day being a Formula 1 driver. I’d only just reached my own dream of becoming an F1 driver, so I know what this day means and how it will feel for him. He is a great example to all the kids out there that dreams do come true when you chase them wholeheartedly. Through hard work he has rightly earned his spot on our team. I look forward to seeing him grow as a driver with this great team and working with him to raise this team

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With the arrival of George Russell, Hamilton’s longtime Formula 1 running-mate Valtteri Bottas now heads to Alfa Romeo. The Mercedes number two driver also got a parting message from his teammate of five years.

While wholesale changes are set for 2022, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes still have a lot of work left to be done this season. With Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing giving them the closest Formula 1 battle in years, things are bound to get heated down the stretch even before Russell’s arrival next season.