Mercedes should pass Lewis Hamilton as the team's number one and shift its focus to George Russell. That's what journalist Jonathan McEvoy writes in his column for The Daily Mail. McEvoy believes that team boss Toto Wolff should have seized that opportunity after Russell's stand-in during the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, but the Austrian failed to do so.
"His race in Bahrain may have been the moment where Hamilton's status started to wane a little," the writer points out in reference to Russell's stand-in. It was the Brit's first race in the Mercedes, but he almost won it - were it not for a punctured tire. "One could even say that a ruthless boss would have fired him on the spot. If you think that's harsh, remember how Luca di Montezemolo, the Ferrari president at the time, fired Michael Schumacher in 2006 - as a 37-year-old with five titles."
Wolff missed that opportunity with Hamilton, according to McEvoy. Therefore, he is critical. "He acted like a fanboy, not like a ruthless boss. Wolff even held on to Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton's number two - one of the most obviously bad decisions in the history of F1 management. The decline set in - and it all contributed to where they are now. Wolff overlooked the need for rejuvenation at a crucial moment."
Hamilton now has an expiring contract and Charles Leclerc is frequently referred to as his possible successor. However, according to McEvoy, Mercedes shouldn't even consider Leclerc. "Leclerc is fantastically quick on a single lap and he is a fabulous talent. He is also one of the most error-prone drivers I've ever seen: who's driving the Ferrari that's now in the wall? It must be Leclerc. Mercedes needs to make the mental shift they don't want to accept, and elevate George to talisman status. He is their future. Lewis is not. Charles is not."
To vote on the poll, go to the original article here.