Sitting just feet apart, Mercedes 2022 hopefuls, Valtteri Bottas and George Russell insist they are as much in the dark about team's plans as the rest of us.

Showing the sort of mischievous sense of humour that Bernie Ecclestone would appreciate, the FIA opted to partner Mercedes 2022 hopefuls George Russell and Valtteri Bottas together at today's press conference.

While there were no prizes for guessing the main topic of conversation, both drivers deserved prizes - possibly an idea for another sponsored award for F1's bosses - for their poker faces under interrogation.

“There is no news to share yet,” Bottas, when asked about Mercedes plans for next season. ”Maybe I know something, maybe I don’t," he added, with a grin. "But like I said, there’s no news to share.”

Pushed on whether there was genuinely no news to share or Mercedes was seeking to keep things under wraps, the Finn napped: "There is no news to share... I don't need to clarify any reasons for that.

"I think the same for me and George, that we have a job to do here, and there's no news, and we're going to focus on racing and getting maximum points for the team we are racing with."

"No news to share at this stage," added Russell. "We were still obviously in discussions over the summer break, but there's nothing to announce one way or another this weekend, and probably not next weekend either, to be honest.

"It's no problem," he added. "Do things right rather than quickly, let's say."

Originally, team boss Toto Wolff had suggested that a decision would be made by the end of the summer break, but he has now said it will take a little longer.

Asked if the delay could cause problems should he need to seek an alternative seat, Russell said: "We're both fortunate that we're both sort of looked after in ways by Mercedes, and we both trust them to look after our futures, one way or another.

"From my side, speaking for myself, there are no real problems. Whether it's tomorrow, whether it's after Abu Dhabi, I guess you have to trust the people who are looking out for you."

"The situation overall, I'm fine with it completely," insisted Bottas. "Just really head down and focus for the weekend, and I'm pretty sure for the next weeks, they will definitely fly by with the triple header, and we have a pretty good battle on our hands as a team, so that's the main focus.

"Things eventually will sort themselves out, and we'll see."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 27/08/2021 12:15

"It was quite interesting to hear the Sky team discussing the second Merc seat and the fact that Mercedes may in fact be stringing Bottas on and it is true that no decision has been made. The reason for this, they explained, is that if Bottas is told that there's 'no beds left at the Inn' he may well decide not to play the No.2 for the second half and Hamilton would actually have to win on merit. Hamilton supporters will pooh pooh this by saying that Bottas hasn't been such a big help but if that's the case then why push so hard for Bottas' retention?"

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2. Posted by kenji, 27/08/2021 1:48

"@Kkiirmki....Whilst what you say has a lot of merit I would temper your analysis by saying that no doubt Russell is good, the car is still the benchmark and at best Red Bull is a solid equal..at some circuits. There are quite a few drivers that could've performed equally as well as Russell given that same machinery to exploit."

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3. Posted by Kkiirmki, 26/08/2021 23:40

"Mercedes have been lucky this season that Verstappen, and Red Bull, have had a number of DNFs. This has meant they (Mercedes) are still leading the championship, despite Bottas's relative poor performances so far. With Russell in the second car, I'm sure they'd be leading on merit.

With nearly 50 Grand Prix starts, Russell is hardly inexperienced, so that excuse doesn't fly. You only need to look at his performance in Bahrain last year, where he was cruelly denied a win in his first drive for Mercedes, at how good he is. He scared Hamilton to come back early from being fully recovered from COVIUD in Abu Dhabi.

Red Bull can only get stronger next season, so Mercedes need to best line-up possible to win both championships in 2022. In my opinion, that's George Russell."

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No news to share yet, insist Bottas and Russell

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