Jolyon Palmer disapproved of Mercedes signing George Russell, saying that he rates another Englishman over the Williams driver.
Mercedes signed Russell to partner Lewis Hamilton in 2022. The young British driver had a great season all things considered. Even with his slow Williams, he put in some absolute stormers in 2021.
Two of those outstanding moments include a staggering P2 at the Belgian GP that was earned based on his qualifying lap, and third place at the Russian GP qualifying session. Mr. Saturday’s exploits were turned up to 11 in 2021, and he rightfully earned his seat with the Silver Arrows.
However, Palmer disapproved of Mercedes signing Russell, and said that he would rather have a certain chap from McLaren over their latest signing.
Speaking on the F1: Chequered Flag podcast, after Jack Nicholls hinted that Norris woukd have been great for Mercedes, Palmer agreed and said, “I’m going with Jack on it, I’m going with Lando.
“The way that he held off Lewis Hamilton at the end of that Sochi race until the strategy and the tyre choice got away from him, was unbelievable.
“For a guy that has never won a race, to have a seven-time World Champion breathing down his neck in a Mercedes, then it starts raining, and he’s still off the road a couple of times, scrabbling around, but keeping Hamilton, we all know how good he is in the wet, behind him, it was really legendary stuff I think from Norris.”
Elite talent
“I wonder if Lando this year has put himself in the top bracket? Alongside Lewis and Max (Verstappen) potentially, when you look at the job he has done against Daniel Ricciardo,” he continued.
“Even in the last races Norris was quite a way ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, he just had really bad luck on the closing stages, otherwise he would have had fifth in the Championship.
“And this is Daniel Ricciardo, seven-time winner now an eight-time winner, this is a guy that everyone thought could be a champion in the top car, but Lando has done such a great job.”
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