Toto Wolff admits Mercedes didn’t commit to a longer-term Formula 1 contract with Lewis Hamilton because it didn’t want to risk losing protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Wolff has compared the situation with 2014, when the team was keen to sign Max Verstappen but had nowhere to put…

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop We can only wonder what would've happened if Russel didn't have to spend 3 years at Williams.

@yesabhijith @FastestPitStop I agree.

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop They could’ve got GR earlier because they were continually only offering Bottas 1-year extensions for his last few years. They didn’t think GR was ready.

@CowOnDaBeach @FastestPitStop Do they think Antonelli is ready? We don't know but you can compare Bottas and Lewis - there is a huge gab between them

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop Yh because there was a free sear at Williams.….

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop Are you upset that a team learned from their mistakes?

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop Russell is nowhere near as talented as max or kimi.

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop Williams seat isn’t an option for Merc anymore

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop They kept Bottas also because Lewis wanted that. Now it’s different. Lewis at the end of his career and they cannot risk Antonelli being snatched up by Marko for visacashappthingy.

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop because GR isnt a super talent

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop We should also keep in mind Williams is not as dependent on Mercedes anymore. So Mercedes doesn't have a guaranteed place to put Kimi like they did with George. Otherwise they could just plop him in Williams and give him a seat the second Lewis left.

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop That’s because at the time GR was joining, they had some pull Williams. They no longer have access to a cockpit at williams, so they can’t force Williams to take Antonelli like they did with George. It’s not an excuse, it’s a different set of circumstances.

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop So means Logan out and Antonelli will adapt like GR

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop Williams have very publicly stated that they want to develop their own drivers though. As Toto has literally just pointed out, they do not have another seat to put him in.

@BarakaMegiroo @FastestPitStop No. Williams aren’t interested in performing as the Mercedes nursery anymore.