Max Verstappen is “very confident” George Russell would be a big threat to Lewis Hamilton if he joins Mercedes next year.

Confirmation that Russell will replace Valtteri Bottas with the World Champions is imminent, the first domino in an anticipated chain of events having fallen with the announcement of Kimi Raikkonen’s retirement at the end of the season.

That would free up a place at Alfa Romeo, which Bottas is expected to fill, thereby vacating his Mercedes spot for Russell in switches orchestrated by Toto Wolff.

Russell, who has collected his first 13 points for Williams in the latest two races of his three-year ‘loan’ from Mercedes, has stated he is “absolutely ready” to start challenging for grand prix victories and World Championships.

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