George Russell has seen ♚the names of F1 driver♑s who have contracted Toto Wolff about coming to Mercedes next year.

Team principal Wolff is ꦿfaced with the colossal decision of how to replace seven-time F1 champion Lewi🔥s Hamilton.

Hamilton will race for one final season with Mercedes befor🎃e going to Ferrari next year, creating a coveted vacancy alongside Russell.

Russellꦉ said about his future teammate: “[Wol🐎ff and I] already had conversations.

“I’ve been with Toto a lot this winter. Seeing ♕the drivers’ names pop up on the telephones was quite funny.

“Even on my phone, 🎃as well, the phone calls and text🧸 messages…

“So yeah it’s been quite interesting.

“But, aꦿs a team, we’re in a really good opportunity and position to go into this next chapter.

🏅“There’s been so much success with Lewis and Mer🍃cedes.”

Options range fꦅrom the two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso - who refused to comment this week in Bahrain when asked about going to Merce♒des - to teenage prospect Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

𝔍Out-of-contract drivers on the grid include Carlos Sainz who may yet be 🍨an attractive option.

Russell was asked what attributes he’s hoping for in his next teammate, and he said: “I think it’s important to have good h🐓armony between the drivers.

“Becau💛se that trickles down into all of the engineers an𓄧d the whole team.

“But, ultimately, the decision is with Toto and the ൲💮board.”

Russell and Hamilton testeꦍd the W15 thi♒s week at preseason testing in Bahrain.

It is the final F1 car that🉐 Hamilton will drive for Merꦅcedes.

🗹Russell, therefore, may see 2024 as his opportunity to establish himself as Mercedes’ future l🐼eader.

Mercedes’ most recent F1 grand prix win - in Sao Paulo in 2022 - came via🌱 Russell in a season where he out-scored Hamilton.