Geo🅠rge Russell has seen the names of F1 drivers who have contracted Toto Wolff about coming to Mercedes next year.

Team principal Wolff is faced with the colossal dec♋ision of how to replace seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton will race for one final season with Mercedes before going to Fe👍rrari next year, creating a coveted vacancy alongside Russell.

Russell said about his future teamꦚmate: “[Wolff and I] already had conversa🤪tions.

“I’ve been with Toto a lot this winꦡter. S⛎eeing the drivers’ names pop up on the telephones was quite funny.

“Even on ౠmy phone, as꧙ well, the phone calls and text messages…

“So yeah it’s been quite interesting.

“But, as a team, we’re in a really good opportuni🦄ty and position to go into this next chapter.

꧃“There’s been so much s♛uccess with Lewis and Mercedes.”

Options range from the two-time F1 champion Fernan༺do Alonso - who refused to comment this week in Bahrain when asked about going to Mercedes - to teenage prospect Andrea Kimi Ant༒onelli.

Out-of-contract drivers o💜n 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 𓄧said: “I think it’s important to hav⛄e good harmony between the drivers.

“Bec📖ause that trickles down into all of the engineers and the whole team.

“But, ultimately, the decision is wi🦹th Toto and the board.”

Russell and Hamilton tested the W15 this week at preseason testing🥂 in Bahrain.

It is the final F1 car that Hamilton will drive for Merce🧜des.

Russell, therefore, may see 2024 as his opportuni🐬ty 🌜to establish himself as Mercedes’ future leader.

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