Capito Exclusive: I spoke to Russell about 2022 Williams drivers
Compared to the volatility of the 2022 Formula 1 driver market, 2021 was quite tame in comparison.
The key players involved were George Russell of Williams and Valtteri Bottas - with the former keen to end the tenancy of a Mercedes cockpit the latter had enjoyed since 2017.
Speculation was rife throughout the summer that Russell to Mercedes was imminent, but at the Belgian Grand Prix, there was nothing new to communicate, although Russell did provide a nugget when he said things needed to be done "properly" in the pre-race press conference - alongside Bottas, of course.
Both already knew at this stage what was to happen, but the public announcements were kept on hold until all the pieces of the jigsaw were in place.
The first piece of this was Kimi Raikkonen's retirement, and after allowing the veteran Finn a few days in the headlines, the press release detailing Bottas' move to Alfa Romeo was sent.
The next domino to fall was Russell alongside Lewis Ham...