With Mercedes still yet to confirm their second driver for next season, talk continues to swirl surrounding the futures of both Russell and Bottas – who are vying for that all-important seat under team principal Toto Wolff.
Russell, following his second-placed finish and first ever podium at last weekend’s Belgium Grand Prix, is breathing down Bottas’ neck for the Mercedes seat following a difficult season for the Finnish driver – who sits fourth in the Drivers’ Standings.
And with Mercedes’ decision firmly on everyone’s minds, Hamilton fuelled talk even further with a certain gesture during Dutch Grand Prix final practice on Saturday.
F1 reporter Lawrence Barretto took to Twitter on Saturday to reveal Hamilton’s actions after final practice was red-flagged at Zandvoort.
After Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz crashed at Turn Three, the red flag immediately came out during FP3. But as the cars formed a queue to leave the pit lane following the crash, Hamilton showed a touch of class.
JUST IN: Dutch Grand Prix qualifying: Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to pole
Williams engineers raced to get Russell’s car ready to finish the second qualifying session, of which there was three minutes and 54 seconds remaining.
However, they were unable to get the 23-year-old back on the track in time.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen went onto claim pole at his home Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday, with Hamilton finishing second and Bottas in third.