On a starkly different note, Russell’s finest performance for Williams this season came at the Hungaroring where he finished in the points for the first time this season.

If Mercedes’ ultimate goal is to establish an even greater grip on the Constructors’ Championship over the next few years, Wolff could opt to forego the preference of his premier driver in order to serve the best interests of the team.

In the long-term, Wolff and the rest of the Mercedes top brass may see Russell as the heir to Hamilton’s crown.

With the uncertainty around how long Hamilton, now 36, will continue to compete in F1, Wolff may feel that pulling the trigger and obtaining Russell for the team now is the smartest option.