Hamilton was supported by Bottas during his career best stint of world title runs between 2017 and 2021 before Wolff decided to promote a young George Russell into his seat at the championship-winning Formula One garage.

Russell has been more of a threat to Hamilton’s position as the team’s star driver than his predecessor, Bottas, who is now driving for Stake F1 team.

Lewis Hamilton reportedly remains unhappy with a key decision made by Mercedes principal Toto Wolff

Hamilton’s final season at Mercedes has been disappointing amidst continued struggles with his car’s performance

Hamilton is believed to be ‘unhappy’ with the decision made by Mercedes to make George Russell (left) his team-mate

Russell has finished above his team-mate in all but one of the six GP’s so far with Hamilton looking set to bow out his Mercedes career with no chance of sealing a record-breaking eight world championship crown.

‘To me, it’s still an unanswered question why he signed George to replace Valtteri because Valtteri was a very good team-mate to Lewis,’ said Formula One insider Peter Windsor on his YouTube channel.

Valterri Bottas (pictured) previously partnered Hamilton at Mercedes before being replaced by Russell

Hamilton is set to join Mercedes’ rivals Ferrari at the end of the season in a shock move

‘Lewis has never really been happy with George as we’ve said from day one, because basically George is quicker,’ he added.

Hamilton will wave goodbye to Mercedes following 11-years at the German team bossed by Wolff following the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi after deciding to join Ferrari on a two-year contract.

His decision to make the shock move to the Italian side will see him partnered with French driver Charles Leclerc who similarly to Russell also has his own ambitions of becoming a world champion.

Hamilton expects the move to give him a better chance of winning another world title than what Mercedes can that would see him overtake Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher to become the sport’s record-holder for the most championship crowns.