Motor racing-Mercedes set Spa deadline to decide Hamilton's 2022 team mate

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - British Grand Prix - Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone, Britain - July 15, 2021 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during a promotional photoshoot for the unveiling of the new 2022 F1 car REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

SILVERSTONE, England (Reuters) - Formula One champions Mercedes are aiming to decide Lewis Hamilton's 2022 team mate before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa at the end of August, team boss Toto Wolff said on Friday.

The choice is effectively between continuing with Finnish incumbent Valtteri Bottas or promoting 23-year-old Mercedes-contracted British driver George Russell from struggling Williams.