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George Russell says many people believe him going to Mercedes in 2022 would be “the natural path”, but he also plays up Williams’ future.
As a Mercedes junior driver, George Russell is expected to end up driving for the German team sooner or later. With his amazing performance at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, Russell made this almost a certainty.
The Briton’s original three-year deal with Williams will expire at the end of 2021, but he says there are no guarantees that he will end up at Mercedes in 2022.
“Toto [Wolff] has always given me his word, and he has always given me the opportunity when they believe I deserve it,” Russell explained after Williams’ 2021 car launch.
“They have told me that I am a part of their future. Whenever that may be is again when they believe that the time is right. I think a lot of people think next year is the natural path.
“But equally, things change very, very quickly in motorsport, especially in Formula 1. So I’m not even thinking about it, to be honest.
“I obviously had a taste of life at the front of the grid last year, but as I said, I’m just focused on the here and now, focusing on Bahrain.
“If I perform on track and I deliver, continuing on the same path and progress that I’ve been on so far, I guess in the future the opportunity will come.
“But I’m not even thinking about it and no promises have been made at all.”
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However, if Mercedes doesn’t sign him for 2022, the young Briton sees some promise in Williams’ future.
“There’s a lot of speculation and thoughts ahead of the 2022 season where I’ll be. If that were not to happen, what most of you guys are speculating, it’s an interesting position for me.
“But as it currently stands with the whole investment from Dorilton, the changes I’ve already seen taking place at Williams…
“Williams have finished last in the constructors’ for the past three season. I don’t think that will be the case in 2022. I see a very bright future here.
“There’s a massive opportunity for every team in F1 for 2022, and as the guys have said, with the investment we’ve got, with the guys who are already here, with the guys like Jost [Capito, the team’s CEO] who are coming in, the relationship that has been built with Mercedes, it’s looking very exciting for the team.
“I guess I’ve got a very interesting decision on my hands towards the middle of this year, but I’m not even thinking about that now,” concluded Russell.
