Mercedes junior driver George Russell says talks with the German team about his future have “increased”, however he is tied to Williams for the time being.
George Russell has been a part of Mercedes’ junior driver programme since 2017 and as such he is considered as one of the main candidates for a future seat with the German manufacturer. However for now he is tied to Williams on a three-year deal that expires next season.
At the Styrian Grand Prix Thursday press conference Russell revealed his talks with Mercedes about a potential drive have recently increased.
“You know, obviously, Mercedes are my managers – we’ve been in talk- we’re always in talks, on a weekly basis, almost daily basis, for the past two years,” the Briton explained.
“And those talks have, you know, increased, as I’m pushing for my future. But like I say I know what I need to do, which is just perform to my maximum on track.
“I do have a contract for next year with Williams, so you know ultimately it’s potentially in Claire’s hands of where my future lies.”
Asked if he was looking to get in the mix for a potential Renault seat before Fernando Alonso was announced as the team’s 2021 driver, Russell said it was never in the cards.
“As I mentioned, I have a contract with Williams next year, I am a Mercedes junior driver. So like I say I don’t think Claire would allow me to go anywhere else potentially other than Mercedes, and even then who knows?
“Like I say, that’s not in my hands, that’s in her hands, and for all the powers above me to deal with and see what happens there,” concluded the 2018 F2 champion.