“I’ve got a very interesting decision on my hands towards the middle of this year”- George Russell admits that next year things may change.
George Russell has been viewed as Mercedes’ future since he started his stint with Williams, and this thought further escalated when he replaced Lewis Hamilton for the one-off race in the Sakhir Grand Prix.
And now he claims that next year in his career would be interesting, including a stint with Mercedes from next year onwards as Toto Wolff apparently believes in his talent.
“Toto’s always given me his word, and he’s always given me the opportunity when they believe I deserve it,” said Russell today. “They have told me that I’m a part of their future. Whenever that may be, again, is when they believe the time is right.
“A lot of people think next year is a 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. I’m just focused on the here and now, focusing on Bahrain. If I perform on the track and I deliver, continue 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. ”
Bright future ahead
Russell claims that from hereon, things might be better for him. First, he believes that in 2022, Williams would probably not finish last, and second, he might make the big move.
“First and foremost, I’m a Williams driver this year,” he said. “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 seasons, and 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.
“With the investment, we’ve got, with the guys who are already here with the likes of Jost [Capito, team CEO], the guys who are coming in, the relationship that’s being 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 like that. For now, we’re still over a year away yet.”
