Williams warn Mercedes: Russell is going nowhere

Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams has warned Mercedes not to try and recruit George Russell for a seat with the Silver Arrows in the near future, insisting the Brit will work through his contract.

In Formula 1’s ‘silly season’ the topic of where drivers will end up the following season becomes almost as newsworthy as the races themselves, with every team regularly answering questions about potential incomings and outgoings.

Russell hasn’t escaped the speculation, as due to his status as part of Mercedes’ junior driver development programme, he is tipped to drive for the team sooner or later.

According to Williams, though, it won't be the former.

“I told Toto [Wolff] that George is on a three-year contract with us, he is firmly in our plans for the future and is going nowhere,” she told the Daily Mail.

The 21-year-old, himself, however, says he would accept the call from Mercedes as he believes he is ready to make the step-up.

“If Toto [Wolff] called me tomorrow and asked if I was ready to drive for Mercedes my answer would be absolutely,” Russell told the PA.

“I am not going to rely on Valtteri having bad races. I am going to go out there and make it happen for myself.

“If that is not good enough then I will hold my hands up and say I didn’t do the job.

“I am on top of my game. Right now, I am 100 per cent dedicated to Williams, but if Mercedes called me up, I will be ready.”

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