Russell to remain with Williams for 2021 F1 season
George Russell has confirmed that he will be remaining at Williams in 2021 to see out the final Formula 1 season of his three-year contract
The Mercedes junior driver originally signed up until the end of 2021 when he joined the outfit last year, with the deal meaning that any rival teams wishing to get hold of him would need to buy him out of the contract.
But with Mercedes having agreed to retain Valtteri Bottas for next year, and expected to keep Lewis Hamilton, Williams has clarified that it wants to keep hold of Russell.
Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Russell said: "I will be staying at Williams for 2021.
"[I want] to build off last year and hopefully what this year turns out to be."
While Russell's impressive form has put him in the frame as a Mercedes option, he said was not too upset that the German car manufacturer has elected to stick with its current drivers.
"No, I'm not disappointed in Mercedes at all," he explained. "There was nothing more they could do.
"Claire was very firm with her decision that she was not ready to let me go. And also, since I have a contract with Williams, I have to respect that decision.
"So I'm here, I'll be doing everything I can for Williams this year and next year, and let's see what that holds after that."
The confirmation that Russell will be staying means the team's line-up looks secure for 2021, with teammate Nicholas Latifi also having a long-term contract.
"I have a multi year deal with the team," said the Canadian.
"At the end of the day I have a contract, so whether the ownership or anything changes going into next year that shouldn't really be affected."
Latifi joined the team for the 2020 season, replacing Robert Kubica alongside Russell after the Polish driver announced his departure.
F1 clamps down on track limits abuse for Hungarian GP
Haas F1 team's uncertain future is "elephant in the room" - Grosjean
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
McLaren eager to avoid any more Norris/Piastri F1 team orders
McLaren eager to avoid any more Norris/Piastri F1 team orders McLaren eager to avoid any more Norris/Piastri F1 team orders
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
Russell has "zero hard feelings" about Mercedes F1 team orders
Russell has "zero hard feelings" about Mercedes F1 team orders Russell has "zero hard feelings" about Mercedes F1 team orders
F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims
F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims F1 drivers question tyre blanket ban sustainability claims
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Albon: AlphaTauri's current F1 form “worrying” for Williams
Albon: AlphaTauri's current F1 form “worrying” for Williams Albon: AlphaTauri's current F1 form “worrying” for Williams
Williams: We want Sargeant in F1 car next year
Williams: We want Sargeant in F1 car next year Williams: We want Sargeant in F1 car next year
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler How Monza shows Albon's transformation to fearsome F1 battler
10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix
10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix 10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix
Suninen apologises to Hyundai for costly WRC Rally Chile mistake
Suninen apologises to Hyundai for costly WRC Rally Chile mistake Suninen apologises to Hyundai for costly WRC Rally Chile mistake
How five metres led to "angry" Zarco being thrown out of Motegi MotoGP result
How five metres led to "angry" Zarco being thrown out of Motegi MotoGP result How five metres led to "angry" Zarco being thrown out of Motegi MotoGP result
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari Mercedes fears it has lost race-day F1 tyre edge over Ferrari
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose
How football has posed difficult questions for F1
How football has posed difficult questions for F1 How football has posed difficult questions for F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1 The fans that offer a ray of light in an increasingly partisan F1
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Japanese Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.