George Russell mentioned on Thursday that Williams have refused to permit him to depart subsequent season, ending hypothesis that he may exchange Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes. Williams, who have been put up on the market earlier than the coronavirus-delayed season began two weeks in the past in Austria, additionally confirmed that Canadian rookie Nicholas Latifi would proceed subsequent season.
Russell has been linked with a change to Mercedes, the place he got here by way of the junior programme and stays a part of their younger driver secure, for a number of months. The affirmation by Williams means that the champions have determined to re-sign Bottas to run alongside six-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
“I will be staying with Williams for 2021 – you heard it right here first,” Russell advised an official video information convention on the Hungaroring circuit, forward of this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I’ve no arduous emotions or something in the direction of Mercedes, there’s nothing extra they’ll do,” the 22-year-old Briton added to Sky Sports activities F1. “Finally, I had a contract with Williams.”
Russell is within the center yr of a three-year contract with Williams. He didn’t decide up some extent final season and has but to gather one this season.
“Claire (Williams, deputy staff chief) was very agency that she’s not able to let me go and I’ve to respect her determination.
“I am nonetheless younger, I am nonetheless a Mercedes driver and I will be going on the market to construct off final yr, to construct off the primary few races and proceed to try to present what I can do.”
Latifi’s affirmation follows his elevation from reserve driver final season and two outings in Austria to this point this yr. Like Russell, he additionally doesn’t have some extent this season.
Bottas is the early season championship chief after successful the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix after which ending second behind Hamilton in final Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix, each races having taken place on the Crimson Bull Ring circuit.
Bottas leads Hamilton by six factors.
Russell mentioned he believes the Hungaroring will go well with Williams higher than the Austrian monitor.
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“I feel the circuit traits will go well with our automotive higher than Austria did,” he mentioned. “Now we have a bit of labor to do off the again of the race in Austria, as our race tempo wasn’t as robust as our qualifying tempo, so we have to perceive why.
“Nonetheless, Hungary is a superb monitor, it is one in all my favourites and it is going to be enjoyable to drive round that circuit once more.”
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