Only a drastic turn of events would see Williams departure - Russell

Williams driver George Russell believes that only a drastic or unforseen set of events could end his time at the Grove based team, in recent response to being questioned for a possible move to Mercedes in 2020.

Russell, a Mercedes junior driver, made his F1 debut with Williams this season and has impressed in the half a season of 2019 so far, despite not yet scoring for the team.

However, with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirming that the team are not including Russell in the options for finding a partner to Lewis Hamilton next year, Russell is sure he will get to extend his stay at Williams.

"The matter of the fact is as Claire [Williams, deputy team principal] said, I signed a three-year contract with Williams," Russell told Autosport.

"So, unless anything drastic happened, I see no reason why I wouldn’t be here for the following couple of years."

2018 Formula 2 champion Russell is still confident of a bright future in Formula 1 despite Williams' struggles, saying that he has full faith in Mercedes and their junior driver programme and that he is sure that the team will look after him.

"I know in Mercedes, as long as I’m performing, they will support me and it does relax you as a driver because you can fully focus on the job at hand," he added. "If you have one bad weekend, they’re not going to snap at you and ask what the hell went on there.

"They’ll offer support and advice for how not to be in the same situation again. It’s a really great way of doing things."

It'd pretty much be if some other team with better performance want him, and he has some performance clause. Methinks Kubica is the one in the risk zone, he hasn't performed at all. His sponsorship might save him, but in a sense I'd rather not. I like Kubica, and it's painful to see Russell beat ... [Read more]

  • 1
  • Aug 25 2019 - 20:36

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • It'd pretty much be if some other team with better performance want him, and he has some performance clause. Methinks Kubica is the one in the risk zone, he hasn't performed at all. His sponsorship might save him, but in a sense I'd rather not. I like Kubica, and it's painful to see Russell beat him so badly every regular race.

    • + 1
    • Aug 25 2019 - 20:36

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 1,083
  • Podiums 26
  • Grand Prix 154
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Feb 15 1998 (28)
  • Place of b. King's Lynn, GB
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.85 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar