WOLFF HAS A PLAN B FOR RUSSELL

The Mercedes Formula 1 team will try to ensure a ‘plan B’ for Russell.

Russell has been part of Mercedes’ junior programme since 2017, and was linked with a move up to its senior team earlier this year prior to its decision to retain Valtteri Bottas, but now faces the possibility of not having a seat at all should Perez be signed to replace him.

Russell was confirmed as a 2021 Williams driver along with Nicholas Latifi in July and says his situation remains unaltered.

“Nothing’s changed,” said Russell when asked if there had been any movement on his future in recent days. “I try and do my talking on the track and, as I said before, I am not concerned for next year. I know Mercedes and Toto [Wolff] have my back, Toto himself has told me that, which I absolutely trust.

“It’s not looking bad, to be honest. I think there is a lot of theories whether he stays or not and [there are] various drivers, good guys with also a little bit of budget, that are there,” said Wolff.

“But I think that the reason why the investors have come in [at Williams] is that they want to be competitive.

“They have made a sensible plan on how to increase performance every year and they are not expecting any wonders short term but they’re having a clear path to success over the next few years and I think that George can play a role in there.

“He’s clearly performing very well, the team likes him. And so if I were them, I would keep him.

PLAN B

“If George were to slip through the system, we’re happy to take him in our squad, we will have a sensational reserve. I’ll put him through a mega testing programme and prepare him in the best way for a 2022 blast.”

“I totally respect the independence of Williams like any other team and they need to make the decisions,” he said. “Sometimes financial decisions take priority over sporting decisions, and sometimes even the sporting decisions need to be balanced.

“It’s not always a clear cut. It wouldn’t damage the relationship, it would be disappointing but that’s all. I’ll get over it.

“These things are separate. These contracts, they are valid we will respect them, that’s how we do it here at Mercedes. I’m happy with the three customers that we have for next year.”

Following his impressive performance at Algarve where he finished 14th, Russell said he had not discussed an alternative F1 option with Wolff or Mercedes and reiterated his faith in Williams upholding his existing contract for 2021.

“No, we’ve not talked about a fallback,” said Russell. “He’s just said ‘listen, I’ve got your back, you’ll be on the grid next year, don’t worry’.

“There’s obviously a lot of speculation and I think it has been fed from other people. Everything will be fine and 100% clarified from the team’s perspective probably no later than at the end of next week.”

Source the-race.com.

WOLFF HAS FOR RUSSELL AN PLAN B WOLFF HAS FOR RUSSELL AN PLAN B

NORRIS APOLOGISES TO HAMILTON AND STROLL : I’VE BEEN STUPID AND CARELESS

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE F1 NEWS VIA Facebook AND Twitter