MARKO – WHY RUSSELL WAS NOT AN ISSUE BUT PEREZ IS THE MUCH BETTER OPTION

As a Formula 2 champion, Russell may not be quite in place at Williams. Where his Formula 2 rivals have been allowed to race for Red Bull Racing (Alexander Albon) and McLaren (Lando Norris) this season, Russell can be found at the back of the grid at Williams. As a junior of Mercedes, Russell has bad luck in that respect.

That bad luck turned into luck in Bahrain when Lewis Hamilton became infected with the coronavirus and Russell had the chance to show what he could do in the fastest car in the field. Russell impressed, and because Mercedes insists on Valtteri Bottas, people wondered if Russell was an option for Red Bull.

George Russell was one of the standout emerging talents of 2020. Driving for a team at the bottom of the table, he made several impressive Q2 appearances. The young Briton came close to scoring his first points in Williams at Imola but ended up crashing into the barriers.

Russell’s biggest opportunity arrived when he replaced Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes at the Sakhir Grand Prix. The world champion had to miss the first race of his career because he was isolated after contracting coronavirus.

Mercedes loaned Russell from Williams and the young Briton made a powerful statement. He was leading the race comfortably and seemed ready to claim his debut career win. However, an unfortunate pit stop blunder and tire puncture took away a well-deserved victory.

During that time, Red Bull already appeared on the hunt for their new second driver. In a recent interview, Helmut Marko made it abundantly clear that Russell was never an option for the Dutch team.

“No,” he replied about reaching out to Russell about his contract situation.

“He has a ten-year contract with Toto Wolff. He is a Mercedes Junior. We were looking for an interim solution for a year. Perez is the much better option,” Marko further added.

Post Russell’s Sakhir Grand Prix performance, it was reported that Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have long kept their eyes on George Russell. There was a possibility that Red Bull could poach Russell.

“The idea was entirely plausible at the time. Red Bull could have offered Russell something that Mercedes couldn’t offer him: a victorious regular cockpit not only for 2022, but already for 2021,” stated a report.

After Sakhir Grand Prix, Marko admitted that Russell is a quick driver. However, the young Briton will be back to Williams next season. He will continue to push the car to score his first point for Williams. Russell will also want to make a statement to stake a claim for the next available Mercedes seat in Formula 1.

MARKO – WHY GEORGE RUSSELL WAS NOT AN ISSUE BUT PEREZ IS THE MUCH BETTER OPTION MARKO – WHY GEORGE RUSSELL WAS NOT AN ISSUE BUT PEREZ IS THE MUCH BETTER OPTION

READ ALSO – RUSSELL KNOWS WHAT HE MUST DO FOR 2021 TO CLAIM MERCEDES RACE SEAT

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