Williams driver George Russell has claimed that he will find out whether he will get a seat at Mercedes for next season much sooner than expected.
Russell is currently managed by Mercedes and is one of the drivers that the team is believed to be keeping a close eye on.
The contract of Russell and Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas will end at the end of the upcoming season. This will allow the Silver Arrows to change things around, if it wishes to do so.
Russell said that he was applying no pressure on Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for clarification on his future. However, he conceded that he will have the answer by the time F1 starts its mid-season break in August.
“My relationship with Mercedes and Toto Wolff is stronger than it has ever been,” said Russell.
“They know the situation. They know I want to be fighting for victories and championships.
“They saw what I could do in Bahrain [in last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix when he replaced the Covid-hit Hamilton].
“I need to focus on myself and I don’t need to be badgering them.”
The youngster said that impatience has often got the better of him in the past, but he is learning to take things as they come.
“In the past, I have always tried to make things happen, but it is different now. I have been with Mercedes for six years, they are my second family, and if it happens it will happen naturally.
“It will not be any longer than the summer break for all parties involved – Mercedes, Williams and for all the drivers – so it is fair on everybody.
“And unless anything catastrophic happens in the coming six months, Mercedes know the position I am in and the position they are in.”
Russell further said that he is only improving with each passing race. He attributed his work ethic as being pivotal.
“I believe I am at a level and ready to be fighting for wins and world championships,” Russell said.
“But we will have to see. Formula 1 is a funny business and I don’t take anything for granted.”
Russell rather surprisingly is yet to communicate with Hamilton since deputising for him at the Bahrain Grand Prix last year.
“No, not at all. We haven’t spoken. My relationship with Lewis is fine. There are no issues.
“I don’t know what I was expecting, and if I was expecting him to say anything after the race. But equally, I don’t know how I would feel if someone took my seat at Williams.”
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