Russell and Latifi extend with Williams for 2021

George Russell will continue to defend the colors of Williams during the 2021 season. The former champion of Formula 2, who accessed the F1 in 2019 with the Grove team, confirmed this Thursday ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Russell has often said he has a three-year contract with Williams but as part of the young driver pipeline Mercedes, his name was one of the potential candidates for promotion within the German manufacturer's factory team. It won't be right away and today's announcement very likely paves the way for an extension of Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes. 

« I will stay with Williams in 2021, said Russell this Thursday at the Hungaroring. I have a three-year contract with the team. I hope we can continue to build on the foundations of last year and the results of this season.”

Russell assures “not to be disappointed at all” not to join Mercedes. “Claire (Williams deputy team principal, Editor’s note) was very firm in her decision, said the 22-year-old. She's not ready to let me go. I must respect this choice and I understand it perfectly. I’m here to do a good job at Williams in 2020 and 2021. And we’ll see what the future brings.”

Also asked about his future, his teammate Nicholas latifi clarified that he has a multi-year contract with Williams before the team published a tweet immediately, validating the presence of its two drivers for 2021.

Bring it on 2021

Looking forward to seeing these two continuing to do their stuff with the team next year #HungarianGP  | #WeAreWilliams  pic.twitter.com/gXzfhgjKEB

- WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) July 16, 2020