George Russell believes the rumours about him being kicked out of Williams subsequent 12 months are being fuelled by Sergio Perez’s administration.
Russell has a contract to drive for Williams in 2021, however tales forward of the Portuguese Grand Prix steered his place might come below risk from Perez, who’s presently a free agent.
Williams did little or no to disclaim the hypothesis, with appearing crew principal Simon Roberts refusing to verify Russell and present teammate Nicholas Latifi would stay on the crew throughout a information convention on Friday.
Perez, who will lose his Racing Level drive to Sebastian Vettel subsequent 12 months, can be a contender for a Purple Bull seat in 2021 if Alex Albon fails to justify his place at the team in remaining races.
Russell believes the rumours about his scenario are being fuelled by Perez’s administration with the intention to achieve leverage of their negotiations with Purple Bull.
“I feel all of this hypothesis has in all probability been fed by the Perez camp, who’re making an attempt to use stress on different groups additional down the grid, probably [for] a Purple Bull seat,” Russell stated.
“That is my view on it. I’ve acquired a contract, I’ve acquired nothing to fret about, and I am simply right here specializing in my job.”
Russell signed his 2021 contract with Williams’ earlier administration, who stood down after the Italian Grand Prix, and that has solely served to gas ideas that the crew’s new house owners, Dorilton Capital, need to make adjustments.
However Russell, who can be contracted to Williams’ engine provider Mercedes as a younger driver, stated he had acquired assurances from Dorilton that his job is just not below risk for 2021.
“They have been right here, I’ve spoken to them they usually have stated don’t fret and all the things goes to be positive. We had a small chat about it and moved on to speak about the remainder of this 12 months, shifting into subsequent 12 months and the way we’re going to push issues ahead. That is sufficient for me.
“They’ve stated they don’t know the place these rumours have come from. They by no means prefer to touch upon contractual conditions clearly following Simon’s press convention on Friday, issues once more had been taken in all probability barely out of context, which is precisely what the crew did not wish to do.
“Finally, the crew did not wish to touch upon it as a result of they felt prefer it is not needed, and it is simply opening themselves as much as additional queries later down the road.
“I’ve acquired a contract, and I will be on the grid subsequent 12 months, and I am very assured of that. I feel one thing fairly substantial must occur within the coming weeks for something to alter.”
Russell stated he was optimistic the scenario could be cleared up within the coming weeks.
“There’s clearly numerous hypothesis. I feel it has been fed from different folks. All the pieces can be, like I stated, all the things can be positive.
“I would say [it will be] one hundred pc clarified from the crew’s perspective in all probability no later than the top of subsequent week.”
Talking on Saturday in Portugal, Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff stated Russell would have a assured reserve function at Mercedes if he missed out on a Williams seat in 2021.
“If George had been to slide by way of the system I’d be blissful to take him in our squad, we could have a sensational reserve,” Wolff stated. “I’d put him by way of a mega testing programme and put together him in one of the best ways for a 2022 blast.”
He added: “I completely respect the independence of Williams, like every other crew, and they should make their choices. Generally monetary choices take precedence over sporting choices and generally even the sporting choices have to be balanced, and it is not at all times clear-cut.
“No, it would not injury the connection, it could be disappointing.”
