F1: George Russell ‘absolutely committed’ to Williams despite Mercedes ambition

Russell focused on Williams

British Formula 1 driver George Russell has said that the only way he will leave Williams is if he gets the opportunity for a seat at Mercedes.

The 21-year-old has impressed in his rookie year in F1 despite driving for the struggling Williams team, who are without any points after ten races of the 2019 season.

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Russell, who is part of the Mercedes driver development programme, said ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix: “I’m absolutely committed to Williams at the moment.

“The only way I wouldn’t be at Williams next year is if I was in a Mercedes. If the opportunity came along at Mercedes, that would obviously be fantastic, but that’s not at the forefront of my mind.

“I’m just fully focused [on Williams]. Everything we’re doing now is also working towards next year’s car and making that to a much better level than our current car is.”

No panic for Bottas

Valtteri Bottas’s contract at Mercedes expires at the end of the 2019 season, but the Finn is not too concerned about his future just yet.

Max Verstappen, George Russell, Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso have been linked with Mercedes, but SportsMole reports there are strong rumours Bottas’s deal will be extended with the Silver Arrows.

Bottas is currently second in the 2019 drivers’ standings, 39 points behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

When asked about his contract, Bottas said: “There is no news yet, but also no panic. In terms of performance, I have had my best season so far in F1. But I am always finding areas where I can be better.

“It is perhaps not my luckiest season, but apart from that I am pleased that I was able to raise my performance level.

“Yes I have to catch up with the points to Lewis, but at least I’m in the same zone as him.”

Grosjean: the priority is Haas

Romain Grosjean’s future at Haas remains in doubt but the Frenchman says his “only goal” is to stay with the American team.

Haas team principal Gunther Steiner was left raging after drivers Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen collided and crashed out of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 14 July.

Magnussen’s contract with Haas continues in 2020 but for Grosjean his deal expires at the end of the season.

Grosjean told RMC Sport: “The first goal is to stay at Haas. The other solution is to find another good team, but I think the priority is Haas.

“I’m pretty happy with the work I’ve done here. I was not wrong when I said the old car was better than the new one so on that side I am happy.”