George Russell keeps reminding himself of the promise made to him by Mercedes in that if he does a “good job”, then his efforts will be “rewarded”.
Russell is patiently waiting in the wings at Mercedes as his employers decide once again whether to stick with Valtteri Bottas or promote their young British driver up through the ranks from Williams in 2022.
With the rumours continuing to swirl around until the official confirmation of the decision finally comes, all Russell can do is stay focused on here and now.
However, Russell’s main source of encouragement that a big career move is in store for him is a promise given to him by the Silver Arrows, something that he has used as motivation over the years.
Martin Brundle: "It wouldn’t surprise me if George got the drive next year alongside Lewis at Mercedes.
"Whether it’ll be announced at Silverstone, if they’re going to do it, why not? It would be the perfect place."https://t.co/D4fM1b2ULo #F1 pic.twitter.com/Jvi4oLqrE8
— Planet F1 (@Planet_F1) July 9, 2021
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“I’m in constant communication with Mercedes obviously because they have always looked after me,” Russell told Sky F1.
“I’m their junior driver and they are in control of my destiny as such, wherever that may be.
“They have always said ‘if you do a good job, you’ll be rewarded’. It’s as simple as that.
“I’ll have a Mercedes engine at the back of me next year no matter what. I’m a Mercedes driver, I’m loyal to Mercedes.
“I want to be fighting for victories and World Championships.
“I’ve worked so hard to get into Formula 1 and I didn’t work that hard to be fighting for P15. I’m here to win, I want to win and that’s what I want to do sooner rather than later.
“I’m just doing my best week in week out and what will come from that, who knows.”
While Russell waits for his big chance, he has come agonising close to delivering his first points in an uncompetitive Williams car with initial promise at both races in Austria eventually turned into pain.
On what needs to change in order to complete that particular objective, Russell said: “I think we just need a bit of luck, to be honest. We would have scored points (at the Styrian Grand Prix).
“I was in eighth, on the medium tyre, I had Fernando and Stroll just ahead of me on the softs and unfortunately we had a mechanical failure.
“Such a shame for everyone – it doesn’t happen when we’re last for two years, it happens the one time we’re in the points.
“Whenever we’ve just had half a chance there’s always been something that went away from us.
“It almost felt too good to be true at one point and then when I got that radio message I was like ‘there it was’. You know, that’s racing sometimes.”
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