Russell insists he is ready to be given a seat at Mercedes
GEORGE RUSSELL expects a decision on whether he joins or replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes to be made by the summer.
The 23-year-old, a member of the Mercedes driver academy, was thrust into the spotlight at the end of last year when he excelled as Covidhit Hamilton’s stand-in at the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain. Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas are both out of contract at the end of the campaign, while Russell’s three-season deal with Williams also expires this year.
Speaking ahead of the new season, which starts in Bahrain on Sunday, Russell said: ‘I have been with Mercedes for six years, they are my second family, and if it happens it will happen naturally. And unless anything catastrophic happens in the coming six months, Mercedes
■ McLAREN have signed a long-term deal with 13-year-old American kart-racing star Ugo Ugochukwu. The teenager was recently crowned FIA European champion. McLaren said: ‘The agreement provides McLaren Racing with an option on Ugo’s services in the future.’
know the position I am in and the position they are in. I believe I am at a level and ready to be fighting for wins and world championships.’
Asked if he had spoken to Hamilton since he deputised for him, Russell said: ‘No, not at all. We haven’t spoken. My relationship with Lewis is fine. There are no issues.
‘I don’t know if I was expecting him to say anything. But equally I don’t know how I would feel if someone took my seat at Williams.’