George Russell admits Esteban Ocon’s move to Renault for 2020 is “on paper, very good” for his future with Mercedes.
The Frenchman spent this season as reserve driver at the Brackley based team but a speculated promotion to replace Valtteri Bottas for next season did not materialise.
Instead, Ocon will race at Renault on a two-year deal, a move which in theory, should make Russell the top member of Mercedes’ junior program.
“I don’t think it changes a huge amount for me that Esteban has sort of moved aside,” the Briton said to Crash.net. “On paper, it’s definitely very good, but in my whole career, I’ve never tried to look too far ahead of myself.
“I’m getting asked the question a lot now about 2021, ‘is this your time?’ My opinion is I focus on race by race and if I do the best job every single weekend, that opportunity will come.
“That was the same when I was racing in Formula 3 trying to get picked up by Mercedes, the same in GP3, the same in F2, I was just telling myself, don’t think about the F1 seat, if I go out, qualify on pole and win the race, it will come to me.”
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This season has seen Russell unable to really show his talents in an uncompetitive Williams during his rookie year, though he has predominantly out-classed teammate Robert Kubica.
“What I’ve learned over my three years with Mercedes is that doing a very good job is expected,” the 21-year-old said, explaining his relationship with the German manufacturer.
“If you’re a postman and you post a letter, you don’t expect someone to pat them on the back for posting a letter – that’s their job. My job, [Mercedes] invested in me, they believe in me. My job is to perform to a high level, week in, week out because that’s what they expect from me.
“They say well done to me when they think I’ve done well, but they’re not going out of their way constantly to say, ‘George you’re doing an amazing job’ because that’s what I’m paid to do, and that’s what they believe I should be doing.”
“Mercedes are keeping a very close eye on everything, every session, every qualifying, every race I am doing. I definitely feel recognised within the team,” he insisted.
“It does mean a lot, but as I said, I’m here for myself, I’m here because I want to do the best job for myself week in, week out. I’m not looking for praise from anyone really. I’m just looking to do the best job I possibly can.”