George Russell has quashed any suggestions of a shock move to Mercedes next year after his performance in Bahrain.
The Briton was well on course to win his first race with the team until he was forced to stop twice under the second Safety Car due to a tyre mix-up and then suffered a puncture as he chased race winner Sergio Perez late on.
After the race, Russell voiced hope that his performance had given Mercedes boss Toto Wolff a "headache" over the team's future driver line-up, even teasing a move in '2022 or sooner".
However, on Thursday, he denied he was being serious.
"That was just a throwaway remark in the heat of the moment," Russell said. “Ultimately I have a contract and I’m a Williams driver for 2021.
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“[But] my management is Mercedes. I signed a deal with Mercedes back in 2016 and they are my managers.
"They invested in me, they put faith in me and that means a huge amount. I’m committed to Mercedes, so I’m happy and confident with my position under their guidance.”
Since then, it has been confirmed Hamilton will return for this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, this after ending quarantine in Bahrain and testing negative twice for Covid-19 on Thursday.
As a result, Russell will return to Williams for the season finale, posting an image of himself back in his white and blue overalls on social media.
Seriously though, glad to see @LewisHamilton back and fighting fit. Had a blast with @MercedesAMGF1 but now I’m buzzing to put everything I’ve learned into action with my team @WilliamsRacing. Gonna give it everything this weekend - just as they do for me week in, week out 💪
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) December 10, 2020
