George Russell isn’t thinking about a possible Mercedes move in 2022.
The Briton, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are all out of contract at the end of this season.
And after his impressive stand-in performance for Hamilton at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix, many believe Russell is ready for his big chance at Mercedes.
“Toto [Wolff, Mercedes boss] has always given me his word and he has always given me the opportunity when they believe I deserve it,” George said last week.
“They have told me that I am a part of their future, whenever that may be, again, is when they believe the time is right.
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“I think a lot of people think next year is the natural path but equally things change very very quickly in motorsport, especially in Formula 1, so I’m not even thinking about, to be honest,” he insisted.
“I obviously had a taste of life at the front of the grid last year but as I said I’m just focused on the here and now, focusing on Bahrain.
“If I perform on track and I deliver, continue on the same path and progress that I’ve been on so far, I guess in the future the opportunity will come.
“But I’m not even thinking about it and no promises have been made, at all.”
After winning the F2 championship in 2018, Russell has found himself stuck at the back in F1 with Williams.
However, asked what his alternative to Mercedes would be for next season, the 22-year-old believes the historic team is a good option.
“First and foremost I am a Williams driver this year,” Russell stated.
“There’s a lot of speculation and thoughts ahead of the 2022 season where I will be, but as it currently stands, with the whole investment from Dorilton, the changes I’ve already seen taking place at Williams, I see a very bright future here.
“Williams has finished last in the Constructors’ for the past three seasons, I don’t think that will be the case in 2022.
“There’s a massive opportunity for every team in F1 next year and as the guys have said with the investment we’ve got, with the guys who are already here with the likes of [CEO] Jost [Capito] and the guys that are coming in, the relationship that has been built with Mercedes, it’s looking very exciting for the team.
“I guess I’ve got a very interesting decision on my hands towards the middle of this year but I am not even thinking about that now, we’re still over a year away yet.”