George Russell has vowed to continue a harmonious relationship with Lewis Hamilton if chosen to join Mercedes for 2022.
A decision is expected within weeks from Toto Wolff on whether he’ll stick with Valtteri Bottas or promote the Williams driver alongside the seven-time world champion for next season.
For his part, Hamilton has voiced his support for Mercedes to keep Bottas, leading to suggestions the Finn will be kept for as long as the Briton is at the team.
But Russell insists him joining the Brackley-based team would not lead to disruption.
“My ambitions and goals are incredibly clear and I want to become the F1 World Champion, but I would never put my own agenda or my own goals above the team no matter who my teammate is,” he was quoted by GPFans.
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“That’s the same here at Williams now. I would never do anything to hurt my relationship with my teammate and I recognise that to be able to achieve your own goals, you need the team to be operating on all cylinders.
“That team spirit and dynamic needs to be at the top of its game just to be able to achieve the team’s objectives.
“If the team achieves, then as a driver you have a shot. But I never put my own agenda or goals above the team’s.”
Russell showed that first-hand in Hungary, urging Williams to prioritise Nicholas Latifi over himself as the Canadian was running third after the chaos of the opening few laps.
However, Bottas has also been proving why Hamilton has so much faith in him, helping him with tows in qualifying, following team orders and even accidentally taking out both Red Bulls at the start in Budapest.
And that is set to continue for the rest of this season as Wolff explained…
“It is very important because statistically, his [Bottas’] odds to win the championship are very small compared to Lewis who is very much in the fight,” said the Austrian.
“We have discussed that and as tough as it is for a driver, there is no room for margin in this year’s championship.”
