MORE F1 NEWS...European Super League: How F1 avoided a ‘breakaway’ nightmare in 2009Sebastian Vettel fumes at FIA over delayed Aston Martin penaltyVerstappen vs Hamilton: F1’s biggest winners and losers in Imola. With the 2022 regulation changes incoming, many were expecting Williams to benefit massively from them. “This is simply impossible because that is a longer-term objective you have to work towards.”. There, for the first time, rather bluntly, Russell acknowledges that he and Bottas are both in direct competition with each other to be a Mercedes driver in 2022. However, investments in developing the 2022 car and getting staff in appear to have come too late, with technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison only recently joining the team. “Obviously we signed the three year deal back in 2018. The Brit’s chances of a promotion came under scrutiny at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday after colliding with Bottas and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff remarked that the Williams driver had “a lot to learn” following the incident. George Russell has denied he and Sir Lewis Hamilton are no longer on speaking terms following rumours of a rift.. In an interview with British newspaper The Daily Mail published in late March, Brown put forward his suggestion on how he thought Mercedes’ line-up could change for 2022, saying: “I think you will see Max [Verstappen] and George [Russell] there in 2022. His natural talent is brilliant, but he doesn't rely just on natural talent. The young Brit almost always drove for the Williams team. “They have their faith in me, I have my faith in them. And when asked if he had been considering other options if there was no chance at Mercedes, Russell replied: “Mercedes have been loyal to me since day one, so that isn’t even crossing my mind at the moment. Russell, a Mercedes Junior driver, sent ripples through the paddock when he deputised for Lewis Hamilton at the Sakihir Grand Prix as the seven-time world champion recovered from COVID-19. Russell, who races for Williams, was livid at Bottas after their high-speed shunt, slapping the Mercedes driver's helmet and berating him before the Finn had emerged from the wreck. They hoped the team would have a similar performance jump as they did when F1 moved over to hybrid power units, going from ninth in 2013 to third in 2014. Things pick up, new guys come on the scene and new stories evolve. George Russell insists Mercedes has not established “rules of engagement” he must follow if fighting its works cars, after his crash with Valtteri Bottas in Formula 1’s 2021 Imola race. He's young, he's very determined by his own admission he's quite pushing. Five F1 drivers who have the most to prove at Emilia Romagna GP, Max Verstappen sees no point in 'smashing things up' after Bahrain, F1 radio coverage: How to listen to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix live, Max Verstappen wants answers to 'messy' track limits debacle, Max Verstappen's hot take on Lewis Hamilton as F1 rivalry heats up, Lewis Hamilton has Max Verstappen rivalry doubts, George Russell quashes rumours he and Lewis Hamilton have bad blood, Daniel Ricciardo hoping 's**t hits the fan' to stop Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton currently leads the world championship in Formula 1 and the Brit will do everything in his power to grab his eighth world title. “Nicholas was driving really, really well” – George Russell and Latifi both made it to Q2 and are confident of winning points for Williams in Imola. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says Russell still has "lots to learn." Mercedes F1 hopeful George Russell has apologised for a high-speed crash with Silver Arrows driver Valtteri Bottas at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. While most fans believe Russell will take the spot of Mercedes flop Valtteri Bottas, McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes that Mercedes will clean house and feature a new line-up for 2022. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says contrite George Russell has lots to learn after crash Associated Press Apr 20, 2021, 8:00 AM EDT Hasan Bratic/picture alliance via Getty Images "He knows that and he has to keep the pressure up, otherwise he may get overlooked by some other new star.". Jost Capito rates Williams' 2022 F1 prospects as Mercedes ponder George Russell decision, Williams to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore at Portuguese Grand Prix, George Russell vs Valtteri Bottas: How the fallout unfolded, Lewis Hamilton sends George Russell heart-warming message, European Super League: How F1 avoided a ‘breakaway’ nightmare in 2009, Sebastian Vettel fumes at FIA over delayed Aston Martin penalty, Verstappen vs Hamilton: F1’s biggest winners and losers in Imola, Callum Ilott's brilliant GT debut shows Brit has F1 credentials, Russell makes Bottas U-turn after Wolff blasted 'bulls***' remark, Lando Norris lifts lid on Daniel Ricciardo relationship. He continued: “There are no miracles in this sport, so we will not have a winning car next year that’s absolutely clear. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. “He is never happy, and the driver should never be happy with what he has, but he has the ability to get the team behind him. Williams will be hoping that their future potential will be enough to retain the highly-rated Russell, but given his ties to Mercedes, his future may not be in his or Williams’ control. Max Verstappen and George Russell have been tipped to jump ship to Mercedes for the 2022 season in what has been described as “the obvious conclusion” by McLaren CEO Zak Brown. Express. Let’s wait and see. Time will tell. However, in December last year he made his appearance at Mercedes due to the absence of Lewis Hamilton. His three-year deal at Williams ends this year but with his position entirely in Mercedes’ hands, he could be forced to re-sign with the Oxfordshire outfit for another year. “You have to make this investment work, to make that all that work for the ‘22 car is already quite late.”. George Russell has revealed that the thought of looking outside of Mercedes for a 2022 seat 'hasn't crossed' his mind ahead of the Formula One Emilia Romagna GP. Williams’ new CEO Jost Capito believes it will be ‘impossible’ for the British team to win a race in 2022, despite their new owners and the upcoming regulation changes. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Russell is in the running for a Mercedes seat in 2022, with both Hamilton and team-mate Valtteri Bottas out of contract. That will be concerning news for George Russell, whose future is still in doubt as Mercedes consider whether to promote the 23-year-old. Since that performance, there has been much speculation that Russell would be the natural fit for the team, with boss Toto Wolff admitting a star was born after the race. Williams had a good Saturday qualifying with both drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi making it past Q1. "Perhaps if I was another driver, he wouldn't have done that," said Russell, alluding to rumours that he is in pole position for Bottas' seat in 2022. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. However, since his impressive performance - one that would've caught the attention of more than one team on the grid, the 23-year-old was advised to keep his options. George Russell has revealed that the thought of looking outside of Mercedes for a 2022 seat 'hasn't crossed' his mind ahead of the Formula One Emilia Romagna GP. DON'T MISS:George Russell quashes rumours he and Lewis Hamilton have bad bloodFive F1 drivers who have the most to prove at Emilia Romagna GPDaniel Ricciardo hoping 's**t hits the fan' to stop Lewis Hamilton. George Russell says Mercedes relationship stronger despite Valtteri Bottas crash. A swift change would open the door early for George Russell, the 23-year-old Brit who is favourite to take Bottas's seat in 2022. "He'll be on people's watch list, definitely, but time ticks by incredibly quickly in this sport, and he did so well close to the end of last season, but that was almost 100 years ago now. "He's a very feisty driver. The Williams driver has a year left on his contract before he's a free agent, which coincides with both the Mercedes driver's deals ending too. Speaking to Express Sport ahead of the season, 1996 world champion Damon Hill says stepping up to a more competitive team wouldn't be out of his reach, but he must be speaking to other teams about his future. "I think he's had enough time and has shown what he's capable of given a competitive car," explained Hill, Sky Sports F1 pundit. Russell did manage to score his first points in Formula 1 after finishing ninth. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time. Jost Capito rates Williams' 2022 F1 prospects as Mercedes ponder George Russell decision Williams' hopes to keep Russell may be dashed … "I don't believe I'm the finished product yet," he told 5 Live Breakfast. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Toto Wolff does not think Hamilton will make the switch to another team in the pinnacle of motorsport. JUST IN: Lewis Hamilton has Max Verstappen rivalry doubts. However, Williams’ desire to keep him will have been dealt a huge blow as Capito revealed that the team would not be fighting it out with the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull next year, something that Russell will be eager to enjoy after several seasons at the back of the grid. Unsurprisingly, Capito was full of praise for Russell, comparing him to 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who he gave his F1 debut at Sauber back in 2001. Der Crash könnte für Mercedes weitreichende Folgen haben. “Of course, I would love to keep him. “The new regulations give a chance, but the new owners came in towards the end of last year and there is a lot of investment needed. I think that is the obvious conclusion. “Everybody is really pushing and motivated to give him what he is demanding and that is an ability that really a top driver needs.”. Capito said: “We are expecting and working towards a significant step, but to say that there is a chance to win the championship in next year that's a completely different dimension. That’s been the case through GP3, F2, and then with my career in F1. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas’ contracts with Mercedes expire at the end of 2021. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Russell had a maiden win snatched away from him at the Sakhir Grand Prix thanks to a rare pit stop blunder from the team, and a puncture that left him P9 at the flag, with the small consolation of his first-ever points finish. Capito added: “His driving is brilliant. "I'm sure he will be phoning up Toto [Wolff, Mercedes team principal] on a regular basis to see what the story is, and if he's got any sense he'll be calling other people up as well, he won't just rely on Mercedes. There is no doubt,” Capito told Tom Clarkson on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast. In doing so, the Mercedes driver would leave Michael Schumacher behind and become the most successful driver in the world. Russell experienced many new things. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. George Russell will drive his third year in Formula 1 next season. Russell did manage to score his first points in Formula 1 after finishing ninth. This was bolstered when US investment firm Dorilton Capital bought the team last year, promising to return Williams to the front of the grid. The speculation surfaced when a question was posed to Mercedes … Williams driver George Russell has issued a public apology following his crash with Valtteri Bottas in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. George Russell says the thought of looking outside of Mercedes if he doesn’t gain promotion for the 2022 Formula 1 season “hasn’t even crossed … Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. It’s been clear since day one since 2016 when I signed for Mercedes, to do the job on the track and the opportunities would come. But at the moment, that thought hasn’t even crossed my mind.”. Toto Wolff bezieht im Formel-1-Zoff zwischen George Russell und Valtteri Bottas klar Stellung. Williams’ George Russell, a Mercedes junior driver, is already widely tipped to move to Brackley next year. Express. George Russell has issued a full apology to Valtteri Bottas after ... Wolff and others widely praised him at the time and he was viewed as highly likely to be given a seat at Mercedes for 2022. Massively from them mind. ” pick up, new guys come on the scene and new stories.... “ Obviously we signed the three year deal back in 2018 s Beyond the Grid podcast has Max Verstappen doubts! 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