Russell is vying to replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes next year, having played a leading role during his time at Williams since making his Formula 1 debut in 2019 and was also part of the Mercedes junior program during that time.
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff previously said the team will make a decision over the summer months on who will partner with Lewis Hamilton next year, but no announcement has been made before F1 returns to Spa this weekend after a three-week hiatus.
Russell and Bottas were paired in the opening press conference ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix on Thursday and asked if they already knew what they would do next year.
“There is no news to share yet,” said Bottas, who later added: “Maybe I know something, maybe not. But as I said, there is no news to share.”
When asked directly whether there was no news to share because no decision had yet been made, or whether it was not the right time to reveal something, Bottas replied: “There is no news to share. I don’t have to give reasons for it.
“I think the same thing for me and George that we have a job to do here and there is no news and we will focus on racing and getting maximum points for the team we are racing with.”
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George Russell, Williams at the drivers parade
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Russell doubted that an announcement about his future would be made before the Dutch Grand Prix next weekend in Zandvoort.
“[There’s] there is no news at this point, “said Russell.[We were] still obviously in discussions about the summer break, but there is nothing to announce either way this weekend, and probably not next weekend either, to be honest.
“I think it’s not a problem. Better do things right than fast, we say.”
The Mercedes decision will act as the first major domino in the F1 driver market for next season, making it an important decision for the entire paddock.
Russell said it was “not really a problem” that nothing had been disclosed when Motorsport.com asked him if delaying a decision was even problematic.
“We are both fortunate that we are both somehow looked after by Mercedes, and we both trust that they will look after our future in one way or another,” said Russell.
“From my side, there are no real problems for me. Whether tomorrow or to Abu Dhabi, I think you have to trust the people who take care of you.”
Bottas agreed that it was “unproblematic” that nothing had been announced yet, as it was “nothing new” for him, having waited in Spa in previous years to clarify his future at Mercedes.
“I totally agree with the situation as a whole,” said Bottas. “Head down and focus on the weekend and I’m pretty sure they’ll definitely triple headed over for the next few weeks and we have a pretty good fight on our hands as a team so that’s the main focus.”
“Things will take care of themselves at some point, and we’ll see.”
Wolff had indicated before the summer break that the team would not necessarily go public with its driver decision immediately after it.
Exclusively to Motorsport.com, he said: “It’s about putting our heads together here and with Mercedes to shape the future of our driver line-up. We will make a decision in the summer and then we will decide when” to communicate it. “
Should Bottas leave Mercedes after five seasons, the Finn will be at the top of Alfa Romeo’s shortlist for 2022.
