Russell has been racing with Williams since the start of the 2019 season and is leading his efforts despite being unable to score points with the team.
As part of the Mercedes junior driver program since 2017, Russell has been supported by the German team throughout his time in Formula 1 and is linked to a move to the senior team for the next year.
Mercedes will be making a call between Russell and current driver Valtteri Bottas later this summer.
Williams said he would love to keep working with Russell if he missed the Mercedes drive and would not make a decision on the lineup for next year until that first step is taken.
When asked to go into the summer break, whether he could say from which direction the wind is blowing on Russell’s future, Williams CEO Capito replied: “No, and I don’t care.”
He went on to say that he would like to see Russell get the chance to impress with Mercedes, but that regardless of the decision, Williams would offer his full support.
“I would like George to get this seat because now in his career he is in the position where he can handle being on a top team and fighting for the championship,” said Capito.
“I would never hold back a young driver if they have this opportunity. So I hope for him that he gets this chance.
“From the team side we would of course like to keep him. So if he goes to Mercedes and receives the offer, he will get our full support. If not, he will also get our full support.
“That’s why we can easily wait on our driver’s side until this decision is made, whatever it is. We’ll be fine. “
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W11, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes F1 W11 and Carlos Sainz Jr., McLaren MCL35
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Russell played runner-up in qualifying during his one-off appearance for Mercedes at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix when he was substituting for Lewis Hamilton, and almost won the race before a late puncture.
Mercedes’ decision on who will work with Hamilton next year will spark the dominoes in next year’s driver market.
Williams is one of the few teams with two vacancies for the 2022 season, making it a key player in the silly season.
The team has stated many times that it would take its time to pull up next year’s lineup and has reported strong interest from drivers as it continues its rebound under new ownership, Dorilton Capital.
“I think every driver who doesn’t have a permanent seat for next year or an option for next year is talking to us right now,” said Capito.
“It is currently the most coveted seat in Formula 1 for a team that has to occupy a seat.”
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