Williams confirm Russell and Latifi for 2021 season

It’ll be as you were at Williams in 2021, with both George Russell and Nicholas Latifi confirming they will be staying with the team for next season.

It was well-known that Russell had signed on a multi-year deal, extending to the end of 2021, but there was the potential that the Briton, who is part of the Mercedes young driver stable, would make the step up to the Silver Arrows’ works team.

Russell had previously said his future was in Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams’ hands, as he pushed for his chance at Mercedes.

However following discussions, Russell opted to draw a line in the sand when speaking during the Thursday press conference in Hungary by confirming he is staying put for 2021 – with Mercedes now likely to retain Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Russell’s rookie team mate Nicholas Latifi has also revealed that he will be staying with the team next year, too, having joined for this campaign. It is believed he also signed a three-year deal, which will run until the end of 2022.

Russell said: “I signed a three-year deal with Williams and I’ll be staying there for 2021, to build on last year and hopefully what this year turns out to be.”

When asked if he was disappointed a Mercedes drive did not materialise, Russell said: “No, I’m not disappointed in Mercedes at all. There was nothing more they could do, Claire was firm with her decision that she was not willing, or not ready to let me go, and ultimately as I have a contract with Williams, I have to respect that decision.

“So I’m here, I’ll be giving everything I’ve got for Williams this year and into next year, and let’s see what that holds after that.”

Latifi was also asked to confirm he has a deal for next year, to which he replied: “I have a multi-year deal with the team, so yes I will be with the team in 2021.”