Russell honest about his future: 'They'll decide where I am next year'

The rumours surrounding the second seat at Mercedes seem to be getting bigger and stronger. While Lewis Hamilton's contract was extended last weekend, Valtteri Bottas is still in the waiting room, along with George Russell. After three seasons at Williams, the young Brit seems ready to drive for Mercedes in 2022.

He himself is not yet worried about it, he explains in conversation with Autocar. "I'm in constant communication with them (Mercedes, ed.) so it's a bit of a separate situation because they ultimately determine where I can race. It's in my hands to do it as well as I can, to show what I'm capable of."

If it's up to Russell, he can't wait any longer to drive the Mercedes car. "Everyone wants to compete against the best drivers. Everyone believes in themselves, but in my case I also like the challenge. It takes the pressure off me and then I'm in a win-win situation". Russell explains that he wants to drive next to a driver who has achieved more than he has.

"The mentality that comes with driving against one of the best drivers ever. You have nothing to lose, which I really like to think about. That's also the situation Sergio Perez is in right now. He experiences little pressure because he has nothing to lose and because of that you go out on the track and enjoy it and in that way you show what you can do."