Williams will field an unchanged drive line-up heading into next season as the Grove team confirmed that George Russell and rookie Nicholas Latifi will be staying on.
18th July 2020
The news that Russell, who is part of the Mercedes Young Driver Program, is staying put at Williams is a further sign that current Championship leader, Valterri Bottas, is set to race at Mercedes for at least another season.
Russell, who competed with Williams last year after winning the F2 championship, the junior series to Formula One in 2018, already signed a deal to stay at Williams unless Mercedes opted to change their line-up which doesn't look likely.
Russell said: “Claire (Williams Team Principal) was very firm in her decision that she was not ready to let me go. I signed a three-year deal with Williams and I will be staying for 2021 to build off last year and hopefully what this year turns out to be."
Neither Bottas or Lewis Hamilton have a contract heading into next season however, both are set to remain. The probability that Bottas will sign for one more season is very high as this is what Mercedes have offered the Finn in the past few years.
Hamilton meanwhile is rumoured to be currently negotiating a new contract worth up to £40 million a year.
Latifi, who made his F1 debut this year after being promoted from Reserve Driver in 2019, will stay on. The Canadian finished runner-up in F2 last year and his was his friendly attitude and insightful feedback that led him replacing Robert Kubica for this year.
Williams are the fourth team on the grid to confirm their driver line-up for next season.
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