Russell insists he will drive for Williams in F1 2021
George Russell has emphasised that he will drive for Williams in the 2021 Formula 1 season, calling his post-Sakhir-race comments about potentially joining Mercedes full time a "throwaway remark".

After Russell's starring drive in the second Bahrain race, where he was making his Mercedes race debut following Lewis Hamilton's positive COVID-19 test, he said "from Toto [Wolff's] perspective, hopefully I have given him a headache, not just for 2022, maybe sooner".
This referred to the expected seat alongside Hamilton should Mercedes not retain Valtteri Bottas in the future after signing the Finn to a contract extension for 2021 back in the summer.
Read Also:
When asked about those comments in the pre-event press conference for this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Russell said: "Yeah, that was just a throwaway remark in the heat of the moment.
"Obviously emotions were high and what have you. But yeah, ultimately I have a contract and I'm a Williams driver for 2021."
Both Russell and Williams had highlighted the benefits a temporary promotion to Mercedes would give the Briton – in terms of learning the ropes at a front-running team and dealing with the increased pressure and scrutiny of racing at the front of the F1 pack – before last weekend's race.
The theory is that he will return to the squad where he is contracted to race for a third season in 2021 as an improved driver, with fresh ideas.
"There is a lot [to report back to Williams]," Russell said, when asked by Motorsport.com if he had already identified lessons that would benefit his regular team.
"Obviously not too much I want to say into the media because then I'm just giving that away to the rest of the grid.
"But the guys at Mercedes work at such a high level in absolutely every single detail. And they leave no stone unturned, and that pays dividends – this is why they are the best and this is why they are dominating.
"So, there's a number of things that I can go back to Williams with: being a better driver, more confidence and a few things that will help push the team forward."
Speaking in the pre-event press conference for this weekend's Abu Dhabi GP, Russell said his family had responded to the sudden race-losing circumstances he encountered after leading most of the Sakhir race with "equal heartbreak" to his own.
He added: "My mum was in tears afterwards, bless her, and my sister as well.
"You know, we live this together, this sport. And it's so passionate, emotions are so high. And obviously, this was my first opportunity to not just a win, but to actually score points.
"That was such a big difference. And having that taken away from us, not once but twice, was difficult.
"But having time to reflect on the weekend. I've left with my head held high and proud of the job we managed to achieve last weekend."
Related video

Previous article
Bottas accepts "I need to be better" after recent run of F1 form
Next article
Hamilton will race in Abu Dhabi GP after testing negative

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | George Russell |
Author | Alex Kalinauckas |
Russell insists he will drive for Williams in F1 2021
Trending
The updates Williams hopes will lead to a point-scoring return
After producing a car which demonstrated progress but lacked the points to prove it last year, Williams starts its new era of team ownership with the FW43B, its bid to continue the climb up the Formula 1 grid in 2021
How Ferrari plans to recover from its 2020 F1 nightmare
The 2020 Formula 1 season was Ferrari's worst for 40 years as it slumped to sixth in the standings. A repeat performance will not be acceptable for the proud Italian team, which has adopted a notably pragmatic approach to forging its path back to the top
Why Aston Martin’s arrival is more than just new green livery
In the most eagerly anticipated Formula 1 team launch of the season, the rebranded Aston Martin squad’s changes go much further than the striking paint job. But rather than a restart, the team hopes to build on top of solid foundations.
The car Aston Martin begins its new F1 journey with
The team formerly known as Racing Point gambled successfully on a Mercedes look-alike in 2020 as it mounted a strong challenge for third in the constructors' race and won the Sakhir GP. Now clothed in British racing green, Aston Martin's first Formula 1 challenger since 1960 provides the clearest indicator yet of what to expect from the new-for-2021 regulations
The tricky driver conundrums facing Mercedes in F1 2021
Ahead of the new Formula 1 season, reigning world champions Mercedes will take on challenges both old and new. This also can be said for its driver conundrum which could become key to sustaining its ongoing success...
How Alpine's cure to 2021 F1 rules starts at the front
A new name, new faces and new colours pulls the rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team into a new era while carrying over core elements of its 2020 car. But under the surface there's more than meets the eye with the A521 which hints at how the team will tackle 2021...
Can Mercedes' W12 retain the team's crown?
Replacing Formula 1's fastest car was never going to be an easy feat for Mercedes. Amid the technical rule tweaks to peg back the W12 and its 2021 rivals, the new Mercedes challenger will remain the target to beat
The pointed note that starts Ferrari's Leclerc vs Sainz era
Ferrari is starting its post-Sebastian Vettel age by welcoming Carlos Sainz in alongside Charles Leclerc. But while Sainz has a tough challenge to match his new teammate, Ferrari is also sending a message that previous intra-team spats must end