Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has reiterated that George Russell is “a star of the future” but says it is up to Williams whether he stays on for the 2021 Formula 1 season.
Russell picked up Mercedes backing in his junior single-seater career, testing for the manufacturer on several occasions, and stepped up to a Formula 1 race seat with Williams for 2019.
Williams, which uses Mercedes power units, confirmed in July that it would again field Russell and rookie Nicholas Latifi in 2021 before selling the outfit to Dorilton Capital the following month.
Russell’s position at Williams has come under threat in recent weeks amid the emergence of ousted Racing Point driver Sergio Perez as a candidate for a 2021 drive.
Russell insisted on Thursday that he did not feel at risk of losing his seat but on Friday Acting Team Principal Simon Roberts was repeatedly unable to confirm its 2021 line-up.
“I mean at the end it’s Williams’ decision,” said Wolff at the Portuguese Grand Prix.
“We all know about George’s capabilities, he’s a star of the future and remains unbeaten by his team-mates in [qualifying] in Formula 1.
“Sometimes he is able to show highlights in a car that is not competitive at the moment and I think he is a great team asset.
“But then also there is a financial reality that I cannot judge at all and it is absolutely the discretion of the new owners and Simon to decide what they want to do going forward.”
When asked whether Mercedes had been in touch with Williams’ new owners about Russell Wolff said: “Yeah we touched base about George but at the end it’s their call.”
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