F1 News
Russell says he is ready if Mercedes come calling
Williams driver George Russell said that he would be ready for a promotion to Mercedes if the team decided to part ways with Valtteri Bottas.
Bottas started the season on fire, but has not won in the last five races and has slipped to 31 points behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, fuelling speculation that he may be on his way out of Mercedes at the end of the season.
A likely replacement for the Finn, if he does get the axe, would be either Russell or Esteban Ocon, Mercedes' current reserve driver.
Russell has performed admirably for a woeful Williams team this season and has done his reputation no harm despite the lack of results.
He told PA: “If Toto called me tomorrow and asked if I was ready to drive for Mercedes my answer would be absolutely.
“I am not going to rely on Valtteri having bad races. I am going to go out there and make it happen for myself.
“If that is not good enough then I will hold my hands up and say I didn’t do the job.
“I am on top of my game. Right now, I am 100 per cent dedicated to Williams, but if Mercedes called me up, I will be ready.”
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