Russell: "Even Verstappen and Leclerc wouldn't turn down Mercedes switch"

"My aspirations are clear: I want to be world champion," Russell told the Evening Standard. The young Briton is getting ready for his second season in Formula 1, again with the Williams team. "At the moment, I’m very loyal to Williams. They gave me my opportunity to drive in F1 and I’ll never, ever forget that."

Can Verstappen and refuse Leclerc?

Newcomer Nicholas Latifi's team mate hopes to make the switch to the Mercedes team one day. Esteban Ocon was also Mercedes-junior, but Toto Wolff let the Frenchman leave for Renault. This implies that the Austrian team boss has full confidence in Russell, who will eventually have to succeed Valtteri Bottas or Lewis Hamilton.

"I’m associated with Mercedes and of course, they’re the dominant force and every single driver in F1 wouldn’t turn them down, even Max and Charles", Russell thinks. "That’s how much people would want to be in the Mercedes.” For the time being, Verstappen and Leclerc do not seem to switch to the current world champion, given that they have contracts until 2023 and 2024 respectively with their current employers.

Russell secretly little jealous of Albon and Norris

The 22-year-old driver entered the king's class of motor racing last season as a Formula 2 champion, but contemporaries Alexander Albon and Lando Norris were consistently top-ten at Red Bull Racing and McLaren respectively, while Russell drove every Grand Prix in the back. "That's difficult sometimes. But I know what it’s like; it’s swings and roundabouts. I’m happy to play the long game because I want a 15 to 20-year career in F1. It’s not going to define me or Lando or Alex. We’ll get our chance. I’ll be honest and say I’m happy for them, happy that they’re shining, but hopefully I get my chance too", Russell concludes his story.