Russell rules out Mercedes exit: 'Not gonna drive for Red Bull'

F1 News

16 July 2021 at 13:07
Last update 16 July 2021 at 13:49
  • GPblog.com

The debate over who will sit alongside Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes next year seemed to reach its boiling point at the beginning of this week. Many people thought the weekend at Silverstone would be the perfect weekend to announce it, but George Russell and Valtteri Bottas, among others, have already revealed that no decision will be made this weekend.

Helmut Marko said earlier this week that Red Bull would be interested in bringing the young Brit to their team if Mercedes let him go. However, Russell told Express that he is happy to see such quotes come along, but that this will not happen.

"It's always nice to hear that kind of praise about yourself, there's no doubt about that. But of course I am a Mercedes driver and I am loyal to everyone who works there. Mercedes has looked after me and I want to repay that."

No switch to Red Bull

At least, that is what the young Brit says himself. Marko's words don't change that. "Those words are nice, but don't change anything. I won't be driving for Red Bull next year in any case, I can already tell you that."

Russell is likely to drive either for Mercedes or Williams next year. The only question that remains now is where and when it will be announced.