F1: Williams Confirm Russell and Latifi for 2021

Williams Racing will stick with their current drivers of George Russell and Nicholas Latifi for the 2021 season, with both drivers announcing the decision during today’s (16/07) press conference for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Russell will continue for the final stint of his 3-year contract, after any chances of gaining a Mercedes drive have seemingly gone out the window after Valtteri Bottas’ excellent opening 2 races in Austria.

Russell’s announcement means that it is all but confirmed that Bottas will remain at Mercedes for 2021, which will be his 5th year at the German outfit.

Speaking in the press conference, Russell said, “I will be staying at Williams for 2021. [I want] to build off last year and hopefully what this year turns out to be.

“No, I'm not disappointed in Mercedes at all. There was nothing more they could do. Claire was very firm with her decision that she was not ready to let me go. And also, since I have a contract with Williams, I have to respect that decision.

“So I'm here, I'll be doing everything I can for Williams this year and next year, and let's see what that holds after that.”

Latifi revealed that he too will remain at Williams, and it is believed that he is also on a 3-year contract deal, running to the end of 2022.

When asked if he had a deal for next year, Latifi said, "I have a multi-year deal with the team, so yes I will be with the team in 2021."

With Williams’ future up in the air, it is rumoured that Latifi’s father Michael Latifi may buy the team, which would make 2 father-owned teams with their son driving in F1, along with the Stroll-owned Racing Point outfit.

Latifi Sr is the founder of Sofina Foods which has prominent branding on the 2020 Williams car, and is also an £200M investor of the McLaren Group, of which the McLaren F1 Team is a part of.