Russell Out? Williams F1 Reportedly Considering Sergio Perez for 2021

Tensions flare as George Russell awaits an update regarding his future at Williams. The 22-year-old has suffered a miserable campaign, failing to collect any point in the 2020 season so far.

And just as things were starting to look up for the young Briton, according to Motorsport.com, Williams are interested in roping in Sergio Perez to replace Russell for the upcoming season.

Some reports early this season suggested that Russell was inches away from joining Mercedes at the start of this season, to partner Lewis Hamilton for the Silver Arrows. A possibility that could have seen Valtteri Bottas jump ship to the ambitious Aston Martin team.

However, Russell’s move was blocked by Claire Williams. On July 16th, Williams announced that Russell will continue for the 2021 season, six weeks before disclosing the change of ownership.

A nightmare for Russell at Williams

Everything was seemingly falling in place for Russell, up until the Formula One paddock started to prepare itself for an influx of F2 talents.

To be more precise, Russian F2 driver Nikita Mazepin’s ambitions of starting 2021 in an F1 car’s cockpit spelled doom for the King’s Lynn-born driver.

Mazepin’s negotiations taking a turn for the better with Haas, who were looking to land Sergio Perez for 2021, may have been the end of Russell’s Formula One aspirations as it forced Perez to seek asylum elsewhere, eventually stumbling across Williams’ doors.

The most surprising facet over the course of these developments is that Russell was taken for granted, despite having a contract with his team.

However, with new shareholders come new terms, and considering Dorilton Capital’s power to dictate terms and re-evaluate existing contracts, this move was a long time coming.

What does the future have in store for George Russell?

Rest assured, it is all merely conjecture at this point. However, if Williams were to train their aim at the Mexican for good, Russell could very well be left high and dry for the upcoming season.

Chances are the winds of change may blow in Russell’s favor as the drivers’ market is in a perpetual state of flux. Yet that does nothing to take the potential risk away.

All George Russell can do right now is keep his fingers crossed and hope for the best in the coming months.