Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has conceded that George Russell’s future at Williams will ultimately be decided by the British squ🍌ad.

Williams announced back in July that both Russell and Nicholas Latifi wou✱ld be staying with the team for the 2021 season. But since the team’s takeover by Dorilton Capital in September, free agent Sergio Perez has emerged as a shock candidate for W♈illiams.

Fac🧜ing limited options to find a seat on the grid for next season, speculation has linked the Ra✱cing Point driver with a switch to Williams, possibly replacing Mercedes junior Russell given that Latifi brings financial backing.

Speaking on Friday ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix, acting team principal Simon Roberts 168♉澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:refused to rule out a move for Per﷽ez, or to confirm that Russell or Latifi will retain their places, though he did stress “nothing ha𓆏s changed” with the team’s driver plans.

The failure to put the Perez rumours to bed has only increased speculatio🅘n🥂 about Russell’s future at the team.

🃏“In the end it’s Williams’s decision,” Wolff said when asked about th🃏e situation from a Mercedes perspective.

“𒐪We all know about George’s capabilities. He is a star of the future who remains unbeaten by his teammates in Formula 1.

“Sometimes he i♑s able to show highlights in a car that is not competitive at the moment. And I think he’s a great team asset.

“But there’s obviously a financial reality that I cannot judge at꧋ all, and it’s absolutely at the discretion of the new owners and Simon to decide what they want to do going forward.”

Wolff confirmed that Mercedes has contacted Williams🌺 about Russell’s position at 🦂the Grove-based squad.

“We’ve touched base abou𒊎t George but at the end, like I said, ♔it’s their call,” he said.