Williams F1 boss Capito ‘wishes’ for Russell to land Mercedes seat

Russell has found himself heavily linked with a move to the Mercedes works’ team for 2022 following a number of impressive performances for Williams this season.

With Lewis Hamilton signed up until the end of 2023, Mercedes is currently weighing up whether to retain Valtteri Bottas or promote its protege Russell. A final decision is expected to be made this summer, even if it is not officially communicated.

While Capito acknowledged that Williams would “love to keep” Russell, he would be happy to see the 23-year-old get what he feels would be a deserved opportunity to drive for a front-running team.

“No and I don’t care,” said Capito when asked if he knows which way Mercedes was leaning with its driver decision for 2022.

“I would wish that George gets the seat because he’s in the position now, in his time of career, where he can handle to be in an absolute top team and fight for the championship.

“And I would never hold a young driver back if he can have this type of opportunity. So I hope for him, that he gets this opportunity.

“From the team’s side, of course we would very much love to keep him, so if he goes to Mercedes and gets the offer, he gets the full support from us. If not, he gets the full support from us.

“That’s why we can easily wait for that driver decision whichever way it comes and we’ll be OK.”

Capito dismissed the notion that Williams will need to react fast to any decision Mercedes takes, arguing the Grove-based outfit is now the most attractive option of the teams yet to finalise their line-ups for 2022.

“I think every driver who hasn’t got a fixed seat for next year or has an option for next year is talking to us at the moment,” he added.

“It seems the Williams seat is the most aspired seat in F1 right now for a team that has to fill a seat.”