Amidst speculation that George Russell could be dropped, Williams acting team principal, Simon Roberts refuses to confirm team's 2021 line-up.

In recent days, despite having a contract for 2021, there has been media speculation over George Russell's future with the Grove outfit.

Speaking at today's official press conference, Roberts further muddied the waters by refusing to confirm that Russell - or teammate Nicholas Latifi will remain with the team.

"I'm not going to say anything about either of our drivers," he said. "They've both done a great job.

"There's so much speculation around," he added. "I don't want to inadvertently fuel it. Someone will take some nuance of what I say, so we're happy. Let's watch the rest of the market.

"I'm just not going to talk about it," he insisted. "Dorilton bought the team, nothing changed with regards to the drivers. There's just so much speculation and rumour, it's crazy. It's silly season after all. We're not saying any more than that."

Asked to end some of the speculation by ruling out a move for Sergio Perez, Roberts said: "We don't want to say anything, one way or another.

"We're here focusing on a race weekend. We haven't got any news. Gunther is here, he has got some news.

"We've got plenty on this morning. We're running lots of parts in FP1 and we've got to get through all of that and get our drivers in the best possible place for Saturday and Sunday."

Pressed again on the driver situation however, he simply replied that any decision will be "made by the management committee and the board of Williams Formula 1", insisting that this is "a very normal situation".

"We've nothing to say on that matter right now," he added. "That's all I can say."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by C5, 24/10/2020 1:00

"Getting rid of Russel? Well, from a sporting perspective that would be stupid. But of course, money talks.

Clearly he's repeatedly dragging that Williams up the charts to places where it has no right to be. Which pretty much only Lewis, Max, and Fernando are capable of doing consistently. Any team with a little cash still in the kitty would be very well advised to pick him up on a multi year contract."

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2. Posted by ChickenFarmerF1, 23/10/2020 15:46

"Williams will continue to fade to irrelevance unless and until a RACER is put in charge.

I only really care about their drivers inasmuch as I'd like to see Russell move up to a better team. Sadly there's not many options for him within the Mercedes powered teams with RP, McLaren, and the works team with confirmed line ups for next year. Hopefully he keeps the drive with Williams for 2021, and then moves to the works Merc team as understudy to Hamilton for 2022. I suspect Hamilton may retire after 2022 or 2023 and they'll probably want a good young buck ready to take over when that happens. No disrespect to Bottas, but he's not quite at that level."

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3. Posted by kenji, 23/10/2020 13:56

"What happens at Williams really is not of any great importance. They are, to all intents and purposes, a sideshow. Until such time that Dorilton et al show their hand vis a vis their blueprint for the future who actually drives the cars matters little. I followed this team and their drivers for a very long time, since their inception in fact but when they dumped on Webber that was it for me. Any respect i had for FW and PH just evaporated overnight.They've had little to show since then and their arrogance led them down the wrong path. The 'ra ra blues' philosophy was dead in the water a very long time ago."

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Williams unwilling to confirm 2021 driver line-up

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