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Ex-F1 boss reveals they refused to promote Mercedes star
Former Williams team principal Claire Williams admitted to blocking George Russell’s move to Mercedes, as she believed he was too valuable to her team.
Russell, who started his F1 career at Williams, expressed that his three-year stint there was too long.
Williams revealed on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast that she felt she needed Russell more than Mercedes did, and letting him go would have sent the wrong message to her team.
While Russell desired to join Mercedes, Williams insisted on keeping him to support Williams’ performance in the constructors’ championships.
Despite the challenges of contract negotiations, Williams stepped down as team principal in 2020, emphasizing the importance of putting the team’s interests first.
