Williams team boss Jost Capito says he’s talking to every contract-less driver about a prospective 2022 slot, including – maybe – Nico Hulkenberg.
The Grove outfit have not yet decided upon their driver pairing for 2022, although it is a decision they cannot yet make.
George Russell, a young driver who Capito sees as World Championship material but who is also part of the Mercedes program, is in his third season with the team.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is presently deciding whether to keep Valtteri Bottas in 2022 and team Russell with Lewis Hamilton.
As a result, Williams must wait until that decision is made.
“It’s not certain whether Russell will really go to Mercedes,” Capito said.
Of course, if Russell does depart, it opens up a spot on the 2022 grid, which is an attractive proposition for many drivers given the upcoming regulations.
In theory, any of the ten teams might master them, so driving for recovering nine-time Constructors’ champions Williams isn’t a bad place to be.
Nico Hulkenberg is one of the drivers linked with the team. He last raced in Formula One in 2020, making three stand-in appearances at Racing Point.
His last full-time Formula One drive was with Renault in 2019, and he now works as a reserve driver for Aston Martin.
When asked if Hulkenberg was in talks with Williams, Capito hinted that he was, saying that all drivers without a contract had spoken to his team.
“When I say I have spoken to everyone who does not have a contract but would like to have one, I do not have to give a name,” said Capito.
Williams has stated that their better financial position means they no longer require a paid driver,perhaps placing Nicholas Latifi’s drive in danger.
Capito, on the other hand, said he is “very satisfied” with the Canadian, who collected his first points in Formula One with a seventh-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“We are very satisfied with him. He has improved a lot this year,” Capito said of Latifi.
“This year he has more points than George.”
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