F1: 4 Contenders for Williams seat

Last week hosted the announcement of Mercedes' reserve driver George Russell agree to join Williams for the 2019 championship.

Russell has been in the Mercedes background throughout the year with one or two sessions in practice in one of the silver arrows. The 20-year-old will be the third Briton on next year's driver's line-up alongside Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.

Before entering the Formula One scene, Russell is currently the reigning GP3 series champion. The Brit is also currently competing in Formula 2 and is currently leading the championship ahead of Alexander Albon. And now his talent has been recognised by the bosses at Williams.

So that's one seat taken care of but who will be Russell's teammate next season?

Here are 4 possible contenders for the last remaining seat at Williams...

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#4 Marcus Ericsson

Ericsson is out of a job at Sauber

It looks very unlikely for Williams to go with Sauber's Marcus Ericsson but the Swede is an option. Ericsson was recently confirmed as an F1 driver without a team for 2019 as Sauber recruited Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi.

His current teammate Charles Leclerc has been prioritised by the team despite Ericsson being with the group longer than the man from Monaco. But the bosses at Sauber have noticed the talent and contribution Leclerc brings to the team and even before his debut season in F1 comes to an end, a seat at Ferrari has already been granted.

The Swiss team has offered Ericsson a reserved seat for next year but the racing driver looks to be joining another racing series instead. Ericsson did hint recently that a move to the States to take part in IndyCar is an option on the table for next year, according to Wheels24.

Sauber? Or IndyCar? Some thinking time for Mr Ericsso.

#3 Lance Stroll

Stroll could be joining Force India at any moment

There seems to be much confusion going on at Williams and Force India at the moment when it comes to Lance Stroll's future. The Canadian has been linked with a move to Force India since the summer after his father, Lawrence Stroll, brought the team after the old Force India group went into administration.

The current drivers at Force India are Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon. The Mexican is expected to stay onboard for another season with the pink panthers while the Frenchman might be heading to the exit doors in order for Stroll to take over his position.

It has left many fans and even the faces of Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton a little frustrated that a talented driver like Ocon may not have a seat for next season. But that is the difficulty of gaining a seat and sticking with that seat in the world of F1.

Stroll may also have the option to stay at Williams to work with George Russell but it looks to be unlikely. Anything can happen at any point with the Stroll to Force India saga.

#2 Sergey Sirotkin

Sirotkin is a strong option

It has been a difficult year for the entire Williams team as they have shown at most Grand Prix weekends that they are really struggling to compete. Extraordinary to think this is their reality when the group were once winning driver's and constructors' titles for fun under Frank Williams.

A lot has changed since then. Their current driver Sergey Sirotkin has also had to face the struggles of the FW41 that was designed by Paddy Lowe.

So it does seem harsh and unfair if the Russian was not offered another season with the team. Scenarios like this one shows that it isn't always the driver's fault if the car does not have qualifying or race pace.

Sirotkin is the favourite to be Russell's team mate for 2019 and if that was to be the line-up for next year, then let's hope for their sake the car will do it's part of improving... a lot.

#1 Robert Kubica

It would be some comeback story if this guy returns to the F1 grid

Robert Kubica would no doubt be the fan favourite for the remaining seat at Williams. The Polish racer has spent most of 2018 as William's reserve driver and has also had a few practise sessions in the FW41.

Kubica competed against Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin for a seat last year but the Canadian and the Russian were picked instead. But it hasn't stopped Kubica's high ambitions to get properly back into the top tier of racing.

With the announcement of Russell joining Williams, it gives Kubica another chance to get back on the F1 grid. If this was to somehow happen it would be one of the comeback stories, not just in F1, in sport.

Who will be Russell's teammate in 2019? Comment below...

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