What the media isn’t saying is that russels contract with Mercedes/wolf is ending soon. Like real soon.
this drive will ascertain wether or not he will be resigned and possibly moved.
If he doesn’t secure a top 5 result, (you have to understand the merc is designed around Hamilton’s driving style) he will not be in Williams, racing point or merc after 2021 nor will he receive any Mercedes sponsor money.
if he does land in the top 5, and the higher the better, he will find himself secure for either a hami/bottas replacement, a vettel replacement or a “he comes with free or reduced engine contract” at mclaren. (That’s the most likely.