F2 champion Russell can be F1 ‘star of the future’ - Mercedes
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has b🎀acked new Williams Formula 1 recruit George Russell to become a “star in the future”.
Russell has been signed by Williams following back-to-back title triumphs in F1’s direct feeder championships GP3 and Formula 2, the latter of which he sealed ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris after tak🌳ing seven wins.
The 20-year-old Mercedes-backed d👍river will partner the♒ returning Robert Kubica during his rookie season at the British squad as the team looks to recover from a disappointing 2018 campaign.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has backed new Williams Formula 1 recruit George Russell to become a&🅺nbsp;“star in th💮e future”.
Russell has been signed by Williams following back-to-back title triumphs in F1’s direct fee๊der championships GP3 and Formula 2, the latter of which he sealed ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris after taking seven wins.
The 20-year-old Mercedes-backed driver will partner the returning Robert Kubica during his rookie season at the British squad as 🧔the team looks to recover from a disappointing 2018 campaign.
“I can only repeat what Sebastien Philippe [ART GP team boss] said, that George is one of the best we’ve ever had ไwithin our team,” Wolff explained.
“I think we might have another young British bo🌜y here that can become a star in the future.”
Wolff recalled his first meeting with Russell following his first single-seater title success in the Br𒐪itish F4 Championship in 2014 and explained how the Briton immediately made an impression on Mercedes.
“My first encounter with George was wh❀en he was 15 or 16 years old, and he asked me for a meeting - I really enjoy meeting those young kids full of dreams,” he said.
“He came in a black suit in a tie with a notebook, and he said I’ve just won the F4 title in British F4, and I’m considering doing F3 and my feeling is that I꧅ should be staying with a British team because I’m very young and I understand Carlin.
“And [he] asked wouℱld that close the Mercedes door for me if I’m not on a Mercedes engine in F3 in my first year?
“It was such a reflective question from a 15 year old or 16 year old, it was really amazing. So he has the brain, he has the empathy,🍰 the social skills and the drivingꦚ.”
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