Russell ‘ready’ to fight for a World title

Jamie Woodhouse
George Russell Williams garage HANS. Azerbaijan June 2021

George Russell getting ready for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, putting on his HANS in the Williams garage. Azerbaijan June 2021

George Russell has made it clear that he feels capable of competing for race wins and World Championships in Formula 1.

A member of the Mercedes driver programme, Russell joined the Formula 1 grid back in 2019, assigned to the Williams team who at that stage were at the lowest point in their plight.

Since then though the Briton has been crucial to their recovery, and after two-and-a-half seasons of effort, Russell’s first points in Williams colours finally arrived at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix with a P8 finish.

His three-year deal at Williams is now though coming to an end, and Mercedes have a big decision to make on Russell and their 2022 line-up.

Russell has proven already what he can do in Mercedes machinery, having contended for victory at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix when standing in for Lewis Hamilton who had tested positive for Covid.

Were it not for a nightmare in the pits where Russell was given Valtteri Bottas’ tyres, and later a puncture, the Briton looked on course for a debut win.

Mercedes could though opt for continuity, retaining Bottas’ services in the knowledge that he likely will not push Hamilton too hard, but crucially will not create any politics within the team.

Red Bull have expressed an interest in Russell should Mercedes not call him up for 2021, something which the Austrian outfit expect to happen.

So while the decision is of course out of Russell’s hands, he has total belief in himself that he can deliver wins and titles in a capable car.

George Russell, Mercedes, on media duties at the Sakhir Grand Prix. December, 2020.
George Russell speaks to the media at the Sakhir Grand Prix as he stands in for the ill Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. December 2020.

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“I do feel ready to fight for World Championships and win races,” he told GPFans Global.

“I would have loved to come into Formula 1 and be fighting for victories from my very first race.

“Perhaps I’ll look back in 10 or 15 years and say this experience at the back end of the field has paid dividends for me in the long run.

“But no matter where I end up next year, no matter what position I’m fighting for, whether that’s fighting for championships or fighting just for points, I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got.”