Williams ‘need more of the same’ from Russell
George Russell has been given a three-place grid penalty in Austria for "ruining" Daniil Kvyat's qualifying.
Claire Williams is looking for “more of the same” from George Russell, but realises it is on the team to provide him a good car to do exactly that.
The Mercedes junior made a lasting impression after his first season in Formula 1 even though he failed to score a single World Championship point.
Russell handled Williams’ ongoing problems with maturity and professionalism, and achieved the only thing in his power which was to beat his team-mate Robert Kubica in quite comprehensible fashion.
The British driver is heading into his second year with Williams and the message is a simple one, but the team know they need to give a better car to allow more of the spotlight on him.
“George did such a good job last year,” Claire Williams said via Motorsport Week.
“We just need more of the same George and I have no doubts [that] he’ll deliver in the way he did last year.
“I know that George just wants to be given a race car that he can actually show some of his real talent and the onus is on us in order to do that.
“He’s been working hard, he’s in Lanzarote for is training camp, and he’s really keen to get back into the car and see where it is.”
Russell has a new team-mate this year in the form of Nicholas Latifi and Williams envisages that they will motivate each other.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ll do and drive each other on,” she said.
“Nicholas is very hard working, diligent and singularly focused. I know he’s eager to get in the car and he’s looking forward to that and is working hard to prepare for that.
“We know him because we worked with him last year, we know what he’s potentially capable of.”
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