An In-Depth Look at George Russel Formula 1’s Up and Coming Star

Hours
George Russel, Mercedes, Formula 1

George Russell was born on February 15, 1998, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England. He began karting at seven, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Benjy. His early success in karting included winning the MSA British Cadet Championship and the British Open Championship in 2009. By 2012, Russell had moved to the KF3 category, where he won the CIK-FIA European Championship, showcasing his prodigious talent​.

Russel has proven to be a reliable competitor throughout the 2024 season, helping to elevate Mercedes back into the upper echelon of Formula 1 teams. Russel has won one race this season, claimed two pole positions, and consistently has finished in the points save with the exception of three races in 14 rounds. Russel will certainly be poised to strike for victory with his ever-improving Mercedes.

For tickets and Packages, Please Click Here.

George Russel’s Early Racing Career:

  • Karting (2006-2013): Russell’s karting career was marked by numerous victories and championships, including the Super One British Championship and the Formula Kart Stars British Championship.
  • Formula Renault 2.0 (2014): Russell transitioned to single-seaters in 2014, competing in the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps and Eurocup championships. Despite missing a round due to illness, he finished fourth in the Alps series and won the final race of the Eurocup season at Jerez as a guest entrant​.
  • Formula 4 (2014): In the same year, Russell competed in the BRDC Formula 4 Championship, winning the title in a closely contested final round. His success in Formula 4 earned him the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award​.
  • Formula 3 (2015-2016): Russell joined Carlin for the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, finishing sixth overall in his debut season. He moved to Hitech GP in 2016, securing two wins and finishing third in the standings​.

George Russel’s Road to Formula 1

GP3 Series (2017): Russell joined ART Grand Prix for the GP3 Series, winning the championship with four wins and seven podiums. His performance caught the attention of Mercedes, who signed him to their junior driver program​.

FIA Formula 2 (2018): Competing with ART Grand Prix again, Russell won the Formula 2 Championship, further solidifying his reputation as a future star. He secured seven wins and 11 podiums, dominating a competitive field that included future F1 drivers Lando Norris and Alexander Albon​.

Formula 1 Tenure

George Russel, Williams, Formula 1
Barcelona, Spain. 26th February 2020. George Russell of Great Britain and Rokit Williams Racing during pre-season F1 Winter Testing

Williams (2019-2021): Russell made his Formula 1 debut with Williams in 2019. Despite the team’s struggles at the back of the grid, Russell impressed with his qualifying performances, earning the nickname “Mr. Saturday” for consistently outperforming his teammates in qualifying. In 2021, he scored his first points and podium at the Belgian Grand Prix, finishing second after a rain-shortened race​.

Austrian Grand Prix, George Russel , 2024, Formula 1, mercedes

Mercedes (2022-Present): Russell joined Mercedes in 2022, replacing Valtteri Bottas. He quickly adapted to the team, securing his first F1 victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix and finishing fourth in the Drivers’ Championship. Despite a challenging 2023 season, he managed to secure podium finishes in Spain and Abu Dhabi and ended the season eighth in the standings​.

2024 Season Performance

The 2024 season has seen Russell continue to demonstrate his potential with Mercedes. His performances have been marked by consistency and strategic brilliance.

Key Highlights of Russell’s 2024 Performance:

  1. Austrian Grand Prix: Russel claimed his first win at the Red Bull Ring in Austria after a masterful race that combined excellent driving ability and strategy.
  2. Canadian Grand Prix:On the fast-paced Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Russell finished third on the podium.
  3. Belgian Grand Prix: Russell was disqualified after crossing the finish line in first place. His Mercedes was deemed underweight, dealing a painful blow to what could have been a joyous way to enter the summer break.

Future Prospects

George Russell’s contract with Mercedes extends through the 2025 season, with an option for further extension—his ongoing dedication and unmatched potential position him well for continued success. Russell remains a vital asset for Mercedes as they strive to challenge the top teams in Formula 1.

Formula 1 Career Statistics

  • Points: 625
  • Podiums: 13
  • Highest Grid Position: 1st
  • Highest Race Finish: 1st (x2)
  • Grands Prix Entered: 118+

Sources

Similar Posts