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 “st🌳ar in the future”.

Russell has been signed by Williams following back-to-back title triumphs in F1’s direct feeder c🌺hampionships GP3 and Formula 2, the latter of which he s𝄹ealed 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 f🎉rom a disappointing 2018 campa꧋ign.

F2 champion Russell can be F1 ‘star of the future’ - Mercedes

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has backed new Williams Formula 1 recruit George Russell to become𒈔 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 2ꦑ, 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 sq🌳uad a𓆏s the team looks to recover from a disappointing 2018 campaign.

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“I can only repeat what Sebastien Philippe [ART GP team boss] said, that George is one of the best we’ve ever had within our teaꦗm,” Wolff explained.

“I think we✅ might have another young British boy 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 British F4 Championship in 2014 and explained how the Briton immedia♋tely made an 💛impression on Mercedes.

“My first enco꧒unter with George was when he was 15 or 16 years old, and he asked me for a meeting - I really enj🅰oy meeting those young kids full of dreams,” he said.

F2 champion Russell can be F1 ‘star of the future’ - Mercedes

“He came in a black suit in a tie with a notebook, and he said I’ve just won the F4 title in Briti💝sh 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 would that clo♈se 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 driving.”

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