Russell is proud to join Mercedes

Without surprise, George Russell is joining Mercedes in 2022 and will be the new teammate of Lewis Hamilton. The team will have a British duo next year. A long-term contract has been mentioned for the current Williams driver.

Russell is having his most successful season in F1. He scored his first points with Williams and even got his first podium at the farce of the Belgian Grand Prix. His performance during Q3 in the rain earned him a second-place finish in the final standings. But the Briton regularly delivers impressive qualifying performances, often placing in Q2. In the Mercedes announcement, he is honored to join this team with an impressive track record.

« It is a special day for me personally and professionally, but also a day of mixed emotions. I am thrilled and honored to be joining Mercedes next year, which is a significant step in my career, but it also means that I will have to say goodbye to my teammates and friends at Williams. It has been an honor to work alongside every team member and to represent the Williams name in F1.

Although he hopes to achieve good results in his new car, he believes that he will need to learn gradually before feeling completely comfortable behind the wheel of the Mercedes.

« In anticipation of the upcoming season, I would be lying if I said I was not excited at all. This is a huge opportunity and I want to seize it with both hands. But I have no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge, it will be a steep learning curve.

One cannot forget his remarkable performance aboard a Mercedes last year at the Sahkir Grand Prix. The young driver had made a nice overtaking move on Bottas. His team’s mistake during his pit stop cost him his first podium in F1 and the opportunity to be ahead of his teammate for the weekend. Russell has kind words for the Finn and ultimately thanks Toto Wolff for giving him this opportunity.

« Valtteri set the bar high, delivering consistently week after week, scoring victories, pole positions, and helping to win several championship titles. My goal should be to reward the trust that Toto Wolff, the team, and the board of directors have placed in me by ensuring that I play my part in continuing this success, and I want to make my new teammates proud.

Regarding his future teammate, he can’t stop praising the seven-time world champion. Russell is looking forward to driving alongside Hamilton, whom he has been following since he started karting.

« In my opinion, he is the greatest driver of all time. I have admired Lewis since I started in karting, and to have the opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model both on and off the track. I can only benefit as a professional driver and as a human being.

He does not forget, however, that he is still at Williams. The Briton promises to give everything before turning definitively towards 2022 and Mercedes.

For now, I have nine races as a Williams driver, and I want to make sure they are the nine best of my time with the team. So, after that, I will be able to turn my attention to 2022.