George Russell tackles F2 with ART Grand Prix
ART Grand Prix has therefore completed its duo of drivers in F2 since the French team confirmed that they have retained George Russell, a protege of Mercedes and GP3 champion.
It was expected, and now confirmed: George Russell will continue to defend ART Grand Prix’s colors in 2018, this time driving an F2.
This progression is logical for two reasons. The first is that the driver won the title in his first year in GP3 with the team founded by Frédéric Vasseur and Nicolas Todt. Each party is therefore familiar with the working procedures of the other. The second is that ART Grand Prix had announced two days earlier that they had retained Jack Aitken, the runner-up to Russell last season in GP3.
The Briton experienced a 2017 season full of events as he joined the Mercedes young driver program, after finishing third in the European F3 championship. He had then been surpassed by a certain Lance Stroll, who had made the direct leap to F1 and Williams.
During the season, he was impressive, winning a total of four races and two podiums. He finished the season with a comfortable lead over his close rival, Jack Aitken. But his year was marked by test drives of young drivers behind the wheel of the Mercedes on the Budapest circuit. Deemed successful, these tests then allowed him to take the wheel of the Sahara Force India during the last two Friday morning sessions, in Interlagos and Abu Dhabi.
The goal for 2018 can only be to aim for the title. His connections with F1 should be somewhat limited, apart from the tests reserved for young drivers, as Sahara Force India has already announced that Nicholas Latifi will be its reserve driver, which will allow him to participate in several Friday morning sessions.
Formula 1 leaders should therefore not fail to keep a close eye on the F2 races this season as McLaren has placed Lando Norris at Carlin and Nyck de Vries at Prema, Renault will therefore monitor Jack Aitken’s performances at ART Grand Prix. These are all declared candidates for the title.
With the participation of www.racingbusiness.fr
