Russell 'extremely ready' for F1 after F2 title win

George Russell has insisted that he is "extremely ready" to make the leap from Formula 2 to Formula 1 ahead of his move to Williams for the 2019 season, following a dramatic day in Abu Dhabi when he was crowned the F2 champion in his rookie year.

Russell is a member of Mercedes' junior driver development programme, and after impressing in F2 it was announced that he would be part of Williams' driving team for 2019, when he will team with Robert Kubica after the departures of Lance Stroll and Sergey Sirotkin.

The Brit was almost lost for words in the immediate aftermath of his championship win, but managed to praise his team as well as assuring he is ready to compete with the big guns in the top level of motorsport.

“I don’t know what to say to be honest,” Russell said as he stepped out of his car.

“The team have job a fantastic job, it’s probably been the quickest car out there since the second race of the season. It’s not just myself. I’m over the moon to get it done now. I’m extremely ready [for Formula 1]. I’ve had an amazing two years with Mercedes. Now is my time.”

Heading into the race, Russell held a 41-point lead over Alexander Albon, whose championship assault fell apart early on when he stalled at the opening lap, eventually struggling to 14th place.

Russell was slow out of the blocks, too, but eventually rallied to win his seventh race of the season to equal the record of Stoffel Vandoorne and Charles Leclerc in F2.

Russell wins the race....AND BECOMES OUR 2018 CHAMPION!#F2 pic.twitter.com/P8VTXoBpA0 — Formula 2 (@FIA_F2) November 24, 2018