Russell tipped for championship glory

Respected former Formula 1 engineer Pat Symonds has tipped George Russell to be a future world champion, having been impressed with the rookie driver’s performances in a struggling Williams outfit.

Russell won the 2018 Formula 2 championship and was subsequently recruited by Williams on a multi-year contract to make the step up to F1. The team are, by far, the least competitive of any on the grid, but Russell has still managed to impress even if a slower car.

Furthermore, even though his team-mate Robert Kubica has gained one point in the championship against his zero, the Brit has regularly outperformed his more experienced partner in terms of pace and results.

Symonds, who has worked with Williams, Benetton, and Renault in the past, mentioned Russell when asked who out of the current crop of youngsters he could see as being champion material.

"I’ll give you a slightly off-the-wall answer," replied Symonds to F1 Fan Voice.

"Watching George Russell in Formula 2, I’ve been really impressed with him.

"I’ve seen him race really well in so many different circumstances, leading in the front, controlling the race, coming through traffic, wet weather, dry weather.

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"When things have gone wrong, he’s kept at it. I’ve got a feeling he might be a guy to watch."

Russell is a member of Mercedes’ junior driver development programme and has been tipped for a seat with the Silver Arrows in the future. However, team principal Toto Wolff confirmed recently that the opportunity would not come as early as next season.

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