Leclerc backs "special" Russell for Mercedes drive

Charles Leclerc has backed George Russell to deliver at Mercedes as his "talent makes him special".

The careers of Russell and Leclerc effectively mirror one another as both won back-to-back GP3/F3 and F2 titles en route to F1.

But while Ferrari promoted Leclerc from Alfa Romeo after one season, Russell has spent three years with Williams, only scoring his first points with the team in the recent Hungarian Grand Prix before registering a shock podium in Belgium on Sunday.

Assessing why Russell is worthy of his planned move to Mercedes, Leclerc said: “His talent makes him special.

"If he goes to Mercedes next year, and I hope he does because I think he deserves a chance there, I am sure he will perform very well and will impress more than one person.”

Although the two have progressed through opposing young driver setups, Leclerc reflected on a brief period the two spent as team-mates in karting.

“I’ve actually been team-mates with George, for a year or maybe two," reflected Leclerc. "It was a long time ago in karting.

“From what I have seen of him since that time, he is just extremely talented and every time he gets into the car now - as with karting then - he is just quick straightaway."

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