George Russell form proves Williams progress - Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen and George Russell in Belgium — Photo: © LAT Images

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Russell form proves Williams progress - Verstappen

Russell again shone in Russian GP qualifying

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 1 October 2021 11:40

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Max Verstappen believes George Russell's form for Williams this year demonstrates the progress made by the F1 team in the last 12 months.

Williams has propped up the constructors' standings since 2018 but has seen a resurgence spearheaded by Mercedes-bound Russell, with Nicholas Latifi also securing his first points in the sport this year.

Russell has scored the same total of points in the last five races as Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, with the Dutchman suggesting the British driver's performances show people underestimate Williams.

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After Russell qualified third for the Russian Grand Prix in changeable conditions, Verstappen said: "George, for sure, he is a very, very good driver.

"But when you can do these kinds of things it shows the car isn't as bad as people think.

"He's scored good points, had good qualifyings, and also in Spa, that car is not a Red Bull or a Mercedes but they also ran more wing, more downforce, so everything starts to become a bit closer.

"Nevertheless, he still did an amazing job, but I think people have to understand that car isn't as bad as people think it is."

Verstappen - "A good driver can handle" change easily

Russell completes his rise through the Mercedes junior ranks to join the Silver Arrows from next season alongside Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen followed a similar path as he rose to Red Bull through the junior categories and Toro Rosso [now AlphaTauri].

Assessing the culture change between the two stages, he said: "At the end of the day, what's most important is you feel comfortable in the car, it suits you and you go fast on track.

"It doesn't matter if there are 400, 500 people working, or 1,000, or whatever. You will get used to that.

"Because at the end of the day, when you sit in the car, you think about lap time and you want to go as fast as you can.

"Of course, starting at the back compared to always starting at the front will be a bit different.

"But a good driver can handle these kinds of things easily."