Williams "have a lot in store" for second home race - George Russell

Russell, Williams, United States GP — Photo: © LAT Images

United States Grand Prix

Williams "have a lot in store" for second home race - Russell

Dorilton Capital took over the Williams in 2020

Ian Parkes & Ewan Gale

Friday 22 October 2021 15:10

George Russell has revealed Williams owners Dorilton Capital have got "a lot in store for us" at what is being treated as the team's second home race at the United States Grand Prix.

Dorilton acquired the team midway through 2020 to bring an end to the Williams family's involvement with the team.

Russell reached Q3 in the first home race of the year at Silverstone, with the team since going on to rack up 23 points and will be hoping for a repeat performance this weekend given the added presence of partners within the team at the Circuit of the Americas.

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Asked if it felt like a home race for the team, Russell replied: “I haven’t necessarily thought of it like that and I guess we all knew since the owners had taken over.

"But they’ve got a huge amount of guests here this weekend and they’ve got a lot in store for us.

“So they’re certainly pretty pumped about it but generally, this circuit, this place is really exciting. It probably is my favourite race weekend of the year other than Silverstone.

"Just coming here, it’s a great place, great atmosphere and Austin itself is a cool place.”

Austin has "Silverstone vibes" - Russell

One of the big talking points ahead of the weekend has been how F1 machinery will cope with the bumpy track surface at COTA after MotoGP's visit at the start of the month sparked concerns.

Russell explained: “There’s a bit of Silverstone vibes within this circuit and the bumps are probably going to be the key thing this year as they were in 2019.

"How that subsidence has been over the last couple of years, it’s going to make or break the weekend I think because it’s going to be really tricky on all the cars and all the drivers.

“Whoever adapts best to it will probably come out on top.”