09/07/2021 9:41 AM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 09/07/2021 9:46 AM
Within 24 hours of the announcement of Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes confirmed what everyone already knew: the arrival of the British George Russell, 23, to the team since the 2022 Formula 1 season.
Through a statement, the German team reported that Russell "signed a long-term contract", with which he will succeed the Finn Valtteri Bottas, who will go to Alfa Romeo.
Belonging to the young talent pool of Mercedes since 2017, winner in GP3 the same year and then in F2 in 2018, he has been racing in the premier class of motor sports since 2019 with Williams.
Mr Mercedes # F1 @ GeorgeRussell63 pic.twitter.com/0kMwJBUhbP
- Formula 1 (@ F1) September 7, 2021
Russell signed his first podium in Belgium at the end of August (second), after a race reduced to a few laps behind the safety car due to the rain.
In 2020, he was also very convincing replacing Hamilton, who had tested positive for covid-19, at the Sakhir Grand Prix, where he finished ninth.
"
His work ethic and performances have impressed
over the course of his three seasons at Williams. Now he is ready to make the move to Mercedes and continue to develop his career alongside Lewis Hamilton, having signed a long-term contract. with the team, "explained his future team.
"It is a huge opportunity and
I want to grab it with both hands,
" said the young driver.
"But I have no illusions about the breadth of the challenge. The learning curve will be steep," he remarked.
It's official.
Next year, I'll be a Mercedes F1 driver.
This is a special day for me and I want to say a huge thank you to @WilliamsRacing, @ MercedesAMGF1 and everyone who has supported me in getting to where I am today.
I couldn't have done it without every single one of you.
💙 pic.twitter.com/MmGA1vr9mR
- George Russell (@ GeorgeRussell63) September 7, 2021
"Valtteri has set the bar very high, consistently showing up, week after week, taking victories, pole positions and contributing to the conquest of several world champion (constructors') titles," he added.
"My goal should be to reward Toto (Wolff, the Mercedes team boss), the team and the board of directors for the trust they have placed in me, giving me a role in the continuation of this triumph," he stressed.
I want to take a moment to welcome @ GeorgeRussell63 to the team.
Through hard work he has rightly earned his spot.
I look forward to seeing him grow as a driver with this great team and working with him to raise @ MercedesAMGF1 higher.
See you next year🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/CRsgrilmUd
- Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) September 7, 2021
Regarding his future teammate, seven-time world champion, Russell said that he has admired Lewis since he made his karting debut.
"The opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model on and off the track can only be beneficial as a driver and a human being," he concluded.
With information from AFP
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