George Russell will play the 2022 season at Mercedes alongside his compatriot Lewis Hamilton, the team announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Russell, 23, has "
signed a long-term contract
" which will see him succeed Finnish Valtteri Bottas, leaving for Alfa Romeo.
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Member of the Mercedes young talent sector since 2017, titled in GP3 the same year and then in F2 in 2018, he has been racing in the premier category of motorsport since 2019 with Williams.
Russell signed his first podium in Belgium at the end of August (2nd), after a race reduced to a few laps behind the safety car because of the rain.
In 2020, he was very convincing by replacing Hamilton, positive for Covid-19, during the GP of Sakhir, in Bahrain, qualifying 2nd before seeing a series of misadventures deprive him of the victory (he will finally be 9th) .
This is a huge opportunity and I want to grab it with both hands
George russell
“
His work ethic and performance have never ceased to impress during his three seasons with Williams. He is now ready to take the step towards Mercedes and to continue developing his career alongside Lewis Hamilton, after having signed a long-term contract with the team,
”explains his future team. "
It's a huge opportunity and I want to seize it with both hands,
" assures the young driver for his part. “
But I'm not kidding myself about the magnitude of the challenge; the learning curve will be steep
”.
"
Valtteri has set the bar very high, by constantly showing itself to the height week after week, by winning victories, pole positions and by contributing to the conquest of several titles of world champion (of the constructors, note)
", continues -he.
“
My goal must be to reward Toto (Wolff, Mercedes boss in F1, editor's note), the team and the board of directors for the trust they have placed in me by ensuring that I play my part in the continuation of this success
”. About his future teammate, seven-time world champion, Russell says he "
admires Lewis
" since he made his kart debut. “
The opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model both on and off the track can only benefit me as a rider, as a professional and as a human being,
” said the youngster. man.