George Russell is a British racing driver, born in 1998, whose greatest achievement so far is the FIA Formula 2 Championship title in 2018. A year before, he triumphed in the GP3 Series. Earlier in a career, he won two prestigious British awards, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 2014 and BRDC SuperStar award in 2015.
Russell made Formula One Championship debut in 2019 with Williams.
George Russell
BRDC Formula 4 champion in 2014
Born in King's Lynn, Norfolk, George started his racing career in 2006, entering karting competitions. In successful karting career, Russell captured few British titles and two European titles. He progressed from karting to Formula racing in 2014, entering the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps championship.
Driving for Koiranen GP, he scored one podium at Red Bull Ring to finish fourth in the championship. He was also a guest driver in two rounds of the Eurocup Formula Renault, winning the last race of the season at Jerez.
In 2014, Russell also participated in the BRDC Formula 4 Championship, driving for Lanan Racing. With five wins, including in the season's finale, he won the F4 championship title.
The youngest winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award
After a successful season participated in the GP3 Series test at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. He also became the youngest-ever winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award. The prizes were a £100,000 cash, British Racing Drivers' Club membership and a Formula One test with McLaren.
In February 2015, Russell joined the British Racing Drivers' Club SuperStars programme, as the youngest-ever recruit.
Russell spent two seasons in the F3 European Championship
Second-best rookie in the Formula 3 European Championship
In 2015, Russell progressed to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, driving the #10 Dallara-Volkswagen for Carlin. He was the race winner in the second race of the season-opening round at Silverstone.
It remained his only win of the season. He added two more podiums to his account, finishing sixth in the final standings and the second-best among the rookies, behind Charles Leclerc. In September 2015, Russell participated in the 25th edition of Masters of Formula 3 at Zandvoort, finishing second behind Antonio Giovinazzi.
Two wins in the 2016 Formula 3 season
Russell stayed one more season in the Formula 3, driving the #12 Dallara-Mercedes for HitechGP. He scored the first victory in the second race of the Pau Grand Prix and one more in the second race at Spa-Francorchamps.
At the end of the season, Russell was third in the championship, behind Lance Stroll and Maximilian Gunther. He was seventh in the annual non-championship Macau Grand Prix.
George Russell is the 2017 GP3 Series champion
GP3 Series champion in a rookie season
For 2017, Russell signed for ART Grand Prix to compete in the GP3 Series. Driving the #3 Dallara-Mecachrome, he was on a pole three times in seven rounds, scoring four victories (Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, Spa and Monza). He secured a title during a penultimate round at Jerez, even before season's finale at Yas Marina.
In January 2017, Russell was chosen to join Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 team as a member of their junior driver programme. He had an opportunity to test a Mercedes W08 F1 car at Hungaroring.
George Russell - 2018 Formula 2 champion
Formula 2 champion and new driver of Williams F1 Team
In 2018, Russell continued his career in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. He showed impressive performance again, winning the championship title even before the last race of the season. In 24 races, he was a race winner seven times.
During the season, he was signed by Williams F1 Team as their new driver for the 2019 Formula 1 season, alongside Polish veteran Robert Kubica. Russell's performances were better than Kubica's but Polish driver scored one single point for the team while Russell scored no points, finishing the season last in the drivers' classification.
George Russell joined Williams for the 2019 Formula 1 season
Photos: George Russell, Glenn Dunbar,
