George Russell happy with "unbelievable" testing experience

F2 championship leader George Russell is understandably very happy with his F1 testing experience with Mercedes today in Hungary.

The 20-year old from Norfolk has won four races and finished second in a further three driving for ART Grand Prix in F2 this season as he looks for a full time F1 seat for 2019.

Russell completed 49 laps and finished with the fifth fastest time with F1’s leading team, who are top of the constructors’ standings by 10 points.

Despite completing the fewest distance of any driver on the first day of testing at the Hungaroring, Russell was very pleased with his day’s work.

He said: “It was fantastic to get back out behind the Mercedes car.

“It’s unbelievable how quick and how much grip this car has got. Just an unbelievable experience to get back there.

“We had a few issues which limited our running but nevertheless it was a good day for myself.

“I was pleased with my performance and I think the team got some valuable information in the limited laps we did."

Russell also spoke about the weather, which was rainy for parts of the afternoon, limiting running later on in the day: “It’s just part of the game really, you can’t predict the weather, you can’t always get it perfect from the team’s point of view and F1 is so complex and it’s incredible there’s not more issues in the whole championship so it just goes to show the level everybody runs at.”

So, do you think we will see the current F2 leader in the big time next year? He’s getting valuable experience with one of F1’s best teams, so that will surely boost his chances!