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Mercedes “absolutely certain” George Russell has qualities for a future seat

Mercedes “absolutely certain” George Russell has qualities for a future seat

06-12-2019 17:18
3

Bevan Youl

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has said that they are “absolutely certain” that junior driver George Russell has the qualities for a future seat at the team after proving himself with Williams.

Russell, who won the Formula 2 championship in 2018, was promoted to a seat at Williams alongside Robert Kubica, with the both of them battling it out at the back of the grid.
 
The Briton showed what he could do with a car that wasn’t competitive, out-qualifying Kubica at all 21 races.
 
The 21-year old tested for the Silver Arrows after Abu Dhabi, something Wolff said before was not about seeing what he is capable of but just gaining experience.
 
“I’ve said to George, who was not 100 per cent [well] these last days, this test is not benchmarking him because we are absolutely certain he has the qualities of a potential future Mercedes driver,” Wolff said as quoted by Autosport.

“He has the raw speed, he has the talent, he has the intelligence. There is a reason why he has won F3 and F2 as a rookie, and he has a flawless record in Formula 1.

“It is more about experience. There is nothing to prove during this upcoming test for us."

Before Valtteri Bottas was confirmed for another year at Mercedes for 2020 during the summer there were suggestions that Russell should be given the seat, but Wolff insists that they are honouring his contract with Williams.

“George is under contract with Williams, and we will always honour that contract because they have given him the chance to step into Formula 1," he added.

“So probably if he does the test, it will just confirm what we know.”

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