Russell looking forward to working with Hamilton: 'Privileged position'

George Russell is in his last two races with Williams. This season he will be driving a Mercedes car together with Lewis Hamilton and he will be fighting for the world title. Russell is looking forward to this partnership.

The Williams driver has no intention of going on holiday to rest, he tells Motorsport.com. "On the Monday morning after the race in Abu Dhabi, I will immediately focus 120 percent on Mercedes. I will be in action during the test and then fly straight to the factory. There we will finish sessions in the simulator and I will meet some more people."

Mercedes is a great challenge for Russell

Russell is the replacement for Valtteri Bottas who is leaving for Alfa Romeo. Although expectations are high, behind the scenes Mercedes doesn't assume he'll be driving upfront straight away. He needs to grow into the team over the next few years so that he can potentially take over Hamilton's spot.

"I'm in a privileged position because I've already spent a lot of time there from 2016 to 2018. If I see someone at airports or at circuits, I know them almost as well as anyone at Williams. I'm in a very privileged position to be in a group, in a family, that I already know so well."