George Russell hasn’t yet enjoyedthe successof his fellow F2 graduates
in F1, but is making his own impact with Williams. In answering your
questions he explains why driving at theback is harder than it looks,and why he enjoys hanging out withFrank Williams andRobert Kubica
GEORGE RUSSELL
WORDSBEN ANDERSON
GLENN DUNBAR
} }
YOU ASK THE
QUESTIONS
With Williams being a shadowof its onceglorious self in
Formula 1 right now, it would be easy to overlook the quietlysuperb
performances of *eorge 5ussell, who has adapted quite brilliantlyto
the unique demands of grand prix racing during his rookie season at
motorsport’s highest level.
5acing at the back of the grid means 5ussell avoids the glare of
the spotlight that shinesso intently on his 218 Formula 2 rivals
Lando 1orris and Alex Albon who he beat last year, by the way .
%ut spend time in *eorge’s company and it quickly becomes
apparent that he’s possessed of a proper champion’s focus,
intent and self-belief.
Williams is going throughprobably the toughest period in the
team’s history, which doesn’t appear naturally the best environment
for a young driver to hone their craft correctly. %ut spending time
stuck at the back of the grid driving a difficult car and notscoring
points needn’t be the waste of time it might seem. It did Fernando
Alonso no harm at all, and it becomes clear as *eorge spends time
carefully and thoughtfully answering your questions that there’s
more to being at the back in Formula 1 than meets the eye«What were your
expectationsfor this
season, and have they
been met?
StuartWallace,UKPICTURES
F1 RACING DECEMBER 2019 81
From apersonal level, I think my
expectations have been met. I’ve
had good times andtough times.
The tough moments and thetimes
I haven’t performed to whatI
believe I can,I’ve learnt somuch
to help me inthe latter events. Other than being higher up
the grid, from my side Iwouldn’tchange anything at all.I prepare as if I’m going out to
win the race, to be honest.
I don’t prepare any differently.
I’m mega-passionate about it,
and my goal everyweek is to
absolutely maximise what I’ve
got. It is very different to last
year. It doesn’t matter what
category you’re racing, if you’reHow do you preparefor
a grand prix knowing
you don’t have a
competitive car? How
different is itto last
year [when you were
winning F2]?
SergioFlores,MexicoGeorge Russell hasn’t yet enjoyedthe successof his fellow F2 graduates
in F1, but is making his own impact with Williams. In answering your
questionshe explains why driving at the back is harder than it looks,and why he enjoys hanging out withFrank Williams andRobert Kubica
GEORGE RUSSELL
WORDSBEN ANDERSON
GLENN DUNBAR
} }
YOU ASK THE
QUESTIONS
With Williams being a shadowof its onceglorious self in
Formula 1 right now, it would be easy to overlook the quietlysuperb
performances of George Russell, who has adapted quite brilliantlyto
the unique demands of grand prix racing during his rookie season at
motorsport’s highest level.
Racing at the back of the grid means Russell avoids the glare of
the spotlight that shinesso intently on his 2018 Formula 2 rivals
Lando Norris and Alex Albon (who he beat last year, by the way).
But spend time in George’s company and it quickly becomes
apparent that he’s possessed of a proper champion’s focus,
intent and self-belief.
Williams is going throughprobably the toughest period in the
team’s history, which doesn’t appear naturally the best environment
for a young driver to hone their craft correctly. But spending time
stuck at the back of the grid driving a difficult car and notscoring
points needn’t be the waste of time it might seem. It did Fernando
Alonso no harm at all, and it becomes clear as George spends time
carefully and thoughtfully answering your questions that there’s
more to being at the back in Formula 1 than meets the eye...What were your
expectationsfor this
season, and have they
been met?
StuartWallace,UKPICTURES
F1 RACING DECEMBER 2019 81
From apersonal level, I think my
expectations have been met. I’ve
had good times andtough times.
The tough moments and thetimes
I haven’t performed to whatI
believe I can,I’ve learnt somuch
to help me inthe latter events. Other than being higher up
the grid, from my side Iwouldn’tchange anything at all.I prepare as if I’m going out to
win the race, to be honest.
I don’t prepare any differently.
I’m mega-passionate about it,
and my goal everyweek is to
absolutely maximise what I’ve
got. It is very different to last
year. It doesn’t matter what
category you’re racing, if you’reHow do you preparefor
a grand prix knowing
you don’t have a
competitive car? How
different is itto last
year [when you were
winning F2]?
SergioFlores,Mexico