Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has been immensely impressed by young British driver George Russell since joining Williams.
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Russell caused a stir when he replaced Lewis Hamilton at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix after he tested positive for the coronavirus. Russell qualified to P2 after narrowly losing pole to teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Russel seemed ready to win the race until he got caught up in a pit stop mistake and finished the race in P9, taking his first three points in the drivers’ standings, two for ninth place and one for the fastest lap. Media and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff later praised him for his performance and courage.
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What did Fernando Alonso say?
Alonso is extremely impressed by George Russell and believes the young Briton opened the eyes to millions of fans after the Sakhir Grand Prix.
During his two-year absence from the sport, he enjoyed watching the young Williams driver on television before racing by his side after his own F1 comeback earlier that year. Alonso emphasized the 23-year-old’s potential.
“The opportunity with the Mercedes… I think it was a real opportunity for everyone to see what a driver with George’s talent can do with a winning car. He almost won the first race at the first opportunity, ”said two-time champion Fernando Alonso.
BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN – Great Britain’s George Russell and Mercedes GP prepare to start the grid ahead of the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, Bahrain. (Photo by Peter Fox / Getty Images)
“I think for many, not just a few, that was proof that we knew how good he was. The race in Bahrain was enough to open [the eyes] from millions of people. “
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“Future world champion”: Alonso to George Russell
After the Monaco Grand Prix, Fernando Alonso and George Russell exchanged their helmets with the earlier writing on the helmet that he gave to the British driver: “George, you rock !! Future world champion. ”When asked about his inscription on Russell’s helmet, the two-time world champion said how impressed he was with the 23-year-old, who had successfully made it into Q2 in all six qualifying sessions this year.
“Definitely very impressed. I also said last year while watching the sport that I think it was very, very impressive with the performance we saw at the Williams, ”said Alonso.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 22: The drivers press conference with ART Grand Prix Formula 2 drivers George Russell from Great Britain and Williams, Lewis Hamilton from Great Britain and Mercedes GP, Fernando Alonso from Spain and McLaren F1 and Lando Norris from Great Britain and McLaren F1 during the preview of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images)
“We know it’s not a competitive package. It’s been better this year, but not the last two [years] and [despite that] I think he did something special every weekend and that was nice to see at home. That always impresses you. “
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