George Russell says that after three formative years in Formula 1 with Williams, he is mentally in “great shape” for his move to Mercedes.
The announcement that Russell would be Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate next year coincided with his first regular scoring in F1.
After two full seasons in the back of the field, Williams has made a significant step forward since the Hungarian Grand Prix just before the summer break.
Having never done this for Williams before, Russell has now scored points in four of the last five races, finished second in the slick Belgian Grand Prix and qualified for the top three twice.
That means he’s right where he can hope for success as he prepares to take the place that will be vacated by Alfa Romeo-bound Valtteri Bottas with the reigning world champions in 2022.
But it’s the more difficult moments during his time at Williams that make Russell feel stronger for the task at hand.
It is official. Next year I’ll be a Mercedes F1 driver. This is a special day for me and I would like to say a big thank you to @WilliamsRacing, @ MercedesAMGF1 and everyone who helped me get where I am today. Without each and every one of you, I wouldn’t have made it. pic.twitter.com/MmGA1vr9mR
– George Russell (@ GeorgeRussell63) September 7, 2021
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When asked in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport what his three years at Williams have left him with, the 23-year-old Brit replied: “Great mental state.
“Managing victories is easy, you celebrate them. Dealing with difficult moments or mistakes is the real challenge. You have tempered me, I am more mature as a person and as a driver.
“In 2019 the team was in a difficult moment, always last. However, the hard work in the factory and on the route has paid off and we are proud of that. I leave satisfied. “
Although it had long been an open secret that Russell would move to Mercedes next year, until it was actually confirmed, there was always doubt as to whether the call-up would come true.
Commenting on the emotions he felt when the time came, he said, “I realized that those who believed in me were really giving me a chance. You reassured me. I knew I had to work and believe in the stages to get there. And we got there.
“The hunger is there in the sense of wanting to prove to me and to everyone who has supported me that I can do it. I mean Mercedes, Williams and my family. “
