© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
George Russell admits it’s an “odd feeling” to get a Mercedes drive after Lewis Hamilton got diagnosed with COVID-19, but also “a fantastic opportunity”.
As a Mercedes junior driver, Russell was one of the front runners for a seat with the team in the future. However, he didn’t think his first opportunity to drive for Mercedes would come after Lewis Hamilton is forced to miss a race. Asked if this was the moment he was waiting for, the young Briton confirmed it was, but admitted it was not under the circumstances he envisioned.
“Absolutely, but this was not the way I envisioned getting this opportunity, or the way I imagined my first race with Mercedes would be,” Russell told GPFans.
“I’ve mixed feelings because with Lewis obviously having to miss it because of COVID, it is a bit of an odd feeling, but nevertheless a fantastic opportunity.
“I’m incredibly grateful for it to Williams and Mercedes. Williams was under no obligation whatsoever to give me this chance, so I’m just excited.”
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The Briton went on to explain why Williams decided to let him drive for Mercedes, even when that means they will likely remain last in the championship standings.
“They recognised this would be a massive opportunity for me personally, and that I would be incredibly grateful and thankful to them for it.
“Ultimately, this opportunity will allow me to become a stronger driver, and a new opportunity, new experiences with the best team on the grid is invaluable.
“I guess they had to be realistic. We’ve given it our best shot all season, we’ve had some fantastic races, and even when all the stars were aligned and we had a great weekend, we were only just P10, and even then it would have been hard to hold on to P10 with the guys behind us.
“Unless we get a P8 in a race [over the last two races] then 10th is sealed in the championship so I think they wanted to support me.
“They knew how much I wanted this opportunity,” concluded the 22-year-old.
