© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes debut at the Sakhir Grand Prix, the young Briton talked about what standing in for Lewis Hamilton means to him.
Everybody knows by now that Williams’ George Russell will be replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the Sakhir Grand Prix, after the seven-time champ tested positive for COVID-19.
In an interview with Sky Sports F1 the young Briton talked about what the opportunity means to him.
“Lewis is the greatest of all time statistically, in my opinion as well,” started Russell.
“I believe he is the most all-rounded best driver ever, I think. For me having seen him up close as well, seeing how he drives, how he interacts with the team and everything.
“So stepping into his shoes, into his car that he won the world championship in is obviously surreal. It’s the hardest shoes ever to fill.”
However the Briton is aware that it will be hard to just step into a new car and perform at the top of his game.
“Coming in in the penultimate race of the season, it’s tricky. It is very tricky.
“It’s a strange position to find myself in. Obviously I need to wait and see how I get on because, for example, if I were to have another driver come into the Williams car mid-way through the season I’ve been in that car for a year and a half, I know the team, I know the set-up.
“I will be comfortable and confident and those guys would struggle to come in being my team-mate because I’ve had that chance to understand everything in a Williams car.
“Obviously Valtteri‘s been at Mercedes now for four or five years, I’m not expecting to come in and be right on the pace straight away.
“It’s a new seat, different car, different thing to learn and it will take a bit of time to get used to everything. But I expect to be a bit quicker than what I was previously and hopefully fighting at the top end of the grid.
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And what will his approach be?
“It’s trying to unlearn what I know and relearn new things, in the space of two days. It’s a tall order. It’s just taking it step by step. Friday, learning as much as I can.
“It’s going to be different. Normally Friday is all about preparing for Saturday but this Friday it’s all about learning everything ready for Saturday, ready for Sunday. Getting a view how I’m getting on against Valtteri, try and learn from him, and see where I am.”
However, George is not going to be putting any additional pressure on himself.
“There’s a lot of expectation from a number of people, media, fans, what have you, but [I am] blocking that out.
“I’m just going to do my own thing, build up to it, go out there in FP1, don’t try to set the world on fire and just prepare and get ready for qualifying. For me, Sunday is the main thing. Focusing for the race.”
And does the Mercedes junior driver think it is possible for him to win the race?
“You’ve obviously got to believe. I’ve been given an incredible opportunity but, like I say, I’m not setting any targets. I’m just going to give it my all, as I’ve done always.
“Go out there, drive as quick as I can come Saturday afternoon, Sunday afternoon and what happens, happens,” concluded Russell.
Source: Sky Sports F1
