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George Russell says he is “grateful” for his difficult years with Williams, and feels like “a more rounded driver because of these lessons”.
George Russell entered Formula 1 in 2019 with Williams, when the team was at its lowest point. He spent the first year at the back of the grid with his then team-mate Robert Kubica, before things started to slowly improve in 2020 and 2021.
Ahead of his full-time Mercedes debut, the young Briton says the difficult experiences will help him in the future.
“I’m grateful for the difficulties I’ve faced on the track and throughout these years,” Russell told Autosport.
“Because, quite often, when you get in a faster car and a car that is more complete, things just naturally feel easier.
“At Williams we had so many limitations – whether it was trying to get the tyres in the right window, the brakes in the right window, following other cars has been incredibly difficult, [as has] really fighting in battles and to hold onto positions.
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“When the car is faster often everything feels good. The strategy always feels good when the car is fast. These sorts of things start feeling your way.
“I feel a more rounded driver because of these lessons. I talk about it with my trainer – about building this toolbox of experience and knowledge.
“I’m sure throughout my F1 career I’m never going to have the best car year after year. But if I do have a car that’s very difficult to drive, I’ve had these experiences – that I can just go back into the toolbox and remember what I experienced throughout 2019 or these last few years.
“So I feel pretty fortunate to have had this,” George concluded.
