Russell looks back on his adventure with Williams: “Three years at the back of the grid was too long”

George Russell's early career in Formula 1 did not look like what the Briton imagined. Freshly crowned in Formula 2 in 2018, he joined Williams for the following season. But in a team in distress, the driver brooded by Mercedes had been forced to monopolize the last positions during its first two years, before a slight improvement in 2021. 

In the podcast Beyond the Grid, George Russell looked back on his experience before and during his three seasons at Grove. “When we signed with Williams in 2018, we had in mind that this was a team that had just spent three years scoring podiums, finishing 3rd twice and then 5th among the constructors. Then they had a really bad year in 2018 where they finished last”, detailed the Briton.

The new Mercedes driver then explained that he believed the team was capable of returning to better levels from 2019. “We thought this was a team that, at that point, could bounce back, and that they would get back to the P5 to P3 region of competitiveness. So we all agreed that three years of contract was a good length, to fight for points and perhaps for podiums. »

Unfortunately for Russell, Williams was never able to bounce back and had to vegetate in the last places. Last in 2019 and 2020 then eighth in 2021 (with a podium at Spa, in special conditions), the team with nine constructors' titles did not allow the young English talent to really express himself on the track. “Looking back, three years driving alone at the back of the grid was too long. But, unfortunately, Claire [Williams, former team manager] did a good job during the contract negotiations, and there was no escape. »

“Joining Mercedes in 2021 would have been incredibly difficult,” says Russell

Long competing for the second seat among the Silver Arrows, facing Valtteri Bottas, George Russell had to wait until the 2022 season to join Mercedes. According to the King's Lynn native, the long wait also had its silver linings. “When I look at it with hindsight, I think joining Mercedes last year or even in 2020 would have been incredibly difficult. I couldn't see myself competing against Lewis with a car that has evolved to suit his driving style over so many years. It was his baby. » 

Ultimately, Russell believes that the new regulations allow him to have a chance to show off against the seven-time Formula 1 world champion. “This year, everyone is starting from scratch, everyone is starting from zero, and it was probably the right time [to join Mercedes]. »

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