Russell flies into mid-season break with spring in his step

For reigning F2 champion George Russell, his maiden Formula One season has been something as a baptism of fire.

With Acronis partner team Williams starting the season late to pre-season testing and behind the competition in terms of development, the young Englishman knew it was never going to be easy and that 2019 would always be a season for learning and data gathering.

Yet so often in this sternest of motorsport examinations, it’s when times are toughest that the best drivers always seem to shine. And that was certainly the case for Russell over the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend when, after qualifying an impressive 15th above both Racing Points and Antonio Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo, Russell was able to race with hard with the competition, eventually finishing 16th.

His first lap in particular provided some great entertainment, Russell producing great overtakes on Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and Daniil Kvyat’s Toro Rosso to prove just why he is one of the most highly-rated drivers on the grid and a possible champion of the future.

“I had a good first lap and made up two positions on Magnussen and Kvyat at turn four and five, which was pretty fun,” said Russell in his team’s post-race report. “It was nice to be racing other drivers. We’ve still got work to do but there are a lot of positives to take from this weekend. We’ve made a good step forward.”

Fraser Masefield

Sports news and features writer, web editor and author.