George Russell has recently revealed his big Formula 1 moment. The moment when the Briton got to know that he will be a part of the most premium form of motorsport. Upon hearing this, the driver shared it with his parents, and as a result, they were in tears.
Speaking to The Times UK recently, Russell recalled the moment when he got the F1 call from Williams. The pilot said that he will never forget the day he signed up for the Grove-based team. It was 2018 and the Briton was still in F2 when the opportunity came calling.
George Russell will make his race debut with Williams next season, taking Lance Stroll’s seat. 👏 All the best to him and looking forward to having him at the #SingaporeGP! 🇸🇬 👋| #F1 | #Formula1| pic.twitter.com/ViH7WSoatm
— SingaporeGP (@F1NightRace) October 15, 2018
The 25-year-old went on to say that he was in Sochi, Russia on his F2 duty when he received the call. The call was from Claire Williams, the deputy team principal of Williams back then. She called him in and offered him a deal starting the following year.
As soon as the Briton received the offer, his parents were the first people to know. The current Mercedes driver then added that upon hearing about his F1 opportunity, his parents cried. But the British pilot asked them to save their tears for when Russell wins his first F1 race.
Russell’s F1 debut and first podium
The 25-year-old debuted in Formula 1 in the year 2019, alongside Robert Kubica in Williams. However, in his first year on the team, he failed to pick up any points.
Russell’s first point came with Mercedes when he was called to deputize for Lewis Hamilton after the latter was COVID-19 positive. Despite having a brilliant qualification and race, an unfortunate pit crew error cost him a win but fetched him his first F1 points.
P1!!!! pic.twitter.com/qFgqAOWoSg
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) November 13, 2022
The F2 champion, however, earned his first points and podiums with Williams in 2021. After spending three years with the Grove-based team, it was finally time for him to move as he was called in by Mercedes.
George Russell’s first pole position and win in F1
In the year 2022, George Russell was chosen to replace Valtteri Bottas as the replacement of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Russell arrived at the team and immediately started delivering.
After a series of fine performances, the 25-year-old claimed his first-ever pole position in Hungary. But the most instrumental race of his career was the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix when he picked up his first-ever win.
Not sure if Russell’s parents cried when he won his first race, but they were proud, for sure. In the end, the younger Briton finished the season ahead of his veteran teammate and beat him by 35 points.
