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Hamilton: 'I’ve no doubt that he has the potential to be a future champion”
- GPblog.com
George Russell has already spent two seasons at Williams in F1. In most Grands Prix his Williams was by far the slowest car on the grid, but he still managed to make a big impression. Lewis Hamilton has been impressed by Russell's performance.
Hamilton compares Russell's early years in Formula 1 with those of Fernando Alonso. "What he’s been able to do is similar to if you look at Alonso," Hamilton is quoted by GP Racing. According to the Brit, many talented drivers come first to drive for a less good race team, to get the chance to grow, improve, make mistakes and lead the team from there.
Russell now has 38 Grands Prix and three World Championship points to his name, thanks to the opportunity to race for Mrecedes when Hamilton could not race due to his positive COVID-19 test. "I think this year, it’s just been great how he’s handled everything and what he’s done with that car, to put it into Q2 quite often, and really delivering great results," says Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion is 36 years old himself, so Britain needs a new F1 star. Can Russell follow in the footsteps of his compatriot? "I’m really impressed with his racecraft and how he’s growing, and I really think he is the future. There are several drivers that are the future of this sport, but he’s one of them and I’m really excited to see his progression. I’ve no doubt that he has the potential to be a future champion.”