Rise to Success: Career Highlights of George Russell (racing driver)

How George Russell (racing driver) built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

George Russell is a British Formula One racing driver currently driving for Mercedes. He has competed in Formula One for seven seasons, securing three Grand Prix victories. He is known for his consistent performance and has established himself as a prominent figure in the sport. Prior to joining Mercedes, Russell showcased his talent with Williams, often outperforming the car's capabilities. His career trajectory reflects a steady climb, marked by impressive performances and a reputation for technical skill behind the wheel.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2006: Start of Karting Career

In 2006, George Russell began his karting career, marking the start of his journey in competitive racing.

2009: MSA British and British Open Champion

In 2009, George Russell became the MSA British champion and British Open champion in the cadet class, demonstrating his early talent in karting.

2010: British Karting Championship Wins

In 2010, George Russell achieved multiple victories in the Rotax Mini Max category, including Super One British champion, Formula Kart Stars British champion, and Kartmasters British Grand Prix winner.

2011: Joined Intrepid Karting Team

In 2011, George Russell graduated to the KF3 class and joined the Intrepid karting team, with Alex Albon assisting in the move. He became CIK-FIA European Champion and won the SKUSA SuperNationals title.

2011: Karting European Championship Victory

In 2011, George Russell secured a victory at the junior direct-drive Karting European Championship, adding to his successful karting career.

2012: Lowest finish for a Mercedes driver since 2012

George Russell finished eighth in the 2023 Drivers' Championship, which was the lowest for a Mercedes driver since 2012.

2012: Second Karting European Championship Victory

In 2012, George Russell achieved back-to-back victories at the junior direct-drive Karting European Championship, marking another significant milestone in his karting career.

2012: Defense of European Title

In 2012, George Russell defended his CIK-FIA European Champion title, marking another achievement in his karting career. He nearly defended his SKUSA title following Lance Stroll's disqualification, although the win was reinstated.

2013: Final Year in Karting

In 2013, George Russell moved up to KF1 for his final year of karting, finishing 19th in the CIK-FIA World Championship.

2014: Single-Seater Debut and BRDC F4 Championship Win

In 2014, George Russell made his single-seater debut, competing in BRDC Formula 4 and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps. Despite a mid-season case of chickenpox, he won the BRDC F4 Championship and was granted a GP3 test at Yas Marina as a reward.

2014: BRDC F4 Championship Win

In 2014, George Russell won his first title at the BRDC F4 Championship, marking a significant achievement in his early racing career.

October 2015: First Formula One Car Drive

In October 2015, George Russell drove a Formula One car for the first time, testing the McLaren MP4-26 at Silverstone as a prize for winning the 2014 Autosport BRDC Award.

2015: Williams' Constructors' Standings

From 2015 Williams had finished no worse than fifth in the constructors' standings.

2015: European Formula Three Season with Carlin

In 2015, George Russell drove for Carlin in European Formula Three, finishing sixth with one race win and three podiums. He was second in the Rookies' Championship, behind Charles Leclerc.

2015: Reaching Out to Toto Wolff

In 2015, George Russell reached out to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff for a spot on the Mercedes Junior Team, impressing him with a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. Wolff offered to fund his 2015 European Formula Three season.

2015: Skipped Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0

In 2015, George Russell was expected to compete full-time in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, but his BRDC Award win prompted him to skip directly to European Formula Three.

2016: Beating Hamilton in qualifying

At Mercedes, George Russell became the only teammate in Lewis Hamilton's career to outqualify him head-to-head during their time as teammates, becoming one of only two teammates (the other being 2016 champion Nico Rosberg) to outqualify him in a single season.

2016: Switch to Hitech GP and Third Place Finish

In 2016, George Russell switched to Hitech GP, a new Mercedes affiliate, for the European Formula Three season. He finished third in the championship behind Lance Stroll and Maximilian Günther, leading to Mercedes signing him to its driver academy.

2016: Simulator Driver Opportunity

In 2016, George Russell switched to a Mercedes-powered F3 team, and Toto Wolff agreed to try him out as a simulator driver.

April 2017: Mercedes Test Drive

In April 2017, George Russell tested the 2015 Mercedes W06 at Portimão, marking his first time driving a Mercedes car.

2017: Grand Prix Weekend Debut

At the end of the 2017 season, George Russell made his Grand Prix weekend debut, driving for Force India during free practice at the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.

2017: Williams' highest grid position since 2017

During the Austrian Grand Prix, Russell qualified in 8th place which was Williams' highest grid position since 2017.

2017: Williams' Constructors' Standings

From 2017 Williams had finished no worse than fifth in the constructors' standings.

2017: First front-row start for Williams since 2017

George Russell qualified in second for the Belgian Grand Prix after a rain-affected Saturday, marking the first front-row start for Williams since the 2017 Italian Grand Prix.

2017: Mercedes Junior Team Membership

In 2017, George Russell became a member of the Mercedes Junior Team, marking a significant step in his career.

2017: GP3 Series Win

In 2017, George Russell won the GP3 Series, demonstrating his talent in junior formulae racing.

2017: Application for Williams Drive

In 2017, after winning the GP3 title, George Russell applied for a Williams drive, but Paddy Lowe was unmoved by his presentation, leading him to Formula 2 instead.

2017: Drive with ART Grand Prix

In 2017, with financial help from Mercedes, George Russell secured a drive with ART Grand Prix for the season. ART was GP3's dominant team, having won six of the last seven team titles.

2017: Joining the Mercedes Junior Team

In early 2017, George Russell officially joined the Mercedes Junior Team. Toto Wolff "set hard targets" for Russell, requiring him to win the GP3 and Formula 2 titles before progressing to Formula One.

October 2018: Formula One Debut with Williams-Mercedes

In October 2018, Mercedes arranged for George Russell to make his Formula One debut with engine customer Williams-Mercedes, signing a three-year contract while remaining a Mercedes test driver.

2018: Promotion to ART's Formula Two Team

In 2018, ART promoted George Russell to its Formula Two team. Additionally, Mercedes promoted Russell to first-team reserve driver, sharing duties with Pascal Wehrlein.

2018: Testing Opportunities with Mercedes and Force India

In 2018, George Russell conducted formal test drives for both Mercedes and Force India-Mercedes, further expanding his experience in Formula One cars.

2018: Promotion to First-Team Reserve Driver

In 2018, George Russell was promoted to first-team reserve driver for Mercedes, further advancing his role within the team.

2018: FIA Formula 2 Championship Win

In 2018, George Russell won the FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART, becoming the fifth driver to win the GP2/Formula 2 championship in their rookie season.

2019: Formula One Debut with Williams

In 2019, George Russell signed with Williams to partner Robert Kubica, making his Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix.

2019: Partnered with Robert Kubica

In 2019, George Russell was partnered with Robert Kubica at Williams for the Formula One season.

2020: Sakhir Grand Prix Substitution for Hamilton

At the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, George Russell substituted for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, but was denied victory due to a team error and a puncture after leading the majority of the race.

2020: Partnered with Nicholas Latifi

In 2020, George Russell was partnered with Nicholas Latifi at Williams for the Formula One season.

2020: Mercedes considers new team for Russell

In 2020, following George Russell's strong performances, Mercedes explored options for him to join a new team for the 2021 season. However, Williams declined to release him from his contract.

2021: Improved Performance with Williams

By 2021, George Russell's final year with the team, Williams produced a car that could reliably compete for points, marking a significant improvement.

2021: Return to Respectability for Williams

In 2021, George Russell led Williams back to respectability, scoring 16 points and achieving a rare podium finish for the team.

2021: Maiden Podium at the Belgian Grand Prix

In 2021, George Russell scored his maiden podium at the curtailed Belgian Grand Prix with Williams, marking a significant achievement.

2021: Partnered with Nicholas Latifi

In 2021, George Russell was partnered with Nicholas Latifi at Williams for the Formula One season.

2022: Checking on Zhou Guanyu after crash

At the 2022 British Grand Prix, George Russell checked on Zhou Guanyu following a major first-lap crash, even though it triggered his own retirement from the race.

2022: Mercedes promotes Russell to senior team

Following the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes agreed to promote George Russell to the senior team for the 2022 season.

2022: Russell joins Mercedes

George Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 and was paired with Lewis Hamilton from 2022 to 2024. The team placed third in the constructors championship in 2022.

2022: Testing experimental parts and career firsts

In 2022, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton spent the first nine races testing experimental parts for the Mercedes car. Russell achieved several career firsts, including his first podium in a full-length race at Melbourne, his first pole position at Hungary, and his first Grand Prix and sprint race victories at Interlagos. He finished fourth in the Drivers' Championship, outscoring teammate Hamilton by 35 points.

2022: Partnership with Hamilton at Mercedes

In 2022, George Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes to partner Lewis Hamilton; in his first season, Russell achieved his maiden pole position in Hungary and his maiden win in São Paulo, finishing fourth in the World Drivers' Championship.

2022: Media speculates Russell replacing Bottas at Mercedes

In 2022, the media speculated that George Russell would replace Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes once their respective contracts expired.

2023: Russell reaches parity with Hamilton in qualifying

In 2023, George Russell reached parity with Lewis Hamilton in qualifying head-to-head.

2023: Mercedes places second in championship

In 2023, the Mercedes team placed second in the Constructors' Championship.

2024: Renewed praise for tyre management

George Russell's tyre management received renewed praise during the 2024 season, following strong performances at Spa, Austin, and Monaco.

2024: Russell beats Hamilton in qualifying

In 2024, George Russell beat Lewis Hamilton 19-5 in qualifying.

2024: Wins at Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix

In 2024, George Russell won the Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix, marking significant achievements. However, he also became the first driver in 30 years to have been disqualified from a race win at the Belgian Grand Prix.

2024: Mercedes fourth in championship

In 2024, Mercedes placed fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari after the season.

2025: Contracted with Mercedes until end of 2025

As of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, George Russell has achieved three race wins, five pole positions, eight fastest laps, and 19 podiums in Formula One. Russell is contracted to remain at Mercedes until at least the end of the 2025 season.

2025: Mercedes extends Russell's contract

Despite a difficult season, Mercedes extended George Russell's contract until the end of 2025.

2025: Bahrain Grand Prix

Following George Russell's second-place finish at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, Peter Windsor praised his tyre management, on-the-fly adjustments to various mechanical issues, and defensive positioning against third-placed Lando Norris.