History of George Russell (racing driver) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 24, 2026

George Russell is a highly acclaimed British Formula One racing driver currently competing for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. After an illustrious junior career that included back-to-back championship titles in GP3 and Formula 2, he made his F1 debut with Williams Racing in 2019. Known for his exceptional qualifying pace, he earned the nickname 'Mr. Saturday' during his tenure at Williams. In 2022, Russell moved to Mercedes, where he quickly demonstrated his elite talent, securing his first career Grand Prix victory at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix. A key member of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, Russell is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents of his generation, consistently competing at the front of the grid and playing a central role in Mercedes' ongoing efforts to return to championship-contending form.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

February 1998: Birth of George Russell

On 15 February 1998, British racing driver George William Russell was born, who would later go on to compete in Formula One.

2006: Beginning of Karting Career

In 2006, George Russell officially began his competitive racing journey by starting his career in karting.

2007: Benjy Russell's Karting Championship Win

In 2007, Benjy Russell achieved success by winning the Super 1 National Kart Championship in the Rotax Max category, an accomplishment that influenced his brother George Russell.

2009: MSA British and British Open Championship Wins

By 2009, Russell had progressed to the cadet class of karting, where he successfully secured the titles of MSA British champion and British Open champion.

2010: Rotax Mini Max Successes

During 2010, Russell moved into the Rotax Mini Max category, resulting in victories as the Super One British champion, Formula Kart Stars British champion, and the winner of the Kartmasters British Grand Prix.

2011: Junior European Karting Championship Victory

In 2011, George Russell achieved a significant career milestone by winning the junior European Championship in karting.

2011: KF3 Class Success and Karting Championship Wins

In 2011, George Russell transitioned to the KF3 karting class as part of the Intrepid team alongside teammates Alex Albon and Charles Leclerc. During this year, Russell achieved significant success by becoming the CIK-FIA European Champion and securing the SKUSA SuperNationals title.

2012: Back-to-Back Junior European Karting Championship Victory

George Russell successfully defended his title by securing a second consecutive junior European Championship victory in 2012.

2012: Sale of Family Business to Fund Racing Career

In 2012, George Russell's father, Steve, sold his seed and pulse business to provide the necessary financial backing for his son's progression in junior racing.

2012: Junior European Championship Defense

In 2012, Russell made history by becoming the first driver to successfully defend the Junior European Championship title. He also competed for the SKUSA title, which saw controversy following Lance Stroll's temporary disqualification and subsequent reinstatement.

2013: Final Karting Season and KF1 Transition

In 2013, which marked his final year of competitive karting, Russell moved up to the KF1 category and finished in 19th place at the CIK-FIA World Championship.

2014: Single-seater Debut and BRDC Formula 4 Championship Title

In 2014, George Russell made his professional single-seater racing debut, participating in both BRDC Formula 4 and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps. Despite contracting chickenpox mid-season, which caused him to lose the championship lead, he ultimately secured the BRDC Formula 4 title after winning the final race at Snetterton, earning him a GP3 test session at the Yas Marina Circuit.

2014: BRDC F4 Championship Title

In 2014, George Russell transitioned to junior formulae and won his first championship title at the BRDC F4 Championship.

2014: Winning the Autosport BRDC Award

In 2014, George Russell won the Autosport BRDC Award, which earned him a test drive in a Formula One car as a prize.

October 2015: First Formula One Test Drive

In October 2015, George Russell experienced his first Formula One test drive, operating the McLaren MP4-26 at the Silverstone circuit as a reward for his 2014 award win.

2015: George Russell's 2015 Racing Season with Carlin

During the 2015 season, George Russell competed for the Carlin team, finishing sixth overall in the championship. Throughout the year, he secured one race victory and three podium finishes, while also placing second in the Rookies' Championship and the Masters of Formula 3 exhibition race. Analysts noted his strong race pace and overtaking abilities, despite identifying qualifying speed as an area for improvement during this 2015 campaign.

2015: Entry into European Formula Three

In 2015, George Russell competed in the European Formula Three season with funding supported by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, ultimately choosing to race with a Volkswagen-powered team after being vetoed from the Prema affiliate.

2015: Williams Constructors' Standing Baseline

In 2015, the Williams racing team established a period of relative success, maintaining a position no worse than fifth in the constructors' standings.

2016: Transition to Mercedes-powered F3 and Simulator Role

During the 2016 season, Russell transitioned to a Mercedes-powered Formula Three team and began his tenure as a simulator driver for the Mercedes Formula One team, following advice from the manufacturer to bet on his own potential.

2016: George Russell joins Hitech GP and the Mercedes Driver Academy

In 2016, George Russell competed in the European Formula Three season for Hitech GP, finishing third overall. Following his performance, he was signed to the Mercedes driver academy at the end of the year, though he later expressed concerns regarding the fairness of the competition during that 2016 season.

April 2017: First Mercedes Formula One Test

In April 2017, George Russell tested a Formula One car for Mercedes for the first time, driving the 2015 Mercedes W06 at the Portimão circuit.

2017: GP3 Series Championship

George Russell claimed the 2017 GP3 Series championship title while driving for the ART racing team.

2017: GP3 Title Victory

George Russell secured the 2017 GP3 title, which led him to apply for a driving position with Williams, although he subsequently moved to Formula 2 instead.

2017: Joined Mercedes Junior Team

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

2017: Grand Prix Weekend Debut

In 2017, George Russell made his Grand Prix weekend debut by participating in free practice sessions for Force India at the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.

2017: George Russell joins ART Grand Prix for 2017 GP3 season

In 2017, George Russell secured a driving seat with the dominant GP3 team ART Grand Prix with financial backing from Mercedes, contributing to the team's successful sweep of the top four positions in the 2017 standings.

2017: End of Williams Strong Performance Streak

The year 2017 marked the conclusion of a multi-year period where Williams successfully finished in the top five of the constructors' standings.

October 2018: Formula One Debut Arrangement

In October 2018, Mercedes arranged for George Russell to make his debut in Formula One racing for the team Williams-Mercedes.

2018: Mercedes Reserve Driver Promotion

During the 2018 season, George Russell was promoted by Mercedes to serve as their official first-team reserve driver.

2018: FIA Formula 2 Championship Win

During the 2018 season, George Russell won the FIA Formula 2 Championship in his rookie year, becoming the second driver to achieve back-to-back GP3 and F2 rookie season titles.

2018: George Russell Promoted to Formula Two and Mercedes Reserve Role

In 2018, George Russell was promoted by ART to their Formula Two team and also ascended to the position of first-team reserve driver for Mercedes, where he shared responsibilities with Pascal Wehrlein.

2018: Extended Testing Duties

Throughout 2018, George Russell continued his development by performing formal test drives for the Mercedes and Force India-Mercedes Formula One teams.

2019: Formula One Partnership with Robert Kubica

During the 2019 Formula One season, George Russell began his partnership with teammate Robert Kubica while driving for the Williams team.

2019: George Russell's Formula One Debut and 2019 Season Challenges

During the 2019 Formula One season, George Russell made his debut with Williams, struggling with a car that was significantly off the pace. Throughout the year, he consistently outperformed his teammate Robert Kubica in qualifying, though he faced immense competitive difficulties, not finishing ahead of any other team's car until the Monaco Grand Prix.

2019: Formula One Debut with Williams

In 2019, Russell signed to race for Williams alongside Robert Kubica, marking his official Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix.

2020: Mercedes Substitute Appearance

During the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, Russell substituted for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes; despite leading the race, he was denied victory due to a team error and a tire puncture.

2020: Williams Financial Struggles and Potential Driver Swap

During the 2020 season, Williams faced significant financial instability, leading to considerations of replacing George Russell with Kevin Magnussen to secure necessary sponsor funding.

2020: Formula One Partnership with Nicholas Latifi

George Russell continued his racing career in 2020, teaming up with Nicholas Latifi as his partner at Williams.

2020: Ranking as Sixth-Best Driver

In 2020, despite finishing 18th in the standings with only three points, George Russell was recognized by Formula One team principals as the sixth-best driver of the year due to his performance level.

2021: Return to Respectability with Williams

During the 2021 season, George Russell successfully led the Williams team back to a more competitive status, accumulating 16 points and achieving a rare podium finish for the team.

2021: Final Season with Nicholas Latifi

In 2021, George Russell concluded his stint with Williams, having shared the team with Nicholas Latifi since the previous year.

2021: Improved Competitiveness for Russell's Final Year

In 2021, marking George Russell's final year with the team, Williams finally produced a vehicle capable of reliably competing for points.

2021: Maiden Formula One Podium

Russell secured his first-ever Formula One podium finish while driving for Williams at the curtailed 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.

2022: Promoted to Mercedes Seat

In 2022, Russell transitioned to a full-time seat at Mercedes, partnering Lewis Hamilton; he achieved his first pole position in Hungary and his first race win in São Paulo, finishing fourth in the championship.

2023: Winless Season for Mercedes

During the 2023 season, Russell and his team faced a difficult year, resulting in a winless campaign for Mercedes.

2023: George Russell Reflects on 2019 German Grand Prix

In 2023, George Russell identified his performance at the 2019 German Grand Prix as the most disappointing moment of his career, citing the missed opportunity to score points for the Williams team.

2024: 2024 Season Victories and Disqualification

In 2024, Russell won the Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix, but also made history by becoming the first driver in 30 years to be disqualified from a race win.

2025: Success in Canadian and Singapore Grands Prix

Continuing his competitive form, Russell secured victories at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix and the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix.

2026: George Russell 2026 Season Status

As of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, George Russell has accumulated a career total of 7 race wins, 11 pole positions, 11 fastest laps, and 29 podiums in Formula One, while maintaining his contract with Mercedes through at least the conclusion of the 2026 season.

2026: Dominance in New Regulation Cycle

Following the introduction of new technical regulations in 2026, Mercedes emerged as the fastest team, with Russell securing wins at the Australian and Austrian Grands Prix.