George Russell (racing driver)'s Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of George Russell (racing driver).

George Russell is a British Formula One racing driver currently competing for Mercedes. Known for his exceptional talent, Russell has secured four Grand Prix victories over seven seasons in Formula 1. He is considered one of the sport's rising stars.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2009: Cadet Class Champion

By 2009, George Russell had progressed to the cadet class, becoming the MSA British champion and British Open champion.

2010: Rotax Mini Max Champion

In 2010, George Russell moved to the Rotax Mini Max category, where he became Super One British champion, Formula Kart Stars British champion, and also won the Kartmasters British Grand Prix.

2011: Karting European Championship Victory

In 2011, George Russell secured a victory at the junior direct-drive Karting European Championship, marking a significant achievement in his early racing career.

2012: Second Karting European Championship Victory

In 2012, George Russell achieved back-to-back victories at the junior direct-drive Karting European Championship, further solidifying his reputation in kart racing.

2012: Defends European Title

In 2012, George Russell defended his European title in karting and nearly defended his SKUSA title.

2014: Single-Seater Debut and BRDC F4 Title

In 2014, George Russell made his single-seater debut, competing in BRDC Formula 4 and Formula Renault 2.0 Alps. He won the BRDC F4 title after winning the final race, earning him a GP3 test at Yas Marina.

2014: BRDC F4 Championship Win

In 2014, George Russell won his first title at the BRDC F4 Championship, marking a significant milestone in his transition to junior formulae.

2014: Wins the Autosport BRDC Award

In 2014, George Russell won the Autosport BRDC Award, earning him the opportunity to test a Formula One car.

2014: Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup

In 2014, George Russell won the Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup during his title-winning campaign in BRDC Formula 4.

2016: One of only two teammates to outqualify

At Mercedes, Russell became one of only two teammates (the other being 2016 champion Nico Rosberg) to outqualify Hamilton in a single season.

2017: First front-row start for Williams since the 2017 Italian Grand Prix

George Russell collected his maiden podium at the Belgian Grand Prix under unusual circumstances. He qualified in second after a rain-affected Saturday, the first front-row start for Williams since the 2017 Italian Grand Prix.

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 and the second driver to win both titles in their respective rookie seasons.

2020: Team Principals Rank Russell Highly

In 2020, despite scoring only three points and finishing 18th in the standings, Formula One team principals ranked George Russell as the sixth-best driver of the year.

2021: Maiden Podium at Belgian Grand Prix

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

2021: Leads Williams Back to Respectability

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

2021: High grid placements at Williams

Throughout his career, George Russell has consistently been praised for his qualifying pace. At Williams, the Briton drove an unimpressive car to unexpectedly high grid placements on several occasions, most notably Spa 2021 (second) and Sochi 2021 (third).

March 2022: GB4 Championship Pole Position Trophy

In March 2022, George Russell lent his name to the GB4 Championship's pole position trophy, named The George Russell Pole Position Cup, awarded to the driver with the most pole positions in the season.

2022: Promotion to Mercedes

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

2022: Joins Mercedes and Achieves Maiden Win

In 2022, George Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes, partnering with Hamilton. He secured his maiden pole position in Hungary and his first win in São Paulo, finishing fourth in the World Drivers' Championship.

2022: Testing experimental parts and career firsts

In 2022, Russell and Hamilton spent the first nine races testing experimental parts for the Mercedes car. Russell checked off several career firsts in 2022, 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.

2023: Reaching parity in 2023

At Mercedes, Russell became the only teammate in Lewis Hamilton's career (Hamilton being Formula One's all-time leader in pole positions) to outqualify him head-to-head during their time as teammates (39–29). Although Hamilton outqualified Russell 13–9 in their first season together, Russell reached parity in 2023.

2024: Beating Hamilton 19-5 in 2024

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: Wins Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix

In 2024, George Russell won the Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix. He also became the first driver in 30 years to be disqualified from a race win at the Belgian Grand Prix.

2025: Russell's performance at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix

Following Russell's second-place finish at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix, Peter Windsor called Russell's drive "one of the best I've seen in a long, long time", praising his tyre management, adjustments to mechanical issues, and defensive positioning against third-placed Lando Norris.