British driver George Russell joins the Mercedes young driver programme as well as he enters the GP3 Series championship with ART GP.
George Russell started his racing career in 2014 by winning the BRDC F4 championship and the McLaren Autosport BRDC award. He was also engaged in the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS championship and won a race in Eurocup as wild card.
In 2015, he joined the FIA F3 European championship with Carlin and finished 6th overall and 3rd best rookie behind Charles Leclerc and Lance Stroll. In 2016, he switched teams with Hitech GP and after two wins, finished 3rd overall. After promising post-season testing in Abu Dhabi with ART GP, it was natural for him to be officialised and aiming for the title as Ocon and Leclerc did before him. He comments:
“It is a huge honour to join ART Grand Prix. This is a team I have looked up to for a long time as somewhere I would love to race one day. After my 2 days of testing in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year, I really got to see and understand why these guy are so successful. There is a huge amount of experience and talent throughout the whole team, in which I’m sure will help me to develop as a driver. I am massively excited to be competing in the GP3 series this year. This will be a new challenge for me but I can’t wait for it. I have the right guys around me and I will give my all to help ART continue their long standing success in this championship.”
Sébastien Philippe, ART GP team manager, adds:
“ART Grand Prix has been following George’s career for a few years now because he seemed to be one of the hottest properties out there ever since he made his impressive debut in motorsport. George came to grips with the team and the GP3 car in the blink of an eye in Abu Dhabi last year and ART Grand Prix is confident that George should be able to fight for the title, as soon as his rookie season in the GP3 series.”
Moreover, George Russell has been officialised as new member of the Mercedes young driver programme as Esteban Ocon and Pascal Wehrlein were before him. He comments:
“It is an incredible opportunity to have the backing of the Formula One World Champions. I’m proud to have been given this kind of recognition for all the hard work that’s gone into my career over the years so far.”
