Drivers must motivate troubled Williams Formula 1 team - Russell

George Russell says the drivers must help to motivate Williams amid its difficult start to the 2019 Formula 1 campaign.

Williams began pre-season testing two and a half days late after delays to the build of its FW42.

Russell remained upbeat, pointing out that in 2015 Force India's new car did not run until day two of the final test "and they still finished fifth in the championship", and added that he now fully appreciates what F1 teams are up against pre-season.

"Until you're involved in an F1 team you don't understand how much work goes on just to get an F1 car on the track," said the Formula 2 champion.

"I went around the factory and saw everybody in January, and I was amazed.

"You don't get points for testing. Who knows what will happen?

"Our job right here and now is to try and motivate everybody.

"Obviously the whole team is a bit frustrated and disappointed with how things turned out.

"But we still need to stay positive, and we've seen it in previous years where teams haven't even arrived at the first test and gone on to have a great year.

"It's not the end of the world. We score the points in the racing not in the testing, so we have to keep our heads held high, and make the most of the situation."

Russell admitted spending the early days of testing watching other cars running while the Williams was yet to arrive was tough.

"It's been quite annoying watching everybody on track," he said.

"Obviously as a driver you just want to get out there.

"It passed quite quickly, and because I've understood how much work has gone on from all the people building this car it hasn't made me frustrated, because I understand that we haven't got in this situation on purpose.

"Everybody is upset about it, and they're working their socks off to make it right. That was refreshing for me, and made me quite proud of the guys, of how much they're working."

His team-mate Robert Kubica said the amount the drivers could do to help Williams in its plight was limited.

"You are expecting too much from a driver, I think," he said.

"I have to focus on my job and leave the people who are responsible and who are working for the team to do their job.

"We have to stick together, we have to work, and everybody has to put maximum effort to make things work properly."

Russell's early impressions of the FW42 in its initial specification from last week's limited mileage were positive.

"It felt quite nice to be honest, it felt stable, and I had a good feeling from it," he said.

"Until I fully wring everything out of it, it's going to be difficult to know where we're at and the full limitations or where we need to improve."