Russell answers your questions on Kubica and life at the back of F1

With Williams being a shadow of its once glorious self in Formula 1 right now, it would be easy to overlook the quietly superb performances of George Russell, who has adapted quite brilliantly to the unique demands of grand prix racing during his rookie season at motorsport's highest level.

Racing at the back of the grid means Russell avoids the glare of the spotlight that shines so intently on his 2018 Formula 2 rivals Lando Norris and Alex Albon (who he beat last year, by the way).


But spend time in George's company and it quickly becomes apparent that he's possessed of a proper champion's focus, intent and self-belief.

Williams is going through probably the toughest period in the team's history, which doesn't appear naturally the best environment for a young driver to hone their craft correctly.

But spending time stuck at the back of the grid driving a difficult car and not scoring points needn't be the waste of time it might seem.

It did Fernando Alonso no harm at all, and it becomes clear as George spends time carefully and thoughtfully answering your questions that there's more to being at the back in Formula 1 than meets the eye...

What were your expectations for this season, and have they been met?

Stuart Wallace, UK

From a personal level, I think my expectations have been met. I've had good times and tough times.

The tough moments and the times I haven't performed to what I believe I can, I've learnt so much to help me in the latter events. Other than being higher up the grid, from my side I wouldn't change anything at all.

How do you prepare for a grand prix knowing you don't have a competitive car? How different is it to last year [when you were winning F2]?

Sergio Flores, Mexico

I prepare as if I'm going out to win the race, to be honest.

I don't prepare any differently. I'm mega-passionate about it, and my goal every week is to absolutely maximise what I've got. It is very different to last year. It doesn't matter what category you're racing, if you're fighting for a win there's always a buzz, and additional pressure when leading a race, but at the moment I'm just driving flat out and that's something I'm enjoying.

In our situation we have to drive flat out, because we don't have as much downforce as the other teams. To keep the tyres in the window we've got to do quali laps every lap. That's very intense, whereas if you've got a faster car you're just driving within the limits to not overdo the tyres.

What was your first driving experience?

Chris Gaiter, USA

Well, I'll class this as a driving experience: I have an older brother who used to race karts, and when I was a young kid I had a pedal tractor, which I used to drive around the paddocks of the kart tracks.

It had a water tanker on the back, and I used to collect litres of water for the teams to fill up their radiators with. It was my job every morning to pedal my tractor to the nearest tap. I must have been only three or four years old. I was the water boy!

How much of an inspiration was Lewis Hamilton to you, and did your mother approve
 of your career choice?

Angie Brabyn, UK

Two very different questions in one. Growing up, Lewis Hamilton wasn't a huge inspiration to
 me, if I'm being honest. He's a guy I looked up to, but I didn't aspire to be like Lewis...

F1R: Was there someone you did aspire to be like?

GR: No, there's never been a standout person. I've understood since I've been a young kid that I need to excel in many areas to become an F1 driver or world champion. I've wanted to take a bit from everyone: probably Lewis's speed, Jenson's character - how he was with the media, how everyone liked him and [considered him] a team player. Fernando's skill, Montoya's overtaking skills or racecraft. Bits and pieces from everyone.

And yes, my mother did approve of my career choice. When I first started karting my brother was still racing, and there were a number of times when my dad would be off with my brother and my mum would take me to the track, so she would be my mechanic, push my kart down to the grid. Even when I won the British championships in 2009 and 2010, my mum, after
 every session, would be writing all the set-ups down in her little notebook. She kept track of everything. She's properly into it.

What's the biggest thing you took out of your year at Mercedes?

Owen Hope, UK

Probably the biggest thing is seeing how much hard work Lewis puts into it. He's sort of perceived to be this guy who just rocks up to the track, gets in the car and goes fastest. But he puts so much effort in - one of the most hardworking drivers I've ever come across.

F1R: There's a misconception of it purely being natural talent isn't there...

GR: Absolutely, and I've noticed there are so many small details he does on-track that all add up to why he's so quick, and how he goes about really trying to get the most from the car, the tyres and everything. That really struck me - he doesn't just rely on his talent.

What is your favourite corner?

Michael Madden, USA

Probably an unexpected one, but a corner I really love is Turn 1 and 2 at Paul Ricard. Both corners are cambered, so you go through the left and there's a dip and then you go over the crest and into the right and when you compress on the exit you get more grip. That's a really great corner.

Is Robert Kubica a funny guy?

Pawel Rozwadowsk, Poland

[Laughs]. Robert actually is a very funny guy. I don't know if unexpectedly or not! I've had a lot of fun with Robert this year. He cracks me up on a daily basis when we're together.

F1R: Is he a practical joker?

GR: Not a practical joker, no. Just some of his stories and expressions. We have a good time together - especially recently, our relationship has really grown. We've done things on a personal level together. We went to the zoo in Singapore. And we went to an ice hockey match in Russia, just me, him, his trainer, my trainer..

F1R: Any examples of his weird expressions you can share?

GR: No. Yes, but... no.

How does it feel to be outdoing Robert Kubica this year?

Matthew Mills, Australia

[Long pause] Regardless of who your team-mate is, that is the number one comparison for any driver. That is not necessarily my goal - my goal is to help improve the team and be further up the grid. I'd prefer to be fighting in the points and having a tough time internally than being at the back.

People think it's easy, [but] whenever there's a delta between team-mates they [the team] always look at the one who is performing worse, but they don't necessarily talk about the guy who's doing a good job.

For example, with Max [Verstappen] and [Pierre] Gasly more people spoke about Gasly doing bad than they did about Max doing good, and it's probably a bit of both.

What's the worst piece of advice you've ever received, who was it from and why was 
it so bad?

Victoria Palmer, UK

Maybe it's not advice but there's a saying 'if in doubt go flat out' - I think that's just... impractical and unrealistic.

F1R: Anything you were advised to do that you later thought 'I shouldn't have done that...'?

GR: Yeah, definitely. Back in my first year of F3 [in 2015], I used to do so much preparation - I used to go through all the data of the previous years, write comments corner by corner on what the guy who was quick did: his braking style, his throttle trace - anything I could pick up. I'd go through all the videos.

And I thought that was great. But when I got to the race track, when I was driving, I used to be thinking [about] how to drive rather than just driving quick.

For the following year, I went in with the philosophy of just going to a track and driving as quick as possible - keep it simple. I know what I need to do: brake late, carry speed, throttle as early as possible, if I've got understeer do this, if I've got oversteer do that, and let it flow.

That's really worked for me since. I put a lot of work and effort in with the engineers, with the set-up, with the electronic tools - the differential, all the brake migration, the engine braking - I put so much work in trying to maximise that, but from a driving perspective I just let it flow.

How much interaction with Frank Williams do you have during the year? He's a wonderful personality and we are curious to know how he interacts with his drivers.

Lou Caspary, USA

A lot, actually. I see Frank every day I go into the factory. I often go for a chat in his office. Quite often we just talk on a personal level, less so about racing, actually.

He's such an amazing personality and an incredibly funny guy, which I never knew. Again, talking about things I can't repeat on tape...

Accept that you and Lando Norris will one day drive for the same team, who will be better and why?

Marcel Nicke, Germany

I never like to be cocky or arrogant, but I absolutely believe in myself. So, there's your answer. I'd like to know what he says. He probably won't be as confident.

Who is your biggest F1 hero?

Jonathan Price, UK

I don't necessarily have one, but if I had to say a name it would be Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher was a guy I watched growing up, and I used to have a Schumacher suit that I wore when I was quad biking.

Which supercar would you own in an ideal world?

Simon Baker, UK

I'm actually a bit of a McLaren fan.

F1R: The Senna?

GR: No, definitely not the Senna - that's too in-your-face for me.

F1R: You're a more subtle kind of guy?

GR: I don't think owning a McLaren would be subtle...

If you could drive any F1 car, either historic or up-to-date, which would it be and why?

Alison Jones, UK

I'd like to drive a 1992 Mansell car, that would be really cool.
 And also maybe a 2004 car - probably a Schumacher car.

F1R: Well, the Williams surely can be taken care of, just ask the Heritage team to let you out. Instead of Karun Chandhok doing it all the time - muscle in!

GR: I looked on my Twitter one day and found out they were in bloody Jerez - with that car! I was ready to fly out that day, but it didn't happen. I was not happy at all...

Which superpower would you like to have?

Stevo Eisele, Slovakia

Probably just being able to get to places at the click of my fingers. Teleportation, yes. With the amount we travel, it would probably be very handy...