Russell to conduct three F1 test days for Mercedes before end of 2019
Williams's George Russell will complete three days of testing for Mercedes before the end of 2019, starting with an outing in next week's post-season Abu Dhabi Formula 1 tyre test
Russell will drive for his regular team on Tuesday morning at the start of the two-day 2020 tyre test before handing the FW42 over to ex-F2 driver Roy Nissany for the afternoon.
He will then drive the Mercedes W10 on Wednesday, after Valtteri Bottas runs it on Tuesday.
World champion Lewis Hamilton is not available as he has team sponsor commitments. Russell will return to Abu Dhabi next week for two further days of 2021 18-inch running in Mercedes' mule car.
It will be Pirelli's final test of the season with the new size tyres.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insisted Russell, who did not feel well at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, does not have to worry about impressing the works team amid talk about Lewis Hamilton's long-term future.
"I've said to George, who was not 100% these last days, this test is not benchmarking him," said Wolff, "because we are absolutely certain that he has the qualities of a potential future Mercedes driver.
"He has the raw speed, he has the talent, he has the intelligence.
"There is a reason why he's won F3 and F2 as a rookie. That hasn't been done many times before. And he has a flawless record in F1.
"It is more about the experience. So there's nothing to prove during the during these upcoming tests.
"George is under contract with Williams and we will always honour all contracts because they have given him the chance to step into F1.
"Probably if he does the test it will just confirm what we anyway know."
Russell's most recent running for Mercedes was in the post-race Bahrain test earlier this year.
"My health concerns were in my mind not only for this weekend but for next week, when I will be driving their car," said Russell.
"But they're not going to judge me based off one test.
"I'm there to do a job, I'm there to give them data, I'm there to learn as much as I can and bring back the experience I have in that car for the guys back here, and when I did it in Bahrain it was hugely beneficial and hopefully it will be the same again."
Share Or Save This Story
Krack: Aston Martin F1 team no longer in “no-man’s land”
Gasly rues costly floor damage from Ocon contact in F1 Japanese GP
How an F1 underachiever became a Japanese political player
Why Wolff must apply a different lesson from 2016 with Antonelli and Russell
Gloves off at Mercedes? Russell-Antonelli duel shows glimpse of F1 2026 battle
Mercedes boss defends Antonelli's fury following clash with Russell
Antonelli wants Mercedes "clarity" over Russell defence in Canada F1 sprint
The details in Mercedes' Montreal F1 updates
Red Bull F1 team boss: "No intention behind" public meeting between Verstappen and Wolff
Red Bull went against Verstappen's set-up feedback: “Sometimes they have to feel it”
What we learned from the 2026 F1 Canadian GP sprint race and qualifying
Verstappen reignites quit threats amid doubts over 2027 F1 rule changes
Hamilton risks Canadian GP grid penalty for impeding Gasly
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments