George Russell will replace Valtteri Bottas and race for Mercedes next season in an all-British line-up with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the F1 team said on Tuesday.
The news was expected and effectively confirmed when Bottas, 32, announced on Monday his switch to the Alfa Romeo team.
Russell, who is in his third season at Williams, will be Hamilton’s first new team-mate since Bottas also joined from Williams in 2017 to take the place of retired 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg.
Mercedes have won the last seven drivers’ and constructors’ championships and are leading the current team standings after 13 races, although Hamilton is three points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Hamilton, 36, has a contract for 2022 and 2023.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely buzzing. It’s a huge opportunity and one I want to grab with both hands,” said Russell, 23. “But I’m under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge; it’s going to be a steep learning curve.
“I’ve looked up to Lewis since I was in go-karts and the opportunity to learn from someone who has become a role model both on and off track can only benefit me as a driver, a professional.”