George Russell

George William Russell (February 15, 1998 - Present): A British racing driver from King's Lynn, Norfolk, Russell has established himself as one of Formula One's brightest talents and a future championship contender. He has competed in Formula One from 2019 to 2025, winning five Grands Prix across seven seasons with Williams and Mercedes. Beginning competitive karting at age seven, Russell won the 2017 GP3 Series and finished runner-up to Lando Norris in the 2018 FIA Formula 2 Championship. As a Mercedes Junior Team member since 2017, Russell joined Williams for 2019-2021, where he demonstrated exceptional qualifying pace despite driving uncompetitive machinery, earning his maiden podium at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix under unusual circumstances.

He joined Mercedes for 2022 alongside seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, quickly proving his worth with consistent performances. Russell's first Grand Prix victory came at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, followed by wins at the 2024 Austrian and Las Vegas Grands Prix. He finished sixth in the 2024 championship with 245 points. For 2025, Russell partnered with rookie Kimi Antonelli following Hamilton's departure to Ferrari, securing his fourth career victory in Canada and achieving podiums in Australia, China, Bahrain, Miami, and Hungary.

Mercedes retained Russell for 2026 with a significant salary increase to approximately £30 million per year, making him the third-highest-paid driver in Formula One. Known for his professionalism, political awareness within the sport, and role as director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, Russell represents the new generation of Formula One leadership.