At the end of last season, George Russell received a chance to truly show himself when he was asked to replace the Hamilton's sick Lewis behind the wheel of Mercedes cars - and the 22-year-old Racer fully took advantage of this opportunity.
He was on the way to the victory in Grand Prix, but, unfortunately, circumstances were against him, as the champion team made an uncharacteristic error for her. As a result, Russell finished only the 9th, but the way he worked in that weekend, they saw everything. First of all, Mercedes executives were once again convinced that it was not for nothing that they did a bid.
"You can watch this story in different ways," Russell said in an interview with the British publication AutoCar. - During the time I spent with Mercedes as a backup rider, I learned a lot, and not just ready to sit behind the wheel of their car and go so quickly as possible.
Working with this team helped to understand what I should add in terms of technical training how to increase my market value - I just tried to become a more mature person and a professional. Formula 1 differs from all other sports, here it is necessary to achieve the maximum level in all areas, or you will simply get into these millstones, and nothing will remain from you. I have long understood this and since then I have been working on myself to get better and better.
If you allow you to make a mistake, it is always important to admit it, because then others will understand that if they are mistaken, they can also do the same and learn from their missions. If you say: "I did everything wrong, I apologize and I will do everything to repeat it," this is important not only for you yourself, but also for the team.
Probably, my psychological attitude has changed back in 2017, it was then that I said to myself: "I am not accidental here, in Mercedes chose me for a certain reason." They do not sign contracts with twenty young riders every year, I was one of the three and understood that my task was to laid out as much as possible.
I always demand a lot from myself very much, I know what I want to achieve, and cooperation with Mercedes helps me a lot. Perhaps I even liked that the level of pressure has increased, because then it was clear that much attention was riveted to me.
With any opportunity to distinguish you need to fully, as if this is your last chance, because you do not know what is waiting for you by turning. And I do not think that anyone could foresee how events will develop in Sakhir ...
I always try to be honest with myself, I know where and what can be added. When I look, how is the circle of Lewis Hamilton or Max Ferstappen, I see how they work and understand, I can drive the same or a little behind. My most important critic is me I myself. "
Source: Formula 1 on F1news.ru