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Russell aiming to 'put pressure' on Mercedes to secure F1 seat

George Russell is the class of the F2 championship field so far this season, and the Mercedes junior vows to keep up his good form to pressure the German manufacturer into finding him an F1 seat for 2019.

With eight races remaining, Russell currently leads the F2 drivers' standings by 12 points from fellow Brit and McLaren junior Lando Norris, having collected four wins so far this year.

The 20-year-old, who tested with the Silver Arrows outfit in Budapest last week and achieved a new unofficial lap record of the Hungaroring, has been linked to Force India and Williams for next season.

Hypersoft tyres 'an incredible experience' for Russell

Russell believes that sustaining his momentum in F2 will hopefully encourage Mercedes to help him secure a spot on the F1 grid.

"I think it’s going well in the sense that what we are doing in F2, it can still be better there’s no doubt but we’re doing, as a team with ART we are doing a really good job," Russell told Motorsport.com.

"I think I am really being able to show everybody what I’m capable of and I think it’s definitely putting pressure on Toto [Wolff] and other teams on the grid to look at me, hopefully, and see they can have a good relationship with this drive.

"And from that side I’m pleased with how the season is going. All I can do is keep on putting pressure on these teams."

Many pundits believe that if Williams' Lance Stroll moves over to Force India for 2019, a more than likely scenario if the Canadian driver's father, billionaire Lawrence Stroll, ends up investing or acquiring in some form the Silverstone-based outfit, a spot at Williams could open up for Russell.

The Brit's odds of joining the Grove-based squad would be further boosted by the team extending its technical partnership with Mercedes, who would then have a say in who Williams includes in its driver line-up for 2019.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.