F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Russell to split testing duties between Williams and Mercedes

Mercedes will use George Russell in next week's post-season two-day test at Yas Marina, but the Briton will also take part in Pirelli's 2021 18-inch wheels test scheduled a week later in Abu Dhabi.

Russell will drive for Williams on Tuesday morning before handing over his car to Roy Nissany for the afternoon session.

On Wednesday, the Briton will take over from Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes and spend the entire day with the Silver Arrows squad, replacing Lewis Hamilton who is committed to a sponsor event next week.

Russell's busy after-season will extend into the following week when he drives Mercedes' mule car at Yas Marina during Pirelli's two-day test devoted to the manufacturer's 18-inch wheels development programme.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made clear that Russell wouldn't be under any particular scrutiny during his end-of-season sessions with Mercedes.

"I've said to George, who was not 100 percent these last days, this test is not benchmarking him because we are absolutely certain that he has the qualities of a potential future Mercedes driver," Wolff said, quoted by Autosport.

"He has the raw speed, he has the talent, he has the intelligence. It is more about the experience. So there's nothing to prove during these upcoming tests."

Russell's health was a cause for concern earlier this week, but the 21-year-old is fit and well to drive although he wouldn't elaborate on what had caused his bout of illness.

"My health concerns were in my mind not only for this weekend but for next week, when I will be driving their car," said Russelln who last tested for Mercedes at Bahrain earlier this year.

"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."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Monaco GP: Friday's action in pictures

It was an eventful Friday in the Principality, with several session disruptions but at the…

3 hours ago

McLaren facing pace and reliability woes after difficult Monaco start

McLaren arrived in Monaco expecting to be firmly in the mix. Instead, the opening day…

4 hours ago

Russell: Ferrari hype justified – ‘clearly the team to beat’

George Russell says that Ferrari’s strong pace on Friday’s opening day of running at the…

4 hours ago

Briatore lifts lid on failed Mercedes talks over Alpine F1 stake

Alpine F1 boss Flavio Briatore has delivered a blunt assessment of why Mercedes boss Toto…

5 hours ago

Monaco GP: Hamilton and Leclerc keep Ferrari on top in FP2

Ferrari further tightened its hold on the Monaco Grand Prix weekend by locking out the…

6 hours ago

Monaco Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo, round…

6 hours ago