Russell: 'Underrated Latifi will keep me on my toes'

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George Russell expects his "underrated" Williams teammate Nicholas Latifi will be a hard driver to beat despite the Canadian's rookie status.

Williams promoted Latifi to a race seat for 2020 after assessing the 24-year-old in seven FP1 outings last year and a campaign in the FIA Formula 2 Championship that delivered a runner-up spot behind title winner Nyck De Vries.

Last year, during his maiden season in the sport, Russell comfortably outpaced teammate Robert Kubica, but the Briton is expecting a bigger challenge from the man that will be sitting on the other side of the Williams garage this season.

Russell and Williams buoyed by 'much better handling' FW43

"You're only as good as your last race so it's a fresh start," said Russell.

"I think Nicholas is definitely very underrated, you know. He's incredibly prepared. And he's going to be a tough driver to beat, so he is going to keep me on my toes. I'll be pushing."

Russell underscored Latifi's level of preparation as represented by the Canadian's testing experience with Williams which was preceded by F1 mileage he enjoyed in the past with Force india and Renault.

"He's driven a Force India, he's driven a Williams, he's driven a Mercedes, he's driven a Renault. He's been testing for three or four years now in F1," added Russell.

"On paper he's a rookie, but the reality is he's not, and he's definitely going to be tough to beat. I'm ready for the challenge and looking forward to that battle."

Notwithstanding his expected rivalry with his new teammate's, Russell knows that with a sophomore year in F1 comes higher expectations, from his team as well as from himself.

"I've got some specific goals I want to improve with my driving with what I think will make me go faster," he said. "I think it's work in progress.

"I was a better driver in Abu Dhabi then I was in Melbourne. I'm sure I'll be a better driver in Melbourne than I was in Abu Dhabi, and it's constant evolution.

"But I need to reach the levels I think I can, and I think I am on the way."

One only hopes that Williams' new FW43 will do justice to both its young drivers' burgeoning talent.

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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.