George Russell praises Ferrari’s “big shake” and looks forward to his chance

Russell talks to Rachel Brookes of Sky F1 about big F1 transfers

4:14

On a live Instagram featuring Rachel Brookes of Sky F1, Williams driver George Russell says Ferrari’s “big shake” of signing Carlos Sainz is great for Formula 1.

George Russell has admitted to Sky F1 that he is “a little jealous” of the young drivers who win moves to lead teams, but has backed Ferrari’s decision to look to the future by uniting Carlos Sainz with Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari confirmed the signing of Sainz in 2021 on Thursday after a dizzying week in F1, started by the news that Sebastian Vettel would be leaving.

Daniel Ricciardo, currently at Renault, will replace Sainz at McLaren.

Bringing Sainz, 25, along with Leclerc, 22, starting next season, gives Ferrari the pairing of its youngest driver in over 50 years, while also providing another shot of youth to the top of the grill.

“I think it’s great to be honest, to mix things up,” Russell, the young Williams man, told Rachel Brookes of Sky F1.

“It’s great for the fans, great for the media, great for the young F1 guns, to see Carlos join Ferrari. Now you have Ferrari with two young men, Red Bull with two young men, and you have Lando there at McLaren.

9:18

Why did Ferrari go for Carlos Sainz over Lewis Hamilton? Sky F1’s Martin Brundle has his say on Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo’s moves as the 2021 transfer market kicks into gear.

“The likes of Ferrari have to start looking to the future and with Charles and Carlos, that could be their lineup in the next five, six, seven years.

“I think any organization that has that stability is what people need, to have two mega drivers side by side.”

Russell also believes that Norris, 20, will have a “win-win” at McLaren against Ricciardo, the former Red Bull driver with seven career wins.

“Daniel going to McLaren is going to be great for Lando and he will savor that challenge,” said Russell. “Having a very strong teammate by your side, I think Lando is in a win-win situation there, so that’s great for him. It’s exciting for the future of the sport.”

“And in the same way, Danny still has several years on him and both he and Lando could be at McLaren again for four, five, six years. I think it all makes sense.”

What does ‘big shake’ mean to Russell?

Russell, 22, has been linked to a step forward toward Mercedes in the past, and Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have no contracts next year.

“Obviously the big jolts at the front of the grid change the dynamic a little bit and it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks and months to see who takes the rest of the places on the grid,” Russell admitted during the questions and Instagram responses.

But he also said that he was hired at the end of 2021 with Williams, adding: “The fact is that I am hired by Williams, but it is no secret that I am also hired by Mercedes. Indeed they own me and are my managers.” There is a lot of speculation, but time will tell. “

Russell also paid tribute to Sainz, who has had to wait a moment for a big move after stints with Toro Rosso, Renault and most recently McLaren, and says his route should inspire other drivers.

“We are all young, we all want to have that successful career and victories right away, but if you are doing the job and you are doing it, we will all have our chance,” said the Englishman. “That’s all I can do right now.

“Obviously seeing my teammates up there in potential championship-winning cars is something I’m a little jealous about because I also want to be challenging.”

“But I know that as long as I keep acting and keep driving as best I can, that opportunity will come either next year, two years, five years, 10 years. It should come.”