Photo: Zak Mauger / FIA Formula 2
Formula 2 champion-elect George Russell will race in Formula 1 next year for Williams.
The 20-year-old Briton, a Mercedes junior driver, won last year’s GP3 title and leads the F2 standings by 37 points with just the final round in Abu Dhabi remaining.
?It is a huge honour to join a team of Williams? prestige and heritage,” he said.
“I would like to thank Claire [Williams] and everyone at Williams for their faith in making this decision, as well as Toto [Wolff] and the team at Mercedes for their fantastic support throughout GP3 and Formula 2.
“I am incredibly excited to start working with everyone at Grove and to take my first steps as a Formula 1 race driver. I cannot wait for Melbourne next year and to join Williams at the start of what we all believe will be the start of an exciting new journey.”
Deputy team principal Claire Williams added: “We have always tried to promote and develop young talent at Williams, and George fits that ethos perfectly.
“He is already highly regarded in the paddock and a driver whose career we have been watching for a while.
“In the time we have spent with him so far, we believe that he will be a great fit for our team; his commitment, passion and dedication is exactly what we need to drive the positive momentum building at Grove as we focus on the future.
“We are extremely excited to welcome George and work with him moving forward.”