Williams has confirmed the appointment of 2018 F2 champion elect George Russell as one of its drivers for 2019.

The 20-year-old Briton will make his F1 race debut at the Australian Grand Prix and joins Williams with an impressive racing résumé.

Following a successful start to his career in karting, Russell stepped in to single seater racing in 2014, winning the BRDC Formula 4 Championship at his first attempt as well as becoming the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner.

He progressed to the Formula 3 European Championship for two seasons, and then went onto win the GP3 championship in his rookie 2017 season with two races to spare.

He stepped up to the FIA Formula 2 Championship this year, which he is currently leading, whilst also fulfilling a test and reserve Driver role for Mercedes.

"It is a huge honour to join a team of Williams' prestige and heritage," said Russell. "Formula One has been a life-long dream. From watching the races when I was a child, it feels surreal that I will now be lining up on the grid, alongside drivers whom I have admired for years. I would like to thank Claire and everyone at Williams for their faith in making this decision, as well as Toto 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 One 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."

"I am delighted to announce that George Russell will be joining Williams from the 2019 season," added Claire Williams. "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."

Russell, who became part of Mercedes junior driver programme in January 2017, subsequently drove both days of the post-Hungary GP test for the German team, making his F1 GP weekend debut in Brazil with Force India and subsequently participating in FP1 in Abu Dhabi with the Silverstone-based outfit.

This year he has taken part in tests with both Mercedes and Force India, topping the timesheets in the post-Hungary test with the German team.

Williams has yet to reveal the identity of its second driver, with Sergey Sirotkin, Robert Kubica, Artem Markelov and Esteban Ocon all linked with the Grove outfit.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by FQITW, 14/10/2018 15:13

"@F1nerd

Yes I have been thinking the same, would be a nice little team.
I doubt the sums would add up for Williams though.
"

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2. Posted by FQITW, 14/10/2018 15:10

"@ Lapps

It might not just be about the money.
I think the difference to Williams would be that Ocon would be a strict one year deal as he would go back to Mercs to replace Bottas in 2020.
As there would still be no room for Russell at MB he could stay at Williams 2-3 years to learn the ropes assuming Williams gets their act together in the meantime.
Just a thought.
"

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3. Posted by Lapps, 13/10/2018 12:15

"We don’t know, but considering Williams current situation money may well have been the decider between Ocon and Russell.
I suspect Russell comes with at least a couple of free Mercedes Engines! Who knows how Mercedes themselves rate the two."

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4. Posted by F1nerd, 12/10/2018 20:34

"The best thing Williams can do now is to sign Ocon as he will be a good benchmark for the young rookie, the need experience as well as youth and Ocon is to good not to be in F1."

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5. Posted by F1 fan, 12/10/2018 15:54

"this is the saddest thing I've read all day. Williams should have signed Esteban Ocan over an unknown variable.
Ocon has the speed, skill and desire to win. So sad, so sad....."

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Williams confirms Russell for 2019

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