Russell "a little jealous" as "mates" land top F1 seats
Williams Formula 1 driver George Russell says he can't help but be "a little bit jealous" that several of his close friends are now in competitive seats – but he's adamant that his own chance will come.
Russell says that today's dramatic driver market moves make sense as teams position themselves for the future by hiring young talent, and he believes that Daniel Ricciardo's arrival at McLaren will be a "win-win" for Lando Norris.
Russell, who is committed to Williams for the immediate future and in effect is on standby for a Mercedes drive longer term, has not been part of this week's merry-go-round.
"We're all youngsters, we all want to have that successful career, and races and victories, right here in the moment," he said in a Sky F1 Instagram chat.
"Even Nico Rosberg, I don't know how old he was when he won his first race, how many years he had in F1, but if you're doing the job and performing, we'll all get our chance.
"That's all I can do at the moment. Seeing my mates up there in potential championship-winning cars – it's something I'm a little bit jealous of obviously, because I want to be up there trying to fight as well.
"Nevertheless I know as long as I keep on performing and I keep doing my job to the best of my ability that opportunity will come whether it's next year, two years, five years, 10 years. It should come."
The Englishman, who is friendly with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz as well as Norris, admitted that was more aware than most outsiders about what was happening behind the scenes in recent days.
"I may have known a little bit about it in advance!," he said. "It took me by surprise a little bit to start with, but it all makes sense.
"The likes of Ferrari, you've got to start looking to the future, with Charles and Carlos, that could potentially be their line-up for five, six, seven years to come.
"I think in any organisation that stability is what people need. Two mega good drivers side-by-side, and likewise with Lando and Danny.
"I think it's great to be honest. I think mixing things up is great for the fans, it's great for the media, they love that. It's obviously great for the young guns of F1, you've now got Ferrari, two youngsters, Red Bull, two youngsters, you've got Lando there in McLaren."
Russell believes that Norris can only benefit from having an experienced proven race winner as his teammate.
"Daniel going to McLaren is going to be good for Lando, he's going to relish that challenge. Having a really strong team mate next to you, I think Lando's in a bit of a win-win situation there, so it's great for him. It's exciting I think for the sport.
"Daniel still has a number of years in him, and both he and Lando could be at McLaren again for four, five, six years to come. It all makes sense when you think of it from that side of things. Like I said, it's just exciting for the sport."
McLaren could mortgage historic F1 cars to raise funds
Spa gets green light for closed doors Belgian Grand Prix
Why 2022 could be Leclerc's best chance to end his Monaco F1 curse
Charles Leclerc's ill-fortune at his home Formula 1 race is well-established. But his single lap pace and over longer runs during Friday practice will leave the Ferrari driver upbeat that he can make up for his Barcelona disappointment by finally recording a finish and perhaps even banking 25 world championship points in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix...
The inevitable consequence of the Liberty F1 popularity boom
Sell out crowds at Formula 1 races are the norm rather than the exception these days, as grand prix racing is enjoying a massive boom under Liberty Media. But the Spanish Grand Prix highlighted numerous issues some circuits may face as demand for F1 soars
The danger for Red Bull in its Barcelona F1 team orders choice
OPINION: Red Bull walked into a team orders saga on its way to taking a Spanish Grand Prix 1-2 last weekend, where it took the lead of the 2022 Formula 1 world championships for the first time. But its decisions have added an element of risk to later races.
Why Mercedes' Spanish GP gains aren't as grand as they seemed
Mercedes' strong showing in last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix prompted team boss Toto Wolff to say it had halved its deficit to the leaders and its Formula 1 title chances were back on after a rocky start to the 2022 campaign. But a closer inspection of the team's performance suggests its gains aren't as grand as they first appeared
What's next for the Green Red Bull controversy?
From the 'pink Mercedes' to the 'Green Red Bull', the Silverstone-based team has received suspicious glares from up and down the Formula 1 paddock over its car design exploits. But after being cleared by the FIA over its Spanish Grand Prix updates amid a backdrop of cries of foul play, what's next in this saga?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
In an unusually hectic Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was denied a dominant performance by his Ferrari engine letting go which allowed Max Verstappen to pick up the pieces. But numerous flashpoints kept the race twisting and turning throughout, with one perfect score from an emerging contender
How Verstappen overcame his and Red Bull’s errors to win in Spain
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari engine disaster offered an open goal for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to strike, but the reigning Formula 1 world champion still had to solve multiple errors and profit from a begrudged assist from team-mate Sergio Perez, which created an unexpectedly eventful Spanish Grand Prix
Why Red Bull can win a Spanish GP that looked perfect for Ferrari
Formula 1's return to Spain on Friday ended with Ferrari leading the way from Mercedes, while Red Bull could only manage third fastest overall courtesy of Max Verstappen. But its chances of victory are far from remote with a deeper dig into the times despite Ferrari's strong start...