Russell set for first Williams test in Abu Dhabi
George Russell is set to make his first appearance at the wheel of a Williams Formula 1 car in the end-of-season Abu Dhabi test this month.
The Formula 2 title favourite, who has signed a multi-year deal to race for Williams, has tested for Force India and Mercedes this season.
However, he had only driven on Williams's simulator before convincing the team to give him his grand prix debut.
Williams has not confirmed its Abu Dhabi test line-up but chief technical officer Paddy Lowe said Russell would "almost certainly" be driving.
Mercedes junior Russell has been present at most grands prix this year with the Anglo-German team in his role as official reserve driver.
He spent the previous grand prix in Mexico with Williams and is embedded in the team again this weekend in Brazil.
Asked how well the 20-year-old has settled in at Williams, Lowe said: "Very well, yeah. He's done the last two races with us.
"He is very enthusiastic, he is learning a lot already and I think it will allow him to hit the ground in better conditions than otherwise.
"We haven't announced our line-up for the Abu Dhabi test, but almost certainly George will feature in that.
"Having done these two races he is in much better position to get the most out of his first sessions in the car."
Williams is yet to confirm Russell's teammate for 2019 and the identity of who will join him at the test is unknown.
Current driver Lance Stroll is expected to leave to join Racing Point Force India because his father Lawrence is now an investor there.
That means Stroll is also thought to be driving for his 2019 team in Abu Dhabi, but his move and testing plans are under wraps until Esteban Ocon – the driver Stroll will replace at Force India – communicates his own plans for next year.
Russell and Stroll are unlikely to be the only new faces in new places in the Abu Dhabi test.
Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc are expected to swap their Ferrari and Sauber seats respectively ahead of their 2019 moves.
Current Renault driver Carlos Sainz is also pushing to test for McLaren but Daniel Ricciardo will not drive for Renault as Red Bull has rejected that move.
Red Bull should however give Pierre Gasly a taste of the senior team before replacing Ricciardo in 2019.
Additional reporting by Oleg Karpov
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
The added consequence of George Russell's retirement in Malaysia
George Russell: “You’ve got to laugh” at bad luck as F1 title drifts away
As Mercedes looks to deal F1 2026 knockout blow, will its driver fight reignite?
What the drivers are expecting from F1's return to Sepang
How Carlos Sainz bounced back from the most difficult moment of his F1 career
How Fernando Alonso scored ninth at Zandvoort - and how Alex Albon lost a similar payday
Spire’s Jeff Dickerson about Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit: ‘Where is the proof?’
Charles Leclerc explains why Bahrain GP chaos has reinforced F1 driver fears
Redemption at Road Atlanta: Kevin Estre breaks IMSA victory curse in thrilling Petit Le Mans finish
Winners and losers from an intriguing NASCAR Cup race at Las Vegas
How F1 let a golden opportunity slip at Sepang
How the Bahrain GP in Malaysia exposed Red Bull’s hidden resurgence
You Ask The Questions: Emerson Fittipaldi
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments