George Russell

Born in King's Lynn, Norfolk, George Russell was practically the textbook graduate of the Mercedes-AMG junior programme. He swept the BRDC Formula 4 title in 2014, the GP3 Series in 2017, and the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2018 before stepping up to Williams for 2019 — a team fighting at the back of the grid. Three seasons in an uncompetitive car became a masterclass in resourcefulness and mental strength. His defining moment arrived at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, where he stepped in for a COVID-stricken Lewis Hamilton: he claimed pole position, led for most of the race, and was robbed of a stunning maiden win only by a dramatic pit-lane mix-up.

Moving to Mercedes in 2022 unlocked his true ceiling. Debut pole in Hungary and debut win in São Paulo arrived in his very first season alongside Hamilton. He added further victories in Austria and Las Vegas in 2024, but his finest campaign yet came in 2025 — two wins in Canada and Singapore, nine podiums, and a career-best 319 championship points. In 2026, he opened the season with a dominant victory in Melbourne and has continued to push hard for that elusive first title.

A forensic engineer's driver defined by clinical qualifying pace, meticulous car knowledge, and cool, calculated race management, Russell consistently extracts the absolute maximum from whatever machinery he drives.