Charles Leclerc has little doubt that George Russell will perform “very, very well” at Mercedes next season, having known the Briton since their days in karting together.
Mercedes confirmed on Tuesday that Russell will race alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton from next season.
The move will finally put the 23-year-old Russell on the same level as his talented young peers, such as Leclerc, Max Verstappen or Lando Norris, with every top team in Formula 1 set to include in its 2022 line-up a young gun from the sport’s new generation of drivers.
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“I’ve actually been team-mates with George,” Leclerc said. “It was a long time ago in karting.
“I think what I’ve seen of him since that time is that he’s just extremely talented, and every time he got into the kart back then, or the car now, he’s just quick straight away.
“His talent makes him special. I think he deserves his chance at Mercedes and I’m pretty sure he will perform very, very well and impress more than one person.”
Russell’s Williams teammate Nicholas Latifi reacted to the official news of his friend’s move to Mercedes with a tongue-and-cheek post on social media.
“Whaaat?! I thought team-mates who vacation together stay together… Was our holiday bromance all for nothing?!” joked the Canadian.
