Entering F1 as the reigning Formula 2 champion, Russell has has outqualified Kubica 21-0 this season.
Williams F1 driver George Russell celebrated “small victories” Saturday after becoming the only Formula 1 driver to outqualify a teammate 21-0 across the season. Meanwhile fellow Williams driver Robert Kubica has not enjoyed qualifying in his single season return to the sport.
Entering F1 as the reigning Formula 2 champion, Russell has not had the same level of machinery in his debut season as drivers Lando Norris and Alex Albon, who had moved up alongside him. Being at the back of the field means he has never been able to snatch the headlines.
But, as anyone in motorsport knows, the first person you have to beat is your teammate. As such, Kubica was the only true yardstick to measure Russell against and although Kubica registered the teams only point of the season in the crazy, wet German Grand Prix, it was the rookie British driver who shone all year and in particular, qualifying.
Due to a grid penalty for Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas, Williams will start with Russell P18 and Kubica P19 at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Meanwhile Norris will start seventh just behind Albon in sixth.
“It was good,” said Russell. “Prior to the weekend and after yesterday, we were anticipating to be a second from the next car and I think we ended up being three-tenths from the next car and a second from Q2.
“You’ve got to take the small victories. A couple of small victories from today and I guess it’s a small consolation to have 21 qualifyings.”
For 2020, Russell will have a new teammate in the form of Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi. The two drivers have experience of racing each other in F2 and both are proven front runners when given the proper machinery.
Russell commented, “We raced together in Formula 2. He’s a really nice guy – very motivated so I think we’ll get along well.”
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