George Russell completed a total of 137 laps for Mercedes in a 2022 tyre test carried out at the Hungaroring.
It was announced soon after the Hungarian Grand Prix that Russell would drive a Mercedes for the first time since he stood in for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain last year.
Specifically, he tested the 18-inch tyres that will be used in Formula 1 next season when the widespread regulation changes are finally introduced following a one-year delay.
It seemed to be an uneventful day for the Brit in Budapest with him able to complete 137 laps for the team that he’ll be hoping he’s driving for permanently next season.
Many feel that the fact that he was asked to do the test rather than Valtteri Bottas is a sign that he will indeed be given the Finn’s seat by Toto Wolff and co, and it has been widely speculated that such a move will be announced in the summer break.
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That’s @MercedesAMGF1 and @GeorgeRussell63 heading home from the @HungaroringF1. A total of 137 laps and a good feel for what next year’s #Fit4F1 18-inch tyres are going to be like. @F1 @fia pic.twitter.com/cKyvwKjumY
— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) August 3, 2021
Russell wasn’t the only driver carrying out 2022 testing duties in Hungary, with compatriot Lando Norris and Ferrari men Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc also doing so.
For the Italian team, Leclerc kicked things off, completing 91 laps in the morning, before Sainz took over for the rest of the day, getting 82 laps on the board.
Norris meanwhile, like Russell, remained in the car for the whole day, doing a total of 122 laps. Team-mate Daniel Ricciardo will take over on Wednesday.
Unlike during the race weekend, things remained dry at the circuit throughout the day, meaning that only dry compounds were tested by the drivers.
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