Russell wants 'four-wheel' test before season starts

At home and unable to race on anything but a simulator, George Russell hopes to at least get in a few tests on “four wheels” before the 2020 season begins.

Formula 1 is planning a July start for the 2020 season with a double header at the Red Bull Ring.

That Friday first practice will be the first time in four months that any of the drivers have taken part in a Formula 1 session.

They last drove their new 2020 cars during pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunay on 28 February.

As such Russell is hoping to get some time in a Formula 1 car, or even a kart, when lockdown allows it.

“That’s something I’ll really be trying to do,” he said on Sky Sports F1.

“I think realistically karting will be the first opportunity I get. As soon as I can, I’ll be karting.

“But ultimately I want to try and jump in a Formula 1 car before we go back racing again.

“So whether that’s in a Williams or in a Mercedes, we have to wait and see, just to get some laps under our belt.

“But it may even be in a Formula 3 or Formula 2 car as well. Anything that’s got four wheels and can go around a race track I think will be better than nothing.”

Russell has been working on his fitness at home as well as spending time in his simulator, even winning the last two Virtual F1 Grands Prix.

That, though, is not the same as putting in time on the track.

“Unlike other sports, you can’t have a race circuit with a Formula 1 in your back garden. It’s not like a footballer who can just go out and kick a football and do their own training,” Russell said.

“It’s very difficult. I’m doing everything I can in the gym I’ve got here, cardio-wise either running or cycling. And also from a mental standpoint, doing things like learning to juggle or just trying to keep my mind occupied and stay on the ball as much as I can.

“I’ve recently invested in a more top quality simulator equipment and started not only to do it for fun, but to start training on there, thinking this is the closest thing I’ve got to reality and I need to stay sharp and be ready for whenever we go back.”

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