Norris securing McLaren drive helped Russell for Williams drive

Williams rookie George Russell has said that McLaren electing to give Lando Norris a drive for 2019 helped him ‘push’ for a drive at Williams.

With the departure of Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne from McLaren it paved way for the team to promote Norris from reserve driver to full time, as well as acquiring Carlos Sainz.

Russell used this to get himself a seat in Formula 1 for this year through Williams as he felt he had the opportunity to do so as he was ahead of Norris in the F2 championship.

“Lando’s announcement so early helped me to push Williams for my drive because I was ahead of him in the championship,” Russell said to Crash.net.

“McLaren believed he was worthy of a Formula One seat, so it showed there were some great signs for myself.”

“It probably added more pressure for Williams to say we’ve got to go with George because he’s the guy who is winning F2.”

Russell won the Formula 2 championship last year, taking seven wins in the process, with Norris finishing second and 2019 Toro Rosso driver Alexander Albon in third.

The Brit believes he and teammate Robert Kubica can help Williams return to the top of the midfield teams.

“I think our targets next season are very clear, and that’s to get Williams back to fighting into the points and the top of the midfield,” he explained.”

“I think we want to be recognised, we want to be putting in good results.”

“If I’m beating my team-mate but it’s for the last position, there is no joy or glory for anybody.”