Russell, 20, to Be Third British Driver in F1
LONDON (Reuters) - George Russell will join Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris in a trio of British Formula One drivers next season after former champions Williams announced on Friday they had signed the youngster on a multi-year deal.
The 20-year-old, who has a long-term contract with Williams' engine providers Mercedes, looks set to win the Formula Two championship after taking a 37 point lead with two races to come.
Hamilton, who can clinch his fifth world championship in Texas next week, is at Mercedes while Norris, 18, will be making his race debut with McLaren in 2019 after competing against Russell in Formula Two.
Williams have had a slow and ill-handling car this year and are last in one of the worst seasons in the history of a proud British team with nine constructors' and seven drivers' championships.
The tall Russell follows in the footsteps of 2009 world champion and compatriot Jenson Button, who was handed his debut by team founder Frank Williams as a 20-year-old in 2000 and won the title with Brawn GP.
Britons Damon Hill, in 1996, and Nigel Mansell, in 1992, both took their championships with Williams, who have not won a race since 2012.
Williams gave no details about who their other driver would be, but 19-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll looks certain to move to Force India - a team now controlled by his billionaire father Lawrence.
The future of Russian Sergey Sirotkin, who made his debut with Williams this year, remains uncertain with financial considerations possibly coming into play.
Mercedes have yet to secure a seat for young Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who also has a long-term contract with the reigning champions but is set to lose his Force India place to Stroll.
Poland's Robert Kubica, a former grand prix winner, has served as reserve this season and is keen to make a race return after suffering serious hand injuries in a rally crash in 2011.
*****George Russell will join Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris in a trio of British Formula One drivers next season
The 20-year-old, who has a long-term contract with Williams' engine providers Mercedes, looks set to win the Formula Two championship after taking a 37 point lead with two races to come.
Hamilton, who can clinch his fifth world championship in Texas next week, is at Mercedes while Norris, 18, will be making his race debut with McLaren in 2019 after competing against Russell in Formula Two.
Williams have had a slow and ill-handling car this year and are last in one of the worst seasons in the history of a proud British team with nine constructors' and seven drivers' championships.
The tall Russell follows in the footsteps of 2009 world champion and compatriot Jenson Button, who was handed his debut by team founder Frank Williams as a 20-year-old in 2000 and won the title with Brawn GP.
Britons Damon Hill, in 1996, and Nigel Mansell, in 1992, both took their championships with Williams, who have not won a race since 2012.
Williams gave no details about who their other driver would be, but 19-year-old Canadian Lance Stroll looks certain to move to Force India - a team now controlled by his billionaire father Lawrence.
The future of Russian Sergey Sirotkin, who made his debut with Williams this year, remains uncertain with financial considerations possibly coming into play.
Mercedes have yet to secure a seat for young Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who also has a long-term contract with the reigning champions but is set to lose his Force India place to Stroll.
Poland's Robert Kubica, a former grand prix winner, has served as reserve this season and is keen to make a race return after suffering serious hand injuries in a rally crash in 2011.
*****George Russell will join Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris in a trio of British Formula One drivers next season