George Russell Parents: All About Steve and Alison Russell
George’s parents, Steve and Alison Russell, have been a supportive force behind his racing career since his early days in karting.
George Russell is a young British talent making a name for himself in Formula One.
His passion for racing began early, with his older brother even being a national karting champion.
Russell followed in his footsteps and excelled in the junior ranks, winning championships in GP3 and Formula 2.
This success caught the eye of Mercedes, who signed him to their development program in 2017.
Russell gained valuable experience racing for Williams from 2019 to 2021. Though the car wasn’t always competitive, he impressed by consistently outscoring his teammate.
In 2022, he graduated to the Mercedes team and wasted no time proving his worth. He achieved his first ever Formula One victory at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix.
As of May 2024, Russell boasts an impressive record including one win, eleven podium finishes, and six fastest laps. With a contract that extends to 2025, he’s an integral part of the Mercedes team and a driver to watch for the future.
Parents
George’s parents, Steve and Alison Russell, have been a supportive force behind his racing career since his early days in karting.
Unlike many Formula One drivers who come from wealthy backgrounds, the Russells made significant sacrifices to help their son pursue his passion.
Steve, who ran a business selling seeds and pulses, worked long hours to fund George’s racing endeavors. This meant George sometimes missed having his father around during the week, but he has come to appreciate the dedication it took to allow him to compete on weekends.
While details about Alison are more scarce, it’s clear she played a vital role alongside Steve. Together, they provided a stable and encouraging environment that allowed George’s talent to flourish.
It’s also worth noting that George has a sister, Cara, and an older brother, Benjy, who was also involved in karting. Benjy’s influence is even reflected in George’s permanent race number, 63.
Karting career
Russell’s racing journey began on the go-kart track. He started competing in 2006, at the young age of eight.
Early signs of talent were evident as he climbed the ranks of karting, progressing to the cadet class by 2009.
That year marked a turning point, with Russell conquering both the MSA British Cadet Championship and the British Open Championship.
His success continued in 2010 as he dominated the Rotax Mini Max category.
Victories in the Super One British Championship, Formula Kart Stars British Championship, and the Kartmasters British Grand Prix cemented his reputation as a rising star.
The following season, Russell graduated to the more powerful KF3 class. He quickly adapted, conquering the prestigious SKUSA Supernationals title and achieving the pinnacle of European Junior Karting by becoming the CIK-FIA European Junior Champion in both 2012 and 2013.
This impressive run of championship wins across various categories solidified George Russell’s status as a future talent to watch, paving the way for his graduation to single-seater racing in 2014.
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Formula One career
Russell’s Formula One career has been a steady climb to the top, marked by both impressive performances and moments of frustration.
After conquering the karting world, including a win in the prestigious CIK-FIA European Championship, he excelled in feeder series like GP3 and Formula 2, becoming champion in both categories in his rookie seasons.
This dominance, along with being part of the Mercedes Junior Driver Programme, paved the way for his debut with Williams in 2019.
His three years at Williams were a baptism by fire. The car was often far from competitive, but Russell’s talent shone through.
He consistently out-qualified his more experienced teammate Robert Kubica in his first season and went on to score Williams’ first points and podium finish in years in 2021.
However, a chance to showcase his skills in a faster car came in 2020 when he filled in for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes due to COVID-19.
While leading the race in Bahrain, a strategic blunder by Mercedes cost him a potential victory, leaving a bittersweet taste.
Finally, in 2022, Russell got his well-deserved shot at a top team, joining Mercedes alongside Lewis Hamilton. The pairing proved successful, with Russell scoring his first ever Formula One win at a dramatic São Paulo Grand Prix.
While the 2023 season proved tougher for Mercedes as a whole, Russell’s talent and dedication remain undimmed.
With a multi-year contract with Mercedes, he is well-positioned to be a future championship contender as the Silver Arrows strive to return to the top.
Racing record
Russell has carved out a promising career in Formula One so far.
After dominating the junior categories, winning the GP3 Series in 2017 and the Formula 2 Championship in 2018, he caught the eye of the Mercedes team and was signed to their Young Driver Programme.
His talent was evident early on, as he impressively out-qualified his more experienced teammate Robert Kubica in every single race during his rookie season with Williams in 2019.
Despite racing for a backmarker team in the early years, Russell showcased his potential by consistently outscoring his teammates and even securing a podium finish for Williams in 2021, a rare feat for the team at the time.
This achievement cemented his reputation as a future star, and in 2022 he finally landed a coveted seat at Mercedes alongside the legendary Lewis Hamilton.
The 2022 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Russell. He claimed his first ever Formula One pole position and went on to achieve his maiden Grand Prix victory at the chaotic São Paulo race.
Throughout the season, he displayed impressive consistency, securing a total of eleven podium finishes and becoming a valuable teammate to Lewis Hamilton in their fight for the Constructor’s Championship.
As of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, Russell stands as a rising star in Formula One with one race win, one pole position, six fastest laps and eleven podium finishes to his name.
With a contract that keeps him at Mercedes until 2025, the future looks bright for this young British driver, and many expect him to challenge for the World Championship title in the years to come.
