George Russell’s racing pace has been questioned by influential Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko as the British driver prepares for his first season with Mercedes.
The 23-year-old joined German side Williams ahead of the 2022 season, replacing Valtteri Bottas.
Russell has yet to win a Grand Prix and only has one podium in Formula 1.
Marko, head of Red Bull’s driver development program, challenged Russell to live up to the trust placed in him by Mercedes.
“Let’s see what Mr Russell will do at Mercedes and whether the praise he received in advance is justified,” Marko remarked to the Austrian outlet. Self-review. “I want to see this first.
“There’s no discussion in qualifying, he’s sensational there but if you look at his running speed he wasn’t far ahead. [then Williams team-mate Nicholas] Latifi.
Russell’s likely 2022 team-mate Lewis Hamilton is yet to confirm he will return to F1 next season.
The seven-time world champion was “disillusioned” by the controversial end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when Max Verstappen was able to snatch victory in both the Grand Prix and the Drivers‘ Championship.
Russell previously replaced Hamilton, who tested positive for Covid-19, at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, finishing ninth in the Mercedes.
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