George Russell says making his Formula 1 Grand Prix debut gave him a ‘surreal feeling’ after the newly-crowned GP3 champion drove Sergio Perez’s Force India in the opening practice session ahead of Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Russell completed 29 laps and posted the 12th fastest lap time in the 90-minute session. His best effort was just under six-tenths adrift off Esteban Ocon in the other Force India.
Although this marked Russell’s maiden practice outing, the 19-year-old has already driven this year’s Mercedes for two days in the post-Hungarian Grand Prix tests in Budapest.
“First and foremost I want to thank Force India because I really enjoyed today,” Russell said.
“It’s something I have been working towards for a long time and even though it feels normal right now, it’s a surreal feeling to know I have been driving in a race weekend.
“It’s a huge step up for me, but I have been prepared as well as I could be: I have done days in the simulator with both Mercedes and Force India and I feel that, after my days at the test in Budapest, this was the next step.
“I didn’t know the car or the circuit and I wanted to learn as much as I could to review and take to Abu Dhabi, a track I know.”
Force India secured fourth place in the constructors’ championship last time out in Mexico and it was trialling 2018-spec parts on Friday in Brazil.
“As we expected, this turned out to be part winter testing day, part regular Friday, especially in FP1, with a very comprehensive plan split between the cars,” deputy team principal Bob Fernley explained.
Fernely also expressed his delight with Russell’s performance, the Britain will drive the VJM10 for the second time in FP1 in Abu Dhabi.
“George performed admirably, especially considering he had never driven our car or at Interlagos. As we expected after his good work in the simulator, he slotted straight in with the team,” he added.
Following his GP3 success, the Mercedes junior is expected to earn promotion to Formula 2 in 2018, with the possibility of being teammates with European Formula 3 champion Lando Norris.
