Russell: “I’d say success would be fighting in the midfield"

F1 News

14 December 2019 at 16:32

2019 was a steep learning curve for George Russell as his debut Formula 1 season saw him finish bottom of the Drivers' Championship. The Brit believes competing with the midfield will be a success for the team next term.

Despite out-qualifying his teammate, Robert Kubica all season, Russell finished bottom of the Drivers' Championship after the Pole secured a solitary point at the chaotic German Grand Prix. Despite failing to score, Russell impressed and even topped the timesheets during tests for Mercedes at different points throughout the season.

Russell accepts that it'll be a challenge further up the grid but believes fighting with the midfield will be a success. 

“I’d say success [next year] would be fighting in the midfield,” Russell told MotorsportWeek.com.

“Realistically that’s the most we could hope for.

“We’re definitely going to make a big step for next year but we obviously don’t know how much everyone else is going to improve.

“I do definitely believe we’re going to be in the fight next year. It definitely won’t be like it was four or five years ago for the team, but we’ll definitely be in a position that we know every weekend we’ve got a chance of Q2.”