Russell to drive FP1 with Force India in Brazil

  • Published on 07 Nov 2017 16:44
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Mercedes junior George Russell will make his first Grand Prix weekend appearance this Friday in Brazil. The GP3 champion will be driving Force India's VJM10 for the first practice session at the Interlagos Circuit.

Russell joined Mercedes' junior programme at the start of the season and has since become champion in GP3 and is set for a Formula 2 deal for 2018. At Sao Paulo on Friday, Sergio Perez will step aside to allow the Briton a drive.

Russell will also take part in the first practice session in Abu Dhabi, which hosts the final round of the 2017 World Championship in just over two weeks' time. On that occasion, fellow Mercedes junior Esteban Ocon will hand his car over.

"I'm extremely excited to be driving in free practice for Force India in Brazil and Abu Dhabi," said Russell. "2017 has already been a year full of great opportunities and to top off the season with these two outings feels fantastic.

I've never driven the VJM10 before or driven at Interlagos, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge. I would like to say a big 'thank you' to Force India for this opportunity and also thank Mercedes for their continued support."

Force India team principal Vijay Mallya gave his comments on the news: "We are happy to give George this opportunity; he's an up-and-coming talent and we've followed his success in GP3 closely. George has already been in our simulator several times and has worked well with the team.

"Now that we have secured fourth place in the championship, it's the ideal time to look to the future and handing George his free practice debut will allow us to evaluate his potential," he added.

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country MX
  • Date of b. Jan 26 1990 (35)
  • Place of b. Guadalajara, MX
  • Weight 64 kg
  • Length 1.73 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar