George Russell third Brit to race F1 next season

George Russell has signed for Williams to become the third Briton to race in the next season of Formula 1.

The 20-year-old, a Mercedes protege and leader of this year's Formula Two championship, has secured what Williams describe as a "multi-year contract".

He joins Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and fellow rookie Lando Norris at McLaren to make the largest British contingent on the grid since 2016.

Russel told BBC Sport: "I feel on top of the world. It has been a lifelong dream to make it to F1 ever since I started racing when I was seven.

"It was a long road. Suddenly it's here and it just feels amazing."

Russell said he would remain a Mercedes young driver but added: "As of 2019, I am fully contracted to Williams and that is my 100% full focus."