George Russell finished his Formula One debut for ROKiT Williams Racing in 16th position at the Australian Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Robert Kubica.

The reigning FIA Formula 2 Champion took to the grid for the 2019 season opener at Albert Park, Melbourne as the lead ROKiT Williams Racing driver following yesterday’s qualifying session.

George made a good start, avoiding the commotion around him to emerge in 18th position and kept in touch with the drivers ahead, in notably faster cars throughout the opening phase of the race.

The Briton, who started on the ‘medium’ compound Pirelli tyres, ran to a two-stop pit strategy. He pitted for his first pitstop in Formula One for ‘soft’ tyres on Lap 26, running his second stint of the race until Lap 42 – where he pitted for the ‘hard’ compound tyres and ran to the end of the race.

George crossed the finish line in 16th position, completing a successful Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix, finishing as the lead driver for ROKiT Williams Racing in the first race of the season.

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George Russell - ROKiT Williams Racing Driver:‍

"I feel happy that I brought the car home with no dramas. I physically feel fine and it was a good first race from my side but obviously it is disappointing that we are so far behind the pace.

We did an additional pitstop to try all three compounds of the tyres, so that is unfortunately where we are at the moment. We have got a lot of work to do tomorrow to understand and hopefully improve from there. I am not interested in fighting Robert for last, we need to work together to make this right.

Overall, I can be proud and pleased with myself because we went into this weekend knowing what to expect and I achieved pretty much all of my goals."

Formula One next heads to Bahrain and the Sakhir International Circuit on the 29-31 March, for the second round of the 2019 season.

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Photographs Courtesy of XPB Images

Additional Press Content Courtesy of ROKiT Williams Racing

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