George Russell is ready to contest the next round of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship as the Williams Racing driver heads to the Autodromo Nazionale de Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.

Nicknamed the Temple of Speed, Monza is the fastest track on the 2020 calendar and with 80% of the 5.793km-long circuit taken at full throttle, enables drivers to reach speeds of up to 220mph.

With this demand for high end of straight speed, a strong emphasis is placed on reducing drag while carefully finding a balance in downforce to maintain momentum through Monza’s 11 corners, including the two Lesmos, Ascari, and Parabolica.

Following an encouraging weekend of racing at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, George and Williams Racing’s newly acquired knowledge will be beneficial when racing in Italy, given a number of similarities between the two venues.

As part of his duties as Williams’ Test Driver, Roy Nissany will drive George’s FW43 in FP1, with the Briton returning to the cockpit in the afternoon to contest the second practice session of the weekend.

George Russell – Williams Racing Driver

“It is always good fun racing at Monza. It is an historic circuit, very fast, high speed with minimum downforce. I think performance wise it will be a very similar weekend as we just had in Spa as the circuit characteristics are very similar. We will have the same objectives and goals to last weekend, trying to fight the Alfas and the Haas’."

Practice for the Italian Grand Prix will take place on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s qualifying session and the 53-lap race on Sunday.