{"id":29396,"date":"2025-01-09T14:44:02","date_gmt":"2025-01-09T19:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=29396"},"modified":"2025-01-09T14:44:02","modified_gmt":"2025-01-09T19:44:02","slug":"how-george-russell-became-an-f2-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/01\/09\/how-george-russell-became-an-f2-champion\/","title":{"rendered":"How George Russell Became an F2 Champion"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Read on to revisit how the British driver rose to the pinnacle of Formula 2, becoming the series&#8217; second title winner since its rebranding.<\/p>\n<h2>How George Russell Won the 2018 F2 Title<\/h2>\n<p>Norfolk-born driver, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/racing\/f1briefings\/news\/mercedes-chief-reveals-kimi-antonelli-risk-ahead-of-f1-rookie-debut-01jgxt8ft49z\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">George Russell<\/a> made an indelible mark in 2018 by clinching the FIA Formula 2 Championship title during one of the most competitive seasons in junior Formula history.<\/p>\n<h4>Where It All Began: Russell&#8217;s Early Years<\/h4>\n<p>Russell\u2019s journey began in karting, where he quickly established himself as a standout talent.<\/p>\n<p>He progressed through the ranks to single-seaters in 2014, competing in the Formula 4 Championship. His dominance in F4, including winning the 2014 BRDC Formula 4 Championship, caught the attention of major teams and sponsors.<\/p>\n<p>By 2015, Russell had moved up to the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, where he competed for two seasons. Though he didn&#8217;t win the title, his performances earned him a place in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport junior program 2017.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, ART promoted Russell to its Formula Two team for the 2018 season.<\/p>\n<h4>A Champion with a Unique Flair<\/h4>\n<p>Nicknamed \u201cPrincess\u201d by his team, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/12\/13\/art-grand-prixs-struggles-in-the-2024-f2-championship\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">ART Grand Prix<\/a>, Russell\u2019s journey to the championship was anything but regal in its execution.<\/p>\n<p>While there was an undeniable elegance in his domination of the season, his approach was rooted in a working-class ethos &#8211; meticulous preparation, relentless dedication, and unshakable determination.<\/p>\n<p>Every lap he completed was a reflection of his commitment to excellence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2024\/12\/28\/formula-2-all-time-wins-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Formula 2 All-Time Wins List<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Battling the Best<\/h4>\n<p>The 2018 F2 grid was stacked with talent, including future Formula 1 stars Lando Norris and Alexander Albon. Against such formidable rivals, Russell showcased his ability to rise above the pack.<\/p>\n<p>The Brit&#8217;s relentless pursuit of the championship saw him notch up impressive victories and maintain remarkable consistency throughout the season.<\/p>\n<h4>The Championship Stats<\/h4>\n<p>Russell sealed the title in Abu Dhabi with 287 points, seven wins and seven pole positions. His mastery of racecraft, combined with his calm demeanour under pressure, underscored his readiness for the next step in his career.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">This man knows a thing or two about winning \ud83d\ude0f<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GeorgeRussell63?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@GeorgeRussell63<\/a> took seven victories in F2, the joint-most in a single season \ud83c\udfc6<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/F2?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#F2<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RoadToF1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RoadToF1<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MercedesAMGF1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@MercedesAMGF1<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/rlFPzu0zVP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/rlFPzu0zVP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Formula 2 (@Formula2) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Formula2\/status\/1435168249830912003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 7, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>YOU MAY ALSO LIKE<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/01\/06\/briatore-confirms-colapinto-talks-after-doohan-contract-was-signed\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Briatore Confirms Colapinto Talks After Doohan Contract was Signed<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Key Moments in His Championship Run<\/h4>\n<p>Russell&#8217;s championship-winning season in 2018 was defined by several standout performances and key moments.<\/p>\n<p>After a modest start in Bahrain, Russell claimed his first sprint race victory in Azerbaijan. Starting from second on the grid, he executed a flawless drive, mastering the tricky street circuit of Baku.<\/p>\n<p>In Barcelona, Russell showcased his consistency by taking victory in the feature race. Starting in reverse-grid order, he overtook multiple competitors and demonstrated his ability to control the race from the front once in the lead.<\/p>\n<p>The ART Grand Prix driver dominated at Paul Ricard, securing pole position and converting it into a commanding feature race victory. A week later in Austria, he repeated this feat, once again taking pole and winning the feature race.<\/p>\n<p>At his home race, Russell faced immense pressure but delivered a masterclass in race strategy. Despite difficult tyre conditions, he managed his pace perfectly and landed on the podium at the feature race at Silverstone.<\/p>\n<p>In the final stages of the championship, Russell\u2019s win in the Monza sprint race was crucial. He took advantage of wet-dry conditions and showcased his ability to adapt to changing track dynamics. This victory helped the young Briton build an unassailable lead over his rivals.<\/p>\n<p>Heading into the final round, Russell needed only a solid result to secure the title. He performed brilliantly in the Abu Dhabi feature race, securing the win and wrapping the championship with a record total of 287 points.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">He\u2019s done it! <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GeorgeRussell63?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@GeorgeRussell63<\/a> is the 2018 @FIA_F2 CHAMPION! \ud83d\udc4a<\/p>\n<p>Next stop, <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/F1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@F1<\/a>&#8230; \ud83d\udcaa\ud83d\udcaa\ud83d\udcaa<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AbuDhabiGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#AbuDhabiGP<\/a> \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddea <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GR63?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#GR63<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/s8C7H37M8m\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/s8C7H37M8m<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MercedesAMGF1\/status\/1066363391751667712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">November 24, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>From F2 to Formula 1<\/h4>\n<p>As a prot\u00e9g\u00e9 of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Russell\u2019s triumph in Formula 2 paved the way for his debut in F1. Signing with ROKiT Williams Racing for the 2019 season, he faced the challenge of driving for a struggling team.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the limitations of the car, Russell impressed by consistently outperforming his experienced teammate, Robert Kubica. His ability to extract maximum performance from the Williams earned him widespread admiration within the paddock.<\/p>\n<p>After three seasons with Williams, where he continuously exceeded expectations, Russell\u2019s perseverance and talent were rewarded. In 2022, he joined Mercedes, replacing Valtteri Bottas and stepping into the seat of a team that had dominated the sport for much of the previous decade.<\/p>\n<h4>A Rising Star in Racing&#8217;s Hall of Fame<\/h4>\n<p>By clinching the title, Russell became the fifth rookie to win the GP2\/F2 championship, joining an elite group that includes <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/01\/04\/how-nico-rosberg-became-the-first-gp2-champion\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Nico Rosberg<\/a>, Lewis Hamilton, Nico H\u00fclkenberg, and Charles Leclerc.<\/p>\n<p>He also became the fourth driver to secure both the GP3\/F3 and GP2\/F2 titles in back-to-back seasons, following <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/01\/07\/lewis-hamiltons-legacy-in-formula-1-2020-the-greatest-ever\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Hamilton<\/a>, H\u00fclkenberg, and Leclerc.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, Russell was the second driver to win both championships as a rookie, a feat first achieved by Leclerc. This remarkable accomplishment has since been matched by Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto.<\/p>\n<p>George Russell\u2019s 2018 Formula 2 Championship campaign was a masterclass in talent, hard work, and determination. It not only marked him as one of the brightest young stars in motorsport but also laid the foundation for a promising Formula 1 career.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/01\/02\/how-oscar-piastri-became-an-f2-champion\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">How Oscar Piastri Became an F2 Champion<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read on to revisit how the British driver rose to the pinnacle of Formula 2, becoming the series&#8217; second title winner since its rebranding. How George Russell Won the 2018 F2 Title Norfolk-born driver, George Russell made an indelible mark in 2018 by clinching the FIA Formula 2 Championship title during one of the most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5363,"featured_media":29463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[544],"tags":[572,110,704],"class_list":["post-29396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-formula-2","tag-art-grand-prix","tag-gp2","tag-gp3"],"modified_by":"Nicole Powell","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5363"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29396"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29464,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29396\/revisions\/29464"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29463"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}