George Russell tells Gabriel Bortoleto why Sauber move will be ‘good preparation’ after Williams spell

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In hindsight, George Russell may have been held back too long by Mercedes before finally receiving an opportunity towards the front of the Formula 1 grid.

Being at Williams did do wonders for his development, and helped him to improve his racecraft and consistency across a three-year spell.

But whether or not a stint that long at a backmarker team was required is another question – just look at Andrea Kimi Antonelli being thrown straight in at the Silver Arrows without any experience.

It seems that Antonelli, and perhaps Lewis Hamilton, are the exceptions of the modern era when assessing teams that rookie drivers started their careers with.

George Russell says racing at the back is ‘good preparation’ for Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto won’t be afforded the luxury of a front-running car (on current form at least), during the 2025 season.

The Sauber outfit he joins are yet to pick a point up with two races to go this season and are in a similar position to where Williams were when Russell raced for them.

He has reminded the young Brazilian that he will have to learn to swim, but that fighting at the back of the grid is also good preparation for the front.

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“There comes a time when you have to swim where you can no longer stand,” Russell told UOL Esporte. “You learn to swim in the shallows, but there comes a time when you have to go deeper.

“If you win Formula 3 in your first season and win Formula 2 in your first season, without a doubt you are ready for Formula 1. And you deserve to be on the Formula 1 grid.

“Of course, staying, like me, for three years fighting at the back of the pack is good preparation. But in six months I probably felt ready to fight for wins and championships.”

Why Sauber should be better in 2025

Sauber’s stagnant driver pairing and lack of development over the last few seasons has held them up and finally caught up with them.

A far better effort is required from them next year if they are to take any sort of positive momentum into the 2026 season – where there will be a new set of technical regulations.

Another good choice was their decision to hire the experienced German, Nico Hulkenberg, who comes with bags of midfield knowledge and experience.

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It’s a fantastic opportunity for Bortoleto to learn from someone who will want this project to be ready to hit the ground running when Audi completes their takeover in 2026.

A few years down the line, we could be talking about Bortoleto and Hulkenberg as podium finishers – but that all depends on how good of a job they can do relative to their competitors, something they have drastically failed at over the last decade or so.