George Russell’s former boss was ’emotional’ after hearing his brutally honest interview

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George Russell was incredibly harsh on himself after finishing P2 at the British Grand Prix, and his former boss Claire Williams was left ’emotional’ as he showed ‘world champion’ material.

The Brit had been struggling at Silverstone after he finished P4 in the Sprint and qualified P4 for Sunday’s race, while teammate Kimi Antonelli finished first in both sessions. Russell told Netflix cameras to ‘go away’ as he walked back to the garage.

During the British Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver was fighting at the front for most of the race when he suffered a slow puncture to his right rear tyre. It looked to knock him out of contention, but Max Verstappen’s DNF and subsequent safety car worked in his favour.

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Claire Williams saw George Russell show ‘world champion’ trait with his British GP interview

Russell stayed out during the safety car period while Ferrari elected to pit Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, expecting there to be a restart. However, it did not come, and the latter was jumped by his former teammate and lost P2.

Russell admitted Hamilton would have beaten him had the safety car come into the pits. After the race, he felt that his P2 was undeserved and spoke honestly about his mental state during race weekends when things are not going his way.

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Williams, who handed Russell his first shot in F1 with her team in 2019, could not help but get ’emotional’ after hearing his interview. Speaking on Channel 4 (05/07, 5:25 pm), she expressed her pride for her former driver and how she hopes the Brit will become world champion.

“Yeah, but do you know what? That is what makes a world champion,” said Williams. “I’m getting quite emotional seeing George saying that, because I’ve been around a lot of drivers, and a lot of drivers aren’t so honest.

“He’s come second after a difficult weekend, and most drivers just go, ‘Yeah, I did it. I did a great job and I came second.’ He’s standing there telling everybody, ‘I didn’t do a good enough job, I don’t even really deserve second.’

What is it going to take for George Russell to get back in the title fight?

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“You don’t hear that a lot, and he knows the work that he’s got to do if he’s going to take the championship this year and that is half the battle. He’s not my driver anymore, but I’m really proud of George.

“I’ve always said, and most people know by now because I go on about it a lot, I want to see George win a world championship.

“I think he deserves it. He’s put the work in, he’s made the sacrifice, and I think he’s a fantastic driver and a fantastic ambassador for this sport, and I think he deserves it.”