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NEWS: Mercedes Junior George Russell Graduates to Formula 2

The reigning GP3 Champion will make the move up to the FIA Formula 2 Championship for the 2018 season.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Junior Driver George Russell will race in Formula 2 in 2018.

George will make the step up to F2 with series frontrunners ART Grand Prix, the team that he took the GP3 title with in 2017.

The 19-year-old joined Mercedes as a Junior Driver last January and went on to win the GP3 Championship at his first attempt, wrapping up the title with one round to spare in Jerez!

George scored four wins and claimed three further podiums and also had his first experience of driving an F1 car, completing a two-day test at the wheel of the Mercedes W08 at the post-Hungarian Grand Prix.

Fresh off the back of wrapping up the GP3 title, George made his FP1 bow with the Mercedes- powered Force India squad in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, before signing off on a busy 2017 with his first run in a F2 car around the Yas MarinaCircuit.

“I am very happy to be able to race in Formula 2 while continuing to drive for ART Grand Prix,” George said.

“We had a very successful year together last season and so it makes sense to continue working together and seek out new successes.

“With the introduction of a new Formula 2 car, it will be challenging for all the teams to optimise the set-up from the start of the season, but I have every confidence in ART Grand Prix to get there and to be competitive as quickly as possible.

“I cannot wait to take part in the first race and fight against some of the best drivers and teams at the pinnacle of junior motorsport.”