‘My time and my chance will come’ – Russell reflects on his ‘scrappy season’ 12 months on from his Sao Paulo triumph

It hasn’t been the easiest campaign for George Russell, but with effective late-season upgrades pushing the Silver Arrows up the grid and with confidence returning, the Mercedes ace is sure his time will come.

This time last year George Russell was about to experience his most magical weekend in Formula 1 to date. Third in qualifying, the Mercedes driver charged through to win the Sprint on Saturday and, starting from pole on Sunday, bossed the race in Sao Paulo to take his first F1 victory.

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At the tail end of a troubled year for Mercedes, it should have been the sign of an upswing in fortunes for the former Williams driver whose elevation to the Silver Arrows had the misfortune to coincide with a slump in the multiple title-winning team’s own fortunes.

It hasn’t quite worked out that way. While Mercedes have undoubtedly closed the gap to front-running Red Bull, it has been Lewis Hamilton who has best exploited the potential of the W14, racking up six podiums to Russell’s one (scored all the way back in Spain in early June). And while Hamilton sits third in the drivers’ standings with 220 points, Russell is down in eighth, with 151.

And as the younger Mercedes driver heads back to the scene of his first F1 victory, there’s one thing he’s seeking – consistency.