George Russell is hoping Lewis Hamilton will take him to the pinnacle of Formula One.
The 24-year-old Englishman is Hamilton’s new Mercedes team-mate and is expected to mount more of a challenge to his partner than Valtteri Bottas did over the past five years.
But Russell insists his first job will be to learn from the seven-times world champion.
Russell, who has been on Mercedes books as a test, junior and reserve driver since he was a teenager, said: “It always amazes me how someone so talented and as successful as Lewis continues to strive for more.
“And I think it is incredibly inspiring and motivational for me as a young driver to try and reach the heights that Lewis has achieved.
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“Now, what an opportunity it is for me to be his team-mate and to learn from him and see how he goes about his business.
“I think there is going to be a really good relationship between the two of us and that we can really work together well to push the team forward.”
Russell was the first to test the new Mercedes car, the W13, after it was unveiled at Silverstone on Friday.
But the only thing he could do was to nurse it around the track in 90 mph winds and driving rain.
“I think those were the windiest conditions I’ve ever experienced in my motorsport career,” said Russell.
“But I felt comfortable and it handled largely as we expected, although in those conditions, you have to take it with a pinch of salt.
“We will know more after testing in Barcelona next week.”
Russell is expected to be a bit more aggressive on the track than his predecessor but he insisted he will work in harness with Hamilton.
“Myself and Lewis have to work together,” he said. “We hope Mercedes is the fastest car on the grid but we have to work together to make sure it is.”
