George Russell will join Mercedes “on a long-term contract” from the 2022 Formula 1 season, partnering fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton.
He replaces Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas, who signed for Alfa Romeo on Monday.
Russell joined the Mercedes Young Driver Programme in 2017 and has been on the F1 grid since signing with Williams in 2019.
He has enjoyed title success in the junior series, winning the 2017 GP3 Series and then the 2018 Formula 2 championship ahead of Lando Norris and Alex Albon.
Speaking to the Mercedes F1 team’s website, the 23-year-old said “It’s a special day for me personally and professionally, but also a day of mixed emotions.
“I’m excited and humbled to be joining Mercedes next year, which is a huge career step, but it also means I’ll be saying goodbye to my team-mates and friends at Williams. It has been an honour working alongside every member of the team, and an honour to represent the Williams name in F1.
“Looking ahead to next season, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely buzzing. It’s a huge opportunity and one I want to grab with both hands.”
Mercedes Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff added that “we are very happy to confirm that George will have the opportunity to take the next step in his career and join Mercedes.
“He has been a winner in every racing category – and the past three seasons with Williams have given us a taste of what the future could hold for him in F1.”
Russell, who drove for Mercedes at last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix after Hamilton tested positive for Covid, has been one of the standout performers on the grid since joining Williams.
He has gone up another level this season, scoring his first podium in F1 at the aborted Belgian Grand Prix last month after producing one of the best wet weather laps the sport has ever seen to qualify second.
He has also never been outqualified by his teammate during his time at Williams, with his only defeat on a Saturday coming against Valtteri Bottas at Sakhir. Even then, the gap was only 0.026 seconds despite Russell driving a car that was built for Hamilton.
He should, therefore, provide stern competition to the reigning seven-time world champion as Formula 1 enters a new era of technical regulations.
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Featured image by Jen Ross – IMG_4447, CC BY 2.0; no changes made.
