George Russell says having the opportunity to drive two different Formula 1 cars at the end of the 2020 season𝓰 showed him that he needs to be more adaptable as a driver. 

The Williams driver got the chaꦿnce to trade the slowest car on the grid for the fastest when he was called up to Mercedes to replace Lewꦿis Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix, following the seven-time world champion’s positive coronavirus test. 

Russell starred on his Mercedes debut and appeared on cꦺourse to claim a fairytale maiden grand prix victory until a calamitous pit stop and a puncture ruined his chances as he recovered to record his first F1 points finish in ninth. 

Having retu🍬rned to Williams for the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi, the Briton said his Mercedes experience had taught him a val🅺uable lesson in the importance of tailoring your driving style to suit each specific car. 

"I think the thing I've learned most is tha💞t you have to be adaptable,” Russell explained. 

"My sort of driving style I did in the Williams actually hurt me sligh🐭tly in the Mercಞedes. 

“So when I came back to the Williams, and I tried to implement some of the things that I did in that Bahrain race, I couldn't do it in the Williams. I think that sort of reinforced to me that you have to be open-min🐬ded and you have to adapt to whatever the car is giving you. 

“So if one guy drives like that in a Mercedes, it doesn't mean you can dr꧃ive like that in a Williams, and vice versa.”

Russell stressed he is fully focused on making further progress with Williams this season despite putting himself in contention for a 2022 𝔍seat at Mercedes, with Valtteri Bottas’ contract due to expire at the end of the year. 

"I think it's continuing the fo🎀rm, and continuing the poꦦsitive attitude internally with the team and externally,” he said. 

💙"It's not getting frustrated with the poor performance here, and continue to try to push Williams♊ further forward.

"I think Mercedes believe in me, they've given me the opportuniওty, and they've always had my back.

"Now it's sort of my duty that I stay true, and that I🎃 don't suddenly change over the course of next year because of certain circumstances, and turn into something that I'm not currently."