Fenland Formula 1 hopeful George Russell has admitted that making his practise debut at the Brazilian GP was “really surreal”.
The Tydd St Giles speedster ran for Force India in Practise One in Interlagos, having only driven the car in a simulator last week.
The 19-year-old completed 29 laps and finished 12th fastest, just half a second slower than Esteban Ocon, who has been one of the season’s top performers.
Russell told Sky Sports: “It’s Formula 1, what I have been working towards for a long time. It feels kind of normal at the moment but when I really thinking about it it’s really surreal. I’m here in Brazil driving in a Formula 1 practice session!
“I feel good, I feel ready and this is where I want to be.”
Rusell’s involvement in Brazil caps a remarkable year that saw join Mercedes’ young driver programme in January and win the GP3 Championship last month.
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