George Russell's breakthrough victory last Sunday at the Brazilian Grand Prix will be "the first of many".
That is the view of Formula 1 legend David Coulthard, who was commentating for Channel 4 when Russell became the sport's 20th British race winner. He crossed the line narrowly ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, in a landmark result for Mercedes towards the end of a difficult season.
The 24-year-old was unlucky not to break his duck when filling in for Hamilton at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. Mercedes problems this year made it seem like that first victory would still be a long way away, but the stars aligned for Russell at Interlagos last weekend.
Coulthard, a 13-time F1 race winner, told Mirror Sport : "It was a great way to welcome another British winner, in George. He is ahead of Hamilton in the championship, and there are a number of reasons why we can pick that apart – but he almost won on his [Mercedes] debut, won two races at the weekend and he did it in absolute style.
"It's a perfect way, isn't it? When you've got your own team-mate and a seven-time world champion [Hamilton] actually running you towards the flag. It's great to see George getting that result, and it will be the first of many."
With Russell and Hamilton paired at Mercedes and Lando Norris still impressing in an inconsistent McLaren, Coulthard is excited for the future. He added: "I'm biased as a Brit, but George has arrived, Lando is in waiting until he gets the right car.
"Clearly we're coming towards the end of one era with Lewis – though we now know he's going to be around for another few years, but he's still closer to the end than the beginning. We're well-served."
Even beyond the British drivers, Coulthard believes the fact that the majority of the grid run their operations in the UK should be a great source of pride. "Not only in drivers, but of course the teams, he said. "The 'Silicon Valley' of Formula 1 is Britain, as shown by the amount of trophies that get flown back to the UK.
"I always feel, obviously there are many great sports – Formula 1 is an entertaining sport, and it's also a great representation of British engineering and craftsmanship. Sometimes I feel we're a little bit shy to celebrate what we have delivered."
Highlights of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be on Channel 4 at 5.30pm on Sunday.
