Russell is crowned Formula Two champion
The 20-year-old former Wisbech Grammar School pupil from Tydd St Giles sealed the feeder championship to Formula One with a race to spare, after taking the chequered flag from pole position in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The Englishman will join Hamilton, who won the F2 title 12 years ago, in F1 next season after he was confirmed as a Williams driver for 2019.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdRussell, who also won the GP3 championship last year, is on the books at Mercedes, and was reserve driver for the world champions this season.
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal who helped architect Russell’s move to Williams, was among the spectators at the Yas Marina track as his protege clinched the title.
Russell will partner Robert Kubica at Williams next season after the Pole’s comeback was confirmed earlier last week, nearly eight years after his horror rally crash.