Mercedes-backed Formula 2 title leader George Russell says he is "ready" to make the step to Formula 1, and that the form of other young drivers validates his viewpoint.
Russell joined Mercedes' young driver academy last year and cruised clear of his rivals to comfortably seal the GP3 title, before stepping up to Formula 2 this season.
Russell has taken four wins and three pole positions, along with four fastest laps, to open a 12-point advantage over McLaren protégé Lando Norris in the championship.
Russell believes that the form last year’s champion Charles Leclerc has displayed with Sauber in Formula 1 this season has enhanced the credibility of those participating in the secondary division.
"I think currently we are doing a very good job in F2," said Russell. "I hope some heads have turned in the past few races and kind of noticed what we have been achieving.
"I purely think we just need to keep on doing what we are doing really. If you keep on winning and keep on doing stellar performances teams are going to be interested.
"F2 credit has gone up massively since Charles has done a massively good job this year at Sauber.
"Obviously in the past few years F1 is sort of changing with the likes of [Max] Verstappen, [Esteban] Ocon, Leclerc, these young guys coming in and proving they can do the job.
"I feel ready and I don’t think there’s a huge amount more that we need to be doing. Just keep on performing, keep on winning and hopefully win the F2 championship."
Russell has been linked to a seat with Williams for 2019 courtesy of his and the team’s mutual Mercedes connection, and if Lance Stroll moves on to Force India following his father's takeover.
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