Robert Kubica says today’s Formula 1 rookies like his new team mate George Russell arrive in the sport much more prepared than he was on his debut 13 years ago.

Russell, the reigning Formula 2 champion, will start his first race as Kubica’s team mate at Williams next month.

“George is a very good driver, one of the most talented of the young generation,” said Kubica at an event for sponsor PKN. “He won F2, he won GP3, he is very talented and determined.

“As far as I know him, he is also a nice guy. He is also very mature given his young age and I think that this is a huge difference now.

“When I reached F1, the youngsters were getting to know F1. Now they are much better prepared than we were 10 or 15 years ago. They work closely with F1 teams in their junior programmes and they know a lot more than we knew.

“And I must say that he impressed me with his technical knowledge and other things.”

Williams finished last in the constructors’ championship last year. Kubica said the pair must prioritise improving the team’s car over beating each other.

There is always competition but first of all we need to make sure, together with the team and George, that we have the means to compete for better positions than at the end of the grid.

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2019 F1 season