Russell proves Britain has got talent

REIGNING European KF3 champion George Russell got his domestic season off to a cracking start with a maximum points haul from the opening round of the British Championship.

The Wisbech Grammar School pupil turned in another dominant display to win both finals at the PF International kart circuit at Grantham.

Having qualified second in tricky weather conditions, Russell blitzed the heats before comfortably winning the pre-final by over five seconds.

Team manager Jamie Croxford observed: “From the first practice session on Friday, George looked strong. Getting the right set-up was crucial and he made the most of it.”

A much closer race in the second final saw Russell having to step up a gear and display the ability that has brought him a string of major titles in his fledgling career.

Despite losing the lead for two laps, he was able to pick his moment and reassert himself at the head of the field.

From there, he was never headed again.

“He was pushed hard but responded superbly and pressed on to make it two from two. He was really strong throughout,” added Croxford.

Russell now leads the Championship with his double victory and maximum points.

Russell, aged 14 from Tydd St Giles, began karting in 2006. He won the MSA British Cadet Kart Championship in 2009 and took the 2010 Super 1 and Formula Kart Stars Rotax Mini Max titles, before being crowned the 2011 CIKFIA European Champion in Zuera, Spain. He also won the TAG Junior Title at the SKUSA Super Nationals XV in Las Vegas last November.