Alonso thinks Russell will win future F1 championship
May 28 - George Russell is a "future champion", according to two-time title winner and F1 legend Fernando Alonso.
As they swapped helmets for their personal collections at Monacoa, Alonso wrote on his helmet to the Williams driver: "You rock! Future world champ".
Russell, 23, captioned the photo on Twitter: "This one means a lot. Gracias, legend."
39-year-old Alonso said at Monaco: "I think there are a lot of very talented drivers in F1 right now.
"They've all been well prepared by the driver academies, helping them from a very young age and they're doing their job now," said the Spaniard.
"Of all of them, George Russell is one of those who surprises me every weekend. How he drives his Williams machine. No mistakes.
"I'm really surprised by his natural speed. So if I had to name one, Russell would be my choice."
F1's young generation was on full display on the Monaco podium, as Max Verstappen led home Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz.
New Ferrari driver Sainz said the podium was evidence that Formula 1 is in safe hands with the younger generation.
"That's true," F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Formula 1 has never seen a revival of interest like today, even among the new generations who did not previously follow racing.
"Younger drivers speak the language of their peers and use tools such as social media with greater familiarity than their older colleagues," he added.
"We have many young talents who have the ability to be an example and are aware of it - an important responsibility. Knowing that there is this energy helps us a lot," Domenicali added.
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A young mans sport it seems over half the grid under 27
Yuki Tsunoda 21
Carlos Sainz Jr. 26
Lando Norris 21
Mick Schumacher 22
Nikita Mazepin 22
George Russell 23
Charles Leclerc 23
Max Verstappen 23
Esteban Ocon 24
Pierre Gasly 25
Nicholas Lafiti. 25
Antonio Giovinazzi 27
Drop Tsunoda and Mazespin and yiu have quite a good list,of drivers, with more coming up from F2. I don't see an American ever making the list, unless their family is rich and willing to send Jr to Europe at a young age.
I have spoken to young 'murican drivers and F1 has mostly lost its allure. Why move half way around the world when you can do 30 races within 4 hrs of home in a series where over the half the field has a chance to win?
Not sure if we should write off Tsunoda just yet. Yes, he's frustrated, but he kinda' got thrown in the deep end and he does have considerable talent.
Kids are now starting to race at 6-8 yrs old. They are now really good at 18 yrs old and WDC material at 23 yrs old. Still the 5 yr development period, but it comes at a much earlier age. Reminds me of a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song, 'Teach Your Children Well'. Better racing cars than a war.