F1: George Russell Receives Highest Honor for British F1 Drivers

(Photo : Dan Mullan/Getty Images) MONTREAL, QUEBEC - George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes looks on from the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 18, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec.

Mercedes' George Russell has received the 2022 Hawthorn Memorial Trophy, an honor given to the highest-ranking British or Commonwealth Formula 1 driver from the previous season.

The one-time race winner was presented with the award ahead of his home race in Silverstone at the British Grand Prix.

Russell's teammate Lewis Hamilton has won the trophy a record 11 times. The seven-time champion claimed the award during his rookie campaign in 2007, a pair in 2008 and 2012, and eight consecutive from 2014 to 2021.

The trophy was first presented in 1959 in honor of Mike Hawthorn, who became the first British Formula 1 Driver's champion during the 1958 season.

Hawthorn retired immediately after winning the title, after being deeply affected by the death of his teammate and friend Peter Collins in an accident during the 1958 German Grand Prix. Unfortunately, Hawthorn died in a road accident three months after his retirement.

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George Russell is the only British driver to win in last two seasons

The 25-year-old is the only British and non-Red Bull or Ferrari driver to win a race for the last two seasons after claiming his maiden victory at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix in November 2022.

The former Williams pilot is also the last Mercedes driver to win a Grand Prix, as Hamilton last won a race during the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Russell finished fourth in the Driver's standings last season, beating out his seven-time champion teammate, who placed sixth.

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