George Russell is one of F1’s true success stories. He out-qualified team mate Robert Kubica at all 21 Grands Prix in his rookie season, putting Williams back on the podium in 2021.

This led to a Mercedes race seat alongside Lewis Hamilton for 2022. Russell has quickly become one of the biggest names in motorsport already at a young age.

Could he be a future World Champion? We’ve taken the opportunity to discuss five of the best George Russell rookie cards to collect. 

Top George Russell Rookie Cards

George Russell rookie cards were released in 2020, and they’re all produced by Topps due to an exclusive license with F1.  

5. 2020 Topps Chrome F1 George Russell RC #192 (eBay)

Russell can be found on seven different rookie cards in 2020 Topps Chrome Formula 1 Racing. (That’s without accounting for the many parallels.)

Even the unsigned base cards have proven to be especially popular with F1 card collectors, including this option which features the driver in his race gear. 

There’s also a more valuable version of the card found in 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire Edition Formula 1 sets. (A copy can be seen in the image above.) 

Base parallels are as follows;

• Refractor Parallels: Refractor, Purple #/399, Gold #/50, Gold Wave #/50, Orange #/25, Orange Wave #/25, Red #/5, Red Wave #/5, SuperFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1
• 70th Anniversary Parallels: 70th Gold, 70th Orange, 70th Red, 70th SuperFractor

Check prices of 2020 Topps Chrome F1 George Russell RC (192) on eBay 

4. 2020 Topps Chrome F1 George Russell RC #19 (eBay)

Sticking with the flagship 2020 Topps Chrome F1 release, the next George Russell rookie card is found in the F1 Racers base collection. 

Don’t be fooled by the lack of a signature. The serial numbered parallels can work out to be some of the most valuable George Russell RCs when all is said and done. 

They feature a shot of the racer with his arms clasped behind his back, smiling at the camera. (You’ll also be able to find an image variation, with a CMP code on back that ends #062.)

• Refractor Parallels: Refractor, Purple #/399, Gold #/50, Gold Wave #/50, Orange #/25, Orange Wave #/25, Red #/5, Red Wave #/5, SuperFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1
• 70th Anniversary Parallels: 70th Gold, 70th Orange, 70th Red, 70th SuperFractor

Check prices of 2020 Topps Chrome F1 George Russell RC (19) on eBay 

3. 2020 Topps Chrome F1 Sapphire George Russell RC #19 (eBay)

The Sapphire edition of 2020 Topps Chrome is a premium online-exclusive blue version of the 200-card base series. We’ve mentioned that autos and inserts were excluded, but that hasn’t stopped the Sapphire cards from being some of the most valuable overall. 

As with the version listed above, base copies feature a shot of Russell with his arms behind his back, smiling at the camera. (You’ll also be able to find an image variation with the Sapphire card, shown in the image above.)

• Parallels: Aqua #/99, 70th Anniversary #/70, Gold #/50, Orange #/25, Purple #/10, Red #/5, Padparadscha 1/1

Check prices of 2020 Topps Chrome F1 Sapphire George Russell RC on eBay 

2. 2020 Topps Chrome F1 George Russell RC #GR (eBay)

If you’d prefer a signed George Russell rookie card, the Chrome Autographs subset is the best place to start. (Unlike the other 2020 Topps Chrome cards mentioned so far, there are no Sapphire Edition inserts or autographs.)

With fewer Refractors and no Sapphire Edition to contend with, it’s hard to think of many flaws aside from the sticker autograph. It’s still one of his top collectibles, judging by recent sales. 

• Refractor Parallels: Green #/99, Gold #/50, Gold Wave #/50, Orange #/25, Red #/5, SuperFractor 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2020 Topps Chrome F1 George Russell RC auto on eBay 

1. 2020 Topps Dynasty F1 George Russell RC #IIGR (eBay)

2020 Topps Dynasty was the debut F1 set for the high-end brand, offering a number of premium RCs including George Russell and Lando Norris. 

In truth, any of the George Russell patch autos are likely to be a solid investment, although the average collector is likely to be priced out. Once again, the same goes for any graded copies. 

Check prices of 2020 Topps Dynasty F1 George Russell RC auto patch on eBay 

George Russell Rookie Cards: Buyers Guide 

George Russell rookie cards are valuable, but what do we think of the current shape of the market? 

One of the Topps Chrome cards (#39) has a shot of the Williams car. It’s not the greatest George Russell RC, but it is affordable. Base cards featuring the driver will sell for more. 

As for the best option? Any RC auto, preferably with a patch too. 

George Russell Rookie Cards: Final Thoughts 

George Russell rookie card parallels are expensive, especially serial numbered versions. Most collectors seem to think he’s midway through a meteoric rise to the top, as he competes with Hamilton in a car that isn’t a front-runner. 

Regardless, Russell  has a better record of beating his team-mate than any other driver to have started at least 50 races in the last 40 years, and has finished ahead of his team-mate in 49 of his 69 Grands Prix since making his debut in 2019 at the current time of writing. 

How will he perform in a car which has parity?