McLaren CEO Zak Brown has predicted that reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen will decide to leave Red Bull to move to Mercedes for the 2026 campaign.

The Dutchman’s prospects have provided much speculation since tension behind the seats coincided with Red Bull sustaining a downturn in competitiveness in 2024.

With Lewis Hamilton signing with Ferrari, Verstappen’s name was bandied about as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s leading target to replace the seven-time F1 champion.

However, with Verstappen insisting that he would be remaining with Red Bull in 2025, Mercedes promoted Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the seat alongside George Russell.

Verstappen, though, has been linked with a possible move to Aston Martin, with reports claiming that a deal worth $1 billion could see him reunite with Adrian Newey.

But Brown, who has spearheaded McLaren’s renaissance to eclipse Red Bull as the benchmark in the sport, is convinced Verstappen will make a switch to Mercedes.

“Oh I think he’ll leave at the end of this year, most likely to Merc,” Brown told The Telegraph.

“There’s been talk of Aston Martin, too, with Adrian Newey joining.

“But as great as Adrian is – and he’s the greatest ever – you need a whole team around you. You need the culture. That takes time.

“If I was betting, I’d bet on Merc.”

Brown highlighted how the suspicion that Mercedes has an edge with work on the next-generation power units coming in 2026 could be enough to entice Verstappen.

“In the last 10 years, they’ve won the championship seven or eight times,” he pinpointed. “Last year they won five races. They have stability.

“We know Toto likes him.

“And I think we all feel HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] is best equipped on the power unit side heading into the new engine regulations next year.

“Plus, George is out of contract at the end of this season and Kimi will be on a series of one-years.”

Mercedes performance key to future Verstappen move?

The contractual situation of both Mercedes drivers could come into play, should Brown’s assertion that Verstappen is likely to join the team be correct.

Antonelli has kickstarted his F1 car in impressive fashion, overturning a lowly grid place at the season-opener in Melbourne to finishing in fourth, navigating his way through the tricky, changeable conditions to stay on the road and finish one place behind Russell, who completed the podium.

The Italian’s progress will be watched closely, and will be keen to repay the faith shown in him by Wolff, who chose him to fill the seismic gap left by Hamilton.

Russell has performed admirably in his time with the team, since joining from Williams in 2022.

In three seasons, the Kings Lynn man has finished above Hamilton in the Drivers’ standings twice, being the first team-mate of the seven-time champion to do so.

Depending on the competitiveness of the W16, Russell will be surely expected to return more wins this year.

An additional factor at play could be his relationship with Verstappen, which took a contentious turn last year at the Qatar Grand Prix, in which an alleged incident involving the stewards, who stripped him of pole position, left him saying he had “lost respect” for Russell, who then rebuked Verstappen’s attitude in media interviews after the event.

However, such speculation may be academic, as Wolff has said Verstappen was “not on any radar” for the team.

READ MORE – Max Verstappen ‘not on Mercedes radar’ as George Russell contract talks loom

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff found himself tracking the progress of Lewis Hamilton during the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix despite his departure to Ferrari.

After 12 seasons helped forge a record-breaking partnership, Mercedes and Hamilton have now contested a GP as opponents for the first time since 2012 as the seven-time champion made his bow with Ferrari.

For Wolff and Hamilton, it was a genuine first, with both men joining the Silver Arrows in 2013.

Wolff admitted post-race at the Albert Park Circuit that he felt as if had “three drivers” competing in Melbourne as his eye kept wandering to his former charge on the timing screens.

“When I was looking at the screens at times, the way I looked at it is like we had three drivers, because I was looking at RUS, I was looking at ANT, and I was looking at HAM,” he said.

“Then, you realise that HAM is actually with Ferrari and is not with us anymore.”

Such is the bond Hamilton formed at Mercedes, Wolff revealed that the Brackley-based team is still rooting for the seven-time champion, even if he’s at rivals Ferrari.

“He was such a long time [he was with us], it’s logical that you can’t say, ‘He’s gone and you don’t care anymore,’” he said. 

“We very much care about how he is doing, but obviously, on the track, he is the competition, and we have to beat the competition.”

Hamilton supporting Mercedes replacement Antonelli

Hamilton’s replacement is none other than 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

A star of the future, the teenager was impressive in Australia, finishing in fourth after starting 16th. 

Hamilton was seen at Antonelli’s side throughout the Australian GP weekend.

First, the seven-time champion heaped praise on his Mercedes replacement during Thursday’s press conference. 

“Just looking at this youngster here, I’m happy for him, you know, he’s doing so well and conducting himself so well,” Hamilton said. 

“Taking that first leap, getting that first opportunity to be in Formula 1, it’s so, so special. 

“I know how many years of dedication it would have taken for him. Starting even younger than I did. It’s just exciting to see.

Hamilton later accompanied the Italian teenager during Sunday’s driver parade and the duo were seen exchanging words in the build-up to the GP.

Acknowledging Hamilton’s support, Antonelli said: “It shows how great he is, not only as a driver, but also as a person.

“Because he’s always there supportive.”

READ MORE – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff keen to thwart ‘iconic’ Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

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George Russell explained post-race why McLaren wasn’t the only team to win the strategy game in the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

After pitting for dry tyres during a mid-race Safety Car period instigated by Fernando Alonso’s Turn 6 crash, Lando Norris was warned by his engineer Will Joseph that rain was on the way and it indeed fell hard in Sector 3 at the end of Lap 44.

Norris survived an off-track excursion before making a last-minute and “decisive” call with his team to pit, a strategy that helped protect his victory at the Albert Park Circuit.

And while the likes of Max Verstappen and the Ferraris stayed out, a gamble that didn’t pay off, Russell and his Mercedes team also made the call to pit at the end of Lap 44, which proved to be the right call as he claimed his 16th F1 podium.

Russel revealed post-race that Mercedes underwent a similar process to McLaren before the GP unfolded to ensure it nailed strategy in those vital moments.

“The process started this morning, to be honest,” he said. 

“We had some really good conversations about how we were going to make these decisions, what they needed from me, what I needed from them. 

“I knew the rain would be getting heavier, so it was down to me to make that decision. 

“Similar to Lando, I made the call five seconds in advance, and the guys were ready to change the tyres. 

“That was a key moment in the race. I’m really happy about it because these mixed-condition races—for both of us, to be honest—they’ve gone away from us in the last couple of races. 

“When we look at Brazil last year, we both got it wrong with strategy. Also in Montreal, it kind of went away from us as well. I think now, just to be here, is a good result.”

Podium came by ‘staying out of trouble’

Russell’s podium takes Mercedes one shy of 300 in F1 and the Briton revealed that the result came by “staying out of trouble.”

Russell added that Mercedes’ pace deficit to the likes of McLaren and Red Bull in the hands of Verstappen meant he had no choice but to abort chasing those in front.

However, he had a buffer to the outfits behind, particularly Ferrari.

“I think just staying out of trouble [was key], to be honest,” he said. 

“It was pretty clear from the beginning that these guys were too quick for us, and we were quicker than Ferrari. So, I was kind of in no man’s land. 

“I made a decision quite early on that the best way to approach this race was just to bring it home. 

“If I risked it more, there was no extra reward on the table because they were just so far ahead. 

“Very difficult. As Lando said, any small mistake and you’d be punished. But pleased to come home with this result because I don’t think this is probably our strongest circuit. 

“Especially after yesterday with the hot temperatures, I was also very happy with the P4 in quali.”

READ MORE – McLaren ‘surprised’ by overall competitiveness of 2025 F1 car

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Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli proved he’s worth the hype with an impressive display in mixed conditions at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. 

Five rookies headed down under, but none with as much expectation as Antonelli and boy, did he deliver.

Antonelli arrives in F1 as an 18-year-old, hailed as the new generation for Mercedes to fill the gaping void left by Lewis Hamilton. 

The feeling within the Mercedes camp is that Antonelli could be a Verstappen-level talent, and fast-tracking him to F1 was crucial given the German marque missed out on the Flying Dutchman a decade ago. 

Before he was even announced as a Mercedes F1 driver shortly after his 18th birthday during last year’s Italian Grand Prix, Antonelli underwent an extensive TPC (Testing of Previous Car) programme.

This testing regime continued and he made a further FP1 appearance at Mexico City in 2024. 

In total, before arriving at pre-season testing last month, Toto Wolff reasoned that Antonelli had already racked up approximately 9,000 kilometres in Mercedes F1 machinery. 

But how would all of this translate into true F1 pace?

Antonelli suffered a qualifying setback in Australia

The first real indication of Antonelli’s true potential would be qualifying, where he was sadly resigned to a shock Q1 exit.

However, this was no fault of the Italian with his 16th-place spot on the grid due to a damaged front bib. 

Well, partly, as his ragged on-the-limit approach over several kerbs likely triggered the damage.

 “It was a bit unfortunate,” he said. “On the medium [tyres], obviously, it needed another lap to come in, but then we switched to softs, and I think after T6 the car was quite damaged.

“Tomorrow it’s going to rain, so anything can happen. We’ll try to build something good from there.”

There was promise then, at that point, of something special from Antonelli on Sunday as he had already shown he is fearless in the wet, having overtaken Franco Colapinto off-line at Eau Rouge in the wet during last year’s Belgian F2 Sprint race.

A race day charge

Come race day at Albert Park, and with fellow rookies falling by the wayside, Antonelli shone brightly. 

A Turn 3 spin did little to halt Antonelli’s charge from 16th through to fourth, which was signed off by a brilliant outside of Turn 9 move on Williams’ Alex Albon. 

Antonelli arrived on the F1 scene in a big way, displaying the adept talent to muscle an F1 car in the wet with the skills of a seasoned veteran.

Antonelli’s speed was matched with tenacity, bravery and skill.

“I think today we got all the possible worst conditions for a first race,” Antonelli told select media including Motorsport Week post-race. 

“I mean, we got wet, slicks on damp, slicks on wet, and then back to wet. 

“So, definitely a really, really eventful race. But I’m really happy how it was managed from my side and from the team. 

“Of course, I did a couple of mistakes, especially the spin. But, you know, the conditions were super, super tricky. Also, those white lines were a killer. But, yeah, really happy. 

“The team really helped me throughout the whole race and made all the right calls and I definitely cannot complain about today.”

Antonelli revealed that Sunday in Melbourne was his second time driving an F1 car in the wet, following his first TPC run last year in Austria.

A fast learner, Antonelli used his opening stint to learn about the Intermediate tyre before being confident in the closing stint of the race, which his move and Albon proved.

“It was my second ever time on the wet with an F1,” he said. 

“My first time was in Austria, my first ever test. 

“The first stint, I struggled a little bit because with the Inters, I was trying to learn the tyre and to see how it was working, the grip and everything and then when I put on the second set I had a lot more confidence.”

Antonelli’s Australia result on ‘merit’ – Wolff

Wolff said the performance was on “merit” and showed the world the potential Mercedes already knew about.

“We always knew the potential, we’ve seen it, we’ve followed him since he was a kid. Performs under pressure, and yesterday in qualifying that wasn’t his doing. He would have qualified much further ahead. And today you saw that, he was able to just, you know, properly reel everybody in, slowly but surely, without making any mistakes. He had a little spin, but otherwise P4 is the result that he merits.”

An F1 debut under the toughest conditions and Antonelli shone like the sport’s newest star should.

He’s worthy of the hype.

READ MORE – George Russell not ‘naive’ to the threat Kimi Antonelli could pose at Mercedes

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has denied McLaren’s “impressive” advantage in Formula 1 could lead the team to make an earlier switch to the new rules coming in 2026.

McLaren delivered on the pre-season expectation that it would be the side to beat as the reigning champions prevailed at the Australian Grand Prix with Lando Norris.

George Russell asserted post-qualifying that McLaren’s sizeable gap ensured it could turn attention to the impending regulation reset and still take both titles in 2025.

The suspicion that the Woking-based squad’s margin would expand in race conditions was realised as it dominated prior to a late rain shower disrupting proceedings.

But when asked whether that could inspire Mercedes to now put a greater emphasis on next season’s car, Wolff stressed that the German marque would not “give up”.

“It’s big; it’s an impressive gap,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week regarding McLaren’s pace at the Albert Park Circuit.

“It’s reminiscent to, you know, we had these years where you just wanted to disappear to the distance, but you must never give up. 

“You know, we’ve just done the first race weekend. We finished third and fifth [fourth once Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s penalty was overturned]. 

“It would have been fourth and fifth on merit, but we are where we are, and that’s why you can never take your foot off the throttle. 

“We have to analyse what is it we can do in order to manage the tyre better. You know, we’re not missing 20 points in downforce. That’s not the thing. 

“It’s just literally on the mechanical side, what can we do to keep these in the sweet spot? 

“So it hasn’t changed anything in terms of how we prioritise 2026 versus this year, after the first race weekend. You have to keep your cool and continue your trajectory.” 

McLaren advantage highlighted

Wolff concurred with Russell’s assessment that McLaren’s advantage predominantly resides in how the squad’s MCL39 preserves the tyres better than its rivals’ cars.

“I think we would have wished to have a fight with the McLarens and with [Max] Verstappen under normal conditions,” he conceded.

“We have a deficit in keeping the tyres in the window.

“They are able to do that better and get faster, and with us we’re seeing a degradation because they’re simply getting too hot. 

“That’s why I would have liked to be a bit closer to them, but that’s the reality.”

Mercedes must understand McLaren strength

Russell capitalised on Oscar Piastri’s spin on Lap 44 to claim a podium, while Antonelli delivered an inspiring comeback drive to rise from 16th to fourth on his debut.

That combination, coupled with Piastri slipping back to an eventual ninth-place finish, has seen Mercedes tied on 27 points with its engine customer in the standings.

But although he was content with the opening weekend, Wolff admitted Mercedes has to understand how McLaren maximises the tyres to contest the championship.

“I think, yeah, P3, P5. So that’s the result. If you look at the real pace today, pace result would be P4, P5. And I think it’s a solid first weekend,” he reflected.

“But looking at it always from the glass half-empty side, you have to say that the pace of the McLaren is just very strong. 

“Something which we need to understand, the way they are able to manage the tyres and extract performance from these is, yeah, we just need to get better.

“If we want to fight on merit for race victories and for a championship, there’s definitely something which we need to fight.”

READ MORE – Red Bull highlights ‘quite strange’ McLaren advantage in F1 2025

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has had his fourth place finish at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix reinstated after Mercedes successfully appealed with the stewards.

Anotnelli, 18, was masterful in the wet Melbourne conditions on Sunday.

Starting 16th on the grid, the Mercedes rookie survived one spin at Albert Park to climb to fourth on the road by the time the chequered flag fell.

However, the Mercedes ace was noted for an unsafe release in pit-lane, shortly after he’d made his pass on Williams’ Alex Albon to claim fourth and the stewards decided to hand the young Italian a five-second time penalty, demoting him to fifth.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Mercedes lodged a right of review, and upon the Stewards’ reviewing new evidence, the penalty was lifted and Antonelli reclaimed fourth place.

The decision was overturned thanks to roll-hoop video evidence that was only available post-race.

“The petitioner provided video from the roll hoop camera which was previously unavailable,” read the stewards’ statement. 

“This video was relevant and significant in the opinion of the Stewards and was unavailable at the time of the original decision (having only been downloaded from the Formula One camera post-race). 

“Having examined the new video, plus additional video previously not available to the Stewards and taken from the helicopter, the Stewards decide to reverse the previous Decision.  

“As a result the penalty on Car 12 in Document number 43 is removed and no further action is required. 

“It is clear that Car 12 did not cross into the fast lane until a significant distance down the pit lane and only after the driver checked his mirror to confirm clearance with Car 27.  

“The roll hoop camera shows that he had sufficient room to safely pass the McLaren pits without risk to the McLaren mechanics.”

READ MORE – George Russell not ‘naive’ to the threat Kimi Antonelli could pose at Mercedes

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli has described the prospect of racing against Lewis Hamilton as “surreal” as the young Italian prepares to make his Formula 1 debut at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Antonelli was chosen as the man to fill the enormous void left at Mercedes by Hamilton, who will line-up for Ferrari for the first time in Melbourne.

With a 22-year age gap, Antonelli, who had been affiliated to the German marque’s junior team since 2019, has spent much of his lifetime watching Hamilton’s successful career unfold.

Speaking to media in a press conference at the Albert Park Circuit, Antonelli conveyed his excitement at lining up on the grid alongside the seven-time World Champion.

“I mean, first of all, if it feels pretty surreal to be able to race, you know, with someone such as Lewis,” he said.

“I’ve been growing up, and also, once I joined the Mercedes, been looking at him, and it’s been incredibly successful.

“It feels kind of weird that I’m going be sharing the track with him, but also with Carlos [Sainz], with all the drivers at the end of the day, because you know when you’re used to see them on TV, and then finally you’re able to share the track with them, it is an incredible feeling.

“And yeah, last year, I’ve been doing some trackside, end of season, and being starting to work with the team, and Lewis has always been nice to me, and also giving me some advice.”

Turning to Hamilton, who was also present, Antonelli said: “And then also, I think you wrote a message, in the drivers’ room, so I’m going be able to see it pretty soon.

“But, yeah, he’s [Hamilton] always been really nice to me, and I’m really, really grateful for that, because it shows that, you know, it’s not only a great driver, but also a great person.

Hamilton shares own ‘surreal’ Schumacher memory in relation to Antonelli

Hamilton was quick to praise his replacement at the ‘Silver Arrows’, citing his commitment to how he has reached the pinnacle of motorsport whilst still in his teenage years.

He also cited a moment when he first shared an F1 circuit with Michael Schumacher, when the fellow seven-times champion came out of retirement to kick-off Mercedes’ return to F1.

A McLaren driver at the time, Hamilton recollected how he was thrilled to just follow in the German’s wheel tracks when the pair first found themselves on the same tarmac together.

“I’m happy for him [Antonelli], you know, he’s doing so well and conducting himself so well,” Hamilton said, “Taking that first leap, getting that first opportunity to be in Formula 1, it’s so, so special.

“I know how many years of dedication it would have taken for him. Starting even younger than I did. You’re 18 now, yeah? It’s just exciting to see.

“I remember being on track with Michael Schumacher back in the day, and he being ahead of me, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, that’s Michael Schumacher’, and I just followed him for lap as many laps till he came in, basically, and, and it’s a very, very… it’s just, it’s very surreal.

“It’s very hard to believe it’s true what you’re seeing, because you’re growing up every day, every weekend, you know, make a bacon sarnie, and sit and watch the Grand Prix come on and watch him have that success.

“So I think when I’m looking at the youngsters coming through, I think I always really do try and want to make sure that I’m trying to set a good example in what I do and kind of look at them and I want to protect them from all the incoming bombardment that they will experience, because it can be a cruel world and they just need time.”

READ MORE – Max Verstappen ‘not on Mercedes radar’ as George Russell contract talks loom

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Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff claimed Max Verstappen is “not on any radar” as George Russell enters a contract year.

Amid Lewis Hamilton’s 2024 bombshell that last season would be his final campaign with Mercedes, Wolff was in search of a replacement.

The Austrian eventually settled on teenage development driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with Russell assuming team leadership status.

However, Wolff didn’t hesitate when it came to flirting with the idea of luring Verstappen away from Red Bull, a pursuit he eventually abandoned in 2024.

With Russell on an expiring contract in 2025, could there be pressure on the Briton to perform to such a level that interest in Verstappen isn’t warranted?

“We need to concentrate on our driver line-up,” Wolff said ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. 

“I don’t flirt outside if I’m in a good relationship.

“So at the moment that [approaching Verstappen] is not on any radar.”

Those comments appear to put to bed any speculation Wolff is targeting Verstappen and is instead focusing on a future with Russell and Antonelli.

“I don’t plan to shift my concentration away from these guys and make sure that George has some visibility very soon, or has a contract very soon,” he said.

“[We will] find some time I guess before the summer, but we do that in a timely manner without disrupting the season”.

Russell focused on team performance, not Mercedes contract

Russell arrives at the start of the 2025 campaign having put together one of his strongest seasons last year. 

Were it not for a technical disqualification, Russell would have picked up three GP wins last term and his triumph in Las Vegas was a comprehensive beating of the competition amid a faultless weekend.

Moreover, Russell heavily out-qualified former team-mate Hamilton to further back up his credentials that he can lead Mercedes forward.

And after several years of the team performing below its lofty expectations, Russell’s focus right now is on returning Mercedes to the top of F1, rather than securing his contract for the foreseeable future.

“We have had such a long-term relationship and so much trust between one another and we are focused on getting Mercedes back on top and trying to win races and championships,” Russell said of Wolff.

“Performance speaks, so from my side there is no pressure. 

“I have no doubts about myself and everything falls into place when the timing is right. 

“We have bigger fish to fry right now, which is getting us back on top.”

READ MORE – George Russell unconcerned by Mercedes’ vested F1 interest in Max Verstappen

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Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has dampened expectations for his squad ahead of the season-opening Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Despite taking four GP wins last season, Mercedes slipped to fourth in the Constructors’ standings as it struggled to get its W15 in the right operating window from race-to-race.

To help rectify the W15’s deficiencies, Mercedes had an arduous winter in a bid to build a stronger, more competitive W16 machine.

Regardless of an apparent improvement with its new car, Wolff believes Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren will have the upper hand on the Silver Arrows as the team enters its post-Lewis Hamilton era with George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

“As a team, we had an uphill challenge over the winter,” Wolff admitted.

“Our competitors finished 2024 strongly and we know that Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren in particular, should have a performance advantage over us initially.

“We can be pleased with the work we have done in the off-season, and the test in Bahrain.

“Both drivers commented favourably on the W16 after the three days, and we seem to have made improvements.

“Of course, the only thing that matters is how we measure up against the stopwatch relative to our competitors. We will certainly begin to get a clearer picture on that this weekend.

“We will write the opening lines of our next chapter at the Australian Grand Prix. It’s an exciting time as we build upon the incredible legacy of the Mercedes brand in motorsport,” Wolff continued.

“We will be striving to set new benchmarks and fulfil new dreams in the years ahead. That will take every single one of us: from the drivers to the mechanics, engineers, everyone at Brackley and Brixworth and, of course, our fans.”

Wolff added that the “journey” Mercedes is headed on served as “the inspiration for our season launch film.”

Ahead of this weekend’s F1 season-opener, Mercedes released its ‘Every Dream Needs a Team‘ promotional video, which serves as the mantra the team is heading into in its post-Hamilton era.

“As George says at the end of the film: ‘This is just the beginning.’ And we are excited for what lies ahead,” said Wolff.

“It is a celebration of everything that makes Mercedes what it is: Innovation; Pushing the boundaries; The pioneering spirit of our founders,” he added. “The same DNA that drives us forward today.

“With George and Kimi, two homegrown talents from our junior programme graduates, we have a strong driver line-up that combines experience, youth, and raw speed. It is an exciting duo that will lead us into our next era.”

READ MORE – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff keen to thwart ‘iconic’ Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

The post Mercedes casts admission over prospects for initial 2025 F1 races appeared first on Motorsport Week.

George Russell has insisted he is remaining patient when it comes to achieving success with Mercedes in Formula 1, citing that he is certain his “time will come” soon enough.

Russell’s promotion to the parent Mercedes team in 2022 came with the expectation that he would be in instant title contention based on the squad’s previous track record.

Mercedes had been the dominant force in the sport prior to the Briton’s return, having won an unrivalled eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships from 2014 to 2021.

But the German marque has been unable to replicate that success since the reversion to ground effect cars, managing five victories combined across the past three seasons.

However, Russell, who prevailed in two races last year, isn’t growing irritated with his prolonged wait to be equipped with a package to mount a challenge for the title.

Even in the circumstance where Mercedes comes up short again in 2025, Russell, providing he earns an extension, harbours optimism that his patience will be rewarded.

“I know my time will come,” Russell told the BBC. “And I’ve just got to ensure that I keep on performing. And whether it’s this year or next year, it’ll come.

“And if I keep delivering those results, as I did over these last three years against the best driver of all time, I believe I will get myself in the fight and hopefully a Championship to my name.”

Russell ‘proud’ of Mercedes record against Hamilton

As he alluded to, Russell’s optimism that he has the essential credentials to claim the ultimate prize in the sport emanates from how he stacked up against Lewis Hamilton.

Russell outscored the seven-time F1 champion twice in their three seasons together, leading him to concede he has been unfortunate not to have a title to his name.

“The results speak for themselves,” he said. “And I don’t have anything I need to prove or show. I am proud of the results I’ve achieved going up against somebody like Lewis.

“At the end of 2021, statistically and in terms of perception, Lewis was the greatest of all time.

“And I’ve had three years against the greatest of all time, and I finished ahead of him two out of the three years I had as team-mates.

“And finished ahead more times in quali and more times in the race. If this was a different time or a different era, if you finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton, you’re a World Champion.”

Russell denies pressure relating to ‘new chapter’ at Mercedes

Hamilton’s bombshell departure to Ferrari has prompted Mercedes to embark on a “new chapter” in 2025 with rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli slotting in alongside Russell.

But although he is taken on the mantle as the senior leader within the team, Russell denied that has heightened the pressure on him heading into the upcoming campaign.

“This is turning a page. It’s a new chapter,” he acknowledged. “And I don’t suddenly feel any additional responsibility.

“He’s a great kid. He’s very young, but he’s a really nice guy. Super-fast, of course.

“Being thrown in at the deep end, which is going to be a big challenge. But in terms of raw speed, I don’t think you can question it. And there’s going to be an interesting new dynamic.”

READ MORE – George Russell: Mercedes has ‘things in the locker’ to cure W16 weaknesses

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