It’s secure to say George Russell‘s time at Mercedes hasn’t gone as he had imagined it. Coming off the again of an uber-dominant period led by Lewis Hamilton, Russell hoped the Silver Arrows would kick off the 2022 Formulation 1 guidelines period in comparable vein, solely to be hamstrung by a recalcitrant and bouncy lineage of vehicles that Mercedes didn’t get a constant tune out of.
However amid Mercedes highs and lows over the previous few campaigns, Russell confirmed he has what it takes to choose up the baton from the departed Hamilton, and delivered his greatest and most constant season but in 2025. After witnessing Lando Norris seize a world title final 12 months, will Russell now lastly get his flip in 12 months 5 of his Mercedes stint?
Ronald Vording – Russell can capitalise on his expertise and consistency
When serious about George Russell’s 2025 marketing campaign, the phrase that involves thoughts is consistency. Within the ground-effect period, Mercedes didn’t (but) have the equipment to battle for the most important prizes, however Russell as a person proved to be remarkably constant, and at a excessive degree.
That’s precisely what’s required for his first F1 title battle and it seems that alternative has now arrived – at the least if Mercedes delivers on the potential that just about everybody within the paddock attributes to Toto Wolff’s group and its energy unit. Kimi Antonelli remains to be studying, so this appears to be the 12 months for Russell to capitalise on his further expertise, very like Norris did final 12 months in comparison with Oscar Piastri.
As for the rankings, I really feel Russell ought to rating increased by way of consistency than in every other class. His tempo isn’t far behind, though by way of outright pace I’ve nonetheless positioned him beneath Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and (marginally) Norris. Due to some incidents in earlier years, his racecraft nonetheless leaves some room for enchancment, though that side may develop into simpler if this 12 months’s Mercedes proves to be as aggressive as anticipated.
Stuart Codling – F1’s Powerpoint king might have discovered his metier
By way of one-lap tempo, maybe over a race distance too, I’d nonetheless fee Charles Leclerc as having a little bit of an edge over Russell. However not a giant one – final 12 months Russell actually advanced as a competitor, and would possibly even have been nearer to the last word championship battle had Mercedes not gone down a blind alley with its rear suspension.
Famously, Russell made his pitch to hitch Merc’s junior driver programme with assistance from a PowerPoint presentation. He’s the sort of driver who will fortunately use any technological instrument to equip himself with a aggressive edge.
Insiders say Russell has thrown himself into the simulator programme with a relentless vitality over the winter, exploring as many permutations of the energy-management rigmarole as he can to arrange himself for making the method automated on the subject of race conditions. It’s doubtless he’s the best-prepared of all of the drivers as they embark on what shall be an eventful journey below the brand new regs.
Additionally, Hamilton likes a secure automobile below braking, and this isn’t what he’s going to get with the flighty 2026 machines, together with the not-always-predictable results of the electrical motor harvesting below deceleration. Disgrace, however the method continues to maneuver away from his ability set.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photograph by: Simon Galloway / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
Jake Boxall-Legge – No marvel Russell is the bookies’ favorite
The early proof means that Mercedes has a great opportunity at preventing for normal victories in 2026. If that is the case, count on Russell to spearhead the group’s hopes at capturing a primary drivers’ title since 2020, as he seeks to hold over final season’s momentum. At 28 and embarking on his eighth season in F1, Russell needs to be in his prime – and he is bought the psychological bandwidth and acuity to make successful of the 2026 rules.
He ought to be capable of get on phrases with a automobile with a bit of bit much less downforce than earlier than – in spite of everything, he did drive the 2019 Williams for a 12 months – and the equipment at his disposal needs to be one of many main vehicles of the 2026 order. No marvel he is the bookies’ favorite.
How our score system works
To set the drivers aside, we have now taken inspiration from the official F1 sport to attribute scores in 4 completely different classes, out of a most of 100.
- Expertise (EXP): An goal rating merely based mostly on the motive force’s expertise degree via whole race begins
- Racecraft (RAC): The motive force’s capacity to race wheel to wheel, both to defend a place or pull off a decisive overtake, with out touchdown themselves in bother with the stewards
- Consistency (CON): The motive force’s capacity to maintain clear, keep away from unforced errors whereas being persistently fast in a race
- Tempo (PAC): Displays a driver’s tempo over one lap, largely in relation to their team-mate
- Total Ranking (OVR): The 4 above classes shall be mixed into an general score, weighted in direction of Tempo.
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