Despite joining Mercedes when the team was no longer fighting for Formula 1 World Championships, George Russell remains confident about a future title.
Why it matters:
Russell's comments highlight the long-term vision required in F1, comparing his situation to Michael Schumacher's journey with Ferrari, which took years to yield a championship.
The big picture:
George Russell is in his seventh F1 season and fourth with Mercedes. Since joining in 2022, he has secured four Grand Prix victories, including a recent win at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix. Despite Mercedes' struggles with the current ground-effect era and the "zero-sidepod" concept, Russell is still aiming for third in the championship standings.
Russell shared with Motorsport.com his heightened determination:
- "I'm definitely more hungry than ever just to try and perform."
- "I would have hoped by now, seven seasons in, I would have at least had a year of fighting for a championship."
- He acknowledged that while Mercedes expected a championship fight annually, it hasn't materialized.
Schumacher comparison:
Russell noted the parallels with other drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, who also faced long waits for competitive cars. He then drew a specific comparison to Michael Schumacher's path with Ferrari:
- "And you look at Michael Schumacher, he was in his fifth year with Ferrari, in his 30s, before he won a championship with them."
- "I'm 27, so I've still got a bit of time on my side."
While Schumacher had already secured two titles with Benetton before his Ferrari success, Russell's point underscores that an ideal combination of driver talent and technical regulations often takes time to materialize. The focus for Mercedes and Russell now is on confirming his future contract and preparing for the 2026 regulations.