Russell eyes Verstappen duel, surprised by Red Bull's strong start
Summary
George Russell reports Mercedes' 2026 car is performing as expected in early testing but remains cautious about its title credentials. He admitted surprise at the strong and reliable start from Red Bull's new power unit and expressed his desire to battle Max Verstappen for the championship, anticipating a close fight between several top teams.
George Russell says Mercedes' new W17 is meeting early development targets but cautions it's "way too early" to label it a title contender, while expressing surprise at the immediate competitiveness and reliability of Red Bull's first in-house power unit. The Briton welcomes the prospect of a multi-team fight at the front, singling out Max Verstappen as a desired championship rival.
Original Article :https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13502307/george-russell-mercedes-driver-...